Sabbatikos

El Coyote has a storied past as a fixture in Los Angeles since it first opened its doors in 1931. Founded by Blanche and George March, the restaurant quickly became a popular spot for locals seeking authentic Mexican cuisine. Over the decades, El Coyote has not only survived but thrived, maintaining its status as a cultural and culinary landmark in a city where trends easily come and go.

El Coyote’s most famous connection to Hollywood history is both tragic and poignant. On a fateful August 8, 1969, actress Sharon Tate dined at El Coyote with friends, just hours before she and four others were tragically murdered by followers of Charles Manson. This dark chapter in the restaurant’s history has made it a place of pilgrimage for those interested in the story of Tate and the Manson Family.

El Coyote’s legacy was further cemented in popular culture with its inclusion in Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” “The film, which is Tarantino’s reimagining of the events of that fateful night, features a scene where Sharon Tate, played by Margot Robbie, visits the restaurant. This portrayal brought renewed attention to El Coyote, as well as being the impetus for our initial visit.

While we may have originally gone to El Coyote for its infamous history, we’ve gone back from the tamales. The menu is a standard mix of traditional Mexican flavors, offering a wide array of dishes that have filled the gullets and bellies of generations of diners. The real gem is their huge moist and rich tamales. We thought there were so good we bought several to go and put them in the freezer for a rainy day. After a few tamales, and couple of strong margaritas, I’d sum up a visit to El Coyote as a place well suited to eating and drinking yourself into a full-force siesta.