Step into the vibrant world of El Coyote Cafe. This isn’t just any restaurant. It’s a time capsule a living piece of Los Angeles history.
El Coyote Cafe opened its doors in 1931. Blanche and George March launched this culinary adventure. Their tiny cafe initially resided on First and La Brea. It later moved to its current iconic location on Beverly Boulevard in 1951. Today El Coyote boasts eight rooms and a patio. It serves an average of 1000 meals daily.
But El Coyote’s fame extends beyond its delicious food and potent margaritas. Voted the city’s best by Los Angeles magazine and the Los Angeles Times its drinks are legendary. The cafe holds a darker secret too. On August 8 1969 Sharon Tate Jay Sebring Abigail Folger and Wojciech Frykowski shared their last meal within its walls. Hours later they became victims of the Manson Family murders. The movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood even recreated the scene using the very booth where Tate dined.
El Coyote’s story isn’t without its controversies. In 2008 a boycott threatened the restaurant. A manager’s donation to Proposition 8 a ballot initiative opposing same-sex marriage sparked outrage. The boycott which significantly impacted revenue highlighted the cafe’s history as a gay hangout. The manager later apologized but didn’t renounce her support.
Despite this El Coyote perseveres. It celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2011 with 75 cent dinner specials. It continues to thrive attracting both everyday Angelenos and Hollywood celebrities. John Wayne Loretta Young Ricardo Montalban Drew Barrymore and even Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco have graced its booths. The restaurant’s eclectic decor its warm atmosphere and its history make it a unique and unforgettable Los Angeles experience. El Coyote Cafe is more than a restaurant it’s a legend.