El Coyote has enriched the west Los Angeles community since it was first founded in March 5, 1931. 

In close proximity to other popular tourist sites like the Grove and the Farmer’s Market, the Mexican food restaurant has been visited by numerous celebrities, but it has also been subject to ample criticism over the years.

Offering an array of dishes whose color is equal to the lights that adorn the dark ceilings, the couch-like booths and walls the color of terracotta pots contribute to the warm atmosphere of the restaurant.

The history of El Coyote is both a strength and weakness of the restaurant, insofar that the restaurant’s admirable commitment to its past has also been detrimental to its growth.

In an age when many restaurants have expanded their horizons to include more sophisticated delivery options, El Coyote’s reluctance to offer a basic delivery service has become more outdated as time passes. Perhaps their attempt to maintain the integrity of the restaurant’s original vision has rendered it obsolete within the ever-growing realm of online food delivery options.

Nevertheless, El Coyote remains a cultural and historical landmark of Los Angeles. Whether it’s success can be attributed to its recurring and faithful visitors—or to its popularity within the neighborhood’s community—it is a center of community, and many of its visitors have dined at the restaurant for multiple decades.

Featured Image: Logo of El Coyote Cafe Photographer: Veronica Richardson ’15