Get your cha-cha on

The Gold Coast is a magnet for wave-chasers from around the world, and lucky for us, they often bring the flavours of home along for the ride. La Cha Cha Cabana is one such delicious gem, serving South American street eats with serious surfer vibes.

The brainchild of Eric Perez, La Cha Cha Cabana is a flavour-packed food truck now parked in Burleigh Heads outside surfing legend Nev Hyman’s surfboard precinct. The location is no coincidence – Eric first met Nev at just nine years old, when Nev ran Venezuela’s first professional surf comp!

At the time, Eric didn’t know that this chance meeting would help shape his life, and his culinary journey. Years later, Eric’s family left their home in beautiful Venezuela and set sail on a small boat with nothing but an appetite for adventure.

Across the seas they sailed, going weeks without seeing land, fishing for their dinners, and surfing epic breaks. Along the way, they learned from coastal communities about how they live, cook and feed their families.

Eventually, Eric and his family landed on Aussie shores, traded sails for sizzling skillets, and kicked off their food journey at the Palm Beach Markets. Back then, they were known as Fiery Deli, slinging empanadas and arepas to a growing base of local fans.

The La Cha Cha Cabana truck followed, popping up at Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival and even the Quiksilver Pro, before setting up shop in Robina and Chermside. This is where Nev and Eric’s paths crossed again, when Nev became a regular at the restaurant.

But the 2020 pandemic threw a spanner in the salsa, and with a young family to raise, it was time to hit pause.

Now, La Cha Cha Cabana is back, better than ever. This time, Eric has gone back to his roots, slinging street food with his wife Trish from their beloved truck in the industrial pocket of Burleigh. It’s parked right next to Nev’s shaping bay, where surfboards and slow-cooked meats come together.

From board shaping to board swapping, plus a side of surf nostalgia, you can tick it all off in one lunch break.

Now let’s taco about the food.

La Cha Cha Cabana’s signature is the Venezuelan arepas. These handmade crispy cornmeal pocket rockets are stuffed with your choice of slow-cooked pulled beef, free-range grilled chicken or jackfruit, plus guac, purple slaw and chipotle aioli.

Burleigh Brisket Nachos will make your tastebuds shout “ole”! Corn chips are piled high with slow-cooked grass-fed Angus brisket, black beans, pico de gallo, guac and oozy cheese. A hearty plate to share with surf mates, or your surfboard shaper.

The menu’s still growing, but from next-level tacos, loaded fries and spiced chicken wings, every bite is bursting with fresh, sun-soaked South American flavour.

Whether you’re fuelling up post-surf or watching boards get shaped next door, La Cha Cha Cabana is the kind of spot you’ll come back to again and again, just like your favourite surf break.

Where: 6 Ramly Drive, Burleigh Heads
When: Monday–Friday 10am – 2 pm

Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Mathilde Bouby