Cosmic Cantina
(919) 286-1875
1920 Perry St
Durham,
NC
27705
36.0075
-78.9213
Neighborhood: Old West Durham
Reviews & Ratings for Cosmic Cantina
47 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 47 reviews
Condemn as a foreign policy gesture
by durhamexan
March 06, 2009
The Cosmic Cantina is a sham, a travesty, an abomination and a crime against humanity. The restaurant (does it earn that title?) should be condemned as a gesture to our neighbors to the south. I've had some terrible imitation Mexican fare in my day; this is the worst, and that's saying something.
The food here is so bad and remarkably unappetizing, I have often wondered how the place manages to stay in business, let alone retain a FIVE STAR RATING (WHAT?) on sites such as these. I then realized that its patrons have never been west of the Mississippi and couldn't discern cochinita pibil from bu?uelos.
If anything, the Cosmic Cantina could be commended for attaining previously intattainble levels of Bland. I mean it, there is not a single ingredient inside those hell-begotten doors above a "Smartee" on the flavor-scale. The Cosmic Cantina would attend a Nickelback concert if it could.
I wish this rating system allowed zero stars.
- Pros: its owners are PROfessional CONs
- Cons: Literally everything
It is not just about the burittos by Jill D. at InsiderPages
Contributor
January 05, 2009
Most people will talk about their burritos, but please do not ignore the rest of their menu. Burritos are great, but they have so much more to offer besides their giant burritos. I personally love their tacos with black beans and chicken.
A good time to visit is in the spring, so you can sit on the outside patio/roof area. Just be wary of the steep stairs.
No confusion. Cheap, tasty food. by Silas S. at InsiderPages
Contributor
October 09, 2008
Cosmic Cantina, a little hole-in-the-wall above Perry St. in Durham, is one of those places you miss when you're not in town. It's in a studio-loft space on the second floor with a back deck in a quasi-urban area, and it's almost tough to find if you've never been guided there yourself, but that's part of the charm. They're actually open daily until 4 a.m., which is hard to beat. As a Duke student, I know it's worth the walk or drive from campus at any hour of the day. Personally I like the chimichianga, but it's the steak, chicken and cheese quesadillas that bring me back. Absolutely delicious, and the cheese quesadilla is only $2.06. And I've read reviews of Cosmic lamenting watery salsa; I wonder, what kind of salsa are you used to? No tomato-salsa? Keep it to yourself, and leave Cosmic for the lovers.
Huge Portions by Stephanie S. at InsiderPages
Contributor
May 26, 2008
There are a few reasons why I really like Cosmic Cantina the portions are huge, the food is so so inexpensive and their open until like 3am on Saturday night.
Not what I expected by Karim _. at InsiderPages
Contributor
December 23, 2007
So I heard the Cosmic Cantina had the best Mexican food in Chapel Hill. That is far from true. The food is average and service was far from what I expected. We got there and it took a while for the hostess to greet us and seat us. Then when we got seated they never send a waitress over to take our order.
Once we finally got our meal we were disappointed in the quality of the food. Maybe this is because our expectations were higher than the restaurant warranted. I mean the meal wasn't horrible but I would not go back again. On the plus side the nacho chips were really good and they provided three different sauces for dipping. But then again the nachos weren't free and we had to pay for them as appetizers. Come on.. what Mexican restaurant charges for nacho chips.
Cheap Eats by Kareema M. at InsiderPages
Contributor
December 12, 2007
This is a great spot to get authentic mexican food at a cheap price. When I'm low on money I take my kids here. The portions are very hefty so it's easy to share. One can easily feed a family of 5 for under $15. I also like that they offer vegetarian versions of all of their meals.
Better than any chain in the Triangle!
by raleigh_grrl
September 27, 2007
Please don't listen to the reviewer who recommends two *chain* restaurants instead of this kooky, eclectic, awesome restaurant tucked away on 9th street. I can't think of a better place to grab a steak burrito at 1:30 in the morning, when only the perfect food will suffice. If you aren't comfortable with the old historic building appeal of the interior, then get the burrito to go, trust me, you won't be disappointed.
- Pros: Quick, Cheap, and downright tasty.
- Cons: there's not one in raleigh.
Bland Mexican food, Watered down salsa
by gsharp247
September 11, 2007
Bland, uninteresting flavors catered to an audience unaccustomed to real Mexican food. I grew up in New Mexico and Los Angeles, so I know Mexican food and this place leaves much to be desired. Aside from that, the tables and floors were dirty and you kind of felt dirty being here. Also the bathroom was right out in the dining room. Pretty unappealing. You'll get better flavor/environment at On the Border (yes some chains are better than "holes-in-the-wall") or for something more authentic, try Torero's (on 15-501 in Durham) or El Dorado (on NC55). Also, for excellent flavor and ingredients, and my favorite Mexican food in North Carolina, try Chipotle on Franklin St in Chapel Hill. It beats the pants off this place for flavor and environment.
- Cons: atmosphere, parking, restrooms
I'm missing why it's supposed to be so good
by tdotson
May 21, 2007
We went to Cosmic Cantina for the first time today. I expected it to be kind of a dump and it was, and that's not a "charming, fun" dump, just a plan, dark space, although it was late afternoon and desolate. Staff were not friendly. Burritos were OK, tortillas tasted fresh and beans were pretty good. Salsa was fresh made, but obviously long before we ate it - it was 80% exuded water (from long-ago chopped tomatoes) and nearly flavorless, maybe the worst I've ever had in a restaurant. You get one tiny cup (like a tablespoon) that the nasty chips won't fit in, unless you can convince the guy to give you a second one (after one taste, one cup was more than enough.) I took the family there to convince them that "non-chain" is better than "chain" (Moe's) and left apologizing and longing for Moe's, which I think is better and cheaper (and you can get plenty of salsa, limes, cilantro, guac, etc. without paying extra.) I really wanted to like Cosmic Cantina. I'm glad we've got a place with character where students can eat at 4 in the morning. Still, as much as it pains me to say it, I'd ten times rather go to Moe's or On the Border. Maybe I should try a taqueria.
- Pros: Fairly large menu, kind of interesting atmosphere
- Cons: Bad salsa, average burritos, not as great of a value as I'd heard
best burritos in NC
by zdevil
April 13, 2007
a Durham classic. not to be missed. I think the veggie burritos are the best. don't go for grande unless you're sharing with 3 people.
