Normally I don't do blog postings about restaurants but Cha Cha Chicken has been a favorite of mine for about 10 years. It's located a block from Santa Monica Beach and when you're eating there you feel transported to whatever your favorite Caribbean island is. Their food is a blend of Latin and Caribbean cuisine. The only other combo that goes together that perfectly is Romney and flip flops. My absolute favorite dish at Cha Cha Chicken are their Jerk Chicken Enchiladas. Their secret recipe jerk sauce starts out with a spicy, Cleveland bus driver style upper cut, but then a sweetness kicks in to make it alllll better. Add to that melted cheese and perfectly pulled and shredded chicken breast and you'll look at your meal and say,"You goin to jail now!" Before it gets it's 5-10(hours)sentence in my belly, I like to wash it down with a fresh lemonade/watermelon mix. And if great food and fresh juices wasn't enough, they allow BYOB. WHAT!! Whether you prefer Boons or Bordeaux, bring your own and imbibe; responsibly of course. If you get a little too loose, hit the beach and wash or walk it off.
Cha Cha's Chicken has all the elements of a great date; Island ambiance, great affordable food, the option to toast it up with no corkage fee, and Santa Monica Beach only a block away.
Details
When: Mon-Fri 11am-10pm Sat & Sun 10am-10pmWhere: 1906 Ocean Ave(at Pico)
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Why: Caribbean, Latin Food, Wine corks,
& Wave crests
Cost: Entrees in the $10 range
Parking: They have a small lot for about 6 cars, but people often park behind each other and move when asked. And of course there's metered street parking.
