Having reviewed five restaurants on this blog and visited numerous others in Santa Monica, Cha Cha Chicken is hands down one of the most, if not the most, unique eateries in the area. The Caribbean cuisine-inspired restaurant serves some delicious unpretentious dishes with a laid-back atmosphere as it stands out among fancier places in Santa Monica.
Located on Ocean Ave just south of Santa Monica Pier, Cha Cha Chicken looks like a beach shack from the outside with its colorful exterior. Walking inside, the restaurant has two separate dining areas with a counter-serve system. Customers line up at the counter inside the indoor space to order and are free to choose wherever they want to sit on the premise as the servers bring out the plates. The outdoor area is bordered by a wall made from colorful wooden planks with a bamboo-woven roof. The tropical vibes are unmatched as Cha Cha Chicken adds a wide variety of plants to the space and uses colorful chairs and tables to enhance the ambiance even further.
The restaurant opens for service seven days a week, every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to the easygoing atmosphere here, Cha Cha Chicken’s food is to die for. The menu boasts a wide variety of entrees, appetizers, sides and beverages with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Entrees are served with two side orders and popular dishes include Cha Cha chicken which is oven-roasted chicken smothered in a Jamaican jerk sauce, coconut fried chicken with jerk dipping sauce, ropa nueva, mole poblano, multiple varieties of enchiladas and more. Some appetizers offered are chicken gumbo soup with cornbread, empanadas, chips with black beans and chicken croquettes. The menu also has sandwiches, wraps and salads with a Caribbean twist for those interested. Almost all dishes on the menu are under $20.
I had a chance to visit Cha Cha Chicken with a friend a while ago for early dinner on the weekend and we both had such a pleasant experience. The line to order was not particularly long and our food came out in a very timely manner. We ordered the signature Cha Cha chicken with a side of beans and rice, and chicken gumbo soup with cornbread. The two of us sat in the outdoor area breathing in the fresh ocean breeze as we enjoyed dinner. The jerk chicken melted in my mouth as it was unbelievably tender and perfectly smothered in this sweet and savory sauce. The chicken gumbo soup was just like a hug to my soul as it was so warm and delicious, pairing superbly with the Cha Cha chicken entree.
Overall, Cha Cha Chicken is such an understated but brilliant restaurant with its affordable, straight-to-the-point hearty Caribbean dishes and laid-back atmosphere. You have to come, see and try it for yourself to fully understand the beauty of this beach shack-like restaurant but I will for sure be coming back soon to enjoy the jerk chicken as I immerse myself in its tropical island vibes again. While waiting for that day to come, I will be reviewing another absolute gem of an eatery in the area called Cassia next week.
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