Cosmic Cantina — Restaurant in Durham

Not sure whether the haters who wrote the 1- and 2-star reviews were expecting some fancy pants cuisine or something, but for what it is, Cosmic knows how to get things done. They may be a little bold with their sign out front that reads "BEST MEXICAN FOOD ON THE PLANET", but don't write this place off!

This joint is certainly unassuming at best -- you walk up this sketchy staircase to enter (rickety to the point that I'm always nervous to do my walk down because I'll be carrying an extra few pounds of burrito baby), the menu is on a chalkboard, and I wouldn't linger in those bathrooms much longer than nature requires, but this is a quality cantina.

They have an expansive menu (and they're good about letting you customize things -- always a plus given how picky an eater I am), good margaritas, friendly staff, and fast service. The guacamole too is (pun intended, I couldn't help myself) out of this world, but they are best known for their burritos.

They do take credit cards, which given the looks of the place always surprised me. The line at night (open until 4 AM) can get quite long, but don't worry -- it moves pretty fast. While I wouldn't probably bring someone here on a first date (or maybe I would, 'cause I'm classy like that), I would certainly consider an aversion to this place to be a red flag. Surprisingly spacious especially if you consider the patio deck out back.

Prices have gone up a little since I went there for the first time like 11 or so years ago, but it's still very reasonable (easy to spend less than $10 including a drink). The music can get a little overwhelming sometimes and the cleanliness / general decor leaves a little to be desired (I have seen the occasional rat when seated outside), but I'll chalk those up as part of the ambiance.

Also - I definitely think the super friendly guy (old ish one, not the attractive young guy) who works the counter is drunk like over 50% of the times...

In Durham's bustling food scene, atop an unassuming staircase on Perry Street, sits Cosmic Cantina, where interplanetary décor meets earthbound Mexican cuisine that defies both gravity and expectations, especially after midnight.

The establishment's vibrant menu board, adorned with planets, stars, and an alien mascot clutching fresh produce, establishes a playful tone that belies the seriousness with which they approach their craft. While the proclamation of serving "the best Mexican food on the planet" might seem hyperbolic, it's a claim the kitchen backs with surprising conviction.

The burrito – their flagship offering – arrives swaddled in foil like a tiny spacecraft. Unwrapped, it reveals a thoughtfully constructed interior: properly seasoned pinto beans, fluffy rice, and meats prepared with unexpected care. At under $14, it delivers sustenance without astronomical pricing, making it a cornerstone of Durham's late-night dining cosmos.

The dining room's ambiance marries utilitarian charm with cosmic whimsy. Exposed brick walls meet wooden ceiling panels while bistro chairs with blue-and-white woven seats invite patrons to linger. Decorative Mexican tiles line the counter, creating an eclectic backdrop for the restaurant's late-night theater.

Open until 4 a.m., Cosmic Cantina cultivates a devoted following among students and night owls. The establishment's stubborn inaccessibility – visible in the staircase one must climb to enter – may limit its clientele but enhances its cult status. This is democratic dining with a celestial twist, where burritos transcend their humble ingredients to become something greater than the sum of their parts.

Whether Cosmic Cantina truly serves the best Mexican food in the universe remains debatable, but in Durham's nocturnal firmament, it shines with peculiar, persistent brightness, a reliable beacon for the hungry wanderer seeking sustenance or simply late night carbs...

I truly don’t want this to be a negative review for Cosmic Cantina, because I really like this place! Google needs me to give a star rating, so I’m going to give it one star for the last experience I had here, which was objectively not great. Like I said, I really like this place. It’s been one of our favorite spots since moving here about 6 months ago. You can eat cheaply and it’s consistently tasty! Admittedly, my husband and I probably order take out a couple times (or more) a month. They have a super easy online ordering system and our hot, yummy food is usually ready when we get there to grab it. This past Thursday was very different. I arrived to pick up my order when I was told it would be ready, per the online system. The place was packed. I hadn’t seen it so busy. When I get to the counter, the guy tells me 5 minutes. When I’ve worked in service, we often pushed those orders through to make sure we made that “5 minute” promise. Maybe he didn’t know how long it would take, and that’s fine. Honestly, if he had said, “We’re a bit behind give us 25 minutes.” (that’s how long I stood there, after being told 5 minutes), I would have had my husband park and come up for a beer. That would have been a more enjoyable experience than idly standing there watching the young gal behind the counter cough into her hand several times, proceed to touch her face a bunch, and snack on chips and guacamole all while intermittently handing over food and ramekins of salsa to customers… not once did she wash her...