Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen Happy Hour

Downtown Brea bustles with shoppers, diners and those just out for a stroll.Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen is a busy attraction marked by their Mexican food and drinks. Voted best happy hour and best margarita by the Orange County Register, the tapas and margarita menus more than justify the honor.

Cha Cha’s fun selection of margaritas includes the Classic, made with El Jimador 100% Blue Agave, Cointreau, fresh lime and agave nectar.The Fresh Watermelon is perfect for the season with El Jimador, fresh watermelon, hibiscus juice, fresh lime and agave nectar. They also make a Cha Cha Martini with Pura Vida premium tequila, Chartreuse, fresh cucumber and lime.

The Happy Hour Menu boasts the usual Mexican dishes but they are done with particular finesse. The combination of the almost lyrical tomatillo salsa with tortilla chips alone would almost suffice as a happy hour. Yet, other dishes also call for attention.

The luscious Queso Fundido, $8,is made with chorizo, portobello mushrooms and poblano peppers and tastes great on chips or soft tortillas. Manilla Clams, $7, are sauteed with garlic and Spanish chorizo (these are briny and the broth too good to leave in the bowl).

The crispy Chicken Flautas, $7, are served with a mango-habanero salsa. The kitchen definitely has a way with salsas. Nothing is too spicy or hot unless you ask.

The Shrimp Ceviche is marinated in orange and lime juices and made with Serrano chile, red onion and avocado.

Cha Cha’s has live music Thursday ” Saturday evenings.