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    Cha Cha Cha Cuban Cafe

    4.5 (413 reviews)
    ModerateCuban, Empanadas, Spanish
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Order Cha Cha Cha Cuban Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Cha Cha Cha Cuban Cafe Photos

    CHA CHA CHA CUBAN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Cha Cha Cha Cuban Cafe

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    Bernardo F.

    From the door, the warm Cuban hospitality and decor greets you with rich cultural vibes! As for the food... PHENOMENAL!! This is easily the best tasting Cuban I've tasted yet... after my mother-in-law's, of course! Great portions sizes, every bite was savory and perfectly captured the essence of flavors you expect from cuban cuisine brought to perfection. This is my new spot! Friendly staff makes you feel at home, indoor and outdoor seating offers year-round options, and an affordable menu makes this restaurant a budget friendly option for families like ours. Cha Cha Cha is truly worthy of every award and recognition it's gotten.

    Cuban sandwich - fresh and crispy! Cubano
    Nicole C.

    Everything has been so good! Really cozy inside, seating available but I've only gotten take out so far. Service is always great when I go, everyone's been really nice. The food is delicious! First bite of the croqueta and I was so happy because it reminded me of bakeries in Miami! The coffee is great! I'll definitely add this to my regular rotation.

    Small spot with big flavors! We found this place down the street from my aunties house while visiting from Boston. I had the Papaya Smoothie and my husband the Mango and we both had Cuban sandwiches. We started with chicken and beef empanadas with their home made sauces. EVERY SINGLE THING was perfect! Very welcoming and warm staff. Will be checking it out every time I'm in Jersey!!

    Outside
    Eloy Y.

    Much of the credit for Cuban food's increasing popularity belongs to the cuisine's accessibility and deliciousness. The Garden State, especially North Jersey, is where a majority of the state's Cuban population resides. Voted Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in 2025 and named after a dance of Cuban origin that's fast and upbeat, Cha Cha Cha Cuban Cuisine is located on Michigan Avenue in Kenilworth and is a cozy, family-owned, family-run establishment where I decided to have lunch today. Upon entering this hidden gem as a first-timer, I was greeted by the staff and transported back to the island, which was brightly decorated complete with vintage Cuban photographs & posters, bar stools made from drums, and ceiling lights made of Cuban canotier hats. The menu is full of classics--Cuban sandwiches, Croquetas, Tamales, and Ropa Vieja. It's a rich and flavorful melange of Spanish, African, and Caribbean foods. As an appetizer, I started with the Croquetas (one with ham and the other with chicken) accompanied by cilantro sauce or chili sauce. For the main meal, I decided on the Pan Con Bistec. The meal was bold, tasty, served hot, and authentic from what I remembered from my childhood. The Cuban pressed sandwich was first quality, full of fresh ingredients, and very reasonably priced. It's the pride of its seasonings, beginning with onions, garlic, and peppers as the foundation of every dish. I had a great conversation with the owner's wife, Dania, whose friendly and welcoming nature has complemented the Guava & Cheese Empanada dessert. One is treated like family from the moment you step through its door, which I can recommend this place.

    Eleanor V.

    Ordered from DoorDash, the Chuleta lunch special. The portion is very big however, the pork chop itself is Not the best cut. The Rice is EXTREMELY oily. The black beans are good, but like the yuca con mojo, Way too much garlic. Overall, quite disappointed.

    Menu Cover

    My husband and I were up north and I was in the mood for Cuban food, so I Googled places nearby. Cha Cha Cha Cuban Cafe came up first with a 4.7 rating, so we decided to make the drive. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles. They asked how we heard about them and if it was our first time there. We told them it was and that we found them on Google. I ordered the Bistec Encebollado with maduros, and my husband ordered the Pollo Encebollado. The owner asked if we ate ham because she wanted to bring us croquetas on the house since it was our first visit. That was such a thoughtful touch. When our food came out it looked amazing, but the taste was even better. From the first bite to the last, I barely spoke to my husband because I was so busy enjoying the food it was that delicious! The owner (the husband) came over and talked with us for a bit. He told us they've been there for 12 years and even shared how they had to close for a while during COVID. It honestly felt like we had known them forever. As we were leaving, he asked us to wait a few minutes because he had something for us. He came out with ropa vieja on a tostone and wow, it was incredible! Between the amazing food and the hospitality, this place is absolutely worth the trip, even though it's about an hour and a half away from us. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience! The couple visiting from outside the Atlantic City area you get 5 from us

    Lovely interior!
    Joseph S.

    Tasty Cuban Bites with Friendly Vibes Parking was easy enough with a few spots out front and some available on nearby side streets. The guy at the counter was super friendly and helpful, making for a great first impression. I ordered a tamale and a rice ball--both were absolutely delicious. But the star of the show was the Cubano. The bread was crispy and fresh, and the Swiss cheese was perfectly melted. I did feel like the pork-to-ham ratio leaned too much toward ham--personally, I'm here for that juicy, flavorful pork. Also, a bit of mustard or some kind of spread would've taken it to the next level. Overall, great spot with tasty food and welcoming service. I'll definitely be back to try more!

    100
    Lakisha A.

    Everything you've heard about how outstanding this business is........is true! It's like sitting in the kitchen with your family sharing a meal and great conversation! Cafe con leche reminded me of my time in Cuba. My plan was to grab a sandwich to go but turned into chatting with another customer and sitting down to enjoy my meal. Chatting about travel, food and family, I had to remind myself that I had somewhere to go!! .....Until next time, Oh and I forgot to snap a picture of my fish sandwich and that bomb sauce!

    Lindy Z.

    This place is as authentically Cuban as it can be! As you are approaching the door, you get a fragrant breeze of delicious garlic! Onece you are inside, you've literally landed in Cuba! From the smells, decor, music and friendly Cuban owner taking your order, you've officially arrived home. The seats creatively made from Conga drums, you can sit right in front of the chef making utter deliciousness front and center. I ordered a beef empanada (made with fresh dough), relleno de papa & a Cuban sandwich. I cannot believe how great it all tasted. This place is the real deal and will certainly be coming back for that Bistec de Palomilla next!

    Outside
    Jillene W.

    I've heard of this place several times over the years and I was in the mood for some Cuban, specifically Vaca Frita. There is street parking but I can see it being difficult to find if you are there during peak traffic times. When I walked in it took a few minutes for someone to greet me, but once a young man did he was friendly. I sat at one of the tables expecting to stay, but to my surprise they made my food to go. I guess they assumed a single woman wouldn't want to stay and eat. A family walked in and they immediately greeted them and asked them if their order was to go or are they eating in. I guess next time I will let them know I'd like to eat in. The restaurant is cute, with bar stools that look like bongos and Cuban art all around. Anyway, Vaca frita is my favorite dish and I literally order it from every Cuban restaurant I go to. So I've experienced good and bad Vaca Frita. This Vaca Frita wasn't my favorite, I've even ordered it again after this particular time and it came out the same way. The beef is fried very hard and crispy and perhaps that is the authentic way, but it's not my preference. The congri I ordered with it helped to moisten each bite but I was desperately hoping to find some softer shredded beef pieces mixed with the crispy. The portion size is generous, that's a plus! Nevertheless, I'm open to order here again, just not the Vaca Frita!

    George B.

    This one of those small family joints where the food is cooked to order and you absolutely feel like home eating there. The ambiance, the kid taking orders and the sound and smell of your steak and onions frying is crazy. I can't wait to go back and try the fish and like the sign says it isn't fast food

    Jess D.

    Me and my husband decided to give this place a try. It's definitely off the beaten path in a residential area. It's a tiny little place with only a few tables, but they do a lot of take out orders. The owners are super friendly and you can tell there are a lot of regulars. The food is reasonably priced and serving sizes are pretty decent. Everything was full of flavor. It did not disappoint. There were a lot of delicious choices. I probably should have just ordered all of the appetizers given they all sounded good. So if you are in the area, I would definitely give this place a try.

    Nicole S.

    This was my first time trying a Cuban sandwich, and I must say I don't think I have ever had anything as delicious! Aside from the amazingly tasty food, the owner and staff were so kind, and made us feel like family. They took the time to talk to us and I really appreciated everything about this experience.

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    1 month ago

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    Dariany S.

    Aww thank you boo :)

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    Dariany S.

    Thank you so much for such a beautiful review, we’re so grateful

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    Thank you. We’re big Portos fans ourselves!

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    Page 1 of 11

    Cha Cha Cha Cuban Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cha Cha Cha Cuban Cafe

    Can I sit down and eat or is it take out only?

    Yes you can sit down- inside or outside.

    Is the restaurant BYOB?

    Yes

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