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Thu / Jan 28
Party Earth Review Santeria altars, shrimp, and lots of sangria coexist at Cha Cha Cha, an über-popular Cuban/Caribbean joint that draws a mixed bag of fun-loving patrons all week long. Open at 5pm daily, the venue features an island-shaped... ... read full review
2327 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
BART: 16th St Mission; MUNI F, J Lines: Right Of Way/20th Street
415-648-0504
M–Th, Su 5–11pm, F–Sa 5pm–1am
Mission, San Francisco –
Santeria altars, shrimp, and lots of sangria coexist at Cha Cha Cha, an über-popular Cuban/Caribbean joint that draws a mixed bag of fun-loving patrons all week long.
Open at 5pm daily, the venue features an island-shaped bar that fills up quickly with festive Happy Hour seekers vying for discount fruity cocktails, and it’s not long before the colorfully patterned tables that line the exposed brick walls are laden with small plates of calamari, jerk chicken, and signature Cajun shrimp.
The menu is mostly small plates but the crowds can get big, so half-hour-plus waits for a table are routine on weekend nights for those without reservations.
Of course, regulars know a pitcher of sangria tastes as good standing up as sitting down, so groups of unpretentious friends cram in around the bar to clink glasses and try to hear each other over booming conversation and Caribbean beats.
Noise levels makes the place less than desirable for first dates, but packs of friends prepping for a night of Mission barhopping are perpetually in attendance, chowing and chugging amid the scattered décor of jalapeño-shaped fairy lights, Cuban posters, and an azure Santeria altar, fake skull and all.
Whether for catching up with friends during a brief window of calm or sharing dishes in a boisterous atmosphere, Cha Cha Cha offers tapas and fruity booze that leave guests without a care(ibbean) in the world and free from the (Cu)banalities of life.
Festive college kids, creative young professionals, savvy tourists, sangria seekers, packs of birthday and other celebratory groups, fans of the original (and equally busy) Haight Street location, early 20s to 40s+.
Flat-screens above the bar usually tuned to muted ESPN. Caribbean music played all day, every day.
Caribbean/Cuban menu of mostly small plates like roasted leg of pork, mussels, jerk chicken, and Cajun shrimp.
Private area in back available for party rental. Catering available.
Parking in this area of the Mission is notoriously difficult, especially on weekends.
Happy Hour daily 5–7pm.
Salads and tapas $7–$9, entrées $12–$15.
Beer $4–$5, wine $5–$8/glass or $20–$30/bottle, cocktails $5–$8, sangria $5/glass or $14–$25/pitcher, mojitos $8/glass or $40/pitcher. Corkage fee for outside wine $10.
Casual: t-shirts, jeans, shorts, dresses, sandals, flip-flops, come as you are.
Friday and Saturday nights for the craziest scene, with a large crowd and a long wait during and after regular dinner hours, or early in the week for a more relaxed atmosphere but still very lively experience.
Latin American Club (3286 22nd Street) is a quick walk away and attracts a similarly energetic crowd with its large selection of strong, budget-friendly drinks and dangling piñatas.
Cha Cha Cha User Reviews