Coyote’s Cantina draws early crowds

COYOTE’S Cantina has opened in Murwillumbah, with steady crowds turning out for tacos and margaritas since late December.

Owner Matt Tillett is new to hospitality, having spent most of his life in the horse racing industry managing breeding farms and racing stables across Perth and Victoria.

He relocated to the Tweed two years ago before deciding to open the Mexican eatery.

“I worked in the horse racing industry for most of my life, so I’m new to hospitality but food and beverage have always been my passion,” he said.

“The thoroughbred game is more a people industry than a horse industry, so you might be surprised how many parallels there are between what I used to do and what I do now.”

Tillett said he was inspired to open a Mexican restaurant by the cuisine’s vibrant and social appeal.

“I’ve always loved Mexican food,” he said.

“It’s fresh, tasty, healthy-ish and very suitable for sharing and social gatherings.”

The restaurant’s name also draws on local nostalgia, with many residents recalling Murwillumbah’s former Mexican venue South Of The Border.

“In doing my research, dozens of people told me how fond they were of the old restaurant,” he said.

“I thought a name with a similar theme could work.”

“We are also a dog-friendly venue so we like to tell people they can bring their ‘coyotes’ with them.”

In the kitchen, local chef Ryan Mudge is bringing his own experience and creativity to the menu.

After completing his apprenticeship locally, Mudge went on to work as a travelling head chef before most recently cooking in a fine dining Asian fusion restaurant in Surfers Paradise.

Now he is focused on delivering a cantina-style experience, with a seafood-heavy specials board reflecting his passion for fishing.

“Ryan has done a lot of research to bring as authentic a cantina style experience to our diners as possible,” Tillett said.

Since opening late last year, Tillett said the community response has been strong.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the early support from this amazing community,” he said.

“We are enjoying getting to know our new regulars and local foodies.”

He said the venue aims to complement Murwillumbah’s growing and increasingly diverse food scene.

“I think Coyote’s slots in nicely as a social and fun eatery that families can hopefully afford to frequent on a more regular basis,” he said.