About Us
A St. Elmo Restaurant with the Spirit of the Southwest
Little Coyote
Little Coyote, our St Elmo restaurant in Chattanooga, is indefinable – and we like it that way. While living in Texas, Chef Erik fell for the bold world of smoked barbecue meats served with warm tortillas. That simple pairing became the foundation for Little Coyote’s menu and the inspiration for everything we do here.
From there, we let curiosity take over. We pull from Texas barbecue, Cuban cooking, Caribbean heat, and Southwestern traditions, creating food that feels familiar and adventurous at the same time. Tortillas are our favorite vessel. They make it easy to pile on smoked brisket, charred vegetables, vibrant salsas, and all the flavors that define who we are.
Set at the foot of Lookout Mountain, our St. Elmo restaurant brings a touch of the desert Southwest to Chattanooga. Terracotta tile, turquoise accents, and warm wood tones set the scene while our kitchen turns out tacos, smoked meats, and house-made corn tortillas pressed daily on traditional equipment. The result is food that feels rustic, soulful, and indulgent.
To round it out, our bar leans heavily into agave spirits. With over 100 tequilas and mezcals, handcrafted agave cocktails, Mexican and Spanish wines, and a thoughtful beer selection, the drink menu is built to complement the smoke, spice, and citrus running through our dishes.
If you’re exploring St. Elmo Chattanooga restaurants, think of Little Coyote as your landing place for bold Southwestern flavors, Texas-inspired barbecue, tacos made by hand, and an agave bar that loves a good celebration.
Erik Niel
Chef & Co-Owner
Erik Niel is the Chef and Co-Owner of Easy Bistro & Bar, Main Street Meats, and Little Coyote in Chattanooga, TN. A two-time James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef Southeast, Erik has helped shape Chattanooga’s modern food scene since opening Easy Bistro in 2005. The restaurant reflects his long-standing love of regional ingredients and creative, shareable plates.
In 2014, Erik and his wife Amanda opened Main Street Meats, a neighborhood restaurant and butcher shop built around whole-animal butchery and strong partnerships with local farms. Their belief in Chattanooga’s growing culinary community led them to launch the Scenic City Supper Club, a guest chef series that highlights the region’s chefs, farmers, and producers.
In 2023, Erik and Amanda opened Little Coyote in historic St. Elmo, drawing from the flavors, smoke, and agave-forward drinks Erik came to love in Texas. The menu focuses on smoked meats, tacos, house-made tortillas, and thoughtfully crafted cocktails that reflect the spirit of the Southwest.
Amanda Niel
Owner & Managing Partner
A Tennessee native, Amanda Niel brings together design, hospitality, and operations across all three restaurant concepts. She began with Easy Bistro in 2005, then expanded into Main Street Meats in 2014, shaping both the guest experience and the restaurant teams behind the scenes.
Amanda’s passion for Chattanooga’s food community pushed her and Erik to create the Scenic City Supper Club, a series that celebrates local chefs, bartenders, farmers, and producers. When it came time to build Little Coyote, she designed the indoor-outdoor space to feel warm, airy, and true to its Southwestern inspiration. Terracotta, light, texture, and natural materials all play a role in setting the tone.
Today, Amanda oversees operations, HR, marketing, events, and catering for all three restaurants, helping create spaces where people can gather, eat well, and feel welcome.
