Cha Cha Cha
Decadent tapas, stellar sangria and a lively crowd keep this Upper Haight spot alive and kicking.
Message from Cha Cha Cha
Cha Cha Cha serves Caribbean food such as fried calamari, mussels, Cajun shrimp, and BBQ chicken or pork quesadillas. Sandwiches offered include steak, Cajun fish along with burgers and a variety of desserts. This restaurant also has full bar with an extensive wine list and over 10 draft beers.
Editorial by Citysearch
The SceneThere is always a wait at this bustling restaurant, but with a little liquid patience and lots of quality people-watching, time is incidental. World beats and quirky decor, including several Santeria altars, keep this spot festive and unique. Tightly packed tables are filled with hip young locals. But beware: Service can be hurried and inconsistent.
The Food
Eclectic Latin- and Caribbean-inspired tapas are consistently satisfying, especially when paired with the fruity sangria. Perfectly crisp, moist chicken wings are beautifully laquered in a smooth, complex guava sauce, and a heaping pile of perfectly fried calamari is served with a garlicky aioli. For side dishes, earthy, creamy black beans are an ideal match with crunchy, buttery plantains. Fiery Cajun shrimp sit plumply in a heavenly cayenne-spiked cream sauce. The kitchen's few missteps include over-marinated seviche and chicken paillard that's dry, even when bathed in an under-seasoned cream sauce.
Key Points
- Free flan
- Latin Tapas
- Sangria
The Inside Scoop
- Where to Sit - Request a booth, which is less hectic and much more comfortable. Dining in the bar is also an option.
- Know Before You Go - Don't be fooled by the tapas; portions are quite plentiful.
- When to Go - Weekends are extremely busy, try a weeknight and expect less of a wait.
Latest reviews from Citysearch.
I can't believe these reviews!!!
by karina_nicoya
I am horrified about these reviews.. Cha Cha Cha has to be one of the best restaurants in the city by far! They have the best Sangria ever, best Chips and Salsa, and the Tapas are to die for. They have great music playing and the decorations are outstanding. I've taken ALL my friends here and they are addicted. Please go and check it out yourself.. On weekends it gets super crowded, but there's always plenty of Sangria flowing to help you deal with the pain of waiting. Go check it out during the weekday, it's definitely less crowded.!!!
Posted 07/07/02
Ummmm Pailliard!
by lrapps
Cha3 is my first dining stop on every visit to the City. Excellent variety -- Best plantains, Best calamari, Best roasted potatoes, Best aioli sauces, Best sangria and Best chicken pailliard.
Pros: Excellent Tapas, Inexpensive, Atmosphere
Cons: Long Wait
Posted 06/02/02