I’m not sure what kind of restaurant Cha Cha Cha is – in fact, I’m not sure anyone is. One part Caribbean, one part tapas, and one part Cuban, my favorite Cha Cha Cha outpost in San Francisco is the one in the Haight. As one of my favorite haunts from my college days, the place evokes a sense of nostalgia for me. It had been years since I’d visited until recently, when I dined with a friend to celebrate his return from three years spent living in Egypt.
Cha Cha Cha’s menu has changed since then, and while the sangria still flows freely, their arroz con pollo wasn’t on the menu the day we dropped by for lunch. My dining companion and I decided to split a few dishes instead. We started with the warm spinach salad:
Rich and creamy, and tossed with flecks of crispy bacon, this salad could have been a meal on its own. The dressing was savory and delicious, albeit too heavy. The leafy greens helped balance things out.
Next came our fried platanos maduros.
I love sweet plantains, and these were prepared wonderfully: thick and tender, with a slightly crispy, sugary exterior. The beans were good too, but next to the plantains were almost an afterthought.
Our main dish arrived next; the Jamaican jerk chicken.
The jerk chicken was good, but it didn’t blow me away. I expected more flavor and more spice, but the meat very tender and literally falling off the bone.
For me, Cha Cha Cha has always been about the ambiance. The food is good (a few are great), the service is nice, but it’s the fun atmosphere that really seals the deal. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that I’ve always dined there with good company. After all, isn’t half the fun of dining out spending time with those you enjoy?
Hmm… what’s all that liquid sauce stuff doing on jerk chicken? I question their Caribbean gangster, a little.
I know, it’s definitely questionable. That being said, they do have a few standout dishes, like the Cajun shrimp (ignore the generic name) that I didn’t have on this visit but is like, the best shrimp ever.
I’m eating with you from now on.
Mariam, just ran across your blog as I was considering a similar name for mine (I am a Bulgarian and we believe yogurt originated with us :)). Love what I read so far and this post grabbed me immedeately. I used to live in LA and there was a Cha Cha Cha I loved to go to. I was juts recently visiting that neighbourhood (somewhere between Hollywood and Los Feliz) and as I was craving their goat cheese and guava quesidallas looked for the place. Unfortunately that location was closed. They have others but I had no time to go find them. Do they have the goat cheese/guava quesadillas in San Francisco? Have some for me next time you go.
Lamont – lol!
Anna – I didn’t know there was a Cha Cha Cha in Los Angeles! I don’t think the one here has goat cheese and guava quesadillas but I’ll double-check the next time I’m there as I’m intrigued – sounds like a really interesting combination. (And what a random way to find my blog! 🙂 )