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Cha Cha Chicken

Caribbean Restaurant and Wings Joint$$$$

Ocean Park, Santa Monica

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Cha Cha Chicken

9.0^/10

607

ratings

Ranked #1 for fried chicken in Santa Monica
"The coconut fried chicken and plantations are delicious!"(22 Tips)
"Killer fried chicken, and their jerk chicken is the best in LA."(36 Tips)
"A fun place to hang out, BYOB and has good food."(15 Tips)
"Awesome shrimp spicy black pepper and coconut chicken!"(14 Tips)

167 Tips and reviews

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William CapodannoJune 26, 2015
Had the awesome Jerk chicken enchiladas with the dirty rice and beans and plantains. All of it was delicious with great flavors. Also, the lemonade and mango-guava Aqua frescas were refreshing.
Brandon SMarch 25, 2013
Great Caribbean food, my favorite plate is the Jerked Chicken Enchiladas, you can add an extra enchilada. No alcohol sold here, but you can bring your own on the patio, pick some up at Lucky's liquor.
Mohammed Abu HajarMay 31, 2020
This my first Caribbean Restaurant visit, the best reviews for Jerky Chicken & their Cha Cha Special Chicken & the fried chicken i loved it all tasty & the sides are tasty too and the dirty rice yummy
Shanelle UeyamaApril 18, 2013
Jerked chicken enchiladas come w beans, rice, and plantains. A perfectly delicious plate. The mango guava juice made me feel like i was on vacation. Coconut chicken was tasty. Great service too!
BommyAugust 27, 2018
Jerk chicken enchiladas and coconut fried chicken are the dishes to get. Comes with sides of rice & beans and plantains. Cups for water are 50 cents so just get an agua fresca instead.
Subodh BahlJune 9, 2018
A fun place to hang out, BYOB and has good food. The jerk chicken imho could have been a lil more crispier and spicy (ordered medium as it was recommended).
Achille KollaJuly 11, 2015
Not your most authentic Caribbean experience but great service and good bang for your buck. Try their homemade juices...the lemonade + ginger ale was bomb!
Chris CooksonOctober 13, 2016
Been here 10+ times
Prices are a little bit high for what you get but easily one of the best eats off to the side of the Pier. I normally go for the coconut fried chicken but their rice and plantains are superb as well.
Edward HutchinsonDecember 3, 2016
Fantastic hole in the wall restaurant. The Coconut chicken is awesome. The prices are even more awesome for where this is located!
Brad KwaterskiMay 28, 2016
The coconut chicken was amazing! Get the 1/4 chicken as it is plenty of food. And be sure to get a lemonade!
Clean Bay Restaurant ProgramJune 18, 2014
Congrats to Cha Cha Chicken 4 passing their Clean Bay Restaurant Certification 4 City of Santa Monica! They're doing their part to keep the Santa Monica Bay clean! Learn more: www.santamonicabay.org
Allyson KMarch 27
Awesome local place for some good quality food. If you like it spicy this is your place. The 1/2 cha cha chicken was tasty, and the spicy black pepper shrimp was bomb dot com.
Connie ChiuJanuary 1, 2016
The cha cha chicken and jerk sauce is so good. The chicken croquette is better than the empanadas. And beware of the incredibly slow line to order. The food comes out fast otherwise.
Food NetworkAugust 4, 2014
This island-inspired, shack-like spot features festive decorations in every corner and Coconut Fried Chicken that's worth a special trip, according to Iron Chef Michael Symon. Read more
KCRWApril 4, 2012
What's not to love? Patio dining near the beach, coconut fried chicken goodness, super spicy jerk sauce, BYOB (Yeah!) and the best part, you can use your KCRW Fringe Benefits card! We go every week!
Jak Rowland-BucknallNovember 12, 2016
Wow! What an amazing find! 😍 excellent value for amazing food, with a kick! BYOB with no cork fee... just 0.50c for a cup, or bring your own 😉
GAugust 7, 2017
Got the jerk turkey and a bottle of ginger ale Jamaican style, they charged me 0.50 for a plastic cup- not nice! perhaps because you can bring your own bottle.Very unwilling waiters but food is great!
Robert MoggachJanuary 2, 2014
Ignore the menu and go straight for the Jerk Chicken Enchiladas - if you can't take the heat go mild and they'll still make you smile.
BaltimoreGalJune 17, 2019
That coconut fried chicken is delicious! Also liked the beans & rice. And if watermelon Agua Fresca is on the specials, get it!
Natalie GuerraOctober 11, 2018
I can’t get enough of this place! They make their own fresh drinks that are to die for. Honestly everything on the menu is fantastic.
Food NetworkAugust 17, 2011
On The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Michael Symon's mouth is watering for Coconut Fried Chicken, a classic with a twist, at Cha Cha Chicken, a Caribbean restaurant. Find more tips at Food Network Local. Read more
Hudson L.April 22, 2012
I got the coconut fried chicken: sweet, tender, and not too heavy. Definitely come with a friend so you can try different things. I really wanted to try the enchiladas, but I came alone...
Clean Bay Restaurant ProgramOctober 8, 2012
This Cha Cha Chicken is a certified restaurant of the Clean Bay Restaurant Program, helping to reduce stormwater pollution in Santa Monica Bay! Learn about or find more certified restaurants at Read more
Amber JamalMarch 29, 2016
Killer fried chicken, and their jerk chicken is the best in LA. So flavorful! Perfect for a warm day near the beach.
Thomas ColtonSeptember 14, 2015
BYOB and the food is all spectacular. The standouts are the coconut fried chicken and the jerk chicken enchiladas if you're stuck
TJ TaylorMarch 19, 2012
First time here. Got the Cha cha chicken plate with black beans/rice and sweet potatoes on the side. Chicken was a little spicy but tasted great. (3 of 4 petals via Fondu) Read more
Tom McKeeverDecember 4, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Great dinner pregame spot before a night out in SaMo. Patio dining, BYOB, eat with your hands! $12-13 gets you a good sized plate with two sides. G
Blanca LlarmaMarch 26, 2015
It is sooo good. this place has great food! it is affordable the staff here are super nice and professionals.. I lobe the foold
Ashwin KumarFebruary 20, 2017
It's NOT spicy. If you're used to Thai/Mexican/Indian spice, this is a weird sweet flavor. The flavor was good, not great. Great ambience and the drinks looked good. Nice for big groups.
Carly JamiesonMay 3, 2013
One of the best eats in LA- coconut fried chicken (go boneless) w plantains. Yum dum.
CyaAugust 12, 2013
Super yummy. The half chicken with two sides is more than enough food for two people to split. Bring your own booze if you want it!
Fifi SomaApril 27, 2015
Very cool, laid back, casual carribean food place. Crowded but worth it. If you really don't like spicy avoid the jerk chicken
Russell AdamsSeptember 16, 2020
Been here 50+ times
Pork dishes and coconut fried chicken are great. Bring your own beer and wine. No corkage charge.
Justin MiyagiJanuary 25, 2015
Great vibe. Juicy chicken and weekend brunch deals that are on point. Lemonade washes it all down nicely.
Drew ShannonMarch 2, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Great reasonably-priced food and BYOB with a great patio less than 2 blocks from the beach. Say no more.
GvearnOctober 20, 2018
Good food, great vibes. You can bring your own drinks and I’d recommend so as they don’t serve alcoholic beverages.
Jennifer GallardoMay 14, 2016
The cha cha chicken is everything - and if you don't get that, the jerk chicken enchilada is pretty legit too
Carlos GuillénNovember 3, 2018
Super good food and at a very good price. I got the Coconut fried chicken. The have nice sitting areas outside.
Wen ÁvilaApril 24, 2019
The coconut chicken is just amazing I wanna eat that for the rest of my life. Oh, and everybody is super nice :)
Jeff WeinsteinOctober 14, 2016
Jerk chicken, mango lemonade, and sitting. Lots of sitting. More sitting. Just keep sitting there. Don't leave.
Paull YoungJanuary 23, 2018
Was surprised how good the house made ginger beer was, and def get some empanadas for the table.
Naomi NesJuly 29, 2018
Amazing jerk chicken, and the plantains are to die for. Always ask for extra sauces on the side.
Ben PatwaDecember 16, 2013
Wow, I had the combo plate and it was Dee-lish!! Dem portions be huuuge mon!
GianniSeptember 27, 2014
Cha cha chicken, mild, with slaw and plantains. Homemade ginger ale was on point. Pro tip: byob
Arnaud RéautéNovember 6, 2015
Amazing Caribbean food with lots of spices and taste and a very decent pricing.
Erin LeonardSeptember 16, 2010
Rick is awesome!! They rent out the patio for groups or parties. You can also bring your own booze or beer. Mango-guava juice and the watermelon juice are amazing.
Darlene JeffersonAugust 1, 2015
Been here 10+ times
Spinach Quesadilla! Coconut chicken! Ropa Villeja! Fresh Juices! Great Staff!
AmayaOctober 24, 2016
BYOB and delish fried coconut chicken. Not very authentic but a fun spot nonetheless.
Elysia MannNovember 11, 2015
Coconut chicken is significantly heavier than the roasted but it's so, so good.
Adam SchuitMarch 29, 2017
I stumbled upon this spot and I was lucky I did. So delicious and great vibes 👌🏻

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