Boone

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 6 Comments

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.Coyote Kitchen Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

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.

Coyote Kitchen Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

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!

Coyote Kitchen Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

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! 

Coyote Kitchen Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

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.

Coyote Kitchen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 2 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to a restaurant located in the heart of downtown Boone, just one block off King Street. Proper, a restaurant serving “homestyle southern cooking with a modern, seasonal slant” offers ingredients sourced locally from the community.

Dora here. The exterior looks like you’re walking up to somebody’s house. Good thing their sign is big. lol. 

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers, Proper

Outside…looks like you’re walking up to somebody’s house, lol

Inside was jammed shortly after they opened on Sunday, but we found a nice, quiet spot on the heated porch. Even on the porch, we could still hear the faint strains of the guitar from the live music. Subtle and soft, not in your face like some restaurants, and invited you to sit and linger over your meal.

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Heated porch

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Inside was jammed shortly after they opened for Sunday Brunch.

We shared a Brunch Biscuit Baby, like a cinnamon roll without the cinnamon, with strawberries and figs topped with a lemon glaze. Not being a fig type of guy, I was not sure how I was going to like this, but it was outstanding, with just the right amount of sweet and the figs were great. Dora here. OH MY! What a fabulous start, but it almost could’ve been an ending. Sweet, almost dessert-ish, but not so much that we had trouble eating our meal. Of course not, lol.

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers, Proper

Brunch Biscuit Baby…Biscuit dough rolled up, strawberries, figs and lemon glaze. Oh yeah!

Since we visited on Sunday at lunch, we were offered the Brunch menu. I chose the Chicken and Waffles. The chicken was crispy (just the way I like it), juicy and very flavorable. The waffle was light and fluffy and complemented the fried chicken well. Outstanding choice!

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers, Proper

Chicken & Waffle, outstanding choice!

Dora here. The Breakfast Tacos came heaping with delicious, tender brisket, sour cream and salsa. Not sure why they were called Breakfast Tacos other than they were on the Brunch Menu. The selection of fresh fruit (pears, apples and grapes) was right up my foodie alley. This meal, this place, definitely warrants a repeat several times over. 🙂

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers, Proper

Breakfast Tacos with a side of fresh fruit. The brisket was so tender and DELISH!

Just an FYI. Close parking is virtually non-existent. Any spots right next to the building were all taken. Parking on Water St is prohibited and the nearby lots are private, so you might have to hike from King St, just a block away. Trust us, it’s worth it. 🙂

Does music play a role in how long you hang out after a meal?

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

Proper Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 7 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to our favorite mountain getaway, Blowing Rock/Boone area of North Carolina and to The Local.

Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

One block off King with a private parking lot across the street…WIN!

This eating establishment also boasts big screen TVs to watch your favorite sport teams. Located a block off the main drag (King Street), the restaurant gives you the feel of an eatery for locals just waiting to be discovered by visitors.

Dora here. And don’t forget about the dedicated parking lot across the street, FREE. Bonus!

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Hubby’s pointing to a dog bowl, letting these folks know The Local is pet friendly!

Dora here. What a wonderful outdoor space. With two garage doors that roll up, it’s a relaxing experience for sure especially when the day is as nice as this. Cool breeze, great food, and it’s PET FRIENDLY! People lined up to sit outside on the patio and I almost felt sorry for the ones who opted to eat inside. Even so, the interior is spacious, clean and beautiful. 

Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

Awesome, comfortable interior but everybody lined up to eat outdoors on the gorgeous deck 🙂

The one thing on the menu that drew us to this place was the Asheville County “squeaky” cheese curds. These curds were parmesan crusted and fried, served with a Chipotle dipping sauce. Let me say, we were not disappointed. Great from the first bite, the cheese was gooey, and the batter perfectly cooked.

Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

Cheese Curds Appetizer ~ Soft and yummy!

Dora here. Soft and smokey, melted goodness. Yum, yum!

For my lunch, I chose the Boonie Burger. Smoked pimento cheese, fried green tomato, and dill cole slaw topped a huge patty sandwiched by a soft bun. The mild flavor of the pimento cheese combined with the crunch of the slaw and the juicy patty, this is one burger everyone needs to try. And the sprouts? Outstanding!

Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

Boonie Burger with Sprouts-Outstanding!

Dora here. I ordered the Na’an Traditional Cuban, and boy was it ever! Non traditional, that is. lol. Inside that na’an you’ll find pulled pork, bacon, swiss, pickles and mayo. To me, all the individual elements were great; the pork was tender and juicy, the na’an soft. Unfortunately the bread couldn’t hold up against all that juicy goodness,  and the sandwich as a whole needed a jazz of flavor. Overall, not one of my favorite dishes, but with so many other dishes on the menu calling my name, next time I’ll try something else because, trust me, this place is definitely going on our favorites list.

Excited about Eating by Ernie Hiers

Na’an Traditional Cuban…boy was it ever!

What’s your favorite appetizer?

We rate this restaurant 5 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving outstanding food. Dora here. 4.5 for me, 5 for Ernie. 🙂

The Local Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato