Beautiful location, nice service, but the food has lost it. Been visiting here for years and it stood out as consistently good for being in a tourist zone. Iykyk. This last week we stopped in and the fish tacos were simply gross. They tasted like they got old fish sticks from the back of the fridge, slathered them with mayonnaise and put that in an unheated tortilla. The coleslaw was just as bad. The rice n beans bleh as well. These are California basics Fish tacos! How do you mess up fish tacos? The Cuban sandwich also has shrunk and barely has any flavor. Looking around for this time of summer SAMO should be packed but well "the national decline" is also affecting the once great Cha Cha Chicken. These folk know better. I hope for better times and a better Cha Cha Chicken. read more

This was a super fun spot to grab dinner. Very local and right in a neighborhood area. I also loved that this was a dog friendly establishment. You order outside. There was a super long line out the door and down the street. Popular place! They ran out of Spicy Jerk Chicken Wings so got Cha Cha Chicken with half mango half medium spice sauce on it. Rice/beans, and plaintains. The ambiance was so fun and the food was delish! I'll be coming back here again! read more

Wonderful food,service,and charming ambience The chicken melted on the fork. The restaurant has been at this location for a long time with great word of mouth. Parking -paid parking meter and limited parking in small lot. Yet lots of turn over so parking may not be a problem. It was my first time and I parked in front read more

Cha Cha Chicken - Jerk chicken Jerk Combo - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Cha Cha Chicken is a local gem--colorful, casual, and bursting with flavor. This spot serves up some of the best Caribbean-style food in LA, just steps from the beach. The jerk chicken is a must (spicy, juicy, full of depth), but honestly, you can't go wrong with the coconut fried chicken or the Cha Cha combo plate if you're hungry. The outdoor patio is vibrant and relaxed, with mismatched tables and tropical vibes that make it feel like a mini vacation. It's BYOB, so bring your favorite drink and make it your own kind of party. Pro tip for first timers: The portions are big, so consider sharing if you're not starving--and come early or be prepared to wait a bit during peak hours. It's worth it. read more

We happened upon this place walking around Santa Monica. The building just stands out so much. It has the kitschy classic mid century l.a. vibe. We couldn't pass up the chance to try this brightly painted place. It's definitely a great after beach hangout. The gentleman behind the counter even let people know they could byob if they wanted run in their drinks. The menu is bigger than what you see on yelp, especially the drinks. We tried the cha cha chicken and the Cuban sandwich. The chicken was similar to a jerk chicken, served on the bone. I dipped plantains in the sauce. I'd recommend asking for sour cream because these plantains are suuuper sweet. The rice and peas were ok. The Cuban sandwich was made with chicken. This place is like Caribbean fusion so don't expect traditional. They kind of mix and match food from places around the Caribbean. You'll enjoy it more if you let go of ideas about authenticity. The chicken in the sandwich was deliciously spiced. I actually really enjoyed the flavors, but the bread got soggy and I hate soggy bread. The guy that took our order recommended a mix of agua frescas. These were delicious. We had melon with ginger lemonade and pina colada. You should definitely trust his recommendation. We enjoyed the drinks. All in all this is a fun place and definitely worth stopping in after a day at the beach. read more

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Had the jerk chicken. It tasted good but very bland for a jerk chicken. Sides were meh. Location was cute and fun. Loved the outdoor courtyard and the staff was polite. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Small and quaint![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Excellent Food! My husband had the jerk chicken enchiladas and I had the black pepper shrimp. Both dishes were muy rico! The flavors were outstanding and portions were perfect. Highly recommend this gem!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

The first time we ordered the food was great and it came with wonderful sauces etc. The next order, no sauces, the food tasted like it had been cooked twice. Not so good. read more

Wow, this place ain't no joke. We parked nearby and wanted to try before going to the beach. The family is very sweet that works here. The enchiladas is a Top 3 winner so I tried the veggie version with a mango guava aqua Fresca! The jerk seasoning is on the tortilla on the enchilada. They are spicy but there is so much flavor. The restaurant is very colorful and fully outside with heaters and lights. Lots of Caribbean decor and great music. Was a great decision just a couple blocks from the beach read more

Cha Cha Chicken - Veggie Enchiladas - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I was pleasantly surprised by how yummy this place is! Their menu is quite extensive so I think it can fit a variety of peoples tastes buds. I got their Mole plate and subbed potatoes for plantains. Considering the area and everything you get, its a great deal! You order at the window, take a number and self seat. I wouldnt recommend this place for groups larger than 6. It really is just a quick service restaurant in a little shack. I will be coming again to try their other menu items for sure. Parking wise it can be a tricky thing but street parking should be just fine or walk from a parking lot. Overall a very tasty place and will come again! read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Super casual and a neat outdoor dining shed with Caribbean decor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Ordered cha cha chicken and fish taco. Both very yummy. Reasonable portion sizes and good value. Order at counter and they bring the food out. Super friendly and helpful staff. read more

Great food. Super cute patio. Like a mini vacation type atmosphere. Try watermelon Fresca and Ropa Nueve. Nice dude taking the orders was friendly and helpful. Recommend! Wish we lived closer:) read more

Great spot and delicious succulent Jerk Chicken! Along with the great Caribbean dishes! This place has a very cool Jamaican vibe! YEAH MON! Highly recommend for lunch, and then a walk on Santa Monica Beach! read more

Cha Cha Chicken - My Delicious Jerk Chicken plate! It's 100 - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Not to happy with the coconut chicken last night. Severed unidentifiable pieces of chicken. Just three small pieces of plantains Very disappointed read more

Cha Cha Chicken is someTING to talk about. Hidden between third street and main street, this Caribbean jerk stop might seem like a gimmick. In reality, you'll only find real, authentic Caribbean cuisine. The menu is stacked with so many flavorful options which made it hard to choose. So we picked from the most popular items - the jerk chicken enchiladas and the black pepper shrimp. These fan favorites were tropical as hell. We might've been in Santa Monica, but we basically were sitting on a beach in Jamaica. Cool off the spicy heat in your mouth with an imported Jamaican TING. If you're looking for something a bit more boozy, beware as they don't sell alcohol here - it's BYOB so you can still make it your own party. When you look up at the night sky through the canopy, it's hard to not think about the full moon parties happening in the Caribbean. Wish we were there, but this fills us up (for now...) Not worrying about a TING quenched. read more

Cha Cha Chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Came to this place after running on the strand ‍ Caribbean place w a Caribbean vibe, you order and sit so food comes out fast! Chicken Hash ($17) - this is shredded chicken on top of potatoes and corn bread w eggs on top. This was different but it was really good esp w the sauce Different textures but the corn bread gives it a nice sweetness, the rice was also really good!! Cha cha chicken 1/2 ($22) - this was oven roasted chicken with jerk sauce; it was good but not too special The fries were hot baked potatoes accompanied by a fresh slaw. If you want a tried and true, juicy chicken then go w this one. Instagram - @joangela.eats read more

Cha Cha Chicken - Cha Cha Chicken Chicken Hash - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Cha cha is the place to feel like you're on a tropical vacation for an hour or two. Coconut chicken all the way, weekly visits make it feel like summer. Love cha cha, and it's operated by a great family. Support local read more

Cha Cha Chicken - Patio Jah-mbiance - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Great service and ambience I ordered the three empanadas beef chicken and vegetables and delicious hot and crunchy and crispy parking can be a challenge but come during the week and it's a lot easier read more

Cha Cha Chicken - Empanadas - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Good food! Good vibe! The coconut fried chicken was surprisingly light and very fresh. The red bean rice complimented the chicken so well. I couldn't get enough of the chips and bean dip. Service was superb!! Although you order at the counter, the food is brought out to you. The server came out later and refilled our sodas for us. My daughter loved her quesadilla and couldn't get enough of the rice. Two thumbs up! The music made you feel like you were in the Caribbean. read more

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After years of wanting to try this place, I was in the area. I got the jerk enchiladas which was recommended to me by cashier. I also got a chicken croquette and a chicken empanada. I topped it off with a champagne cola and this cost me $29. That's a bit steep for a casual place but I've been waiting so long to try it that I didn't mind. The croquette and empanadas are very small. About twice the size of a slice of plantain. The empanada was great, 8/10. My croquette was burnt and since it has potato and chicken in it, it being burnt didn't taste good at all, 0/10. The jerk enchiladas with rice and beans and plantain was mid. I'd give it a 7/10. It would have been an 8 but my enchilada barely had any cheese. It has to have cheese to be an enchilada for me. Overall, I'd rate it a 6/10. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The customer service was nice, place was clean and food was brought out to me. I appreciated those items.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Not sure if I would give it another chance. read more

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Great experience here. Food was delicious and staff was friendly. Place is good for a small group and late night snack. Jerk wasn't as spicy as I like but still good. Price is good and portions are huge as you also get rice and plantains. read more

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Do you need an escape? This is it. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It feels like a mini vacation to a tropical island.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I always enjoy their watermelon juice and coconut chicken. read more

So cha cha chicken is a gem in santa monica and the food is tasty. The service is great though after six its gets crowded but even then the food still comes out fast. It's right next to the ocean so there is a breeze but the outside seating is still very nice. The Jerk Enchiladas were a complete gem my favorite thing that I've eaten that week. The sauce was impeccable and the chicken was cooked perfectly if your ever there i highly recommend this. The rice complinted it very well as well. The Jerk wings were also great tons of flavor the meat fell right of the bone. I would highly recommend these as well. Spicy black pepper shrimp was good . Nice flavors the only problem with it is the amount of shrimp that it came with. Just wish it had more shrimp. read more

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All these stellar reviews are UNRELIABLE. PLEASE TAKE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY ELSEWHERE. The reviewers are either inebriated at the time of consumption affecting their palate or the bar is extremely low because they haven't ventured out and had AUTHENTIC Caribbean flavor. I haven't had Cha Cha Chicken in YEARS and now I remember why! I was really hungry and craving Caribbean food. I wanted one of my usual places, however they close early and are further out. This was the only spot that was open and the closest so I decided to get it delivered via Ubereats. The food arrived warm but I was so underwhelmed from the moment I opened my order. I ordered a whole coconut chicken with 3 sides, 1/4 cha cha chicken w/ 2 sides, 2 flan and 2 banana pudding. EVERYTHING WAS INSIPID. Almost everything lacked flavor which is highly unusual for Caribbean food! 1) The whole coconut chicken was soggy yet somehow dry and flavorless as soon as I bit into it. The chicken wasn't marinated, there wasn't a hint of coconut flavor and it lacked salt. The portion for the sides I received from purchasing a WHOLE chicken is ridiculous. I received a box with the lackluster red cabbage slaw, burnt and overripe plantain and flavorless rice and beans. The sauces that came with a whole 8 pieces of chicken they gave wasn't enough for 8 pieces. All of it was bland and that's being generous. It's overpriced too because I would've rather bought a whole chicken from KFC and I hate KFC. When they have their specials, they have an 8 piece for $10 bucket. 2) The 1/4 Cha Cha Chicken with two sides was also horrible. The jerk chicken sauce was too sour and lacked that spicy kick you usually taste in jerk sauce. It's not grilled either. It's stewed or whatever you want to call it. The smokiness isn't there the way jerk chicken is supposed to taste. The corn that came with it was flavorless. It wasn't even naturally sweet. The "spicy Cuban potatoes"? NO SEASONING ON IT so how can you have the audacity to call it spicy??? There wasn't even any salt on it either! NOTHING. 3) The banana puddings we ordered were mushy and atrocious. Yes it had the coconut on top but it seemed like it was days old unfortunately. Not what I remembered it to be at all and back then it was delicious... 4) The flans was probably the only saving grace of this $70 waste of money. These were 3.5/5. Nothing else notable about it other than it was good and sweet. Compared to everything else, this actually had flavor. You can't really mess up flan though as the cooking process is simple. All in all, SAVE YOUR MONEY. This is the second and final time I will ever order from Cha Cha Chicken. They either need to shut down or change their ways. This is a horrible representation of Caribbean food! Oh and it doesn't have to be called Caribbean Latin fusion... Cuba, DR and Jamaica are all Caribbean nations. I understand Cuba and Dominican Republic are "Latin" due to colonization and speaking Spanish however Cuba and DR are located in the Caribbean, their culture is Caribbean and the food is pretty much the same as Haitians, Jamaicans and other Caribbean nations compared to Central Americans or South Americans so it could've just been called Caribbean fusion. read more

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I came here because my friend talks so highly of the cha cha chicken. Since I was in the area, I decided to give it a try. The coconut chicken was decent 6/10. It had that coconut flavor. The cha cha chicken was just okay to me. All though I love the yellow sauce it came with. I love plantain, but the plants were not hitting it for me. Would I go back?? No. Do I recommend this place to others?? Yes!! read more

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Decided to walk here from the hotel saw it a few times on our way in. And it did not disappoint the decor is very cute snd colorful with lots of seating inside. Take your time looking at the menu there's a lot to select from. And the staff was so helpful in our decision and it was hard because I wanted everything lol. Didn't take long to get our food but it was worth the wait So far it's been a TOP this trip for me. I don't think they offer reservation because it's an open seating establishment so you seat yourself. But it's worth it. Might be going back for dinner read more

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This place never disappoints!!!! It is always consistently yummy! I love their jerk chicken enchiladas, empanadas, and croquettes. We always order an extra side of their jerk sauce, amazing!!!! Love this place! Also love that you can bring your own wine! So we usually bring a bottle of wine to drink with our meal. read more

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Caribbean chicken beans rice plantain corn muffin large portions, decent food, great service love, the BYOB and outside patio. read more

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I'm always a fan of hole in the wall, order at the counter, quick service type places. Especially if the food is authentic, plentiful, and provides good bang for your buck. Cha Cha Chicken is exactly that. I ordered the 1/2 cha cha chicken with plantains, rice, and bean. Delicious, melty and flavorful jerk sauce smothered the chicken and overflowed into the sides. I was diggin that! Was it the most delicious Caribbean meal that I've had? No, I've had more fresh and quality chicken, plantains, and rice at other Caribbean spots. But everything was still tasty and well priced. Would def recommend Cha Cha Chicken! read more

Cha Cha Chicken - Cha Cha Chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Tried this spot for the first time and I was really impressed with the coconut fried chicken. Super crispy, flavorful, and not greasy at all. It's definitely the star of the menu. I also tried the mole, empanada, and mole which was just okay not bad, but nothing to rave about. If you're coming here, do yourself a favor and stick with the fried chicken. Totally worth it! read more

For years I've been curious. Stopped in one evening. I wasn't sure what to order. I asked the cashier for recommendations. Food was good, fair price. It's not a fancy restaurant but there are places to sit with a relaxed vibe. read more

Cha Cha Chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Small and cozy spot! Super friendly and attentive staff. Services served out our food relatively quickly for a homestyle kitchen. Salmon was flaky; sweet and flavorful. The chicken was juicy, tender and soaked in amazing flavors and sauce. The banana milk shake made me nostalgic for home. The guava water was top notch. Some of the customers seemed really needy and particular, but the staff did their best to accommodate their wants. read more

Cha Cha Chicken - Salmon Negril with Dirty Rice and Black Beans; and Fried Plantains - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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I've never had Caribbean food and had to give this place a try due to the amount of raving reviews. Plantains will always have a sweet spot in my heart. We had the Cuban sandwich & cha cha chicken. Both were delicious and pretty good portions for two people. The host was good with giving recommendations since there's a pretty extensive menu. Loved how there's indoor and outdoor seating. I liked the outdoor decor and the place was poppin' with people. read more

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Ah Cha Cha Chicken. It has the old school feel of a Jamaican shack in Negril. I must say I was expecting a little more flavor from this place. But made the best of the experience. I was in the mood for their Coconut fried chicken with jerk sauce. When the meal came I was taken a back by the fact that the sauce cup was sitting on top of my rice and peas, which meant there was a dent in my food for where I should have had a whole full potion of rice but instead felt jipped. I asked the waitress if this is how they serve the dishes and she said, yes. But it didnt sit well with me. I took a picture of what I saw for perspective because it was a bit annoying. See the pictures for reference. The plantains and rice were decent. The chicken was just ok even after putting on the sauce. read more

Cha Cha Chicken - Coconut Coconut Fried Chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Oh my goodness! Visiting from out of town and we asked a local where to get something to eat that's not a chain. She recommended this place and we are so happy she did! Food was fresh and delicious. The man (owner?) taking our order was so friendly and genuinely seemed so happy to be there. I wish we stayed longer to go back again but will definitely stop by if we're ever in town again! read more

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The food was cold and way over priced. We ask for one piece of cocunt chicken for our daughter, 2 Baja fish tacos, 1/2 a Cuban sandwich and 3 drinks was $90. We didn't order sides. The music was so loud you couldn't hear was the person at the window was saying. They were clearing tables quickly so the wait wasn't long. read more

I thought Cha Cha chicken was Ok. I though the food tasted pretty good and they have generous portions. Everything was generally Ok, but I wasn't blown away. Very casual - they have a self-service walk-up window, and give you a number when you order. Seat yourself amongst some semi-outdoor tables. They have a person clearing tables. No beer, which is bit of a bummer, but oh well. read more

Cha Cha Chicken - Jerk Sampler - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Their jerk chicken enchiladas were super tasty! It's an order first and then seat yourself type of situation. Besides the food, I def enjoyed the vibrant decor and laidback mix of Caribbean and Latin influence. I bet this place is poppin' at night. The menu has so many options and the guy at the register said you can BYOB if you please. Service could be more attentive and portions could be bigger but I digress. Catch me here again before the year ends sippin' on a refreshing agua fresca. read more

Cha Cha Chicken - the only type of jerk I'm into - Caribbean Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Ricardo greeted us at the window when we stepped up to order. Window service often feels impersonal, but Cha Cha Chicken was an exception to that. We were welcomed, given a tour of the menu, but not rushed into our choices. The chicken was tender and their housemade jerk sauce (that's available for retail purchase) could make anything delicious! We didn't walk away hungry, that's for sure! The depth of flavor was fantastic and the price was reasonable. Quite a find, given that it was about a block away from our Airbnb. The patio is colorfully decorated and there were enough space heaters to keep us comfortable. The Caribbean music wasn't the usual reggae tracks I've heard five million times. I wish we lived closer, as I haven't found anything like this close to home. read more

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This place was good but not memorable. It was pretty pricey and then the food portions were just okay and the food was flavorful but nothing crazy. I also was super disappointed in their sides. I get excited about sides and these were sadly not as good as they could have been. read more