Cafe Coyote — Restaurant in San Diego

Café Coyote in Old Town San Diego is a sanctuary of Mexican cuisine, where authenticity is served on every plate and the atmosphere wraps around you like a warm, familiar embrace. As you step inside, you’re greeted by a lively symphony of laughter, clinking glasses, and the subtle hum of contentment that only comes from sharing a truly great meal.

Our culinary journey began with a classic appetizer: guacamole and chips. The guacamole, a vibrant green blend of ripe avocados, was topped with fresh pico de gallo and presented in a crispy tortilla bowl that added an extra layer of crunch to every bite. The chips were perfectly salted, crisp, and the ideal vessel for scooping up the rich, creamy guac. It was a simple, yet effective way to whet our appetites for what was to come.

For our main courses, we opted for the Asada plate and a Chile Relleno. The Asada plate was a true feast, featuring a perfectly grilled steak with just the right amount of char, locking in the juices and enhancing its natural flavors. Accompanied by a generous serving of refried beans sprinkled with crumbled queso fresco, a mound of fluffy Mexican rice, and a warm tortilla wrapped in foil, it was the kind of dish that satisfies both your hunger and your soul.

The Chile Relleno was equally impressive—a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with cheese, lightly battered, and fried to golden perfection. It was tender, flavorful, and offered a delightful contrast to the robust flavors of the Asada.

To complement our meal, we indulged in two different margaritas. The Mango Margarita was a sweet, tropical escape in a glass, with the perfect balance of fruity sweetness and tangy citrus. The Chamoy Margarita, with its unique blend of spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors, was an absolute delight. The rim, coated in chamoy and chili powder, added an extra kick that made each sip a new experience.

Our waiter, David, was attentive and friendly, ensuring that our glasses were never empty and our plates were always full. His service added to the overall enjoyment of the evening, making us feel well taken care of throughout our visit.

If there was one small note, it would be the salsa—it could have used a bit more heat. But given that Café Coyote is situated in a touristy area, it’s understandable that they might dial down the spiciness to cater to a broader audience.

We celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary at Café Coyote, and it was an evening to remember. The food, the drinks, the service—it all came together to create a perfect celebration of our love and commitment. If you’re looking for a place to mark a special occasion, or even just to enjoy a great meal, Café Coyote is where you’ll find that experience. Highly...

The atmosphere was great, I was greeted and seated promptly. The host was very kind and granted my request to be seated in the courtyard, but I had just gotten into town, so I had two carry-ons and my backpack. She asked me to put my luggage beside the dirty wall near a busy walkway. I politely told her that it wasn't going to happen. I placed my luggage beside me at my table, where there was more than enough room. I ordered the chicken soft taco and a glass of water. The meat was juicy and tender but very flavorless. It lacked seasoning and salt, of course not surprised. It was garnished with tomato and lettuce, no salsa, just very plain and soaked in the chicken juice at the bottom that when I picked it up it all fell apart and had to eat it with the fork. The sauce that was provided with the chips was very bland, not spicy, and lacked salt. I put some on my taco to give it some type of flavor and seasoning. It kind of helped but not to my expectations. I was done within 45 minutes, requested the cheque, paid it, and left a decent tip bc it was about the long-awaited experience, which was disappointing. Grabbed my belongings, I saw a distinguished lady who carried herself very well, and I assumed she was the owner or manager. Politely asked her to point me to the bathrooms. It was this very long, busy walkway to the very back of the building that led to a very narrow area behind the building into this tiny bathroom. The bathroom seemed well stocked, but I hesitated, bringing my luggage in bc of liquid or who knows what it was on the floor. I had no other option but to leave them inside by the door where I could keep an eye on them. My whole experience was pleasant, but not the best. The unseasoned chicken was my biggest disappointment bc this establishment was on my...

So, we ended up at Cafe Coyote, in the Old Town district, for lunch. It was recommended to us by a couple people we met during our travel. I liked the vibe of the place when we got there. Lots of outdoor seating and wide open doorways to the inside. We were sat at an outdoor table which had a red umbrella. It was nice. Our server was friendly and efficient. We ordered tacos (2 carne asada, one fish and one potato), along with rice and beans. Chips and salsa were complimentary. We also ordered the Cafe's flight of margaritas (5 different flavors). We waited a bit for our lunch to be served. When it arrived, I thought the presentation was good. Good serving size too. I had the carne asada tacos. I found them to be sub par, for what I was expecting here in Old Town San Diego. The meat was tough and not flavored as it should have been. I have had better carne asada in my home town. The tortillas were not up to par either. They did not seem fresh. My wife said the fish taco didn't meet with her expectations either. The potato taco was okay, but missing flavor/spices that should have been there. The tortillas for her tacos were not fresh either, having a toughness to them. And, the margaritas were only...okay. She said the watermelon margarita tasted as though a jolly rancher was used to flavor it. Not a lot of alcohol in the margaritas, either. The ambiance was great. The service was good. The prices were a bit steep, but not terrible. We were just unimpressed with the quality and taste of our tacos. The rice and beans were good. But, I can not recommend the fish, potato or carne asada tacos, based on...