El Coyote, Huntsville

I like Bridge Street. But everyone likes Bridge Street, and this means on a nice evening after work, or on a weekend, it can get a little crowded. So if you're there, and you want to sit down and have an inexpensive, uncrowded dinner, consider leaving Bridge Street and going to El Coyote in the shopping center on Old Madison Pike just across the Research Park overpass. El Coyote is a Mexican restaurant with a small bar and a little bit of outside seating. But if you're in the area and don't want to pay $8 (at least) for a Cantina Laredo margarita, go there.

A satisfied customer leaving El Coyote.

Beardy, Smalls, and I went to El Coyote on a recent weeknight at about 5:30 (after a short visit to Bridge Street). Many of the customers looked like they'd just left work in Research Park. A loud man presided over a table of co-workers next to us. When he announced to his table that Max wasn't coming, Smalls looked concerned and asked me, "Max isn't coming?" We never found out why Max didn't come.

El Coyote's food is standard Huntsville Mexican. I used to think their carne asada tacos were good until I had El Paso's. This time I had enchiladas suizas, and it was pretty good. They do have a kids' menu, and it's also pretty standard. Smalls ate a cheese quesadilla and salsa and enjoyed her dinner.

The cheese quesadilla got a good review from Smalls, but some healthy sides would be very welcome.

Nice chairs!

Exciting table art.

Bathroom report: The women's is a single (meaning toilet and sink are all in there together--no stalls). It was clean, and has a fold-down changing table, and one of the biggest mirrors above the sink that I've ever seen. Really. I've been to Versailles, and this mirror still impressed me.

Toddler Friendliness Ratings

Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 booster seats. No real complaints. They had plenty of booster seats and high chairs, and the ambiance was casual, so if Smalls had been a little loud I think it would have been ok. First she would have had to drown out our loud table neighbor, though.

Food: 3 out of 5 booster seats. Once again, I'd like to see healthy sides on the kids' menu.

El Coyote

6610 Old Madison Pike

Huntsville, AL 35806