restaurant review

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 / 7 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us on a road trip to Wilkesboro, NC and to Dodge City Steakhouse, a locally owned restaurant serving hand-cut steaks, chicken, ribs, pasta, and sandwiches. Now to most NASCAR fans, Wilkesboro brings up memories of North Wilkesboro Speedway, which hosted NASCAR races from 1949 to 1996, but it is also the second location of Dodge City Steakhouse.

Dodge City Steakhouse Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Limited hours and ALWAYS jammed when we drive by. Glad we finally decided to stop.

Dora here. Every time we’ve passed this place during their opening hours (which are limited to four days a week), the parking lot is packed. I’m glad we finally decided to stop. This place is ginormous with ample space for hosting large parties.

Ginormous inside with ample space for hosting large parties

I chose the 12oz. New Orleans Sirloin with a loaded baked potato and a side Caesar salad. The New Orleans meant special spices that added a little kick to the meat, and the loaded potato came with cheese, bacon, sour cream, and butter. Although I ordered the steak medium well (a slightly pink center), it came out a little overcooked. Even so, that did not hide the zesty flavor. The baked potato was cooked just the way I like them, with a hard outer skin and soft inside.

Dodge City Steakhouse Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Dora here. I almost felt bad for Ernie because my steak tips were a perfect medium well, with just a touch of pink, and tender. Mmmm. The veggies were well seasoned and firm, and oh-so-good! Drool-worthy, yes? I don’t order a baked potato very often, but when I do, this is exactly how I want it. Salted on the outside with plenty of butter and sour cream. 🙂

Dodge City Steakhouse Excited about Eating Ernie Hiers

Steak Tips a perfect medium well and those veggies were oh-so-good!

What’s your favorite type of potato?

We rate this restaurant 4 forks out of 5 for a family restaurant serving great food.  If that steak would have come out medium well, it would have been a 5.

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