Cosmic Cantina (please, just call it "Cosmic," we all know what you're talking about) is the lynchpin of UNC's late night cuisine. I can't even count the times that I've used their food to absorb the excess alcohol in my system after a night of serious barhopping, and for that it is excellent. Don't look for anything fancy here; they cater to drunkards and they know it, so expect the food to be prepared accordingly. The place is tiny, so seating is at a premium, especially around 2:00 AM when business really picks up. Often there will be a line out the door, so time your trips well. I don't advocate eating at Cosmic before 10:00 PM on moral grounds of tradition, and also because you won't be able to appreciate the terrible beauty of the food that early. The nachos are the unsung heroes of Cosmic. Get them with steak, and you will be happy. read more

Cosmic Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

I frickin love Cosmic Cantina. It's conveniently located close to campus for a quick lunch or late night study snack. The best deal on the menu is the veggie deluxe burrito. It's about $6 but with the UConnection app, you get $1 off any order above $5. It's a great deal. The "deluxe" just means guac and sour cream are added to the burrito. I've found that the chicken is a hit or miss, sometimes it's really dry, so I've been sticking with the veggie deluxe. The queso dip here is pretty good also. I will say I've noticed the quality of the food is typically better during the day than it is past 6pm. Cosmic has my heart and I'll never let it go! read more

This place is really important to me. Is it the best food ever? No. But it's freaking good. I love this place

Solid food at a solid price. Ordered with their new bike delivery last night, two el green burritos and they showed up 15 minutes later! Will definitely be doing the delivery again. read more

Duh, it's Cosmic. ‍‍ Cosmic is perfect for a quick meal or to go snack, and the portions for the price are amazing Moreover the quality of burritos is fantastic! No wonder it's been open for like 2 decades My only reasoning for 4 stars are: -I wish they did special/new order items once in a while -had better seating, esp with covid (too crowded) -chips aren't that great read more

My mini chicken deluxe burrito was everything and surprisingly really filling. All kinds of mouth watering deliciousness. Cosmic Cantina is a laid back place to grab lunch or sit down and enjoy a meal with friends. Definitely a college student's pick-me-up, but their customers come from a wide range of backgrounds. read more

Cosmic Cantina - Mini chicken deluxe burrito! - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Love love love this place! It's a great "hole-in-the-wall" place. Great ambiance and food! Try the burritos and nachos. Vegetarian friendly. can't wait to go again and I love that they're open late. read more

Cosmic Cantina - Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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super cheap and iconic restaurant on campus!! i love the vibes of cosmic and have been here a few times, however my most recent trip was a bit of a let down :( my food just wasn't good and wasn't worth the money spent on it. the staff is always so kind and efficient and i'm most likely going to order again bc everyone has off days and maybe that was theirs great restaurant and great staff i recommend it for fellow tar heels entirely read more

Went there before the big UNC,Duke game and was a nice crowd but not overly packed. Food was good and service was respectful. Definitely worth the trip..... read more

Who doesn't love some greasy Mexican food?! This place is what it is. Not the cleanest (sorry I had too) but the men that work there are always super friendly. Chimichanga is my iiiiiiish but get that cheese on the inside bra' read more

Got delivery through Uber eats. Burrito was cold. And this was not due to delivery, the food was delivered in a timely manner. If I had to hazard a guess, they probabaly have pre made burritos sitting out. The two times I've had queso here it was pretty bad. Last time it tasted like evaporated milk I thought it may have been a bad batch. This time however it was straight watery liquid and tasted watered down. Not coming back here again, even if I'm desperate. read more

Fast, affordable and the closest thing I've found to burritos that come close to the ones in Arizona! You gotta try the mole sauce, it is SO good! I personally thought the mole burrito was too much mole, but a regular burrito with a little sprinkle of mole on top is the perfect ratio. I also tried a veggie burrito (don't judge)- I didn't miss the meat and the burrito didn't miss any of the flavor. read more

If you come to Chapel Hill and you want a really great burrito that weighs as much as an infant, you need to go to Cosmic Cantina. This is a very small place kind of in an alley behind Johnny T-shirts. It's a place where you order at the counter and either take your food home or eat in their very small dining room. The food is made to order, and they have it ready impossibly fast. They do have an option to get smaller burritos, but really... why bother. Stuff yourself with their deliciousness, and stay full for a couple of days! read more

First of all, it's cold af in there. The cashier had a coat on so I know they know it's way too cold in there. Second, the menu SEEMED like the food would be good. I got the steak nachos. Do not order. My tortilla chips had a little scoop of cold shredded cheese, steak, unseasoned black beans, and salsa. It was so bad. They could have added fresh pico de gallo, queso, & refried beans and I would have been more satisfied. Think McDonald's but Mexican & that's what you'll get. read more

Cosmic Cantina has always been my favorite Mexican restaurants on Franklin St until the moment they decide to spike up their prices of giant chicken burrito from 14 dollars ish (with tax) to almost 19 dollars. I understand the issues with inflation but this amount of increase in price is simply unreasonable. I am sad that they have changed the pricing due to whatever issue they are having as this is simply unacceptable. This is absolutely ridiculous, and I am deeply saddened to see this happening. read more

The word "Cantina" following the word "Cosmic" in any medium will forever send a huge flood of dopamine flooding through my system like a water park ride. Everything is inexpensive and extremely delicious. Even the simplest cheese quesadilla seems anointed by taste gods. The salad dressing is light and tangy, perfectly balanced with blended oil; the perfect complement to a steak salad. But if you really want the keys to the kingdom, get the chicken nachos to go, even if you're staying. (The box yields greater nachovolume.) Cosmic taught me that soggy chips are a decadent treat, and to obsess over Valentina hot sauce (long called "magic cosmic sauce), a bottle of which I now empty no less than once a month. read more

Oh the cosmicy goodness. This is the best late night, cheap dinner, quick bite, whenever you need it to be there, fast, cheap, and most importantly GOOD little burrito shop in the Southeast. Cosmic is so perfect in so many ways. Their food is fresh, you can watch them make it, and they are very nice people. Don't worry about the decor. The awkward set up, old and raggedy tables and chairs, and chalk board menu are part of the magic that is Cosmic. Don't try to mess with it and change it into something it is not people. If you want sit down Mexican with a server....move along and someone else will gladly take your place in line. I cannot count how many times I went to Cosmic. I actually used to have rehearsal for a play in Hanes Art Center and probably ate Cosmic for 2 months straight because it was so close and never got tired of it. The burittos are huge, the chips and salsa are great and plentiful, the nachos are good, salads, the tacos. I love it all. And best of all, as all the other reviewers have stated, it's late night. Since graduation, I live in Atlanta and would easily trade 3 of my favorite restaurants here for Cosmic any day. (Just a note, that's only because we have a million restaurants in Atlanta...I'm not in love with Cosmic though this review is proving otherwise). Oh how I miss thee. read more

Great food for the price. I ordered the Vegan Platter #1 with 2 tortillas on the side for $4. This meal will fill you up. Nothing that I saw being made looked greasy or disgusting like most bargain Mexican food restaurants. I will definitely be going back for some cheap lunch. read more

This is my go-to place whenever I'm craving burritos - sober of not! I have yet to be disappointed with anything I've ordered here. The food is priced pretty cheap and is very filling! I also love that they put a lot of cheese in their burritos! During late nights and weekends, this place gets really packed and full of drunk people, which is pretty much a given on a college campus. I do wish they had more seating, but the cozy setup adds to its flair. read more

Extremely tasty and cheap vegetarian selections. For less than $3.50, you can get the mini vegetarian burrito and a soft drink. IMO it's plenty of food for lunch or dinner. I was suspicious of the (vegan) tofu burrito at first, but it too is a winner. Vegan platter #2 is really different from typical fresh Mex fare (or whatever type of food this is), and comes with a delicious spicy eggplant dish. Order the cheese and salsa quesadilla when you're in the mood for a greasy low-carb meal. I'm not ashamed to say that I prefer Cosmic over Carrburritos. I think the food is more flavorful, plus I prefer the simplicity of Cosmic. read more

Way over it. Intoxication was the only driving force for eating here, ever. The simple cheese quesadilla is bomb, but everything else is just meh. Perhaps spoiled by living in San Francisco's Mission district post-undergrad has made me cynical about inauthentic mexican cuisine in the area. Not even that -- there are just better places in town to hit up, not late-night though; two stars for being open until 3am (even 4am sometimes). But if it's not late night and you're looking for decent mex, head to BANDIDO'S or CARBURRITO'S for sure. Over the years, parking on campus to go to the bars became more difficult, but the NG1 (Hill Hall) lot and the N2 lot (gate raises after 5 pm) sits behind Cosmic and that whole stretch of Franklin up to Top-O, providing excellent proximity to Franklin Street nightlife. read more

Hate to do this. Cosmic's been a long-time favorite, but things have gone way down hill lately--at least at the Chapel Hill location. I've been ok with changes over the years: burritos getting smaller, less emphasis on organic ingredients. I've even made peace with the fact that if you give any special instructions (i.e., "Deluxe, no salsa") there's 65% chance they will get your order wrong. I've put up with all this because I've appreciated the consistently good (and occasionally great) burritos at a very reasonable price. But last night was a new low. My chicken burrito had some unrequested extras: 3 pieces of inedible gristle, one avocado stem, and the unmistakeable crunch of grit from unwashed beans. C'mon Cosmic! It's time to step it up. You owe this to your loyal customers. I'm not going to give up on you, but until I see and taste improvement--this one star stands. (BTW, I would have simply written this an email to the owner, but could find no website or contact info anywhere.) Update, 12/19/14: Upping my rating to 3 stars. Recent work placed me in close proximity to Cosmic and I ended up returning here for lunch several times in the past few months. Truth is, there's just nothing better for a quick tasty lunch on East Franklin. Big fan of the mini-burritos. Perfect lunch size. And all my lunchtime experiences were free of the disappointments mentioned above. Cosmic's still got it. Just hope they can keep it up. read more

I used to love Cosmic and eat there several times a week. In the past few years, the burritos have gotten smaller, more expensive, and drier. Once-friendly and attentive staff have been replaced by aloof cashiers who glare at you and sigh if you ask them to do the most minor services, such as extra salsa. There was a piece of glass in my friend's burrito and they didn't care at all. Two stars for the memories, but I'd rather go to Carrburritos. read more

Always a good drunk meal. And a good sober one. Veggie burrito is the best deal and is super tasty.

Real HOLE IN THE WALL. Sketchy access from a very narrow door up a graffiti sprayed stairwell only wide enough for a single person. Roof top outdoor seating is pretty cool. Very spartan and rustic... BUT the FOOD IS very very good. Salsa is like the BEST I have had in 10 years. Portions are HUGE so a great ROI. Was much more relaxed after chatting it up with the man behind the counter and realized that the other patrons were not going to shank me. My son (Mic) insisted he take me to this place, and for that I am most grateful. read more

THIS PLACE IS AMAZING! Cheap, delicious, open-late, full of veggie options. read more

I LOVE COSMIC CANTINA. I went there all the time as an undergraduate.. not because it was cheap or easy to get to on a drunken night... but because it was delicious. Their food is never greasy. Instead of using queso dip on their nachos for example, they use fresh shredded white cheese of some kind. Personally, I like Cosmic better than Carrburritos. I think its more flavorful and more fresh tasting. I never feel gross after I eat there as I would leaving Chipotle or Qdoba, which makes me happy both at that moment and the next morning. My wallet is pretty happy too. The location is ideal for late night food, which makes them a popular choice come 2:00 AM, so beware. The line may get long and oftentimes stretches out of the small restaurant, but lets face it you are probably drunk and you don't care. Cosmic, you will always have a special place in my heart. On a side note, i would NOT reccomend the burritos and quesadillas you will find at various campus owned convenience stores (student stores, Tarheel cafe, etc.). They are often too dry or too soggy, and do not represent the deliciousness that is a fresh Cosmic Cantina burrito. read more

I've never had a bad burrito here. The taste is right, and no drippy sauces added to mask mistakes in other flavorings--they do chicken and bean burritos well; I can't speak to their pork or beef options. A few areas of improvement that if met would make CC more competitive with other local offerings include: -- a shift in ratio of beans/chicken to rice-based filler. Less rice, more bean. -- burrito's are a bit tacky, gummy, in that they don't heat the tortilla wrap prior to filling it, so your burrito might stick to your teeth. Tasty, but unflattering. -- no horchata, just American soda and bottled juice. Their hours are great, and the price is right for a consistently decent filler food. Certainly an a-ok choice more often than not. read more

Cheap, convenient, and filling. I always get the mini veggie burrito and it comes out to 3 dollars and change. This thing is more than enough and I always leave full and satisfied. The interior space is sort of grimy; it's definitely a hole-in-the-wall type joint. Tables are dirty, the space is crowded and small. But, if you can get over that, then you're likely to have a good experience with Cosmic. It stays open really late and I have gone a couple times when the place was packed with drunk people post-bars/clubs. The place gets trashed and it takes forever to get your food. But I still think it's worth the wait. I'd prefer this late night option over BSkis or Qdoba any day. Also, their salsa verde is so freaking good. That stuff is like crack, if crack was super duper spicy and made you want to cry because it's so spicy and yet so good. If you love spicy food, you HAVE TO GET THEIR SALSA VERDE. read more

Cosmic has seen me at my best times and my worst times. The food is pretty cheap, especially for the quantity that you get. The best thing about Cosmic is that it's always there for your late nights at the library and your late nights at The Library. Their chicken quesadillas are the reason I have survived up until this point in my life. You get a lot of chicken per quesadilla too, so is good if you're going for gains. I also can't stress enough the importance of their chips and salsa. A great pairing to any meal or even on their own, the chips and salsa are a staple of Chapel Hill living. This place also turns into a circus for spectators on the weekends. I once saw a drunk guy order, try to fight the door, stumble out, and pass out in the hallway outside. If you're reading this review dude, I hope you're doing well. And please get Cosmic in your system sooner next time. read more

Cosmic Cantina isn't bad when I'm strictly focused on saving money or if nearly all other restaurants in town are closed. As a matter of fact, it thrives as a late-night favorite among UNC students. However, different meats I've had (steak, chicken, etc.) in their burritos and quesadillas consistently taste dry on each visit, which negatively impacts the quality of the food in my opinion. Even if you add extra ingredients to balance out the taste, there's nothing remarkable about the flavoring of most menu offerings; the queso lacked a richness, which could probably be changed with ease. I also haven't noticed a signature item of theirs that can stand out from the rest of their menu. There are other restaurants in Chapel Hill that can do it better for $2 to $3 more. The location gets crowded quickly since it isn't really that big. read more

I ordered a cheese quesadilla and a chicken quesadilla. If you view the photo, you can see that what I was served in no way resembles a cheese quesadilla. If your idea of a quesadilla is a soggy tortilla filled with salsa and no cheese, this is your restaurant. read more

Cosmic Cantina - This is what they call a cheese quesadilla. - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Cosmic, te amo. Allow me to count the ways: Uno: Quick service, they're already warming the tortilla for your burrito before you've even gotten your change. Dos: Chicken nachos with fresh salsa, black beans, and white cheese. Fatty boom batty burritos and cheap cheese quesadillas that soak up He's Not Here beer binges so well. (No judgements!) Tres: Low key, come as you are atmosphere that's as perfect for a between class lunch as a friendly dinner (and crass first date?) Quatro: Late hours that save you from a fried fate of Time Out and Waffle Haus when 2 am hits. Cinco: Prices that allow me to act the rock star and treat my dining companion for less than $13 for both of us. read more

One might think that something with a name like Cosmic Cantina, you'd be exposed to out of this world food. The reality is its a burrito place that is cheap and quick. If you're working on budget for under $5 you can get one of the many veggie burrito options, or the vegan platter. Under $10, and you can get pretty much anything on the menu. I like the roasted veggie burrito, or quesadilla. The spinach and Mushroom quesadilla is also surprisingly good. I've often had it with real mushrooms and fresh spinach. My suggestion is if you like sour cream add it by itself. If you get delux anything you're basically tacking on a $1.50 or so for a spoon full of guacamole... which although good, highly over priced. The atmosphere is anything but cosmic, and feels more deep down to earth, like in the mud. Its a bit ramshackle and because they're dealing with high volume sometimes the tables are dirty from the past few groups of patrons. Though if you catch them on an off time between the lunch and dinner rush, or before the bar crowd its not much of an issue. As a big guy seating stability is something I notice. I sit lightly on those chairs, but most people shouldn't have trouble. Its authentic hole in the wall, and a staple if you're in the area and need to get lunch on the go, but don't expect much and you you'll be sure to leave satisfied. read more

Cosmic is your classic late-night fill-you-up college Mexican food place. The inside is somewhat dirty and in need of renovations, but the food more than makes up for it. Everything there is so cheap and fresh, and it's the perfect spot after the bars close-- just make sure you're there before the line starts to form out the door :) read more

Burritos are filling, sensational, and come with great service. Excellent late-night post-bar food with great horchatas too.

My group and I were in town for a musical event, and needed some late-night grub, as most just got back from a long day of travel. Needless to say, Cosmic Cantina hit the spot. Nestled in a small alley within its own 'village', the Cantina serves up hot and fresh burritos, bowls, quesadillas, and the like. The ingredients are fresh and you'll leave satisfied. Cosmic Cantina also offers up a few sauces that are beyond flavorful and offer enough spice for any hot sauce aficionado. My only complaint is that it can get a bit crowded because of the size and its popularity among UNC students. It's affordable and tasty, what more do you need?! Check it out! read more

Cosmic Cantina is a small burrito joint right on Franklin Street. They have super fast service so your order is usually done within 3-4 minutes of ordering. One of the best things about Cosmic is how inexpensive everything is. A regular burrito is around $3 and a mini burrito is about $2. I paid for a mini burrito with quarters once if that tells you anything. ;) The food is great! The tortillas are soft and the food is always warm and delicious. I don't think their food is as good as Chipotle's but for the convenience and price it's a fair bargain. They have a pretty big menu for such a small place and I like that they offer 3 sizes of burritos - mini, regular, and a giant foot long burrito that uses 2 tortillas! They even have a 2 vegan platters that are pretty good so vegans can come eat there too. read more

Cosmic is just what you need when you want a cheap and yummy burrito and you don't want to pay full price. The staff are always nice. The actual restaurant itself is quite small with only a few tables, so most people end up taking it to go. They're open late, which is great if you're out on Franklin late at night. read more

For a 2 AM burrito, this is a high quality 2 AM burrito. Yes, the primary reason that you will probably be here is because you can get a burrito after the bars close at 2. And yes, they're your standard drunk food, but ooh, when you've had a few and you just want a burrito, they're really good. A little large on the bean side, but still decent quality for a not-terrible price (around $5-6 for a burrito) read more