El Coyote Mexican Restaurant

El Coyote in Jamaica, Queens, serves very tasty Mexican food, which is exceptional for central Queens. The atmosphere is usually lively, especially on weekends, but it's not another tequila bar. The burritos and tacos are very good, but the real specials include more seafood and tastes of Mexico you won't find at a Tex-Mex place.

El Coyote is a fun Mexican restaurant, especially on the weekends, and much better than the typical Mexican bar/restaurant in Queens. Enjoy the food and the decor, like the restaurant's namesake above the bar.

I recommend starting with guacamole ($7) made at your table. The avocados are carefully, lovingly crushed, and the spices are mixed to your taste (Try three or more chiles). Seven bucks isn't steep for this dish. It simply can't be beat.

The restaurant's chicken soup ($5) could be a meal in itself. Though the carnitas michoacanas (roast pork at $9) are a bit dry, they come with a fine green sauce. The fajitas ($10) are exceptional. The menu and specials run to the coast with plenty of seafood options. And everything comes with a miniature mountain of rice and beans for all the big eaters.

Unfortunately, the restaurant pushes wine. It's unfortunate simply because there's a first-rate selection of tequilas for margaritas, and crisp Modelo Especial beer to drink, as well as non-alcoholic horchata (a delicious rice drink) and agua frescas for your sipping pleasure. Luckily for tequila fans, El Coyote is just outside the last stop on the F train, giving you an excuse to leave the car at home.

Sandwiched between 99 cent stores and a small-time grocery, it's easy to overlook El Coyote. That would be the biggest mistake you could make in the neighborhood.