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La Santa Modern Mexican Food officially opened in La Mala’s former 110 Corcoran St. location in Durham on Friday, July 24.
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The name change and menu upgrade of the space came after the same team quietly closed La Mala for two days before reopening as La Santa, staff told The News & Observer.
This new establishment is La Santa’s second Triangle location and the brand’s third. The first location is on 222 Glenwood Ave. in downtown Raleigh while La Mala’s only cocktail bar location is near La Santa’s Raleigh location at 126 North West St.
“Our food is made using my mother’s recipes from Guadalajara, and we are excited for you to try these unique, flavorful dishes,” La Santa said on the website. “We hope you come to love them as much as we did growing up.”
La Santa is known for their $10 lunch specials where guests can get nachos, fajita burritos, chimichangas and more on Mondays through Friday from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Other menu favorites are Una Asada, similar to Carne Asada; La Santa Pina, seafood and meat over pineapple; the Burrito Momia, a bacon wrapped steak dish and an assortment of street tacos.
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“We are excited for you to try these unique, flavorful drinks and bar snacks,” La Mala said on the website. “Our drinks are made to order from freshly squeezed fruits and our large collection of high quality tequilas.”
Cocktails at both restaurants feature classic Mexican flavors such as tequila, mezcal, fresh lime juice and margaritas. La Santa offers a 60-ounce margarita or cocktail made with tequila jimador blanco for $70.
La Mala and La Santa made the top 47 in The News & Observer’s best tacos in the Triangle reader poll in 2025. La Mala made the top 50 in the same year for The N&O’s best cocktail bar in the Triangle contest.
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