Cha Cha Cha

07/17/2008 Posted by SaraLibre

I had no problem with them adding a healthcare surcharge onto my bill, because I think everyone should have health insurance. I was shocked to find out later that even though they gave out a card saying they're proud to be giving their employees health coverage, they're actually suing the city over it. I hate to think that they are using my money to take away people's health care .

11/19/2007 Posted by reese797

I have never been treated worse at any eating establishment in my life, including McDonalds. We had a party of 14 under my name and checked in with the host twice before our actual reservation to let him know we were in the bar. He was clearly strung out on something and didn't seem to have any clue what he was doing. When we saw a large party get seated, we checked on our table and he stated "There are two parties of Marisa for 14?" with a dumbfounded look on his face. The host attempted to then seat us at two small tables and 8 chairs for 14 people, then another that only sat 10. When numerous attempts to speak to a manager (or anyone in charge that would help us) failed, we took an empty table nearby. The manager proceeded to YELL in my face that we were hustling them (because we asked for some free sangria to make up for everything), then said we could either keep the table we took or one pitcher of sangria (for 14 people). At that point, we didn't want to give them our money so we left and went to a Taqueria down the street. Never once did I raise my voice, yet I was attacked by the manager. Between the strung out host and the rudely inappropriate manager, I will never eat at this establishment ever again and urge prospective diners to STAY AWAY!

10/06/2007 Posted by xtinajohnson

Great, authentic Latin food. Compairs very well to Latin food I ate in Miami. The quesadillas and their salsa were especially tasty. Be prepared to wait well over an hour for a table. Put your name on the list, and go get a drink on Haight.

Pros: Menu, Ambience

Cons: Parking, Wait Time

09/17/2007 Posted by lovediningallover

I decided to give Cha Cha Cha's one more chance, because I had at one time really liked the place. I thought that maybe it became good again, but I was wrong. <br><br> We got there when it opened for lunch, and although there were only four other customers (two at each table), service was horrible. The waitress finally took our order, and then we waited... and waited... First she was outside, then back inside. She played with her hair, scratched her tattoo, and then started filling up bread baskets (no glove, no washing her hands - just grabbing bread pieces and putting them in bread baskets). I found myself with no desire for the bread she never even bothered to bring to our table during our wait.<br><br> As we waited, I could see some of our food up on the "warming" shelf. I looked for the waitress to ask her to tell her to go ahead and bring us what was ready, but she was no where in site.<br><br> Another server ended up bring us our food, and a basket (yech) of bread. <br><br> The calamari was lukewarm, and the dipping sauce sub-par. The fried potatoes were overcooked (dark brown and dry) and not even hot. The aioli sauce (that I loved in the past) was bland and gooey on the top (refrigerator burn?) The two dishes were almost inedible. The plantains were good. But a half plate of plantains does not a lunch make. And at NO TIME did the waitress come by and ask how things were. She had taken our order, and then we never saw her again until she finally brought the bill.<br><br> I can easily say I will not go back. The food was mediocre the time I went before this last time, but I really, really wanted to give them another chance. But now they are even worse.

Pros: Get there early and there is no waiting in line.

Cons: You will still wait due to poor service, Food has gone way downhill.

02/18/2007 Posted by dianaestelle

This is one of my husband and I's favorites...although it is loud and the wait can be long, the food is great and the service once you are seated is relatively quick and friendly. We have eaten both the entrees and tapas, but I think the tapas are better. The chicken is delicious with a sweet and slightly hot sauce atop a bed of rice, the calamari is cooked just right and has an enormous side of delicious dipping aioli sauce that is gently mild in flavor. The chicken quesadilla is enormous and definitely doesn't disappoint....I would say it's almost more of a very large soft taco or burrito with all the good things they stuff inside of it. The black bean soup is delicious and so are the fried plantains, but don't get both at the same time, as the plantains come with a side of blackbeans that are almost identical to the soup. Don't be fooled by the menu calling the items "tapas" - the portions are fairly large, and if you're like us and just can't decide on two or three items, you'll be taking lots of leftovers home...which isn't so much of a bad thing!

Pros: large selection of tapas, sangria, fun atmosphere

Cons: parking, crowded and noisy, waiting area by door isn't sufficient - may have to wait outside

11/12/2006 Posted by bonbonsf

great place to scope out the locals and get a little tipsy drinking sangria. this is one of the first places ive been since moving to the bay area and i loved the vibe and spirit of the place. the alters and other decorations are wonderfully rich in color and culture. just be careful not to drink too much sangria since it is only $4 a glass.

Pros: sangria, prices

Cons: limited space

08/21/2006 Posted by norcallight

I've heard mixed things about cha cha cha, but I'm not sure which good and bad for which locations apply. I recently visited the haight spot and it was a great time and i had a great meal. I'd recommend this place to a friend and will be returning myself.

Pros: food and fun

Cons: long wait and kinda cramped seating

08/19/2006 Posted by audreyjl

Went with a group of 6 and the wait wasn't too bad. Had a few pitchers of their famous sangria during the wait and they were very good. We ordered about 8 different tapas, each one was great. My favorite was their cajuns shrimp and their special which was some sort of steak and pureed yams. The atmosphere is loud and energetic with great crazy decor allover the place. We had the maui wowie for dessert and it was great too. Will definitely be visiting again.

Pros: variety of choices

Cons: long wait, but not bad

08/05/2006 Posted by field250775

We drove past this place the first time and it looked closed, but we decided to try it and went in!! WOW!! What fab decor and great music! Walking past peoples tables we couldnt help but stare at the food on their tables!! YUM! My sister and I decided to give the pitcher of sangria a go! (now I live in Spain so know about Sangria..But this was GOOOD!). We chose several plates of Tapas to try, great size portions and very tasty. There was a great atmosphere and it was an excellent start to a cool afternoon strolling Haight and its stores! WILL DEFINATLY BE BACK!!

Pros: Good food, drink, service

Cons: It is sooo far from home!!

07/25/2006 Posted by plushie1

I have been here twice, each time I came into town. I am from Portland, so it's not often, but it's become a favorite. The sangria is some of the best I've had (aside from Spain) and their food is great. Unique flavors on traditional spanish/latin dishes. If you want atmosphere, this is a great place to check out. Typically busy, but all the wait staff is very nice (including the host...ask for Esteban. ;-) ). We had about a 45 minute wait for lunch on a Sunday, but it was great because we walked around Haight street and the park just a couple blocks down to pass the time. Props to Cha Cha Cha! I'll be back next trip. :-)

Pros: sangria, food, liveliness of the restaurant &amp; bar

Cons: busy place (if you are on a tight schedule you may want to have a back up plan), parking