Crossing Over to Rock And Roll
By Rachel Perry
Journal Register News Service

Need a night out? Here's something to howl about! Coyote Crossing, with two picturesque locations in West Chester and Conshohocken, is serving a hot summer menu of delicious Mexican food (and more margaritas than you can handle).

The spicy restaurant, owned by Chef Carlos Melendez, gives locals a reason to go out on the town, with lots of outdoor seating, creative and mouthwatering dishes and an atmosphere that can either be all party or all class, depending on what you're in the mood for.

We recently visited the Conshohocken location, which was packed-probably half because the evening was deliciously cool and half because it was a Saturday night, so everyone was itching to get out and get some food and drinks. Even so, we only had a wait time of about 10 minutes for a table- and it was well worth it.

Because the restaurant was so busy, you might not always get such fast service, but trust us when we tell you that you won't mind so much when you see the place and taste their food.

But let's back up a little. If you're a Conshohocken resident or regular visitor, you're probably already aware that they've been around for a pretty long time.

"[We] opened in November '96," says Melendez. "We have a lot of regulars. Most people come from the Main Line."

It had been Melendez's longtime dream to have his own restaurant.

"I moved to the states 15 years ago," he says. "I always wanted to open a restaurant, and the space here was available, so I borrowed money from a private investment company and opened it."

Yes, it really is that simple. And because Coyote Crossing enjoyed so much success, even in it's early days, Melendez decided to open up another one about three and a half years ago, in January '04.

If it's atmosphere al fresco you're looking for, look no further than the Conshohocken location's outdoor patio- it definitely puts other Philly area outdoor dining areas to shame. The wrought-iron tables and chairs, tiny white Christmas lights, fountain and garden at night will take your breath away; they're stunning and feel like something out of a storybook. (Similarly, the West Chester Coyote Crossing offers rooftop seating.)

"Restaurants in the summer are slow, so I wanted to make sure I offered outdoor dining," Melendez says.

Of course, both locations have a luxurious indoor dining room and bar area as well; you can chose whether you'd like to sit inside or outside- it's a win-win situation either way.

Melendez's lunch and dinner menus are pretty win-win, too, with a medley of choices from the ultra-traditional Mexican fare to the creatively unconventional.

No one does Mexican fare like Carlos Melendez. We'll be back, Coyote Crossing. Oh we'll be back. Buen provecho!