This is a great little lunch spot we've been going to, inside a small strip mall. The Big Wang (beef or whatever protein you choose) is a hit for a reason - it's just that good! Also the Ssam lettuce wraps and Chalote Corn Ribs are just perfect tasty snacks. You order at the counter and they bring the food to your table. Very simple but efficient. There's bakery items sometimes as well, and lots of drinks. Just can't go wrong here read more

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Big fan!! The cheesesteak fries are awesome. Fries were cooked perfectly and the topping's were everything I was craving. The popcorn chicken was hot, juicy and had a nice coating. The staff were very nice and helpful. Service was the gold standard! Will be back for more. I have my eyes set on the carnitas nachos and the Birria ramen. read more

Got the Carnitas Wang and Cheese Steak Fries. Both were flavorful and large portions. The fries were thin and became mostly soggy under the toppings. It would be nice if they used a more substantial, crispy type of fry. Going for a midweek late lunch, it was not busy. It's a very casual place where you order at the counter and find a seat. There were only two tables with diners, however, almost all of the other tables had piles of food and drink trash left. Again, it was not busy, there were at least three people working there and the whole time we were there (we dined in) no one cleared the tables. read more

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My friends gave me a few choices to eat nearby work at the end of the day and I randomly chose Cha Cafe located an in a non descript.... Strip Mall... Honestly my expectations were low and I chose it cuz it looked clean inside... To my surprise the good was honestly pretty good or much better than I expected and my friend as well... Everyone got different things... I'll only say the egg rolls were smaller than normal but came with 8 vs most places only come with 4 to 5 usually.... They were pretty good and crunchy....I got the organic tofu wang with no eggs... It was flavorful and good.... It is an Asian, Mexican Fusion place I guess you can describe it like that....I probably wouldn't mind going back.... read more

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Wow. Definitely a hidden gem. I discovered this place with the SGV passport and it was SOOO worth it. We got the Cha cheesesteak fries and oh my god it was HUGE. I'd definitely recommend sharing because i was so full and barely finished half I live the service. The girl that serve us was so nice! The store was empty at the beginning but it picked up a lot after lunch. I'd come back! read more

Cha Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - El Monte, California

Cha Cafe has quickly risen to the top of my list for favorite spots. It's located in a quiet strip mall, and is probably 1 of 2 places that can get busy - the other one being a brunch place. It's super unassuming - from the outside, you could not tell how cute/clean it is on the inside. Service is top notch here, and they have games and plenty of seating each time I've come. You order at the front and pay, and then take a seat. They have such a large variety of things - from drinks and baked goods to rice bowls or cheese steak fries. The last time we came, we got the cheese streak fries, a grilled chicken bowl, and a strawberry matcha latte. All were top notch! What was really cute too, was that the chef or server noticed we had our toddler and actually came out to warn us that the sauce might be a bit spicy with the chicken. We told him oh it's probably fine he can just eat around it, and he came out with a small bowl of rice so that we could separate out the chicken and our toddler could eat it! They completely won me over with that extra touch. They're open early (like 9am for a non brunch place) and the few times I've come in the morning for a drink, it's been pretty empty - so I really hope it was a fluke and they get plenty of business in other hours. I have also come around 7pm and seen most of the seats filled with people either working or eating/hanging out. Their baked goods are also really good (I think they are made there, but not certain!). Bonus: they have a large connect 4 outside that my toddler loves to play with and there should be plenty of parking in the small plaza, especially later in the day. read more

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i love cha and have been coming here for years! went back and the staff were so sweet! i tried the brookie too and it was SO good! just look at how the chocolate chip is melty! read more

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This place is like a Mexican and Asian fusion place. The plates were large and very filling and we ended up taking everything to-go because we couldn't finish anything. We even got an order on the house. Thank you! There is also water at the counter. We ordered: Beef Wang bowl - was so good and flavorful. Highly recommend Cheesesteak Fries - if you like fries and steak, highly recommend Angus Cheese Burger - not bad if you're just feeling like a burger, but nothing amazing or special Spam Scrambled Fries - just ok, the other dishes were way more tasty Overall the beef at this place was so good. I would recommend any dish with beef. This place is located in a small plaza so parking could get tricky during rush hour. We arrived during an odd time of day and so there was plenty of parking for us. The interior is cozy with lots of booths and the space offers a selection of board games to play while you waited. We discovered a new board game while we were waiting too which was a plus. Our food did not take long to come out either. Tip: please respect the board games. Many of the games had ripped instructions or the box was falling apart which is just so sad. Thankfully it looked like most still had all pieces to be playable. read more

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I saw the heaps of reviews and to be honest when I pulled up to the plaza, it was very unassuming and I was a little skeptical... I will never judge a book again by its cover. Ambiance alone inside is reminiscent of hanging out at boba shops growing up in the SGV: bright interior, booths and board games, Pokemon and Shrek playing on the TV such a nice vibe to chill with some friends and chat. Most shops nowadays are grab and go so this felt very nostalgic for me. Now for the real hitters: I still am unable to understand how they can serve this food at this price. Beef Wang (16.48) is one of their signature dishes. It sounds really simple on paper, stir fried meat, mushroom, and egg. That's it. I am still wondering how they were able to get such a flavorful bowl from a simple dish and on a perfectly cooked bed of way too much rice so you can enjoy leftovers at home. Super Sea Nachos (35): Our party of 5 ordered our own bowls and shared this thinning it was going to be a simple appetizer. The avocado alone we joked shoulda been 35 . An assembly of tuna, shrimp, imitation crab, with wonton nachos was the perfect fresh accompaniment with the rice bowl. They do not skimp at all on the nachos or seafood and no doubt I'd share another tray with friends another day. They are not the most extravagant dishes, but honestly the quality, comfort, ambience, and value makes this one of my favorite sit down experiences recently. read more

Cha Cafe - Beef Wang - Coffee & Tea Near Me - El Monte, California

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It's been years since my initial visit, and driven by many times since then. Recently, I decided to give them another try and I'm glad I did. Orders are placed at the counter and it's brought out to your table. Everything else is self service, like water, napkins, utensils, and even to go boxes for your leftovers. They're famous Chicken Wang, Pyng Bowl, shrimp cilantro wrap and Birria Ramen were all good in their own ways. You could definitely taste the fusion flavors. With the exception of the shrimp & cilantro wrap, the other foods are a bit on the heavier side, but very satisfying. I chose chicken for the Pyng Bowl. It comes with two eggs and rice, my kind of savory breakfast. We also tried their pastries, and it pairs well with coffee. Their blueberry lemon scone is also good, with a bite of tartness in the first bite. They share a small parking lot with other businesses in this tiny strip mall. The few times we came here we didn't have problems finding a space. I find Cha Café to be a good spot to try unique fusion flavors, and I will be back again. read more

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I've been wanting to try this viral spot. So let's see if they're pretty good eh or ew. I got their ube latte hold the espresso, creme brulee croissant, cauli wings, beef wang, and carnitas nachos. The ube latte was nicely milky, lightly sweet and ubey. The creme brulee croissant was lightly crisp, sweet and filled with a smooth thin layer of custard. The cauli wings were perfectly crispity crunchity, savory, and came with a creamy ranch, buffalo, and thousand island dipping sauce. The beef wang had a bunch of chewy umami mushrooms, bits of beef, and egg strips on top of some fluffy rice. The carnitas nachos had lightly crisp wonton chips, crunchy fresh onions, bell peppers, soft mango, a bit of gooey cheese and plenty of savory juicy carnitas. Overall this place is pretty good. Ube latte $6.75 Creme brulee croissant $4.95 Cauli wings $9.88 Beef wang $16.48 Carnitas nachos $15.48 read more

I loveeeee the beef wang here, it's what I crave when I'm feeling comfort food but it's unique in its own way too. It comes with beef, rice, mushrooms, eggs, green onions, sesame seeds, their teriyaki sauce. I usually order it w/o teriyaki sauce on the rice and w/o mushrooms. It's so simple yet it tastes bomb!! The cheesesteak fries r delishhhh as well. I love the peppers and onions and whatever cut of beef they use for these dishes is sooo good with the little fatty parts that add so much flavor. The price is a little high for the portion but honestly for how much I like it I don't mind the cost if that's how we can keep this establishment around a while longer! This places gives me the same comforting vibes as Ono Grill in MPK before it closed down, iykyk, and their closure is still one of my biggest heartbreaks so I'm happy to support this restaurant as long as it's around. Service is fast casual, you order with the cashier and then take a seat. They'll serve the food to you and you can leave everything on the table when you're done, someone will clean it up I don't live too close so when I come I just order my usual but the other menu items like the ssam and specials all look really good too! The drinks that I've had were just okay, I stick to the food when I'm here read more

Cha Cafe - Beef Wang no mushrooms - Coffee & Tea Near Me - El Monte, California

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Cute hole in the wall. Asian fusion food. Easy parking but can be limited. You order at the counter first and they'll bring the food to you. Pretty fast service on a Monday 2pm Tried the beef wang bowl - pretty good with lots of meat and rice. I think for the portion size it's a bit expensive but that's the economy nowadays. I would get this again. Also tried the beef fries, which were fresh and hot. Nice add on to the rice if you're feeling unhealthy. Strawberry matcha drink - a tad sweet for my liking but overall I liked it and would prob get again read more

Cha Cafe - Fries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - El Monte, California

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It had been awhile since I had gone to Cha Cafe. Recently, we came by for a dinner to get some grub. The hours are extended now to 9pm I think. Before they used to close pretty early around 5pm. Cha Cafe has been around for a long time and I remember when they used to be in West Covina. The location is in El Monte and in a very small complex with little parking. Cha Cafe has plenty of tables inside for seating. They offer board games and card games to entertain yourselves with others. We were greeted when we came in. While taking orders with the cashier, it felt like a very robotic type of interaction with little to no energy or enthusiasm. We ordered a few items to share and my wife also redeemed the Cheesesteak Fries from the SGV passport. What I do commend Cha Cafe for is the quality of flavors in their food. It was all very delicious! Shout out to the chefs cooking up the dishes. The shrimp skewers were delicious. The Cha Cheesesteak Fries were ridiculously flavorful. The Kalbi Beef Ssam was tasted fresh and was loaded with beef in every bite. Overall, Cha Cafe's food was still as delicious as I remember. Plenty of delicious food is offered here and I'd come back if we find ourselves in this area again. ( ^_^)b read more

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I recently visited Cha Cafe and ordered the banana smoothie and cheesesteak fries. The cheesesteak fries were definitely the highlight of my visit. Thwy were satisfying and cooked perfectly. I would order them again. The banana smoothie was okay, but it was a little more watery than I expected. I was hoping for a thicker, creamier texture. Even so, it was still refreshing. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and would come back, especially for the cheesesteak fries. The food was good, and it was a nice place to grab a quick bite. read more

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I feel like everything these days is probably pricier than we'd like, and for comfort food, I'd have expected I'd be able to get a meal for less, but I do gotta say, the flavor's pretty good for a corner store at this small corner plaza. I got the "chicken wang", which is a stir fry of chicken pieces, sliced mushrooms, and sliced scrambled egg mixed with a spicy mayo sauce (which they have an extra 2 containers of; did not need cuz there was plenty of flavor & saltiness already) over rice and topped with some chopped green onions. If I were to be more precise, I'd give a 3.5 cuz of the prices, but figured I'd round up. read more

Cha Cafe - Chicken Wang. 2 extra sauce containers given for free without asking, but I didn't actually need them. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - El Monte, California

I came here for dinner with my friend. I wanted to introduce this place because it has been a gem for many years. The ladies at the front were nice. They even have games if people want talks entertainment while they eat. Def a nice hangout spot. We got the cheese steak fries and beef want bowl. Both were excellent and hit the spot. I think my favorite surprise though was going to the restroom and seeing that they have pads!!! read more

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The cafe is within a small plaza with enough parking. It's really cute inside with a decent amount of indoor seating and few outside seating. It's a chill vibe that's great for casual hangouts. They even have some table top games! You'll order upfront then seat and the food will be dropped off. The staff are really nice, friendly, and accommodating. The food arrived at a good time. I got the pyng rice box with chicken. It was pretty good. The eggs was the right amount of runny. The chicken had a good flavor and moist enough. The rice is rice, nothing bad. The strawberry matcha is really good. The matcha flavor itself wasn't diluted and you get a good amount of strawberry sweetness with each sip. I'd return to try out more of their menu! read more

Cha Cafe - Pyng Rice Box (chicken) and strawberry matcha iced - Coffee & Tea Near Me - El Monte, California

We visited Cha Cafe again right as they opened. They do need to update their hours, the times listed on the door don't quite match what's on their website. When we arrived, the staff were still setting up. The woman working that morning let us know the cook hadn't arrived yet, which wasn't an issue at all since we weren't in a rush. They were very pleasant and apologetic and even gave us a freebie for the inconvenience, which I really appreciated. The loco moco was super savory and delicious! The price was great as well, and we even had leftovers. read more

Cha Cafe - Loco Moco - Coffee & Tea Near Me - El Monte, California

Influenced to buy the SGV Passport, further influenced to redeem the cha steak fries. The fries were extremely flavorful and bold, although light on protein. The onions were thick which I didn't mind. The fries were a little over cooked but together it was definitely punch of flavor. The beef wang, had all the elements of a great combination: egg, mushroom, meat! The protein was just a little light but the rice was extremely tasty. Overall, not a bad meal but if they can fix the protein to rice/fries ratio, I think you would have a winner. read more

Cha Cafe - Cha Cheese Steak Fries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - El Monte, California

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Cha Cafe is on my go-to places for lunch in the 626! I've been coming here for years, and I've loved it every single time. My go-to meal here is their poke salad, which is always fresh and filling. However, I would highly recommended their Cheesesteak Fries and Cauliflower wings. The cauliflower wings are an appetizer, but they are so delicious! The shop itself is really cute and homey on the inside. They have some board games to play with friends as well as tables to sit and eat. I've seen some people working here, but I think I'd get too distracted since they play Ghibli moves, other anime, and other animated TV shows! The workers here are always so welcoming, often offering free samples of their pastries (which are also delicious). Love this place and I recommend it to everyone! read more

Cha Cafe has been one of my husband and my go-tos for a few years now! We love getting the wang box (beef for him, chicken for me) and the poke nachos. Solid dishes that we come back for time and time again, so I'm sure other dishes we don't normally get or even have yet to try would have a hard time disappointing. read more

All the food was amazing it all had good flavor. I got the beef wang I believe it was called. It was my first time having it and it was a good choice for a last minute decision; I went in going for the ramen burger but turn out they don't carry that dish anymore . Their chips and fries were also amazing. I love their spicy mayo tho if sauce it taste good with all their food. read more

Woah! You really can't judge a book by its cover. I actually have driven by a few times but never gave it a try. Since it was the nearest restaurant on MySGV Passport, I knew I had to make a stop. Cha Cafe is located in a small plaza with limited parking spaces. The inside is surprisingly spacious and well-decorated. In addition, they have board games and charging ports available, making it a great place to hang out with friends. My orders: -Cheese Steak Fries ($16.48, 5/5): So filling! It's saucey, flavorful, and comes with extra sauces on the side for personal adjustments. While I do think the price may be justified by the quality, it's not really how much I am willing to spend on fries. -Beef Wang ($15.98, 4.5/5): The portion looks bigger in person. I wished there were more sauces in the rice, but it was still good nonetheless. I'd order again. -Ube Latte, M ($6.75, 3/5): I did not taste any hint of Ube in this. If I had not known, I'd assume it was just a regular latte. -Thai tea, L ($6.5) & HK Milk Tea, L ($6.5): Pretty basic, I wish there's more milk tea options. I found the cup size a bit underwhelming. -Creme Brulee Croissant ($4.95) Final: Large variety of food options. The staff is friendly and brings the food to your table. However, the wait time was longer than expected, considering there weren't many customers in-store at the time. Drinks took 10 minutes, and the food took around 30 minutes to make. Price can be on the higher end, but food is pretty good. There are some items I want to try, def will come back another time. read more

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I got the grilled chicken and rice and it was so good. The portion size was great. My friends enjoyed their meals but especially the cornrib appetizer. They have desserts too, but you'll have more variety in the mornings. Service was fine. read more

Skeptical at first.... OMG! You can't judge a cafe by its outside. The food menu, there is soo much to pick from and all of it is soo crave-able. The menu is diverse with Asian/Latin/American flavor combinations at its best. You must get any of the Wang Bowls. It isn't teriyaki but a really good Asian stir fry that is comfort. Poke Nachos is the ultimate flavor bomb and textures. Crazy addictive! Cha Cheese Steak Fries, don't get me started how my boys ate the entire order within minutes. I barely sipped on my frappe and it was literally gone. The beef and seasoned onions and bell peppers on top of fries with their special sauce. Your mind says you wanna share but your hands and mouth will say FOR ME ONLY!! On top of that I learned the Cha steak fries are FREE with the MySGV food passport. Reasons to go again and buy another passport! read more

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Very unique Asian Mexican fusion cafe that is open daily except Sunday (8am-9:30pm except Monday (open at 11). Parking can be difficult since their parking lot is pretty small and it's shared with other businesses. However, they have 2-3 spots designated for pickup! Service was friendly and welcoming Menu had a good variety of bowls, salads, pastries, wraps, and drinks! Pricing was reasonable and most items were $15+. The Beef Wang ($15.48) came with rice, mushroom, eggs, and beef. The beef was very delicious and tender! Wish it came with more beef but it was still very enjoyable. The rice was perfectly cooked and was very fluffy! The mushroom was so good and not too salty. This was 8/10 The Honey Green Tea ($6) was too sweet but it was refreshing. I would most likely not get this because it was nothing special. This was 5/10 Would definitely return and recommend for their food! read more

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Cha cafe is good for both healthy eater and junk eater. This time I wanted to eat junk food with a nice refreshing drink on the side. I got cheese steak fries and it hit the spot. My go to is poke nachos but this has to be my second go to now. I love the cha sauce. They have been consistent with the flavor for more than a decade and they don't cheap out on sauce. They always give you 2 containers. Their passion fruit mojito (non alcoholic) is super refreshing!!! I didn't get this time but their chocolate chunk cookies are bomb too. There's always people after people. You can tell there's loyal customers coming for years. read more

Cha Cafe - Cheese Steak Fries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - El Monte, California

Ambiance is nice, food is above mid, drinks are mid. Service is okay. If you want to relax or study, it's not a bad spot, but the drinks aren't my style. You can't adjust the sweetness of the drinks, but they do have a lot of variety in terms of food and drinks. They also have some tabletop or small games for friends to play with. read more

Adding on to the many other 5 star reviews, I also have nothing but good things to say abt this place! When bf and i parked, we were like oh.. o.o LOL but the interior is so cute and spacious! -Beef Wang bowl was so comforting. There isnt much sauce or seasoning which made the soft textures of the beef egg snd mushrooms stand out more. I didnt feel like anything was missing. -The cheesesteak burrito streak up put us to sleep oml. This one was also mild in flavor, the cheese was enough to have everything stick together in terms of texture and flavor! crispy tortilla cooked well :) -poke nachos was a flavor bombbbb the chips def had that oil dipped flavor that made it GOOD! The cashier was very nice and food came out quick! Overall I would come back !! I feel like you can chill and do work on one of the tables too. thank you! read more

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10000/10 i love this place, found it because it's near where i work and now it has become a big pick me up for my mornings when i need a boost, the ube latte is amazing every time, the people who work here are so incredibly nice, this place rules!!! also can't forget about the brookie read more

Cha Cafe - Brookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - El Monte, California

Cha Cafe is an Asian-Mexican fusion restaurant in El Monte is known for its unique food, friendly service, and cozy atmosphere. Some of their famous dishes are: Beef Wang, Ahi Tuna Poke Rice Box, and Ninja Fries. They also known for milk teas, coffee and smoothies. Their green matcha latte milk tea and ube are amazing. The cafe is cozy, cute, and trendy. It's worth checking out if you're looking for Asian-Mexican fusion or enjoy creative dishes and refreshing drinks.  What I got: -Mango smoothie -Blueberry scone -sampler plate -ube latte -matcha latte -cubed steak egg -Teri avocado burger -Cheesesteak fries -beef wang read more

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This place has had its years here and I've been fortunate enough to see its growth. I love that it's been consistent with its menu items... which is why this place has REGULARS and some that will travel to catch a bite, it's worth it! I always get the CHA cheeseburger; super delicious and filling the thick angus patty is very yummy and cooked medium. I upgrade to sweet potato fries but find they always give a small portion for the side. No worries at all the burger is filling enough! The plate my husband orders is the chicken skewers he loves the salad dressing and the fact that they can come two to three skewers a plate. The cha fries are delicious and usually what people order from here first and immediately become HOOKED! We also enjoy the shrimp saam baaps (no, because I KNOW I spelled that wrong!) they come two to an order and are absolutely DELICIOUS!! I thoroughly enjoy how fresh and crispy the lettuce leaves are. The flavors are amazing for anything we order here. It's a local favorite and has been a staple for our local community since 2012. Thank you Cha Cafe! Yummy food & wonderful service, blessings to you!! read more

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Cheese steak fries are amazing and I'll be back for the strawberry matcha latte for sure! Staff is always friendly and patient.

I've been going to this place for about 8 years now and I love it. The steak fries are to die for. I drizzle so much sauce on there and omg I could eat them forever. The horchata boba is quite sweet, but still so good. I'm just not a sweet lover When I'm feeling more health conscious, I get the grilled chicken bowl with salad and rice. The chicken is always so flavorful and juicy. It's pretty roomy inside, but parking can be a pain when the little plaza is packed. The employees here are always super nice and answer any questions you may have. read more

Service was great. This family owned business offers coffee, pastries, drinks and Asian fusion cuisine for lunch and dinner. My favorites were the following: spam fried rice, fried cauliflower, croissant and the lychee lemonade 50% sweet. The spam fried rice was warm and savory. The fried cauliflower dipped in the spicy mayo was crunchy and satisfying. The lychee lemonade was refreshing. We got a croissant for breakfast for the next morning, and it was really good. The restaurant is located in an unassuming plaza. There is free parking. The inside is clean and causal. It is a great place for a causal hang-out. read more

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Been wanting to try cha cafe and finally did through To Good To Go. Got some of the pastries prior to closing time. Mostly the croissant cookie (they keep up with trends/viral!). The husband enjoyed the red velvet. I liked the matcha. The blueberry scone is solid too (always my favorite to go with coffee). It's soft and on the sweeter side. Put it in the fridge and next day it's harder (I knew it was going to happen). Still good but better when it was softer and crumbly. read more

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I got the SGV Passport and made my way here for the Cheesesteak Fries. I did not know what to expect at all. They are HUGE! Definitely meant to share or in my case save for the next day. The portion was well worth the price in my opinion. I would love to order it again but I want to branch out and try other items on the menu. Inside was very clean, decent amount of seating with a cozy cafe feel. The staff was incredibly lovely and made the entire experience easy. I highly recommend checking out this place! read more

Cha Cafe - Cha Cheesesteak Cheese Steak Fries - Coffee & Tea Near Me - El Monte, California

Great food and drinks, nice place to hangout with friends. The service there was fast and friendly.

We had a great experience. We loved it! I loved what I ordered. We ordered the Beef Wang, iced cafe de olla, cauli burger with fries and some cauli wings and it was all really good. The Beef wang is very flavorful it had mushrooms, egg, rice, green onion. The customer service was amazing. The young girl was very nice great personality! It's not a big place but i guarantee you will enjoy being there. Definitely a spot to go try :) read more

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