Cantina 18 Now Open in Cameron Village

EE Welch
03/24 10:25 PM

Coming out of Tea Geschwendner the other day (great tea shop, go there now), my boyfriend and I smelled the delicious coming from Cantina 18 before we even saw the place.

Too bad we had already just eaten. Menu looks great and I can’t wait to go back and try it.

daisy123
03/24 10:33 PM

server was great. all the staff super nice. food was good. their cocktails need serious help.

louie
03/25 10:19 AM

Acutally $32 seems kind of high for tacos. You can get all of that at Chubby’s for $20. Or at an authentic taqueria for event less (El Mandado on Atlantic is my personal fave).

hackles10
03/25 10:35 AM

A side salad, chips and salsa, and 2 beers…$32 isn’t bad at all at a sit down mexican joint.  Chubby’s is great but you order at the counter and essentially serve yourself.  Its a glorified taco truck.  And from my experience, w/beers it would be $25+ at chubbys anyways for all of that food.

mr. Ed
03/25 10:50 AM

Goat cheese and cranberries in a taco? Ummm, yuck. And $7 for one taco? It better be a big damn taco.

hackles10
03/25 11:19 AM

You people complaining about price aren’t handicapped in any way right?  Just have to get that out of the way.  Its not $7 for the taco, its $7 for a 1 taco meal w/rice and beans and chips/salsa.  So with the price of the sides you are looking at 3.50 for the first taco, and $2 for each additional taco.  I am ending the complaintrain right here…lets move on.  I for one am happy this place is open and can’t wait to give it a try, even though they don’t give out 50 cent tacos and free beer with a backrub.

Jon
03/25 11:21 AM

Love 18 Seaboard and so I had to Catina 18—had the Mahi tacos and thought they were pretty darn tasty. The cocktail I had, a freshly made margarita made we real juices instead of a powdered sour mix the waiter said, was the best I’ve had in quite awhile.

Nick
03/25 12:09 PM

$9 for 1 taco, rice and beans?  Ask dos taquitos centro how that worked out.  Sure the chips and salsa are a nice bonus, but let’s not kid ourselves

Nick
03/25 12:10 PM

Err, make that $7…

np
03/25 12:24 PM

Ate there on Sunday, day after opened had the pepper roasted pork with kimchi tacos.  They were excellent.  A NC pork sandwich in a tortilla.  Another hit for Jason.

hackles10
03/25 01:36 PM

Dos Taquitos centro was packed to the hilt last time I was there.  Who should I ask and how should I pose the question Nick? 

If you guys want $4.95 dinners, move to Sanford or Smithfield.  Or try making tacos with all of the fixings, rice, beans, chips and salsa at home for under $7.

sally
03/25 02:32 PM

I can’t wait to try this place!!! It looks pretty cool too.

Nick
03/25 03:42 PM

Since Dos first opened, their prices have gone down and portions have gotten larger.  So much for you stopping the debate, hackles.  Maybe you should move to smithfield or selma, where you’d pull a little more weight.

Kevin
03/25 03:47 PM

Yeah, Cameron Village is at the center of a high cost-of-living metropolitan area, hysterical.  For $7, in Raleigh, at lunch, I would expect two tacos.

hackles10
03/25 04:57 PM

Dos Taquitos average entree = $16.54, that is far and above a conversation of $7, $9 and $11 taco plates.  So lets not kid ourselves, your argument sucks.  Its easy to bash prices, hard to run a profitable restaurant.

Fact: Dos Taquitos price point is higher than Cantina 18 and they still do a bustling business. So why should the owners of Cantina 18 ask anything or concern themselves in the least bit with some lesson that DT’s “learned” about pricing or how their original price points “worked out”?

WW
03/25 04:58 PM

What exactly does “great selection of beers on tap” mean? Are we talking a nice craft selection or some of the marginal stuff that most everyone around team seems to serve?

matt
03/25 05:04 PM

Actually, hackles, you COULD easily make ONE taco with all the fixings and the rest for WAY under $7. Just sayin’. For $9 you could make a WHOLE BUNCH of them.

Tired of Complaining
03/25 05:50 PM

Matt, I can not believe that this place would have the audacity to charge $9 on a meal in a sit down restaurant(2 tacos, beans, and rice is a meal here).  That is ridiculous, I could get 2 mediocre tacos and no sides at the dillo and save a $1.25.  I’m such a cheap ass, that I could then turn around and spend that money on some Tic Tacs for dessert.  On a serious note I would say the beer selection is above average for this area.  There are several different mexican beers, some local, and some craft.  I really liked how they went with Ommegang Rare Voss instead of Fat Tire.

also tired
03/25 06:22 PM

I expect all Mexican food to be priced equivalent to Taco Bell.  A bean is a bean and tortilla is a tortilla after all.  Furthermore, I expect seven dollars to be able to feed my family.  Cameron Village is so uppity.  My taste is beers is unrivaled.

CP
03/25 06:56 PM

um, hopefully it will be better than taco hell a meal there 4 bucks with a drink if you are lucky,so i will pay an extra 5 bucks just so I won’t have to eat dog food grade beef, nasty old lettuce,and chicken that has been sitting in a warmer all day, tks. If it is anything like 18 Seaboard, I will like it.

caya
03/25 10:51 PM

Tried Cantina 18 tonight and it was horrible. The beans and rice lack seasoning. The tacos were not at all tasty. I ordered the chicken and mahi mahi tacos. I make better homemade black beans and rice at home. If you want good tacos go to Chubby tacos or El Rodeo. The only thing good Cantina 18 has are the chips and salsa. Other than that the Restaurant is a no go. The owner should just stick to Seaboard 18. One more thing who puts tacos in a flour tortilla? They go well with corn tortillas.

jenn
03/26 12:01 PM

Over priced and a sloppy mess is how I would describe this place. Considering that there are many authentic taquerias, here in raleigh, this place will serve as no competition for them. I do not expect to be given anything for free but who is Jason Smith kidding! The least that he could do is provide a satisfying meal for a decent price. Instead, once again, he obviously thinks so highly of himself that his expectations of his “cooking” skills are far beyond realistic. Cantina 18 is a cruel joke!

arthurb3
03/26 03:12 PM

It goes well with the trendy 20 and 30 somethings that go to Cameron Village. Nice to have a Mexican flavor choice in the Village besides Moe’s.

Beth
03/26 05:52 PM

Ate lunch here and I was blown away.  This place is a great addition to Cameron Village.  The food is fresh and very resonably priced.  I tried two different types of tacos that I have never seen anywhere and they were great.  My service was as good as anywhere and I hope to return for dinner and try one of there interesting cocktails.

hacker
03/27 10:52 AM

My husband and I dined at Cantina last night and enjoyed every minute. What a cool bar and it was packed! I enjoyed the fact that they had hot sauces on the table because while I do not prefer spicy food and my husband does, he was able to spice his food to his liking. I kept my spices to a minimum. Great drink list too! I ordered the skinny girl margarita and my husband really enjoyed having Dos Equis on tap! Great addition to Cameron Village. We will be back!

bcb
03/27 08:56 PM

Had lunch today and was unimpressed.  High notes were the tortilla , side pickled cabbage, and queso dip.  Low notes every taco they offer.  Tasted the duck, beef, chicken, and pork and they were all subpar.  Service was extrememly bad.  Felt like I was out on a date with a very nervous person, wasn’t limited to waiter but also all staff came into contact with.  Got the impression that they were ordered to be outgoing and courteous it came off very contrived.  Will likely give it another shot in a few weeks, maybe by then they will figure it all out.

rdugirl
03/28 01:11 PM

Don’t waste your time.  Food is bland at best.  I had high hopes when I heard it was associated with Seaboard 18.  The tacos were served in flour tortillas that were not even warmed?  A hard shell would have been much better.  The shrimp app and sides lacked seasoning.  Menus were dirty and decor doesn’t fit with style of restaurant. Won’t be going back.

Phil
03/29 11:18 AM

I have been to Cantina 18 twice since they opened and it has been great both times.  The tacos are very fresh and different than anywhere else and the service has been good.  I got full for lunch @ 7$ and had really good cocktails Sat.  The margheritas are made from fresh juice not pre-made mix.  The only con I found was big crowds on the weekend.  I will return soon!

Michael
03/29 12:10 PM

I spoke to Jason yesterday and he’s still tweaking the taste profile of menu items.  His comment about some of the reviewers blandness complaints was to allow the restaurant goer the opportunity to season it to their own palate.  However, he has stated that he has definitely increased the flavor of the entire menu.  My girlfriend and I sat down and randomly sampled things off of the taco menu.  I had the duck confit-yes folks duck in a taco.  What a great taste and the pumpkin and pineapple notes went great together.  The spicy pulled pork was also tasty and had I not been full I might have added a mahi mahi taco to the mix.  My girlfriend had the adobo chicken taco and it was filling and was abundantly flavorful.  The salsa is insanely fresh and I feel sorry for the prep chef that is washing and processing those ingredients down all day.  The chips are all fried in house and are salty without being overly so. 

As for the price-two tacos definitely filled me up and for 9.00 plus sides of slaw, rice and black beans you really can’t beat it. 

We got out of there for two for under 30.00 and this included one skinny girl margerita (much larger than the standard skinny b*&%# version) one draft beer a single taco and a double taco menu item. 

If you want fast cheap tacos go to taco bell, if you want a sit down restaurant that has a great price point and is totally focused on fresh ingredients give this place a shot.

jenn
03/29 01:05 PM

Obviously, there will be varying opinions about this establishment. It’s actually insulting to hear the excuses about his “bland” food. Maybe I am just missing the point for dining out. If I have to “season” my plate to actually make it edible then why wouldn’t I just stay at home. There is a definite need for some tweaking at this place. The service is, obviously, lacking and the food is below average. Maybe with some time this will change. In the meantime I think I will just continue to spend my money at Chubby’s or any of the other several authentic eateries.

Steph
03/29 02:05 PM

What a great addition to Cameron Village.  Sure they have some kinks to work out but what new place doesn’t.  I thought the skinny girl marghirita was pure genius!  I had a very fresh salad and will try a taco or two next time.  Best news- I can walk there.

Cody
03/29 02:37 PM

I checked this place out and thought the food was full of flavor.  The spicy pork is kicken’ and the mahi taco had big chunks of mahi and was one of the best I have ever had.  The beer was cold and service good.  The place has a warm welcome type vibe.  Nice work.

bcb
03/29 07:17 PM

@jenn

agree 100%

Richard Slater
03/30 04:25 PM

Hey Jenn.
Regarding – “In the meantime I think I will just continue to spend my money at Chubby’s or any of the other several authentic eateries.” 
I have eaten at Chubby’s a few times and the food is only very average. You have to order at the counter and eat on plastic plates. This is “fast food”, on the same level as McDonalds. I have not tried Cantina 18 yet but from word of mouth that the first week or so it was not that good.  But, good grief, what restaurant starts off with great, consistent, food. I plan to wait a month or so and try it. Oh, Jenn something tells me there is something more personal to your negative comments.

matt w
03/30 05:11 PM

Richard, not sure what you ate at Chubby’s, but their food in top notch.  My father-in-law, who fancies himself as something of a taco expert after living in heavily Hispanic parts of Florida and the Southwest, thought Chubby’s was the best meal he got in Raleigh (we also took him to J Betski, Saffron, Busy Bee, and other more “fancy” places that I forget).  It’s certainly the best Mexican food I have had in Raleigh, with the only other contender being the highly-underrated (because it is in the boonies) Cafe Capistrano.  And it is far from fast food—the ingredients are fresh, the tortillas are homemade, and on and on.

I’m not going to say anything about Cantina 18 since I haven’t tried it, but why the hate for Chubby’s?  Are you offended to have to eat off of a plastic plate?

bradfordpearsushi
03/30 05:24 PM

Put a Chubby’s next to this place and it goes out of business.  Just sayin’.

cat
03/30 08:04 PM

As a person from Tucson married to a person from California, we both agree that Chubby’s rocks!

jeremy
03/31 09:04 AM

went to cantina 18 last night.. very mediocre.  the duck taco was close to inedible, just a very strange flavor combination (pesto, duck, pineapple?  way too much going on - couldn’t even taste duck).  the pork taco with kimchi was decent, but i thought the pork needed to be fattier or maybe just less like chopped bbq (tasted like it had vinegar in it).  it was acid on acid.  i got the short rib entree, which was ok but lacked flavor/general seasoning.  prices are reasonable, good beers on tap.

i have high hopes for it since i live a block away, and i really want the convenience of this place to make it worth going to, but if it were any further away from me, i wouldn’t go back.  i’m willing to write off my visit to new restaurant ‘getting the kinks out’ but basic things like seasoning being off (even our salsa needed salt) will make me hesitant to get expectations too high for what this restaurant will turn into.

Chubby Lover
03/31 04:29 PM

Long live Chubbys!!

bcb
03/31 10:30 PM

Gave it a second go, probably a bit too soon to return.  On the good the service is much improved.  On the bad…$8 margarita is made with aristocrat tequila, chicken nacho flavor profile made no sense, and I was puzzled by the lack of polynesian food.  Whoever came up with the idea of a tiki man as symbolism for a tex-mex restaurant must have been on acid…also in the same vain it makes no sense to have drawings of bamboo on the menu.  I too live close by and really hope this place can pull it off, as it stands I will not be returning.

t-town
04/02 09:01 AM

Instant hit!!!  I have been twice with different groups both times and we loved everything.  Plan to return this weekend and sit outside and enjoy the scenery!

Migul
04/02 10:08 AM

The guy that owns 18 Seaboard(Jason) has done a good job here.  I have been twice and the crowds have been jamming.  The three things I tried were all good and the last time I went my wife who is very picky loved her queso and strawberry wine drink.  We will make this a regular stop on our nights out.  The price point for a sit down restaurant makes this a special treat as well.

Dale Day
04/03 09:59 AM

Believe the hype-The duck confet taco is the BOMB!!!-Service great for a new place-Will make it back in the next week and try some other things but will without a doubt get the duck taco-Dale-Oh by the way you acc fans GO DUKE!

Robert Wendel
04/03 04:58 PM

After reading some of the comments above, it is obvious that many of the folks either didn’t eat there or took someone else’s word for things. I ate there the first day it opened. I have also eaten at “18 Seaboard”. First off the Cantina is not intended to be a cheap place to eat. As for the tacos, I would challenge someone to get a taco somewhere else that has the combination of ingredients that are in “18’s” tacos. They are intended to be somewhat gourmet in nature, so the pricing is not out-of-line at all. Their steak taco is just phenomenal, and actually has a considerable amount of steak in it. My suggestion to anyone who is comparing “18” to other “Taco places”, you have missed the point. This restaurant serves delicious food, in an informal environment, with a smile on their faces, for a moderate cost. If this is not what you want, then go elsewhere. Eating is not all about the cost. I ate with 3 other people, and everyone raved about the food, the appetizers, and the drinks.

bcb
04/03 06:00 PM

I have to agree with you Robert.  Very few places are willing to put ingredients in tacos that don’t go together/compliment each other.  They have certainly set the bar high in that arena!!

Michael
04/05 07:15 AM

This place is really cool:
1-service-best in cameron village-friendly people-did not have to wait on anything
2-outdoor seating-lots of tables looking over the whole shopping center
3-food-very resonably priced-cool combinations-free chips with homemade salsa that is very fresh

Becca
04/07 09:42 PM

So far I’ve eaten at Cantina 18 3 times (the server actually remembers me now) and I’ve loved it every time! If you think it’s bland then you need to realize that different people like their food prepared differently and this restaurant has to appeal to a majority..not just you.

I’ve had the maji, duck, chicken,and pork tacos and they are all amazing! My personal favorites are the duck and pork and can I just say that the strawberry sangria is AMAZING!?!?! As for thinking that the ingredients are a disgusting combination. open your mind a little and try something new. maybe this chef knows more about complimenting tastes than you do…or is more creative. don’t just write it off as disgusting automatically. I certainly didn’t expect the duck and pineapple to be so good. 

To all of the people who complain about the prices. when you go to a place where a host seats you and you don’t pay a cashier…you have to expect to actually pay money. if you think this is expensive then don’t go out! i certainly hope your cheap butt remembered to tip the waiter 20%!

santos van horten
04/11 05:06 AM

I was shopping in Cameron Village when I happened upon Cantina 18. The noise from my stomach reminded me that I hadn’t eaten since lunch, and the grocery bags in my hands were filled only with ingredients; in other words, nothing to eat without preparation. This was the answer to my hunger,or so I thought. Simple and good Southwestern/Mexican fare would hit the spot! You could only imagine my disappointment upon my departure.

The atmosphere was welcoming and the staff was friendly. So far things were pointing in the right direction. I ordered vegetarian tacos and was really excited about them as well as the warm chips and salsa the menu advertised! Much to my dismay, the chips were cold and some were charred and the salsa ... let’s just say it lacked zing, or more to the point ... flavor. But after washing that down with a Modelo Especial, it wasn’t so bad. 

Still I looked forward to the entree, but the main event was seriously sad. I’ll start with the side dishes; green herbed rice, black beans and southwestern coleslaw. My interpretation, brown rice, bland boring beans (which were chilly, not warm) and pickled cabbage.  I have read the previous reviews and I am in agreement with those who say they do not want to season their own food. In my experience with dining out, a diner should never be encouraged to season their own food and a great chef knows how to season food for the masses;enough said. The tacos themselves had a nice flavor, but again I was disappointed as they were flour tortillas and not warm. For someone who has owned a successful restaurant, you would think these kinks would not be there at all. One suggestion, it’s probably cheaper and easier to make your own corn tortillas rather than use cheap wraps made of flour. In fact, I found a plethora of recipes just by using google.

Overall Cantina 18 was a let down. I was hoping to find a new pearl of a restaurant, but instead I found an oyster full of sand. 

p.s. http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_corn_tortillas/

sarageorge
04/30 11:38 PM

Ate there two days ago - wife still in bed sick - must have slathered the MSG on the salad.  Guac out of a can - only trace of avocado the green color of the juice.  Pimento pink sauce on the so-called enchilada.  Sad

ladycas
06/27 01:44 PM

Had to try it before I casted my judgement….... Durham wins again. Long live Chubbies and Dos Perros.

jbroome
07/20 01:03 PM

Here’s the URL for the place.  Buried down in google results.

http://www.cantina18.com/

arthurb3
08/09 06:31 PM

What the hell is a Chubbies?