Sunday brunch at Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen in Brea is nothing short of sizzling hot! Take two margaritas, add the energetic Latin rhythms of Sombra Quieta, shake it up, and you just might find your inner Latina/o!
What we found on a gray and rainy Sunday in March was flavorful, familiar Latin food, killer cocktails, and music that makes you want to move! With drinks on the way and warm chips and two salsas to appease our mid-day hunger, I could concentrate on where I had heard Sombra Quieta before. Then I remembered, it was Art, Brews and Bites, two years ago at The Shorebreak Hotel – click on the video at the bottom for a taste of their unique sound.
A little chilled and very hungry, we ordered cocktails straight away. Ranging in price from $7.95 to $9.50, we started with the Classic Margarita (left), the Mango Habanero (center) , and the Cha Cha’s Margarita (right) with ruby red grapefruit. The margaritas pack a punch but fresh-squeezed fruit juices and homemade infusions (no sweet & sour mix used here) make them go down real easy!
With 5 in our party, we were able to try numerous dishes and this is what I’d suggest for you as well because there is much to choose from and not a single one was disappointing.
For those who love rich cheesy dips, there’s the Wood-Fired Queso Fundido (above, $8.50) of baked cheeses over roasted potatoes and poblano peppers adding a depth of flavor often missing from more main stream fundidos. The lighter, fresh flavors of Shrimp Ceviche (below, $10.95) were calling my name: shrimp marinated in orange and lime juices with Serrano chile, red onion, and chunks of creamy Haas avocado was a sublime!
Chicken Flautas ($14.95) of fresh free-range chicken, roasted corn, guajillo chili, and Oaxacan cheese wrapped in crispy flour tortillas and topped with a not-too spicy tropical mango-habanero salsa is a winner for kids and adults.
By this time, the dining room was full with parties celebrating birthdays and babies; couples and friends having lunch, and folks ducking in out of the rain, drawn by the Latin beats and the thought of warm, comforting Mexican food.
Our entrees arrived and we worked ourselves into a photo-taking frenzy between mouthfuls of “Wood-Oven” Carnitas ($17.95) slow-braised, marinated pork with achiote onion, – satisfying wrapped in corn tortillas with rice and black beans.
Always looking out for healthy choices, the pan roasted, fresh Mahi Mahi ($19.95) with sautéed calabasitas (squash), fresh corn, and lime-herb vinaigrette was outstanding and it’s nice to have a lighter alternative to the heavier meat and egg dishes.
Of course, we had to try a few of the eggy dishes – the Chorizo Scramble Souffle ($14.50) was fluffy with a perfect balance of spicy bits of chorizo, buttery Yukon Gold potatoes and green chiles baked in the wood-fired oven.
It’s hard to split a poached egg, but we tried because we could not resist ordering Cha Cha’s Hash and Poached Eggs ($15.50)! No wonder that it is one of the most popular items on the menu, its a flavor bomb of roasted chicken, poblano peppers, and potatoes with fresh tomatillo sauce, topped with Mexican cheeses, and baked in the oven to perfection.
That pretty much says it all! I’m officially hungry and can’t wait to visit Cha Cha’s again. Oh, except for their sublime coconut cake in light lemon buerre blanc sauce dotted with fresh fruit!
WAIT – THERE’S MORE! Cha’s Cha’s has generously offered to give away two $50.00 gift cards to two lucky readers. Leave a comment below telling us what you see that has you craving Cha Cha’s and, for a second entry, Like She’s Cookin’ and Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen on Facebook and leave another comment to let us know that you did 🙂 Two winners will be chosen at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 3rd at 10:00 p.m. THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Congratulations to Dana Sipper (#25) and Leanna Cruz (#20) – you’re the winners!
110 W. Birch St.
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 255-1040
Sunday Brunch 11:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m.
Brighten your day with the sounds of Sombra Quieta:
Those Margies looked good.
Liked both on Facebook.
Is Brea near OC or in OC (sorry LA geography always confuse me)? I’m not much of a drinker but I’m there for all these food!!! I have friends in OC area I should try when I visit them! I love the restaurant with live music!
Brea is in OC.
This place looking amazing! We are huge fans of Mexican food, and they have some great looking dishes!
No need to enter me in the giveaway. As much as I would love to go there, I wouldn’t be able to use it 🙁
The Mahi Mahi looks divine! Definitely would love to try it!
The Wood-Fired Queso Fundido looks awesome; I don’t think I’ve ever tried anything exactly like that before! The margaritas looks great, too, of course 😉
I liked both FB pages. Hope to get lucky and win. 🙂
The Wood-Oven Carnitas is calling my name. Mmm…muy buenos.
When it comes to Latin foods I’m normally drawn to pork dishes but this time I couldn’t stop looking at the mahi-mahi. The combination of flavors is just right for me.
I need to take some lessons from you about how to properly write up a restaurant–you always, always make me want to run and pay a visit myself. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
I had a bad experience at Cha Chas the first (and last) time I visited so I’d love to try it again to see if it’s improved since. A gift card would certainly get me there faster! 😀
I’ve been a FB liker of She’s Cookin for a while!
MMMMM….to start the Mango Habanero and we’ll nosh on the Wood-Fired Queso Fundido while deciding what to order next! Have to try the Chorizo Scramble Souffle. This is definitely MAMA-TIME…#Refuel!!
Oh this looks so fun, thanks for the idea Priscilla. Lovely photos and the food looks terrific!
All your reviews are convincing me that a S Cal food crawl is in order!
If I win I’ll take you back 😀 full disclosure NOT a bribe. Looks amazing – PS I love the new header!!!!
I’d love to try the souffle scramble or the carnitas. It all looks great. I’ve been there once for dinner, but brunch may be a next stop.
I like She’s Cookin’ and Cha Cha’s FB pages.
Loving your new header. The food looks beautiful. Cannot wait to try!!
Wow, that mango habanero looks amazing! Same with those chicken flautas… yum!
Oh – also, I liked She’s Cooking and Cha Cha’s on Facebook! Woo woo!
I liked both pages on Facebook. The food at Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen looks amazing.
I love the carnitas! Also the queso dip looks so good.
Great review and place!
Hmmm…I think I could start with a Margarita and the Wood Fired Queso, then dive into the Carnitas and finish it all off with that Coconut Cake. Everything looks delish!
I am already a fan of She’s Cookin on Facebook! Just liked Cha Cha’s on Facebook too.
Done and done! I could eat $50 worth of chips and salsa alone. Thanks for the opportunity, Priscilla.
PICK ME PICK ME *waves hands*
I puffy heart their margaritas–actually made with real juice! YUMO!
I liked you both on FB, too. But also in real life. Great. It’s only 10 am and I have tequila on the brain.
Girl! I’m not in Cali, but this place sure looks yummy. I like the way you describe it. Makes you want to dance, eh! Most Latin music does that. I love, love my culture! So delicious and sexy! 🙂 Nice giveaway. XO
I love all of these food but for some reason I keep scrolling up to the margaritas, hmmm. Hope you are having a wonderful week, Priscilla! 🙂
~ ray ~
A very intriguing combination
The new header looks beautiful..nice spread and lovely review!