El Coyote in Oklahoma City: Mexican Breakfast with Chorizo and House Salsas
El Coyote is a family-run Mexican restaurant in Oklahoma City focused on breakfast and brunch, built around slow-cooked meats, made-to-order salsas, and griddle work that separates it from faster-casual chains.
What El Coyote actually is
Located on NW 23rd Street in the Paseo Arts District area, El Coyote operates as a sit-down breakfast and lunch counter with a kitchen visible from the dining room. The restaurant seats roughly 40 people across a handful of tables and a small counter. The space is modest and clean, with a focus on food rather than decor. Most customers are regulars or neighborhood workers stopping in before 11 a.m., though walk-ins are standard throughout the morning.
Menu, pricing, and signature dishes
El Coyote's breakfast menu centers on dishes built from chorizo, machaca (shredded beef), and huevos rancheros. A plate of chorizo and eggs runs around $9 to $11 and arrives with refried beans, hash browns, and two flour or corn tortillas. The chilaquiles—fried tortilla strips simmered in house red or green sauce with cheese and a fried egg on top—cost roughly $10 and are thicker and less greasy than versions at casual chains. Breakfast burritos, stuffed with chorizo, potato, and cheese, run $8 to $10 depending on size.
The house salsas are made fresh and change slightly by the day. Red is mild and tomato-forward; green includes cilantro and jalapeño. Both come with every order and refill is standard, not an upsell. Coffee is drip-style and cost around $2.50 for a cup that staff refill without asking.
El Coyote does not serve lunch after 2 p.m. and closes by mid-afternoon most days. Verify current hours before visiting, as family operations sometimes shift seasonally.
How it compares to other Oklahoma City breakfast spots
The key divide in Oklahoma City breakfast is between speed-focused (IHOP, Waffle House) and sit-down neighborhood places with house recipes. El Coyote falls clearly into the latter. Compared to Cattlemen's Steakhouse, which also serves breakfast but tilts toward steak and eggs for $14 and up, El Coyote costs less and specializes in Mexican preparations. Compared to Ted's Cafe, a larger Mexican chain with multiple Oklahoma City locations, El Coyote is smaller, slower-paced, and more focused on breakfast; Ted's emphasizes lunch and dinner. If you want speed and standardization, go to IHOP. If you want neighborhood atmosphere and made-from-scratch salsas at mid-range pricing, El Coyote is the choice.
Who El Coyote suits and does not suit
This place works for people who value handmade components and do not mind waiting 10 to 15 minutes for food. It suits early risers (it opens early) and those who know what they want from a breakfast menu. It does not suit people seeking trendy presentations, alcohol service, or a full-service restaurant experience. It also does not work for people on a tight schedule; the kitchen is small and operates at one speed.
What the first visit involves
Walk in and seat yourself at a table or the counter. A server brings water and a basket of warm flour or corn tortillas, often with a small bowl of house salsa at no charge. Study the menu, which is printed on a single laminate. Order at the table or counter. Most orders take 12 to 18 minutes. Food arrives on standard ceramic plates with sides arranged simply. Pay at a register near the exit; tipping is expected and typically 15 to 20 percent.
Hours, parking, and logistics
El Coyote typically opens between 6 and 6:30 a.m. and closes by 2 or 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours vary and should be confirmed. Parking is street parking on NW 23rd, usually available in the morning. The restaurant is not wheelchair accessible due to a step at the entrance. It is cash-friendly but also accepts cards.
El Coyote fills a specific role in Oklahoma City's breakfast landscape: a place where portion sizes match the price, the kitchen does not rush, and house recipes matter more than branded consistency.
