New in Naples: ChaChaCha is a Go-To for Cuban Comfort Food
ChaChaCha Fusion Cuban Cuisine is one of the newest reasons to head north for dinner instead of defaulting to your usual spots. It sits at 5628 Strand Blvd, and it’s a small, family-run room that feels more party than downtown’s white tablecloths: bright colors, Latin music, and perhaps the ease to order “just one more” drink.
The food is Cuban comfort. Ropa vieja is slow-braised, tomato-y shredded beef with peppers, piled next to rice, black beans, and sweet plantains, built with flavor and depth over hours. Vaca frita takes that same beef, crisps it on the grill with onions and lime, and gives you those caramelized edges in every bite. Lechón asado is garlicky, citrus-marinated roast pork with yuca or plantains, and the Cuban sandwich stacks roast pork, ham, Swiss, mustard, mayo, and pickles on pressed bread that cracks just a little when you bite down. Croquetas (creamy ham fritters) and yuca fries are ideal if you like to stretch out the night with apps and a cocktail before committing to a full plate.
A few things to know before you go: ChaChaCha is in a strip plaza, so give yourself a minute to find the suite and park. Because it’s new and family-run, hours and pace can switch up, so it’s worth a quick check online the day you’re heading over. When the room fills up, food can take a little longer, but that’s your cue to lean into the music, sip something cold, and pretend you’re nowhere near a Publix parking lot.
ChaChaCha Fusion Cuban Cuisine
5628 Strand Blvd, Naples, FL 34110
Sunday–Thursday: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday–Saturday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
https://www.chachachanaples.com
Originally published in
The Naples Florida Review.
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here.