Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen @ Brea – Happy Hour & Margarita Media Tasting

It was in May 2012 that Allen and I first visited Cha Cha’s when I won a $20 gift card from Diary of A Mad Hungry Woman. (You can read about it here) Since then, it’s has become one of our favorite restaurants to visit. When Allen and I were invited to the Happy Hour & Margarita Tasting, we were more than excited. Not only did we get to try new Happy Hour menu, we got to meet up with our favorite fellow foodies, too.

Cha Cha’s was voted Best Happy Hour & Best Margarita by The Orange County Register! You can enjoy it Sunday – Thursday all day & all night. Friday and Saturday 11:30am – 7:00pm at the lounge only. No worries, there are plenty of seatings. Drink Specials starting at $5 (and they don’t skimp on the alcohol!). Appetizer specials and special pricing on all signature cocktails, select wines and draft beers.

(Photos by Allen Taylor Photography)

The restaurant is spacious with a great outdoor patio dining where our tables were set up. It was perfect for a cool summer night.

Once we were seated, we were offered some of the Happy Hour drinks – Mango-Habanero (Pueblo Viejo 100% blue agave, mango, fresh lime juice, habanero chili infusion), Fresh Watermekon (El Jimador 100% pure tequila, fresh watermelon, hibiscu juice, fresh lime & agave nectar) and Platinum Mojito (Myers’ Platinum rum, fresh lime, mint & sugar cane served frozen).

If you ask me what was my favorite, I couldn’t tell you because I liked them all! Each one was different but they were all very good.

Chips and Salsa soon followed as did the Fresh Guacamole (below).

We were told the Guacamole (Haas avocado, Serrano chile, fresh lime juice) was made with 21 ingredients. It was delicious but I couldn’t get the recipe. I tried. Sorry!

Shrimp Ceviche (Marinated in fresh orange and lime juice, Serrano chile, red onion, and Haas avocado) was a little different from the ones I’ve had before at other restaurant. I like that they used whole shrimp instead of chopping them into small pieces. The orange juice added a little different citrusy flavor instead of a stronger tart taste from the lime juice.

The Chicken Flautas (Fresh chicken, roasted corn, guajillo chile, Oaxacan cheese in crispy flour tortillas; served wit mango-habanero salsa) are my favorite appetizers. They are crispy but still soft inside, packed with fillings.

Nachos Cha Cha’s (Tortillas topped with epazote black beans, Mexican cheeses served with pico de gallo, jalapeno-escabeche, and sour cream. Add Yucatan spiced grilled chicken or marinated grilled skirt steak) were covered in thick melted cheese and cut into individual bite size. So good!

“Wood-Fired” Queso Fundido (Traditional “cazuela” baked cheeses over roasted poblano peppers and potatoes. Add chorizo or portobello mushrooms) was insanely good. Eat it with chips or tortilla, it was amazingly flavorful.

Crisp Calamari (Lightly coated with Mexican spices and golden cornmeal, lime-cilantro aioli). Allen and I ordered this every time we came because we loved it so much. The batter is crispy but light and the calamari very tender. Probably one of the best calamari we’ve had.

More delicious Happy Hour Drinks (from left to right) Cha Cha’s Margarita (Siete Leguas 100% blue agave, Elderflower liqueur, fresh lime, ruby red grapefruit juice), Sangria Tradicional (Cha Cha’s award winning Sangria, red wine, orange liqueur infused with fresh tropical, citrus fruits), Classic Margarita (El Jimador 100% Blue Agave, Cointreau, fresh lime, agave nectar, hand shaken).

Fresh Manila Clams (Sauteed with Garlic, Spanish Chorizo, fresh herbs, and white wine with a touche of butter). This was the first time I had it and I absolutely loved it. The broth was rich and the clams really fresh.

Cha Cha Fries (Yukon Gold potatoes, tossed with fresh garlic and herbs, smoked chipotle aioli). I think these were better than truffle fries! So soft and fluffy with great seasoning.

Quesadilla (Mexican cheeses, Poblano chile, white corn, jalapeno-escabeche, fire roasted tomato salsa and sour cream. Add Yucatan spiced grilled chicken or marinated grilled skirt steak). We had the grilled skirt steak. I really appreciate that you don’t see oil dripping off when you pick up a piece. They tortilla were just lightly grilled and not drenched in oil.

Mahi Mahi Tacos (Chipotle cabbage, pico de gallo served on a soft organic corn tortilla). The fish was moist and tender. This is great on days you want something lighter.

Shrimp Tacos (Mango-habanero salsa, chipotle cabbage served on a soft organic corn tortilla). The shrimps were big and plump. I am a fan of mango anything so I really enjoyed this.

Special thank-you to Mr. Don Myers (pictured above) and the entire staff for your gracious hospitality. And to Miss Jen Morris of Ajenda Public Relations for hosting the tasting. Before I wrote this blog, I had already gone back for more. Check out the website for daily/weekly specials and print the voucher and head on out to enjoy some great Latin fare!

Date Night Monday – Purchase An Entree And We’ll Buy Your Date’s Entree
Tacos & Tequila Tuesday -50% Off All Signature Tacos & Premium Tequilas
Enchilada & Wine Wednesday -50% Off All Signature Enchiladas, House-made Sangria & Wines
Senorita Thursday –Live Music!?Drinks Specials, Skinny Margaritas, Sangria, Mojitos, Homemade Sangria, Beer & Wine $5 Select Appetizers (available for señoritas & señores)
Champagne Sunday Brunch -Live Music & Two Course Brunch with a Glass of Champagne For Only $21.95 or add $6 with Bottomless Mimosas
Happy Hour Everyday – Sun-Thur: All Day & Night, Fri-Sat: 11:30am-7:00pm,Drink Specials Starting at $5,Appetizer Specials, Special Pricing On All Signature, Cocktails, Select Wines & Draft Beers, Lounge Only

Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen
110 W Birch Street
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 255-1040

Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen @ Brea – Happy Hour & Margarita Media Tasting