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    The Cosmic Cantina

    3.7 (415 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 11:00 am - 4:00 AM (Next day)

    Order The Cosmic Cantina Takeout or Delivery

    The Cosmic Cantina Photos

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    THE COSMIC CANTINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    11.- Regular Chicken Burrito
    Shanelle Y.

    My friend and I got dinner around 5:30 pm on a Sunday and it was pretty quiet inside. There were lots of open tables and we were helped right away. The menu on the wall doesn't have much detail, but they have hard copy menus as well with more information / ingredients listed. I ordered the regular chicken burrito and thought it was big, but it was half the size of the giant one that my friend got!! Portion sizes here are very generous - especially for the price - and the food came out in less than 10 min. Most importantly, even though it was made from simple ingredients, the burrito had really great flavor! Would defintley come back to try some of their other menu items.

    The front door
    La Juania M.

    I do go back and forth with this place. Definitely in a unique location. You go up some suspicious stairs and get to the funky door. I thought the food was ok. I felt it needed a little something.. they have this hot sauce that that I recommend. Added the little kick everything needed.

    32.- Steak Chimichanga
    Riley H.

    Suchhhhh a good place after a night out. The burrito was immaculate. Rice and chicken cooked to perfection, rolled into a massive burrito. Demolished this in literal seconds. Service was great, so fast! A little hectic inside the restaurant, but I didn't mind.

    22.- Steak Nachos
    John Y.

    First time trying this place and was so cool! Loved how it feels like a whole in the wall and gives Austin TX vibes. Loved how much history is still here in the space. We got the asada nachos and a marg! So good and that marg was fire! Thanks for a fun lunch! Will definitely drive back up here to try other things.

    Chicken Nachos
    Becky B.

    I love this place! It's a dive, no frills and super cool. There's so many options including vegetarian! The burritos are huge! We had nachos ($11) and they were delicious. Generous amounts of chicken, black beans, guacamole, white cheese and tomatoes. Can't wait go back!

    Street view - you'll walk right past unless you're looking for it.
    Smythe R.

    You'd be forgiven if you couldn't find this place if you were told about it. It's on a very dark side street off ninth Street in Durham. It's a second floor location, so there's nothing on the ground floor to tell you that it's there except an arched doorway with a handpainted unlit sign over it. Go ahead walk up the stairs and it's on your right. You enter a nicely lit, open area with the food prep bar in front of you across the narrow room. A huge menu is hanging over the glass panels. There are paper ones around as well. Regarding the decor: you just walked up stairs plastered with stickers and graffiti and into a door that had no readable label. There will be no tea lights and cloth tablecloths. It's a late night dive, and fills the spec perfectly. Actually, it's nicer than most dive bars I've been to. But temper your expectations, ok? Anything is good. I like the quesadillas, but the burritos are fine, too, just messier. I'd only eaten in once, but frequently stop in on the way home from work or after a game night. They are open until 4 am, so good for after hours folks. ‍ To go orders are made quickly, so the pupper at home waiting after work doesn't get too much worse.

    Met some really nice people
    Joel V.

    Best Mexican spot in Durham. Vibes are immaculate, food is excellent and affordable, love the graffiti staircase, great spot for pics. When I order pickup on my lunch breaks, I don't even have to say anything, the guy just instantly hands me my order.

    Vegan burrito
    Lauren C.

    Incredibly good vegan-friendly Mexican food! Many of their menu options can be made vegan by omitting the cheese, sour cream, etc. They do have vegan meat substitutes but I opted for a burrito with both black and pinto beans instead and loved it. Also really good guacamole.

    Deluxe steak burrito
    Ethan C.

    Cosmic is a Mexican place located in a cool hidden alleyway. They had great prices and pleasantly surprisingly quick service. They are also open everyday until 4am, which is really convenient. Deluxe steak burrito was slightly soggy but tasted great regardless. Will be coming back again

    Steak chimichanga

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    8 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Food was so bad. Got a burrito and I honestly didn't think you could mess up a burrito!

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    8 months ago

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    4 years ago

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    9 months ago

    I ordered a tofu burrito with guacamole and no cheese no sour cream...vegan to go. Get home and we have cheese. Wtf?

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    3 years ago

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    11 months ago

    My first visit and I was not disappointed. I got a chicken burrito and it was delicious!!!

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    4 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Pretty good burrito for Durham. Nice casual place. Counter service was quick to get my burrito.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Love this place. Queso is the best and steak burrito is bomb. Long lines tho during the evening and night time.

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    Page 1 of 11

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    Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas - Pollo a La Brasa / Crispy Yuca Frites / Maduro

    Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas

    4.3(690 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Came here after the Durham Farmers Market with a friend and wow this place was a surprise. …read more I went with the grain bowl and honestly it is one of the best I have had in downtown Durham. It is built on quinoa and rice with black beans and kale, then layered with corn salsa, tomato cortido, guacamole, and a creamy acevichado style sauce that pulls everything together. It is finished with a crunchy mix of pepitas, nuts, and grains. The balance is quite ideal in my view. My friend had the rotisserie chicken with two sides, kale and slaw, and it was just as impressive. Crispy skin, juicy inside, and really clean flavors. Simple food done right and GF friendly. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared. Prices land right where you would expect for the quality, roughly 16 to 21 dollars depending on what you order, and it feels worth it. My bowl plus side of dark chicken was plenty. A few notes. Parking is what you would expect for downtown, so plan accordingly. Service was solid and friendly, but nothing that stood out. The vibe inside is festive and relaxed, bright and open, and just a fun place to hang out for lunch. Porbably not a special occasion. I also suspect it could get loud when full. This is definitely going into my regular rotation. That grain bowl is going to be hard to pass up next time, so instead of replacing it I will probably just add a side or an empanada and start working my way through the rest of the menu.

    The empanadas, arepas and Luna Grain Bowl were awesome. We had their generous portions and…read moreperfectly seasoned chicken, pork and brisket with these. Their cocktails were also very good. Nice decor and vibe. Service was also good.

    Photos
    Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas - The main area

    The main area

    Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas - Patacón

    Patacón

    Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas - Sangria

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    Sangria

    The Cosmic Cantina - mexican - Updated May 2026

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