Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen

So,
Yes, I haven't reviewed anything of the restaurant nature.

You have to start somewhere so I'll start here.

The food, nothing out of this world.
The standard chips and salsa, just standard.
Green salsa better than average and the red salsa (perhaps w/ roasted peppers) was good/average but when I go out I want an experience that I can't provide for myself at home.  (perhaps asking too much?)

Fellow diner had a three taco set.
I ordered the shrimp ceviche appetizer.

The tacos were good but not a wow.
The ceviche a consistency of one you'd throw together at home and leave in your fridge for a quick snack... not a wow either. To me a restaurant Ceviche should have a 'zing' and speak FRESH to me.  This one lacked 'zing' and had it spoke it would sound more like Lurch from the OG Addams Family.  Served up in a soup bowl of sorts, (there are pictures, not mine)  also the menu claims "served with corn chips"  which didn't actually come with the appetizer but brought as another bowl of chips. Meh, a minor point I know, but still a little different approach for the presentation?

Now the nitty gritty and why I have been spurred into writing a review:

I understand the economy sucks and everyone is trying to make ends meet.  
Alcohol being the easiest markup I understand from a business end as well.
BUT how, for example, did it become standard to charge 5 to 7+ dollars for a bottle of beer? and even more for a mixed drink containing less than 3 oz of alcohol?  How did we allow this fellow drinkers?  Jimmy Mcmillan please take over  " too damn High!!!"  .... sorry almost started on a rant.

Granted  it was their "large" margarita  but margarita on the rocks with big ice cubes needs a larger glass.  (see my posted picture)
Taste:  It was strong,  I like that, at least I know there was some sort of alcohol in it.
The mix:  It was tangy, a proper margarita taste but again not wow.
The size:  It's "large", but with as much ice that comes with it I am pretty sure it would fill their standard margarita glass with less ice.

Ok ... wait for it... Sticker shock.  
$$$15.95 for ONE margarita?  Really?  (wait am I in Vegas? did we get bottle service at my VIP table? are we at Staples Center? what happened here?)
Quick random expensive restaurant..Mastro's... drink: Grey Goose neat : 14.75. still not 15.95.... quick another Random expensive restaurant.. Spago... Specialty Cocktails all 16.00! there you go...  same thing right? pshhh...
OK... my fault for not asking how much the "large" one was, especially not listed on the menu...  (check the website... same menu)
and one should never assume, which I did, in my head  ..o0O((it couldn't possibly be more than 8-10 bucks right?))

I didn't even get to see the bartender make it so there goes that theory of paying for presentation/entertainment.

I felt tricked, really... or perhaps played the fool. A drink that cost on the average as much as their entrees.  Well played, Cha Cha, well played.

How this method of customer service gains you repeat business is beyond me.

Overall just an OK, .. and not a terrific... and definitely not understanding the stellar reviews on here since I did not receive a similar experience.

I'm not saying don't go... but If you have to go, then go at Happy hour.

If this was a movie, I would say wait 'til it comes out on dvd... and there is no reason to get the blu-ray.

This is one of my favorite places in downtown Brea. The food is delicious and the ambiance is fun and great for a date. I even went for a business lunch once. Hands down the food and it's a fun place to grab a drink. They have a live band there most nights.

Great happy hour spot! Mojitos were delish!