Larchmont Chronicle Story Archive

Larchmont Chronicle Neighborhood newspaper representing Hancock Park, Larchmont Village
Miracle Mile, Park La Brea Fremont Place in the Wilshire center area of Los Angeles. Local News and
stories about the local Los Angeles Scene. Historical informattion regarding the Larchmont Chronicle and
Hancock Park area. Founded in 1963 on Larchmont Bouelvard, Los Angeles, CA, California

June 2, 2006

EL COYOTE

AN AVERAGE of 1,000 meals are served daily, most with a margarita voted the city’s “best.”

EL COYOTE CUSTOMERS TREATED LIKE FAMILY FOR PAST 75 YEARS

By Melanie Mulligan

One by one, the legends have fallen: Chasen’s, Schwab’s (twice), Ma Maison, Nickodell’s. The list goes on.

But at 7312 Beverly Blvd., not too far from where the Original Spanish Kitchen closed its doors in 1961, the crowded parking lot is testimony that one bit of L.A. culinary history is not only surviving, but prepared to make more history.

I’m referring, naturally, to El Coyote Cafe, a Los Angeles landmark known for its classic Mexican cuisine and colorful history. This year El Coyote celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Opened in 1931 by Blanche and George March, the tiny cafe was originally located at First and La Brea. Its owners may have started small (George cooked and Blanche handled the front), but thanks to their natural love of people and a genuine interest in their well-being, the business thrived.

In 1951 El Coyote moved to its present location on Beverly Blvd.

Today there are eight generous rooms and a patio where an average of 1,000 meals are served daily—plus they serve a margarita voted the city’s “best” by L.A. Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.

Blanche and George’s two-person operation now boasts 95 employees, many of them long-timers.

It’s not uncommon for a staffer to have 15 or 20 years on the job. Maria, the hostess and manager, has held her position for a stellar 50 years.

“She’s a real treasure,” stated Margie Christoffersen, niece of the original owners. How much longer does Maria expect to stay on board? “Forever, I hope!” Margie quipped.

She and husband Wayne help run El Coyote; they are also its best customers: They have a standing dinner date at the famous eatery every night at six.

There’s a kind of magic that can be felt the minute you walk in. Autographed photographs of Hollywood stars line one wall just inside the entrance. John Wayne, Loretta Young and Ricardo Montalban ate there. A young Drew Barrymore spent many an evening tearing around the restaurant while family members dined. And one day even royalty came calling when Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco walked in unannounced.

Colorfully-painted walls adorned with sombreros and a mix of eclectic art—as well as overhead strings of Christmas lights left up all year round—create a soothing, easy atmosphere with an undercurrent of excitement and anticipation. “It’s a healing place,” smiles Margie, who left a long teaching career to keep El Coyote in the family.

Slender and silver-haired, Margie can be seen nightly circulating among all the tables with a water pitcher—refilling glasses and visiting with customers—warmly attending to their needs and requests. She feels her hands-on personal contact with the clientele is how Aunt Blanche would have wanted it. “My aunt would hover,” she laughed. “We care about people. It’s our mission statement. We take care of each customer like family.”

The 75th anniversary was officially marked on March 13 by rolling back prices to 75 cents for special dinners, with mariachis, souvenirs and prizes. Aunt Blanche and Uncle George would have loved seeing the long line of devoted patrons lined up to celebrate the occasion. They would have been justifiably proud that four generations of Los Angelinos have made their little cafe their guacamole purveyor of choice.

And no one connected with El Coyote has any plans on going the way of the Brown Derby any time soon.

Or as Margie Christoffersen puts it, “We’re here for the ages.”

Larchmont Chronicle
542½ North Larchmont Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Editor & Publisher: Jane Gilman
Associate Publisher: Irwin Gilman

Admin

Information about the Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Park LaBrea areas of Los Angeles, california. The larchmont Chronicle provides information, news stories, local events, advertising, real estate information, real estate listing advertisings, Los Angeles area demographics and other neighborhood news.