The Life and Times of LA Cha Cha Chá: From Arts District Darling to ICE Raid Casualty

On this episode of Taqueando with Bill Esparza, we sit down over lunch on the iconic rooftop of LA Cha Cha Chá with executive chef Paco Morán. Once hailed as one of Los Angeles’ most successful Arts District restaurants — and the anchor of a growing Mexican restaurant empire — LA Cha Cha Chá is now preparing to close its doors.

Chef Morán opens up about the devastating impact of ICE raids, citywide protests, curfews, and military deployment that reshaped Downtown LA’s dining scene and ultimately pushed the restaurant to the breaking point. From its meteoric rise during the pandemic to its heartbreaking fall in 2025, this conversation captures the triumphs and struggles of a restaurant that became a symbol of modern Mexican dining in Los Angeles.

Whether you’ve dined under its skyline views or admired its margaritas and tacos from afar, this is the inside story of LA Cha Cha Chá’s fight for survival — and what its closure means for LA’s Latino restaurant community.

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