Folsom locations will support Twin Lakes Food Bank during Jan. 5 anniversary burrito fundraiser
FOLSOM — A Northern California fast-casual staple with deep local roots is celebrating a milestone this January, and Folsom is firmly part of the story.
Dos Coyotes Border Cafe is marking its 35th anniversary with a regionwide celebration that blends nostalgia, community giving and the same values that helped turn a single Davis eatery into a longtime favorite across the Sacramento region. Two Dos Coyotes locations operate in Folsom today, making the anniversary especially meaningful for local diners who have made the restaurant part of their routine for decades.
Founded in 1991 by Bobby Coyote, Dos Coyotes grew from a scrappy, hands-on beginning into a regional institution now serving thousands of guests daily across 12 Sacramento-area locations. The roots of the restaurant trace back well before its first burrito was served, shaped by Coyote’s upbringing, travels and passion for accessible, high-quality food.
Coyote grew up in a quiet corner of West Los Angeles, where he developed an early appreciation for authentic Mexican cuisine. Experimenting in the kitchen from a young age, he honed his instincts preparing simple but flavorful dishes such as quesadillas, carne asada and marinated chicken. That connection to food stayed with him even as his career path initially took unexpected turns.
Before opening Dos Coyotes, Coyote worked in a range of jobs, including as a laser light technician for the rock band WAR. He later managed Café Figaro in Los Angeles, where he began envisioning what he described as a “people’s restaurant,” one that served bold, high-quality food at prices accessible to families and college students.
A visit to Santa Fe proved pivotal. Immersed in the region’s vibrant culture and innovative Southwestern cuisine, Coyote found inspiration in the fusion of flavors, colors and energy that defined the city. That experience became the foundation of Dos Coyotes Border Café, shaping both its menu and its lively, welcoming atmosphere.
When the first Dos Coyotes location opened at The Marketplace in North Davis, it nearly didn’t happen. Just two months before opening, Coyote learned his contractor was shutting down and financing had fallen through, forcing him to complete construction himself. Even the restaurant’s first “training day” became opening day when curious locals knocked on the door and insisted on trying the food.
The original menu centered on simple, flavorful tacos made with two warm corn tortillas, flame-broiled chicken or steak, onions, cilantro, charbroiled cebollitas and house-made salsa. Seasonal specials soon became a signature feature, allowing for culinary creativity while highlighting local produce. Many of those early menu ideas remain central to the brand today, including longtime favorites such as the Ranchero Burrito and Yucatan Chicken Salad.
Long before “farm-to-fork” became a regional movement, Dos Coyotes sourced ingredients from farmers markets and local growers. That commitment has continued for decades, including an ongoing partnership with Mi Rancho, the restaurant’s original tortilla supplier, which still produces hundreds of thousands of tortillas used weekly across all locations.
To honor its 35th anniversary, Dos Coyotes will host a one-day fundraiser on Monday, Jan. 5, offering its signature Border Chicken Burrito for $5, matching its original menu price from 35 years ago. To receive the special pricing, guests will be asked to donate $2 or more, with all proceeds benefiting local food banks in the communities each restaurant serves. Donations collected at the two Folsom locations will support Twin Lakes Food Bank, which provides food assistance to residents throughout the Folsom area.
In addition to the one-day event, the restaurant is offering a monthlong anniversary special throughout January, featuring two Ranchero Burritos and drinks for $19.91, a nod to the year Dos Coyotes was founded.
Community involvement has long been woven into the restaurant’s identity. Over the years, Dos Coyotes has supported farm-to-school programs, food literacy initiatives and local nonprofits through efforts such as “Tacos for Charity.” The anniversary fundraiser continues that tradition, turning a celebration of longevity into a day of generosity across the region.
In Folsom, where Dos Coyotes maintains two locations, the fundraiser carries added local significance. Twin Lakes Food Bank has seen increasing demand in recent years, and partnerships with local businesses remain critical to meeting community needs.
As Dos Coyotes nears its fourth decade, the company says it remains focused on thoughtful growth, culinary creativity and staying rooted in the communities that helped build the brand — including Folsom, where generations of residents have made Dos Coyotes part of their own story.
The anniversary fundraiser takes place Monday, Jan. 5, during regular business hours at all Dos Coyotes locations.
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