Cosmic Cantina
Durham, NC
| Overall Score based on 4 reviews |
8.0 recommended |
Editorial Reviews (1)
Dan's Score: 4 / 10 full review...
The Cosmic Cantina was opened in 1996 by a couple of Duke University alumni who decided that Durham needed a place to get a decent burrito. I don't remember much about the Cantina when it first opened; it may have had something to do with being a college senior and turning 21, or it may be because the burritos weren't that memorable. My memory is usually pretty good, so it was with medium-to-low hopes that I ascended to the Cantina on a recent visit to Durham.
User Reviews (3)
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Showing 1-3 of 3 (most recent reviews shown first)
Score: 10 / 10 Reviewed by: thorne_frank
An outstanding burrito. When I worked in Durham I would eat 2-3 burritos a week on average here, over the course of three years. All the ingredients are fresh, healthy, and flavorful, without a lot of grease. The burritos felt light yet filling.
This is easily my favorite burrito joint anywhere. And I live a mile from the Mission.
Bonus points for the hole-in-the-wall atmosphere. Most of Durham is boring suburban strip malls, and the Cosmic is an authentic dive in an urban corner of the city.
Score: 10 / 10 Reviewed by: Fouse45
OK - just moved out to Northern California about one year ago. And, I lived two summers in San Diego. Want to know what??? Still have not found a better burrito than Cantina. Seriously. IN SD, I hit up Old Town, the Beaches and South SD. In the Bay Area, have been to Mountain View, Redwood City and the Mission in SF (La Costena in MV is close) - BUT the Cantina still rocks them all.
FRESH! The one word that describes all of the organically grown ingredients (including the salsa that is made on site).
The deluxe is the way to go at the minimum - comes with all the basics (black beans, sour cream, guac, etc...). If you are starving and feel like a challenge, go with the super.
Low on cash? Try an old school burrito (salsa, beans and cheese) or a cheese quesadilla.
Also has locations in NYC (near NYU) and Chapel Hill, NC. However, the Durham location is still the best.
Score: 8 / 10 Reviewed by: joneswak
My review will be a bit dated. I graduated from Duke University in 2000, and Cosimc Cantina at that time served burritos as part of the meal plan on campus in addition to their store on nearby 9th street. I haven't been back since 2001 and have no idea if they still exist let alone offer burritos on the meal plan, but here goes...
For something wrapped in foil under a heat lamp, the burritos on campus were excellent. Everything you needed for lunch: big, hearty, tasty, juicy, not too messy, and cheap! Optional green or red salsa and sour cream cups topped off the fine creations. I bet that these burritos made up about 2/3rds of my junior and senior year lunches. Very constant too -- I can't remember ever being disappointed.
The 9th St. restaurant boldly claimed "The best mexican food on the planet". While that may be debatable, it was certainly a great option. I didn't eat there anywhere near as often as I ate the burritos on campus, but restaurant didn't disappoint. The hole in the wall featured a larger menu and larger burritos, along with lots of tortilla chips. Again, I haven't been there since 2001, but I can't remember anything other than burrito bliss. I'll give it a 8 in case nostalgia is clouding my judgement.
Brian
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