Cha Cha Cha
Los Angeles, CA 90004
Phone: (323) 664-7723
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Melrose Avenue
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 9am-10pm, Fri 9am-11pm, Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 8am-10pm
Editorial Review for Cha Cha Cha – by Jonathan Schultz
The Scene
With its vibrantly colored, Caribbean snack-shack exterior, Cha Cha Cha seems deliciously out of place on this gritty end of Melrose. But step inside and the atmosphere is pure Caribbean carnival: bright color schemes, religious bric-a-brac and miniature shrines dedicated to Madonna and Latin American soccer stars. It all sets the mood for lively, fun dining.
The Food
After a pitcher of the renowned sangria, dig into the sampler platter, piled with sopes de pollo (tiny fried masa tarts topped with stewed chicken and beans), tangy seviche, fried plantains, beef empanadas and moist black bean tamales. The signature dish, jerk chicken, is bathed in a sweet, lightly spiced sauce. Grilled halibut can be bland, though is tarted up by fresh mango salsa. For dessert, try ultra-dense, warm chocolate espresso cake.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save TimeYou don't need to make reservations during the week unless your party consists of seven or more. But you do need to make reservations for Friday and Saturday evenings.
Save MoneyKCRW members automatically receive a 15-percent discount.
User Reviews for Cha Cha Cha
07/02/2008 Posted by PhatLadySweets
I went to Cha Cha Cha for the first time about a week ago, and just loved the J Chicken. Anyway I almost passed up the building, as I thought it was a run down shack, it almost looks abandoned. My family and I (husband & child) walk in only to have the host tell us that we didn't have reservations. The place wasn't full (they had plenty of seats available), but the host told us that we needed to wait until he had a table ready for us LOL. After about 15 minutes of waiting the host told us he had a table ready, follow him. We didn't have far to follow, heck I could see the front door from our seat. Okay so our server came to our table, handed us menus and walked away from the table without saying a word. 5 mins later he resurfaced asking us we would like some drinks. We ordered a martini, and an adios, only to find out they don't have a full bar. So instead of drinks we just figured that we would order our food. We had the J chicken, this mango like chicken (great), and for the kid we got pancakes. The pancakes were HORRIBLE, in fact they were the worst that any of us had ever tasted. They were really dry and had chunks of apple through out. When I explained to the server that these pancakes would just not do, and that I would like to have them removed from my bill, he got an attitude. Of course we spoke to the manager, who acted like he could care less if we liked the food or not. He asked how everything else was, and we told him the pancakes were the only thing that we had a problem with and that again we would like this item removed from our bill. He didn't want to remove it from the bill he kept asking is there anything else we could get you, maybe we can make you some more.We told him no thanks. He apologized and in less than 2 mins he was back with our bill, pancakes removed and an additional 30% removed. I really wish that we had had a better time, and better service, because the J chicken was FANTASTIC! I guess I'll have to order to go LOL
Pros: Great Jamaican Chicken
Cons: Service
04/01/2008 Posted by archageek
The reservations were not on the books (I had called and changed it days a few days prior). We were seated promptly at a very small table that seemed to be for 3 people not 5. We ordered Sopes de Pollo and Guacamole with dirty chips as appetizers. It was great until my friend found a hair stuck on a chip. The waitress happened to be taking our orders when this happened. She took the chips & guacamole and apologized. A new order was brought out. The food came quickly but my friend had some more bad luck, she ordered the Tostada chicken salad and one of the tostadas was burnt to the crisp. My friend didn't want to say anything, so we left it alone. Her bad luck kept on coming, she had ordered a side of Yuca al Mojo de Ajo, but that order never came. The waitress had told us that the lemonade was fresh squeezed, when they were brought out it was clear that it was not, which was disappointing. Although my friend had bad luck, the other entrees had great flavor. For dessert we ordered a Tres Leches cake and the frosting was not made the traditional way, that was another disappointment. The flourless chocolate cake had a great taste and everyone enjoyed it. When the bill came, the waitress did not take off the guacamole, which in my experience, it has always been done. Overall it was decent, except for my poor friend having bad luck with her food all night long.
Pros: Ambiance was lively
Cons: Service could of been better
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