A new restaurant is set to open in Rockmart this coming week, and the owner has spent decades working in the industry

El Coyote owner German Alegria was approved by the Rockmart City Council for a pouring license during their Tuesday night session for the month of August. The unanimous vote to allow him to be able to serve malt beverages and liquor was the final hurdle he needed to clear before he will open.

Monday will provide friends, family and city officials the chance to check out the new restaurant before the public, but his grand opening is coming up on Tuesday morning, August 16 at 10 a.m.

El Coyote will be taking over the former Pizza Depot. Alegria has already been hard at work to update the restaurant, including a revamp of the iconic caboose that got a new coat of paint in recent months. The light blue color will in the near future get the logo added to the side, along with signage outside.

“It’s been my dream to open a restaurant,” Alegria said. “And it’s a hometown location everyone knows.”

The menu features a combination of classic Tex-Mex and authentic cuisine. And after 21 years of serving the same food at El Nopal, he has loads of experience with what he’ll be serving customers starting next week.

It won’t be long before the doors will be open, and he’s glad to finally reach this point.

“I want to say thanks to the community for all the support we’ve had as we’ve gotten ready to open,” Alegria said. “The community has been good to me in their support and helping me achieve my dream.”

El Coyote’s regular hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.