SOUTHWESTERN FAre WITH A SOUTHERN DRAWL
Open since March 2010, Cantina 18 is located in Raleigh's oldest shopping center, just minutes away from downtown.
Chef-proprietor, Jason Smith relentlessly searches for the freshest seasonal ingredients from North Carolina farms and purveyors for his affordable take on on Southern-Tex cuisine.
Open for lunch, brunch and dinner, seven days a week, Cantina 18 offers a variety of dishes ranging from taco platters, nachos, fajitas, quesadillas, and seasonally inspired entrées.
A family-friendly neighborhood favorite, Cantina 18 provides great food, creative drink options, outdoor-patio seating and hospitable service... always at affordable prices.
For your private or business function, ask about our Private Dining Room.
Starters
Queso
Queso Fundido
chorizo, grapefruit-pineapple salsa
Cantina 18 Guacamole
pico de gallo, tortilla chips
Goat Cheese Guacamole
tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, black beans,
Pineapple-Habanero Guacamole
Cantina 18 hot sauce, tortilla chips
Chicken Tortilla Soup
avocado, hominy, crispy tortilla strips
Crispy Calamari
chili lime sauce, arugula, pickled onions, grilled lemon
Nachos + Quesadillas
nachos topped with lettuce and sour cream / quesadillas served with choice of side
Short Rib Nachos
corn, peppers, beans, goat cheese
Grilled Chicken Nachos
pickled chiles, pineapple, bbq sauce, white cheddar
Veggie Black Bean & Avocado Nachos
cherry tomatoes, grilled corn, pepper jack cheese
Chicken Tinga Quesadilla
charred red onion, cheddar cheese, sour cream
Hawaiian Pork Belly Quesadilla Quesadilla
pepper jack cheese, charred pineapple, grilled jalapenos, chipotle crema
Spicy Braised Short Rib Quesadilla
white cheddar cheese, topped with avocado purée
Veggie Black Bean Quesadilla
pepper jack cheese, spinach, pickled red onions, street corn salsa, topped with cilantro crema
Salads
Romaine Salad
romaine lettuce, black beans, grilled corn, tomato, white cheddar cheese, crispy tortilla strips
Cantina 18 Caesar
romaine, croutons, parmesan
+ •shrimp
Add On Proteins:
+ •chicken
+ •shrimp
•ground beef
•salmon*
•steak*
+• cilantro-lime vinaigrette
Dressings
your choice
+• cilantro-lime vinaigrette
• balsamic vinaigrette
• Caesar
• buttermilk ranch
• Additional dressing choice $1
mixed greens, romaine or spinach
Create Your Own Salad
Choice of 1:
mixed greens, romaine or spinach
+black beans, chickpeas, corn, tomato, apple, red onion, pico de gallo, pineapple, goat cheese, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, avocado ($1.5)
Choice of 4:
+black beans, chickpeas, corn, tomato, apple, red onion, pico de gallo, pineapple, goat cheese, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, avocado ($1.5)
Choice of 1:
cilantro lime vinaigrette, balsamic vinaigrette, spicy buttermilk or Caesar
Burritos
served with choice of side
$12
Spicy Braised Short Rib
pickled onions & poblanos, white cheddar cheese, rice & beans, chipotle crema
$12
Pulled-Chicken Tinga
chiles rajas, charred onions, rice & beans, white cheddar cheese, street corn salsa
Ground Beef
grilled cherry tomatoes, romaine, white cheddar, red rice, sour cream
Veggie
red rice & beans, spinach, sauteed peppers & onions, chiles rajas, corn, cilantro crema
Entrées
Adobo Glazed Salmon
jalapeno grit cake, chilis rajas, sautéed spinach
Cantina 18 ACP (Chicken)
peppers and onions, red rice, queso, avocado
Cantina 18 ACC (Shrimp)
peppers and onions, red rice, queso, avocado
+ chicken
Fajitas for one or two
peppers & onions, sour cream, white cheddar cheese, tortillas
+ chicken
steak
shrimp
short rib
veggie
Taco platters
served with a choice of side.
$0.25 each.
Sub lettuce wrap for
$0.25 each.
Ground Beef
tomatoes, romaine lettuce, white cheddar
Grilled Chicken
apples, cranberries, goat cheese
Crispy Catfish
spicy slaw, avocado puree
Spicy Braised Short Rib
pickled corn relish, chipotle crema
Crispy Sweet Chili-Lime Wanchese Shrimp
pico de gallo, queso fresco, romaine lettuce
Seared Pork Belly
smoked apple salsa, poblano crema
Veggie Crispy Buffalo Cauliflower
pickled red onion, smoked bleu cheese, romaine lettuce, cilantro crema
Veggie Crispy Avocado
street corn, heirloom tomatoes
SIDES
Refried Beans
Seasonal Rice
Black Beans
Refried Beans
Fresh Fruit
Southwest Slaw
French Fries
Fresh Fruit
Side salad
(mixed greens, apple, pickled poblano, queso fresco, cilantro lime vinaigrette)
CHILDREN
Macaroni & Cheese
Chicken Quesadilla
Cheese Quesadilla
Macaroni & Cheese
Chicken Nachos
Ground Beef Taco
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Chicken Nachos
All items come with choice of side.
SIDES
Seasonal Rice
Black Beans
Refried Beans
Southwest Slaw
French Fries
Fresh Fruit
Side salad
(mixed greens, apple, pickled poblano, queso fresco, cilantro lime vinaigrette )
BEVERAGES / DAILY SPECIALS
$2 off All Featured Margaritas
Monday
$2 off All Featured Margaritas
$4 draft beer
Tuesday
$4 draft beer
$10 off Bottles of Wine
Wednesday
$10 off Bottles of Wine
$3.5 Domestic &Import Bottled Beer
Thursday
$3.5 Domestic &Import Bottled Beer
$4 Craft Bottled Beer
$4 Craft Bottled Beer
$6.50
Friday
glasses of sangria
$6.50
Cocktails
Skinny girl margarita
Blanco tequila, triple sec, fresh lime, agave nectar
Top shelf margarita
Tres Agaves blanco, Patron Citrónge, house-made sweet & sour
House margarita
Blanco tequila, triple sec, house-made sweet & sour
Pineapple jalapeño margarita
house infused pineapple jalapeno tequila, triple sec, house sour, jalapeño
Sangrias
Strawberry-vanilla bean sangria
strawberries, vanilla bean, white wine, vodka, brandy
Seasonal
Trying to keep things fresh by changing it up with the seasons.