Sunlight glistens off the vibrant red and yellow colors that coat the rustic exterior of the beachside restaurant. Just a few blocks down on Main Street in Santa Monica, crowds of locals bustle in and out of chic boutiques. Trendy passersbys are immediately attracted to the friendly ambiance of Cha Cha Chicken and are drawn in by the smell of mouth-watering Caribbean dishes.

One is able to indulge in scrumptious food and affordable Caribbean culture at this unique restaurant. The café provides a tropical escape for all that dine there. The brightly-painted shack is bordered by a picket fence painted in glistening shades of blues and greens. The inside is decorated with glowing, star-shaped lanterns and colored tables surrounded by mismatched chairs. The walls are adorned with bright painting and photos, further adding the eclecticism of the venue. Customers can find shade from the California sun underneath straw umbrellas on the patio. Cha Cha Chicken is a gourmet beach shack, filled with Caribbean passion, but lacking cliché fried foods, such as hot dogs and french fries. Its delectible food never ceases to entice customers.

“Cha Cha Chicken is by far the most authentic Caribbean food I have ever tasted,” said former CHS student Thea Sigal. “The atmosphere is quaint and beach-like as the customers crowd around the shack and are eager to sample the decadent entrées.”

After scanning the menu, embrace the Caribbean delicacies and order something on the wild side, or perhaps something more traditional. Satisfy one’s taste buds with the restaurant’s signature dish, the Cha Cha Chicken, which is perfectly roasted to a crisp, golden color and smothered in Jamaican Jerk Sauce. The Coconut Fried Chicken is evenly coated in fresh coconut and served with sweet mango chutney and jerk dipping sauces. Stuffed with smoked chicken breast and topped with a spicy mango pineapple jerk sauce, the Cheesy Jerk Chicken Enchiladas are another popular selection. The Jerk veggie wrap will entice one’s mouth with lavash flat bread and savory flavors of grilled garden vegetables.

To finish off the perfect meal, order their one-of-a-kind guava juice and homemade Flan Cubano topped with fresh berries.

For those who desire to taste the exotic flavors at Cha Cha Chicken but cannot make the trip to Santa Monica, they can visit the restaurant’s second location in Northridge which offers the same laid-back atmoshpere and delicious food as the Santa Monica restaurant.

“The food is unlike anything I have ever tasted. The restaurant has a casual and exciting feel that’s unlike other corporate eateries,” said the manager of the Northridge Cha Cha Chicken Adriana Prado. “Even if you’re wearing sandals and a simple t-shirt, your experience at Cha Cha Chicken is sure to be enjoyable.”

With a variety of appealing dishes, Cha Cha Chicken is sure to lure in customers for more than a single meal. The dining experience at this tropical venue provides a care-free escape to a tropical destination filled with great food and an exotic atmosphere. Come dine at Cha Cha Chicken and savor every bite of the delicious Caribbean food at this phenomenal beach shack. •