Los Cuates

When the car sales guy suggested we go for a test drive down Capital, I eyed my ravenous companion and helpfully suggested we turn the outing into a burrito run.
We were all starving and, unfortunately, my stomach got the best of me. Instead of choosing carefully, I went for the first vegetarian (LOL. Lard.) item I saw on the menu, the bean and cheese burrito, and swung for the fences. Upon closer inspection, there were several items that I would have rather tried: the chile relleno burrito or, heck, despite the time, breakfast burrito sin carnee. But you know what? A bean and cheese burrito is a pretty good measuring stick for a vegetarian. Are the beans adeuqately congealed? Have they been lovingly refried? Et al.
Even though my enormous, incredibly cheap burrito was all tortilla y frijoles y queso, it was delicious, oddly comforting, and perfect for potentially splattering all over a car that didn’t belong to me.
TL;DR: would absolutely go back and try something different next time.

This is a dude’s place for a burrito.
They also have tacos, enchiladas, and a few platos for combinations and bigger meals. And by «dude», I mean that their burritos come with plenty of meat, sauce, and guacamole without the beans, rice, iceberg lettuce filler. So, these burritos are muy macho. There is a salsa bar inside with several types of nice salsa, radishes (for menudo), and pickled peppers/​carrots. And my benchmark for a «real deal» place is if beef tongue is a permanent fixture on the main menu. It is. And you can get jarritos and aqua frescas too. So, bonus points there.
But there’s no tortilla chips. And I like the fillers to kind of lighten up the meat torpedo that these guys serve. The taste is okay, not great, but definitely slightly better than average.
There are three fold out chairs here to wait on if you go inside, but the key advantage is the drive in window. But you won’t want to go inside. It has the charm of a bail bond shop and is currently staffed with guys who aren’t so on-​the-​spot with the sponge and mop. You can see into the back kitchen and it is a mess. Signs are falling down. Laminate is peeling. I am a slob and even I think this place is dirty.
Here was the kicker. It was 12:30pm on a workday and despite having authentic flavor, cheap prices, great location, and me eating my entire meal in my car — not a single other person came buy during the 30 minutes I was there. This place reeked of a place that — if it was good food — would have work trucks coming by. As I drove away, I just had to go 200 feet down the street to see «Tacos y Mariscos» parking lot full of Ford F150 pickups. Never been there, but it confirmed my thoughts.
I could live off of burritos 3x7x52xlifetime. But I will not be going back here.

I have been here a few times but have not managed to explore the menu, can’t get past the carne asada burrito. Best burrito ever! I have to drive from Holly Springs to treat myself every now and then. So worth the trip, great portion great flavors, get two if you’re really hungry.

The food here taste like someone’s abuela (grandma) is in there making it. The tacos I got were so good, I should have ordered more. The service is fast and it is super cheap as well. So worth the visit.
What I like most is that this place is not the Americanized Mexican we are used to. When I was in Mexico this is how the tacos are made. Small, soft, pinch-​able, all fresh ingredients, with limes, cilantro, and salsa.
Great place to go late at night if you need to get your Mexican fix without waking up somebodies’ abuela.

I’ve gotten takeout from here 3 times now and have never been disappointed. The cook is pretty amazing to watch and they have always been really nice. The salsa on the left in the salsa bar is nice and spicy.
I wondered how it could stay open with so many other authentic Mexican restaurants nearby on capital. The answer is because it’s amazing and fast.
This will continue to be my go to place for quick Mexican takeout.

Carne Asada tacos are banging. Fresh toppings and great tasting beef. Corn tortillas fresh tasting also. I’m here on business and was very satisfied.

I give them 5 stars because I have been here on multiple occasions and the food has been amazing every time. Do yourself a favor and stop here for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Fast and inexpensive… and delicious.

Great soft tacos!
Popped in when we were in the area and decided to try this place because it looked like one of those ‘hidden secrets’ and it is. Simple, authentic, tasty.

Passed this place for weeks always thinking to myself how much it resembles your typical drive through taco shop in the CA-​AZ-​NV region. But is the grub up to par? My only regret is not dropping in sooner! Anyone from the aforementioned region probably has some type of standard on what a true fast food Mexican joint is. For this transplant, this place certainly meets it. Thank Goodness (!), for we all know these types of establishments are gems in the rough in these parts, right?
Had a carne asada burrito and it was right on: huge, a little greasy, lots of chopped meat, simple ingredients, and cheap (relatively speaking — taco shops back West are generally a couple bucks cheaper). So was the salsa bar, with the radishes, carrots, and different salsas. Yup, they had me when I saw carne asada fries on the board… what?! Didn’t order it, but will the next time I go. If you’re craving the real deal — no, not Taco Bell, Moe’s, Qdoba, or Chipotle — you gotta stop in. Not the best you’ll ever have, but it’ll certainly do the job.

Great prices for the quality of food.
I ordered a fish taco and a shredded beef burrito. This burrito was packed with meat and veggies, it was truly filling. You know its good when it gets all messy eating it. The burritos here are no exception. As for the fish tacos, I think they would taste better without the cabbage and more tartar sauce. I also ordered a churro, it was a typical churro. Over all really good bang for your buck meal. The guys are friendly and the food is authentic.

Cheap fast food Mexican. Carne asada is overcooked and chewy and had way too much guacamole. But chorizo con huevos was excellent. Your mileage may vary.

This place is solid good Mexican food, cheap and bonus: has a drive through. Love the chile rellenos and the green hot sauce. You can’t go wrong at these prices and the portions are large– you can make two meals out of it.

The food here is so good, and it is cheap as hell. My husband and I usually share the two carne asada burrito combo. It is filling and delicious, and rings up for less than I can make it at home.
I also like their chicken tacos, chile rellenos, and of course the churros. Everything here is made fresh, and it shows.
There isn’t any seating, so I usually take it to go. Although we have eaten it in our car more times than I would prefer to admit.

I love this place so much and miss it since I’ve moved away! Their burritos are huge! So tasty, whether it’s a plain refried bean and cheese or a chicken super awesome flavor insane in your face burrito! They also offer fun beverages like horchata or tamarind as well as your typical soda or red bull. I’ve never felt jipped on the portions or not liked a meal here.

It’s been exactly a year since I moved here from San Diego and this is the first legit Mexican place I have been to! Will be back. The carne asana burrito was amazing!

Great burritos! I had the buche and my wife had a steak burrito. We ate them in the car (there is no seating inside). This is my new go to spot on capital.

Let me just say that the hardest thing about moving away from my friends and family in Arizona, aside from missing them, has been missing the greasy, delicious Mexican food.
Then I found Los Cuates.
This place is legit. Homesickness (almost) cured.
If only they would put a location in Durham!

I’ve been to this place twice and it got bonus points right away for having spicy carrots. You find these in all the taco shops in Southern California. I saw the special was a chicken burrito and decided to try that. After talking with the guys that worked there I realized they were from San Diego. I asked if they made a California burrito and they said «yeah but here we call it a Carolina Burrito.» I almost ordered one of those to go. I got one the second time I visited and the only thing missing was enchilada sauce on the inside. I will have to make sure I ask for that. The meat wasn’t as seasoned as it is back home but everything else was very similar. It’s a small thing but I really love the tortillas. They are slightly fried and have a certain smell to them. It reminds me of late nights after clubbing with friends in taco shops. The people that work there are very friendly and I think if you talked to them they’d make you whatever you want. I didn’t look at the menu much but I’m going to see if they have rolled tacos also called taquitos. I saw they have another So Cal fave the Carne Asada fries. That’s an artery clogging specialty. This place is going to be a weekly haunt and I highly recommend it. It’s a change from the cookie cutter tex-​mex that is all over the triangle. I hope these places expand. Maybe eventually they’ll be open 24hrs just like in SD.
Just thought I’d clarify what a Carolina Burrito is
A burrito filled with —
Carne asada
Pico De Gallo
French fries or crunch potatoes
Cheese
*In San Diego they also include Enchilada Sauces, you can also order them «wet» which means the enchilada sauce is poured on top of the burrito to.
The Carne Asada burritos here aren’t bad but don’t expect the same kind of seasoned meat you would fine in San Diego.
The other reviews don’t lie the burritos are huge here. Or maybe what size they should be. If you’re a native of San Diego or Southern California check this place out.

Consistently good food and the carne asada burritios are awesome. The tres leches cake is great. Just great Mexican fast food done Cali style. It’s a little piece of San Diego here is Raleigh. The owners are from Chula Vista and it shows. I love it.

There’s not a place in Raleigh that will make you a bigger, meatier burrito. It’s absolutely delicious! The meat is flavorful, fresh, and tender. The salsa packs a punch. There’s a good variety of combinations.
Let me be clear though; this is REAL Mexican food. This isn’t Tex-​Mex (ala Chipotle). You’re not going to have an ornate-​looking burrito bowl, it also certainly isn’t Moe’s (1 tbsp of meat, 2lbs of lettuce). It’s Los Cuates, and it’s the best quick Mexican joint in Raleigh.