Experience: Great place to hangout with friends near the beach while trying out some tasty n savoury chicken dishes. The vibe is zippy; so bring your own drinks along and you will have a nice time out there. Service was quick and food was affordable.
Food: 3.5/5
Service: 4/5
Ambience: 4/5
Value for money: 3/5
Overall:4/5
They conveniently open at 10 on weekends so I went for breakfast. Add the colourful semi-outdoor dining areas and reggae music and it’s a good place to hang. The jerk combo had an enchilada and a tostada with chicken, rice, beans and cabbage on it. They both had the same shredded chicken so maybe a bit pointless as a combo but the chicken was good with a rich jerk sauce with a medium heat level that lingered for quite a while afterwards. Maybe a bit expensive but it was a big breakfast.
Great little spot off the beach. Recommend making it a must stop for anyone looking for a quit little piece of heaven. My group tried several items from the menu can't go wrong.
Yeah its a must try and be prepared to wait - nothing fancy but good jerk chicken, plenty of food. Its outdoor section is find your own table and wait in line to order. Its not very expensive either...
Famous for their Jerk Chicken they also do a Coconut Chicken that is to die for. Served with so sweet rice and those "other" kinda Bananas (plankton well that's what they taste like). Three big chunks of white meat and all good the Jerk is wonder though.
Nice place to wind down the afternoon. Not too heavy. I like the outside atmosphere. Seems a popular place. Food is good. Cha cha chicken was very tender but somewhat disappointed with the serving size. I ordered a 1/2 plate but it looks more like 1/4 size. Overall a pleasant experience.
Casual carribean vibe, you can bring your own alcohol too and the service was super friendly. Seems to be busy day and night especially on weekends, but we didn't have too much trouble getting a table even if it's at the bar. Tried the coconut fried chicken, crispy without the oiliness, it was tender but I couldn't really taste the coconut flavor. The two sauces it comes with though are pretty good and gives it a good kick. The cha cha chicken was pretty tasty, tender and covered in their signature sauce. I'd definitly be getting that one again. Lemonade was great accompaniment and not too sweet.
Nice place. Love the atmosphere. I had the salmon negril. I highly recommend it. The staff was great as well. Definitely a nice change from the crapload of seafood and burger joints around here.
This place is always good and an awesome place to bring your friends who are out of town. It does get super busy on the weekends with out of towners though.
My favorite dish is the cha cha chicken in mix (which is medium). I usually just get the 1/4 chicken and it's enough for me! They also have agua frescas which are worth trying, but at $3 a cup it's a little steep in my opinion especially because this spot is BYOB so you can bring in any drinks you want!
Came 12700km for this. Awesome food. Greate atmosphere with a nice beach walk afterwards too.
Just got back from dinner there and we had the best time. Great food out on the patio! Tried both the coconut and jerk chicken, both were fantastic.
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Nicely done, spicy fun. Walked to this hole in the wall but eclectic joint from my perch at the J.W. Marriott Merigot. Had found it on the site and inquired and was sold on it. Clearly they know what they are doing.
Went early, a bit chilly out and you order at the window, get a number and sit down to wait for it to come out.
Ordered the signature Cha Cha Jerk Chicken, 1/4 plate, hot and it came out with rice and beans and THE best fried plaintains ever. A small salad filled the rest of the plate. Had a nice spicy Ginger Beer to go with the plate.
The chicken was totally awesome and blows away the Jerk Hut, who poses as a Caribbean place in Tampa. Each bit of chicken I tried to pair with a sweet bite of the plaintain.
The plate was clean after I was done and none on my shirt. Score! The ginger beer was the perfect foil of a beverage.
The chicken was so flavorful that the rice and beans were bland to me. Next time double plaintains. By the time I left it was filling up as I did while there. Would go back now. ;0)
A all the way. Next time the Coconout Fried Chicken is on my mind. Try it mon!
YUM YUM YUM!!!. Their juices are scrumptious, their empanadas are not only THE most addictive food on the planet, but they are gluten free as well. You can't go wrong here. Everything I've had here was simply delicious. Great fish tacos, pork stew, jerk chicken, coconut fried chicken. Their sauces are what really makes everything sing in your mouth.
Wow. If there's one thing I missed about my visit to Santa Monica, it would be this place. It's my first experience with Jamaican/Caribbean cuisine as there aren't that many in Australia, and I loved it!!
Yum. If you like chicken and you like spicy, you will enjoy the food here. Although it is not authentic Jamaican jerk, their ChaCha Chicken is flavourful, the sauce has a Mexican flare to it and the meat is juicy and ohsogooood. The atmosphere is quite nice as well, you can sit outside under colourful beach-y umbrellas and what not.
Mouth-watering good. The jerk chicken enchiladas were absolutely delicious. Don't let the long line down the side walk discourage you, it is worth the short wait (food comes out fairly quick). Tables/seats limited... take your order to go and walk a block over to the park / beach.
Delicious! I had the coconut fried chicken and it was so good. I love the atmosphere, the colors, the music and the food! Best of all you can take your own drinks! My boyfriend and I drive an hour and a half away to eat there because it's a nice little restaraunt and it's walking distance from the beach.
Coconut fried chicken. Yes, you heard me. Super crunchy, savory, tender goodness. Fun lunch on our way to Santa Monica pier.
Sweet potatoes and slaw are ok. Heard about on it on Food Network.
Colorful atmosphere and flavors. Tried out Cha Cha Chicken last night after living blocks from it for years. Not sure why I waited so long. I like the colorful atmosphere and easiness of going up to the counter and ordering and paying first. I ordered the Jerk Chicken Enchiladas - and one veggie one for my husband, which they were nice enough to do, as well as, the Vegetarian Stew and black bean soup - all really good. The enchiladas were their signature dish and were smothered in the sweet, yet spicy mango pineapple jerk sauce. We sat outside and enjoyed the warm weather while we ate. The girl at the counter also told us that besides getting drinks there, you can BYOB your own - wine, beer, whatever. So, definitely doing that next time to save some money. Definitely going here again, can't wait to try out the some of the brunch specials next time.
Makes my stomach Cha Cha with happiness. I've been here just once, and immediately fell in love with it.
I Got their coconut chicken, which was delicious.
Their portions are more than fair, and quality of food is excellent.
Their speed could be improved on, but the food is definitely worth the wait.
I definitely recommend this restaurant to visitors/tourists!
Tasty, affordable, fun alternative in hyper-expensive neighborhood. Delicious but not too spicy for our kids.
The service was speedy, and the food was really good (fried plantains are delicious!). The Agua Frescas are also good. You eat outside under umbrellas and such, the atmosphere is very relaxed.
Decent good food !. The food at this place was good, a lil different for our style but overall it was really good.
we'll rate this place C+.
Overall the chicken was well made, albeit not really coconut but if I had the choice in LA, I would go to Roscoe’s. The rest of the menu looked interesting and my friends seemed to enjoy their choices. Though not on the top of my list of places to revisit, I would like to try some of their other options.
...plays a steady reggae groove while doling out mouth-watering portions of jerk chicken enchiladas done Jamaican style smothered in their sweet spicy mango/pineapple jerk sauce or spicy black pepper shrimp sautéed with pineapple and garlic and reduced in a sweet spicy jerk sauce that's served with dirty rice and black beans, plantains and red cabbage slaw. Just writing that makes The Monster hungry. And wish he always had such delicious d
As far as fried chicken goes, it's pretty standard, yet what makes it more special is the unmistakable coconut flavour that permeates through the crispy batter.
I went here with my partner on a trip to Santa Monica beach and it has to be one of the most rememberable places we stumbled across. The people were lovely. The atmosphere was superb and the FOOD and DRINKS were amazing. I would totally recommend to anyone visiting. You feel right a home. Also the homemade ginger beer and pineapple and coconut lemonade Is a must try!
Faithful customer since 2000 - I’ve been coming here since high school for the last 23 years! I love this place. They have such delicious vegetarian options - my favorite are the veggie enchiladas - they come with rice & black beens and platanos. Love the Caribbean Latino vibe. Love this place and love that it continues to thrive. A must visit if you are in Santa Monica. Thank you Ricky for continuing your parents’ legacy!
BYOB, 4% cash discount
Ordered whole cha cha chicken HOT
$40 (can feed 3-4 people), came with rice, cabbage, and plantains
I liked all the sides (rice, cabbage, plantains)- they paired nicely
The empanadas were OK, very much Cuban-Caribbean fusion, like the rest of the food. I think I prefer a traditional Jamaican patty (flaky) or a Mexican empanada (smooth) . The wrapper was different in a way i can’t really describe.
I grew up having proper jerk chicken (charcoal grilled with browning, the works) and this is not that. It’s very sweet and not spicy, and not charcoal grilled.
It has hints of mango or pineapple juice, falls off the bone which turns it into shredded chicken, but I do believe it uses some jerk dry seasoning. It leans heavily into the Cuban side. I think the best dish here would be the enchiladas.
Joshua “Townsend” Gardner
+5
Food was amazing, the classic cha cha chicken was definitely the favourite . My girlfriend informs me that I inhaled the food and she didn’t see me breathe once. Take from that what you will.
Service was friendly and fast
Atmosphere is tacky but in a good way.
Do yourself a favour and go here!
Recommended by a friend to this place for lunch. Overall great quality and decent pricing. Jerk chicken and Mole Poblano taste great and good portions. Coconut fried chicken was ok.
Fantastic Caribbean food, incredible fresh juices, and nice relaxed atmosphere. If you don’t know what to get, try the Jerk Combo with a cantaloupe juice.
Friendly service and great jerk chicken! They recommend us to go mild but I think I’d go spicy next time just for some more flavor. We absolutely loved the plantains!
This place is phenomenal. The service was excellent, the food was so flavourful and the atmosphere is so relaxing. I got the cha cha chicken and after the guy at the counter reassured me that the medium isn’t spicy (I was originally getting the mild), I agreed to try and let me tell ya, yes it has spice but the amount of Flavour!! My husband got the coconut chicken and ate every last piece! The empanadas are also delicious. Totally recommend this place. Next time we’re back in the area (we’re Canadian) we will be returning. Thank you again!
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In LA from TX for my birthday and my cousin chose this spot for dinner. The decor, outdoor seating, and knowing you're 1 block from the ocean made us both feel like we'd traveled to The Islands. The laid back staff is exceptionally friendly and visited the table often to ask if anything else was needed. Birds visited the table multiple times and weren't afraid if we got nearer to them.
I ordered chicken croquettes as an appetizer and coconut fried chicken as my entree. My food was well-battered but warm (not hot) and bland to my palate. Both were just ok to me. The plantains were nice (although cool in temp) but the beans and rice were, again, bland. I did love my island beverage (can't remember its name but know it's a new menu item and contains mango juice).
I'm hopeful that more authentic island flavor is available in LA and will look elsewhere for it next time. However, if hunger pangs strike during your Santa Monica Beach visit and you want a great atmosphere and friendly service, do go here.
Went during a chill day and there coconut fried chicken was bomb!! So good 👍 also tried the pineapple coconut lemonade and am definitely keeping in mind that tip to mix it with rum next time haha.
Food was amazing. I’d return definitely it’s not too far of a walk from the Santa Monica Pier. My family enjoyed it too. The pineapple coconut drink was so good.
I’ve never had chicken like this before. It was so incredibly tender and juicy. The sauce or marinade was unlike anything I’ve ever eaten. The fried plantains were excellent as well. The place doesn’t look like much but the food is definitely worth a try!
Cha Cha Chicken is my new favourite, if you come to Santa Monica and miss out on this place it’s like loosing the winning lottery ticket! Lickin’ the plate good!
Amazing jerk chicken enchiladas!
Watermelon/lemonade was so refreshing. First time I have cleaned my plate in a long time! Did not disappoint.
Must get the Cha Cha Chicken which was full of Caribbean sweet flavor with fall apart chicken. The accompanying plantains with rice and beans were also great. The Coconut Fried Chicken came out steaming hot with a very light oil taste. While light in flavor, the dipping sauces included a yummy pineapple taste
I enjoyed the food flavors, especially the plantains.
The beef burger was full of flavor and cooked well.
My family and I also enjoyed the Cha Cha Chicken meal (go for more spicy if you are unsure), and the Jerk Chicken Enchiladas.
I loved the flavor of the rice & the flavors and textures of the croquettes. If you want to try a refreshing beverage, I recommend The Ting (similar to Fresca).
Ordering was ok, and table service was great.
We went there to eat something for dinner. We were surprised because ratio quality - price was excellent. Price is quite below average in LA. I tasted a burrito and It was big enough for 1 person, even if you are not a good eater It might take you some effort to finish It. They didn't sell beer but you are allowed to bring yours from outside, so we bought a couple in a liquor store which was close by. Nice Puerto Rico place to try agaian when I'm around.
So good..I wish I had more stomach. The chicken could have been a bit more spicy but I like my food that way. Everything was delicious. Order then sit down type of place.plenty of metered parking in the area and lots of seating. The decor is quite fun and the pineapple coconut drink was soooo good. Well definitely visit again my friends
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