Cha Cha Cha
Decadent tapas, stellar sangria and a lively crowd keep this Upper Haight spot alive and kicking.
(415) 504-1149
1801 Haight St
(at Shrader Street)
San Francisco,
CA
94117
37.7692
-122.4519
Neighborhoods: Haight, Central
What People Are Saying About Cha Cha Cha
The Owner
Cha Cha Cha
Owner
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.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
There 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.
User Reviews
CSMobileUser
May 26, 2009
Went on a Saturday night and did have to wait an hour but it was worth it. Sangria was good and helped past the time. There was four of us and five tapa dishes were more than enough. Chickenwings were delicious. Calamari tasty and the shrimp with I forgot what sauce Sauce was so good we used the bread to finish sauce. Kitchen did not need to wash that plate.
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LindseyL86
February 26, 2009
With crowds of people outside and standing room only within, Cha Cha Chas has become the most popular restaurant on Haight St. While other restaurants only offer seating and food, Cha Cha Chas bar serves Sangria almost more popular than their Mediterranean menu. ?I?ve been coming here for 10 or 12 years and there is just such a San Francisco vibe here,? said Matthew Allred, restaurant manager in South San Francisco, ?plus the Sangria is amazing!? While patrons eagerly await their table, they are ushered into the bar area where the center is an ice filled pit with glass buckets of Sangria made on site. Half empty pitchers adorn the tables between the bright red and zebra painted atmosphere. Mediterranean music bumps in the background. Walking past every other bar on the Haight, it is clear that this is the busiest of all and yet no liquor is served, only beer and Sangria. ?I?ve worked here for 23 years,? said Christina Schubeck, ?and it?s always been this busy?crazy busy.? ?Normally I like to go bar hopping but this place is honestly the best bar you could ask for?I?m staying,? said Heather Vega, first time patron of Cha Cha Chas and student at San Francisco State. Cajun shrimp and calamari are just a few of the things that create Cha Cha Chas menu.Guitars hang on the walls and angels watch over the Sangria bar while customers ignore the norm of the bar scene for something completely unique. ?Everybody is different here,? said Kimberly Guess, a 43 year old massage therapist, ?and we love the sangria!? The draw back for the normal bar crowd is that Cha Cha Chas still holds only restaurant hours, closing at 11pm on weekends and 10pm on weekdays. ?It?d be nice if they were open later but honestly, who cares? This is such an eclectic barrage of craziness,? Vega said, while gesturing to the crowd and wall decorations, ?any time in this place is a good time.
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Bn2bwld
February 18, 2009
I had never been to Cha Cha Cha before... I will most deffinately be back. Walking in you are surrounded by the almost comical latin atmosphere. The place is alive with conversation and highly reccomend eating in the bar area. The 25 minunte wait was the perfect ice breaker, the pitcher of sangria probably helped too. When it came time to order I said "Bring three dishes of your choice." The food was great the price was even better.
read full reviewThe Details on Cha Cha Cha
Where to Sit:
Request a booth, which is less hectic and much more comfortable. Dining in the bar is also an option.
When to Go:
Weekends are extremely busy, try a weeknight and expect less of a wait.
Know Before You Go:
Don't be fooled by the tapas; portions are quite plentiful.
Category:
Latin American, Catering, Restaurants
Payment Methods:
Restaurant Special Features:
Cuisine:
Message from Cha Cha Cha
- Free flan
- Latin Tapas
- Sangria
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.
