Cantina 18

This has quickly become one of our favorites.  Try the specials and as you work your way through the menu.  Our server have been attentive w/o being overbearing.  They suggest different items and sem truely pleasant and happy about what they are doing.  If you want outside the box but not trendy ding come to Cantina 18-you want be disappointed.

By {screen_name} 06/13/10

Went to this hot spot for the first time on Saturday while they were serving brunch and from the crowd that was there you can tell the secret is out.  I have to say it is not your normal mexican restaurant but everything was very delicious with interesting combinations and a nice fresh touch to it.  I judge mexican places by the salsa and it is wonderful.  Again very fresh with a nice element of heat.  The brunch items are really good and the prices are very resonable.  I am going back this weekend and try more items.  Only negative-they are going to have crowds for many days to come.

By {screen_name} 06/08/10

We wanted to try this new restaurant out so we went for lunch. The guac was horrible, seeming to be out of a can. The fish taco for about $7 I ordered had a tiny piece of fish the size of the first joint of my pinkie in it. My husband got a beef taco…nothing unusual. lunch for us with tip was around $24 too much money for bad/average food.

By {screen_name} 06/06/10

Just OK.  TexMex-lite.
Tacos are served with flour tortillas (what?) - requested corn tortillas - was served flour anyway.
Mahi-Mahi version was nice; beef short-rib was tender and had a nice zip.  Black beans, herbed green rice and “southwestern” slaw were beyond boring.  Mango peach sangria was refreshing but was thick and slushy like a daiquiri.  I’d rate this 2 1/2 stars but since that’s not an option, it gets 3.

By Ames 06/03/10

My husband and I eat out between lunch and dinner 5-7 times a week.  We hit from the high-end expensive restaurants to the food trucks that seem to be the latest trend and have to say this may be our favorite restaurants in the area.  This place has really meshed a uniques experience of great original inexpensive fresh food with really good professional service.  The menu seems to have a changed a few times and we have tried the specials which are good as well.  I really can’t say enough good things I just hope they continue on the track they are on.

By {screen_name} 05/30/10

ShortRib Beef Taco-awesome
Margarita-perfect
Service-good
Outdoor seating-always a plus
This place is a hit!

By {screen_name} 05/26/10

What a great addition to this area.  The food is well seasoned and very resonably priced.  The drinks are great and the outside patio is one the best in town for people watching.  Been many times with different people and they all seem to enjoy everything.

By {screen_name} 05/20/10

Ate there 2 days ago - my wife’s been in bed since - they must drench the food in MSG.  Worst Mexican food I’ve had in the US ever - guac out of a can (no sign of avocado).  Enchilada sauce that may have been made from pimento (who ever heard of pink enchilada sauce?).  Someone must have said “If we wrap things in corn tortillas we can call it Mexican food.”  Had to go find a waiter 3x.  First bad restaurant experience in Raleigh in years - definately one of the lifetime 3 worst.

By {screen_name} 04/30/10

Tried two different tacos.  First, I had the duck confit with asiago cheese & pineapple; it sounded intriguing but didn’t quite work.  The pineapple chunks were just too sweet a contrast to the duck.  The lime marinated veggie taco was really wonderful, but the portion was tiny.  Don’t they know that veggies don’t stay with you very long? 

Even though I was a little disappointed in the tacos, I loved the atmosphere and thought the salsa was delicious.  It seemed to have lime juice in it, which added some zing. 

As an aside, our waiter seemed inexperienced—took the fork with my main plate, not leaving me a utensil to eat the remaining side dish.  He never noticed, and I didn’t like the side dish.  So I guess it worked out.

By {screen_name} 04/08/10

My daughter and I went this week.  Was worried that without a reservation we might need to wait (there was waiting for outside seating), but we were greeted and seated immediately.  I was expecting Mexican food but was pleased that this was truly Southwestern instead.  Not the same old chicken and ?beef? tacos.  I sampled my daughter’s mahi-mahi taco and loved it.  Next time will go for that option.  My pressed sandwich was fine, but that tomatillo sauce was great!  Fresh Salsa.  Yum.  Will be back!  Service was good (I always worry about lunch service taking too long and this was definitely a place that would not make me late back to work - a big plus).

By {screen_name} 04/01/10

A great place to experiment with flavors.  Who would expect a chicken, goat cheese, cranberry and apple taco?  Not me but it was good. 

Raleigh Eaters, don’t get stuck on what your Mexican restaurant “should” like and what “should” be in your taco.  Open your taste buds to adventure. 

Service was a little slow all three times I have been there but I know Jason is working on that.

By {screen_name} 04/01/10

Nice new take on fresh Mexican/Southwestern - something greatly needed in Raleigh.

By {screen_name} 03/29/10

Fresh ingredients and well seasoned.

By Jedidiah 03/25/10