This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to a family owned restaurant located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone, NC, and to Coyote Kitchen. This mountain eatery features Southwest Caribbean Soul food and offers burgers, bowls, boats, and tacos just to name a few.

Dora here. Winter has to be tough for this restaurant. They have ample outdoor space with tables that extend down a long sidewalk, but a cozy interior (translate small). Not really a restaurant for romantic ambiance or a place to chat privately. But, hey, the food is fantastic and the service friendly and quick. It’s one of our go-to spots in Boone now.

I ordered the chef’s special of the day, the Blackened CAB Tacos with beef, chipotle flavored cream cheese, spinach, tomatoes, caramelized onions, pineapple, and crumbled feta cheese served in flour tortillas. Wrapped in huge soft shells, the sweetness of the pineapple, the crunch from the raw spinach, and the spiciness of the chipotle cream cheese combined to give these tacos a mouthful of favor. Outstanding!

Dora here. The trouble with visiting Coyote Kitchen is that I want to try everything on their menu! lol. I finally decided on the Laos Boat. Amazing! Like a party in my mouth. A dash of sweet, a blast of sass…all those flavors zinging my tongue at different times. Cornbread, black beans, chicken, sweet potatoes, corn, plantains, tomatoes and cheese along with a healthy dollop of a chipotle infused cream cheese. This is the half sized portion, which really was a good size for lunch. Drool alert! 

Laos Boat…party in my mouth!

What’s your heat scale? Raging inferno, fully involved, or simmering sweetly on the back burner?

We rate this restaurant 5 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving outstanding food.