Elvis Miranda

El Coyote Restaurant on Beverly Boulevard has been a Hollywood institution for more than seven decades. The food is inexpensive, and the margaritas are strong. Outside, the valets are on the job. One, in particular, with his wide smile, catches your eye.

Right at home: I know, I know. Where did I get my name? Everybody asks. My mother and my grandmother loved Elvis, so ... I’m OK with it. I’ve been working here at El Coyote a little more than two months. Before that, I was in the military. I was stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas. I got out just in time.

Between cars, keys and customers: I work the 4-to-11 p.m. shift. That’s the busiest time. It’s 6 now, and we’ve had maybe 200 to 300 cars in and out. What I really want to do is go to college. I’d like to do something like paleontology -- you know, dinosaurs. But first I have to work here.

His kind of driver: I like people who smile, tip -- who are nice to you. But sometimes we get people -- I don’t know why, but they just want to yell: “Why did you put my car over here and not there?” “What took you so long?” “Can you pull it up closer?” They just go on and on.

Perks: The best part of this job is it keeps me busy. It’s never boring. And I get tips, sometimes really great ones. And I get to see all kinds of famous people.

-- Carolyn Patricia Scott