The Crack Shack - Little Italy Reviews

So good!! If you love chicken this place is banging!!! Classic fried chicken, chicken sandwiches, they even offer healthier options!!! Great stop!!!

We found that restaurant from the web and it was a very nice place to have lunch! We enjoy their sandwiches, quite big and very very tasty! You can find a lot of sauces! Prices are in the average range, 25$ for 2. Enjoy it!

We ordered and picked up at the restaurant to bring it back to our hotel to eat. Service was great and so was the food. We had the chicken and fried egg sandwich, fried chicken, grilled cheese and fries. All were great. Restaurant has great outside eating area.

We were driving back to our hotel one evening and noticed the line of customers going down the street. We knew that we needed to try this restaurant before we left San Diego. The fried chicken was top notch and better than any fried chicken we’ve had on the East Coast. This restaurant will be our first stop when we return to the city. The restaurant has a great vibe with an outdoor bar that has a great selection of craft beers. They also have an outdoor bocce court to entertain those in your party that can’t sit still.

My wife had heard about this place and wanted to try it. We were Top Chef fans back in the day, and are always curious to see how the alumni can cook, and Richard Blais was one of our favorites. The restaurant is in a very cute section of San DIego that is full of little antique shops and galleries. Parking was tough to come by, so we used the reasonably priced valet. As we approached the order window, our hearts sank: The line was literally around the corner! Fortunately, it moved very quickly. Really, it was no difference than if we had sat in a restaurant and waited for a waiter to take our order. Our food came out quickly too. For a restaurant, it was quick. For a typical fried chicken place, it was slow, but then again, our food was cooked to order, and not scooped out from under a heat lamp. The chicken itself is delicious. Perfectly cooked, juicy, well-battered. Best fried chicken ever? I don't know... but it's solid. On the other hand, I don't expect an epiphany from fried chicken. it is what it is. I ordered a Firebird sandwich, and my wife ordered a 5 piece platter; she said the dipping sauces were amazing. We had some schmaltz fries, which were good. If you are a fried chicken devotee, you will love The Crack Shack. If you are a fried chicken agnostic, as I am, then you will at least have a decent meal, sans epiphany. At $43 for two, it ain't no cheap lunch date, but I felt we got reasonable value, considering the quality.

Everything was amazing…and apologies but I didn’t have time to get pics….we went in as soon as it was delivered….loaded fries the Cali dip….honestly I don’t even remember the names of everything…but this place “IM GIVING A 10”🔥♥️🔥sooo delicious!!

Great spot for families and a must do on a warm day. Go early to avoid the lines or go in between meals. Share since it can get heavy (it is after "Fried chicken"!) Good drinks as well and we can't wait to return!

I wasnt sure if we should take the time to wait in line,but am glad we did! Excellent flavor and quality of chicken! Fun outdoor place to eat!

We were those people who took their 2 and 4 year olds to dinner here, and I am sensitive to taking my small children to restaurants they don’t belong in, but this place was great. We went around 5:15 on a Thursday. Place was pretty empty still (it filled up while we ate). We took a table near the bocce court and let the kids wander and point at all the airplanes approaching while we finished our food and drinks. I don’t feel like the kids bothered anyone, and the staff and clientele were completely unpretentious. Food was excellent. Shared a 5-pc chicken, poutine, biscuits. More than enough food for 2 adults. The miso-maple butter was to die for. Don’t skip the biscuits. I was glad I’d read about the large portion sizes in advance so we didn’t over-order.

Jericho, you are the MAN! Met him at bar and we started talking food. He said I had to try this place and I loved it. Great service by Libby. I would go back just to see her! Fire chicken was fantastic. Can't wait to go back. Thanks Jericho!

I got the Mexican Poutine and hot damn was it delicious. The chicken on the poutine had such a juicy and flavorful taste it made very envious that I didn't get the chicken oysters. I had a ground chicken sandwich that was out of this world.

Super convenient location from airport, found this place on TA (thanks reviewers!). We ordered some Cali Drips and a Rubenstein in addition to fries and drinks. Outdoor seating with relaxed vibe. Ordered at window upon entering and food arrived within a short time. Limited contact with staff, but they were very attentive.Could have hung out for much longer than we did. Overall great experience and would consider returning

The firebird is a tasty spicy chicken sandwich! Add some fries and several unique dipping sauces and your business. But don’t miss out on the mini biscuits. They’re great and come with maple butter. But ask for a second butter. You’re going to need it!

Casual waterside dining - great pork sandwiches and delish fish tacos. The salads were great too and the drinks were plentiful.

The food was amazing and the atmosphere was charming. There was a table built around a tree. The only way it could be better is if they had Coke instead of Pepsi.

Wowza this place was packed with a huge line, but it went faster than we expected. The food was awesome! And they have legalized ranch on tap mulato.

Not anything like we thought would be. Chicken was average. Pricey and everything is additional price. Most places Include fries or sides. We were not impressed. Disappointing and no indoor Seating while cold outside

Stopped in to the Crack Shack and had a great meal. Got the 5 piece chicken...schmaltz fries and deviled eggs. HELL YES! The chicken was juicy inside with a very tasty coating. The fries were just right (cooked in chicken fat) so throw any diet away! The deviled eggs had bacon on top with a spicy coating of something that gave a bite back to you on every mouthful. The outdoor seating us nice and easy to meet new people when sharing a table. Great place for a meal.

popular place in a good location with great service. The 7 others i went with all enjoyed the food and atmosphere here more than any other place.

Instead of heading directly to the center of San Diego as usual I chose to walk from the airport after returning my rental car. This way I ended up walking by great design shops and bumping into The Crak Shack. Instantly fascinated by the open air layout and the good looking food I went for Coop Deville chicken sandwich. Very fresh, tasty and delicious. Dining in this area is so different from the downtown hype and the hotel resorts where I stay. For sure I will be back

Wondering about little Italy, we wanted a snack ... not a meal. The Crack Shack has great shakes, fries, chicken and drinks.

Epic burgers. Completely delicious!!!! If you’re near go and try them!!!! Lovely staff and a good beer selection.

First time here, seen the place on Triple D. We had the fried chicken, oysters & mini biscuits…very delicious. We’re visiting from Las Vegas & will definitely visit again when we’re in town.

Pleasant surprise as we happened onto this outdoor eats chix specialty house. Saw some fried chicken being served and had to try it. Crispy, moist and flavorful. Give it a try.

We wanted a quick dinner and dined outside. The food was superb and the service was excellent. If you have a chance to go this is a place not to miss!

It's been over a week and honestly I am still dreaming about my meal from Crack Shack. I have never quite had anything so geneour and flavourful. I could see myself planning a trip to SD just to eat here again. SOOOO Amazing!

Okay food great sauces, I ordered the 5 piece fried chicken and I was not a fan of the hard shell, not sure if it was a wet or dry batter. But wasn't impressed.

Family gathered in SD for Christmas, with all the running around, shopping, appointments, etc., we needed a good place to meet and Crack Shack was the chosen location. My wife and I had not been here in quite a while. It was as great as I remembered it being. Family members ordered smaller plates and we had a couple rounds of drinks. In spite of it being a rainy, kind of blustery day in SD, other families were there too with the children having fun in the Bocce Ball area. Food, drinks, service and facilities all good.

Found this place on the web and it came with great reviews. Place is very very good get the chicken sandwich with slaw and try the myriad of sauces. The loaded fries are giant. But very good

We went to The Crack Shack during our trip to San Diego and oh, my goodness, it was amazing! I got a chicken sandwich with slaw and schmaltz fries. It was to die for! I would drive all the way to San Diego just to eat there again!

I’ve been coming here for lunch periodically since it opened a few years ago. The first time I went, I went with a large group of friends. Seating is outside on picnic tables which is fine since the weather is generally fair and dry in San Diego. They also have a huge chicken statue in front and lawn games and a Beatles “Abbey Road” mural (fun for a photo op with friends). I ordered a chicken sandwich which unfortunately is no longer in the menu and it was fabulous. Since then, I generally order online for takeout and always get the same thing— the anti-salad power bowl. It’s a bowl full of arugula, chicken, quinoa, avocado, a boiled egg and pickled red onions. It’s very good, fresh and quite filling. If you need to drive, parking can be a challenge in that area, but they do offer $5 valet parking.

Let me start by saying the service was great. We were promptly greeted. We ordered 2 regular fries but the cashier suggested we purchase the large because it was cheaper and we would get more fries. He was right, the fries were plentiful and enough for 3 people. The person assigned to clearing tables was awesome. He offered to-go boxes that were larger than the ones made available. He also made sure we had what we needed. The best tasting item I ate were the fries. They were hot and perfectly seasoned. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the Firebird sandwich. The flavors didn't mesh well together at all. The potato roll was complementary to the chicken and the chicken wasn't spicy at all. I'll give the restaurant another try and order a different sandwich.

Drove by the place and it was bumpin' on a Saturday night. The next day, a friend offered to get takeaway for me. It was still hot when he handed me the bag filled with a QUALITY chicken sandwich. Wow. It was the most delicious chicken sandwich I've ever eaten. If that was their aim, they nailed it. I would like to go in person as I'm sure the food, when immediately prepared, is even better.

This place is seriously delicious - it's good, comfort food done fast and pretty affordably. In my mind, the only possible drawback would be that the portion sizes are too large and the food a bit too greasy - but you can just split the food with family and friends, after all!

Little Italy isn’t the first place that comes to mind if you are in the mood for fried chicken, chicken sandwiches and all the in between. Although Italian food reigns in little Italy, there is a spot that has one of the most delicious fried chicken sandwiches in the city - The Crack Shack. This small fast casual dining chain is situated at the corner of Kettner Blvd & W Juniper St. there is only outdoor seating, but pretty ample covered seating. It’s a no frills - order your food at the counter, get your number, and take your seat kind of eatery. Your order will be brought out to your table. What I didn’t expect was a full bar on the deck, so you can get your drink on while waiting for your food. Service was decent and as expected for the a pretty much self-serve eatery. There is a wide variety of hot sauces at the Sauce Station, which was wonderful as everyone’s has their own favorite sauce or level of spiciness. I ordered the Coop Deville with the Shack Fries, and an IPA on draft to wash it all down. The chicken was seasoned well, fried nicely and not dry at all. The slaw was good, but could have used a bit more seasoning, but definitely added an additional layer of flavor tot he sandwich. Seems like the owners thought the build of this restaurant out well. Aside from delicious chicken, a full bar to enjoy, there’s also a game section for the young and the young at heart to keep the fun going. Although parking can be tricky on weekends and high traffic times, it’s worth it.

Okay food. Good location although parking is a bit difficult. We are used to Southern fried chicken and while this is okay, it doesn't rise to that level. Similar situation with the biscuits and slaw. Basically an average place all around.

The fries are amazing and so are all the complimentary dipping sauces. I always order the Firebird fried chicken sandwich. My wife loves the biscuits. The staff is always friendly. Good beer selection, dog friendly, and fun atmosphere. We also love the one in Costa Mesa

The chicken is the absolute star. It’s moist with a great coating, really perfect, light with a nice crunch. It’s obvious chicken that’s high quality and as their enclosure states, free range, no chemicals or dyes and I believe it. Fries are good, border salad refreshing nice, but the chicken is fabulous.

We happened upon this Chicken Shack and we are so glad we did! The line was long but worth the wait. We ordered the senior chicken sandwich and slider sandwiches. The chicken was juicy and the toppings were great. The fries are seasoned and they have different sauces that you can use for the chicken or fries. Delicious!

This is a fast casual place centered on chicken, although there are other options. You can have sandwiches, bowls, etc. I had a border slaw, very fruit based, with chicken “oysters” which are fried, brined, pieces of white meat with a crunky crust.

This place has high energy! Be prepared for a line and for outdoor dining. Good basic fried chicken in a fun atmosphere.

Pretty standard chicken sandwiches, nothing special. They forgot the miso-maple off our Senor Croque, so it was quite plain. I will say the fries are well seasoned and great tasting. But considering two sandwiches and fries (and just water) cost us around $35, I am not impressed.

We stopped in on a Sunday this place was really crowded but the food was very good the french fries were homemade little oily but good service was good we're not used to paying these kind of prices cuz where we come from in Oklahoma Foods about half this price but the taste and quality was outstanding definitely worth a try

You are in town with some time in the late afternoon, a bit hungry ... this is where to go! The hype is true, awesome sandwiches. Expect picnic style tables outside. Good bar. Awesome sauces.

This chicken doesn't live up to the hype. The chicken was unseasoned though it did have a nice batter. The best part are all the sauces but even they can't add the flavor that is missing from proper seasoning. We split a 5piece meal, our little one had a chicken nugget meal (real pieces of chicken) and it came with a huge cookie that we all shared, and we added fries and the baja bowl.The baja bowl was the best part of the meal. Crack Shack was recommended by our hotel and had strong reviews so we tried but we found better chicken at Streetcar Merchants fried chicken - go there instead! The outdoor seating was nice...

We visited this restaurant after seeing it featured on a travel influencer on Instagram. The food was good and the prices were reasonable. We ordered take out but it did seem very busy inside. The chicken oysters were super unique and delicious! I would eat here again.

Fun & casual, good food. Especially recommend the Power bowl. And make sure you don’t miss their fries & different varieties of dipping sauce. Enjoy the fresh air & if it’s nippy the heat from above. Or grab a spot by the fire pit. Great San Diego experience in the heart of Little Italy.

My wife and I have heard about this place from a few different people who’ve been to San Diego and also we knew it from following Richards career post Top Chef. The food here was very tasty and full of flavour. We both had the Firebird and our mouths were feeling the heat. The fries were delicious and the outdoor seating was great on a nice sunny day. Good come back here for sure if I’m ever once again in San Diego.

Chicken sandwiches were delicious but messy. (They know their sandwiches are messy and have a handwashing station. Awesome.) But the bathroom decor is THE BEST, since the walls feature whiny one-star reviews. I’d give five stars for that alone, but the food deserves it.

My husband said it best- think that a huge food truck meets up with a beer garden and a full bar. This place was great for a late lunch and had terrific energy. We found it online - took a little time to park. We arrived and the cashier was super friendly. I asked him what to get if this would be our one and only visit. He gave us some tips, didn’t try to upsell anything. He was very approachable. Then we sat at a table and waited for our food. It’s a huge covered patio with fun music. Lots of space. There is a place to play corn hole or bocce. The entire staff is super friendly. The bathroom was super clean as well. We split a sandwich (croque) and a small Schmaltz fry. I was tempted to order the deviled eggs but passed. They looked amazing. I highly recommend this spot. It is family friendly at lunch time. Might be a lot different at night.

The atmosphere was pleasant, and the food was okay, but the experience was overshadowed by the person at the counter. Their responses came off as unkind, which left a negative impression. Perhaps it was the mood of working on January 1st, but a more welcoming attitude would have made a big difference.

Such a fun find near the airport. Menu items are all high quality and we loved the different sauce options. The space is really cool with outdoor seating and plenty of room for groups. Will be back.

The chicken was good, but not great. We drove in to eat here...I recommend eating here if you're in the area, but don't go out of your way.

This place has been on my must-try list for about the last three times I've come to San Diego and I was finally able to try it last time. It's an outdoor-style restaurant meaning the tables and everything are outside with a few covered areas. It has a family-style feeling with a little play area for kids, a few fire pit tables and large fireplace to the left of the large outdoor bar with a few tables in front if you're chilly. Lots of outdoor large picnic-style tables and they have a big drink/sauce spot where you can get the sauces for your chicken you want and choose your soda or tea. The menu reminds me of a cali-style Chick Fil A with mostly fried chicken sandwiches. I had the deviled eggs here french toast crumble and candied bacon toppings and they were phenomenal. Four for $4. Well worth the price. I chose the Coop DeVille sandwich with fried chicken, pickled fresno chilies, lime mayo, napa cabbage, brioche bun served with a mountain of fries. All were delish but a real gut buster if you don't normally eat fast food or fried foods. I felt like I'd eaten a brick. My friends all got various other things and everyone loved it. One got the Matzo ball soup which I would've never considered but she loved it and said it was good - it looked delicious with lots of fresh mix-ins served on the side to add to the soup if you choose. Parking is street and nearby neighborhood or via the attached valet for $7 shared with the next door Juniper and Ivy (fancy fancy) restaurant. It's on a lively street with tons of other shops and bars so you could make an afternoon or evening of it if you so choose.

Great spot for sandwiches and drinks. The name alone and Richard Blais caught my eye. The fries were fantastic and a great selection of any sauce you wanted. Played bocce and to get the balls you just gave your DL as a placeholder. Delicious 🐔🐓

This place has really tasty chicken, both fried and grilled! Really good brioche rolls! The plain fries are good, the Schmalz fries, which are rendered in chicken fat were a bit too rich! The mini biscuits are so, so, although the miso maple butter was really delicious! The traditional slaw was excellent! Good choice of drinks/beer. So overall, a lip smacking foodie must! You will also have the fun of watching all the big airlines zooming over your head, at close distance (kids seemed to enjoy that! ~and some adults, too)!

When you show up there will be a line but it is well worth it. Went here with some friends and got the double clucker and it was very satisfying. Great balance of sandwiches and entrees plus beer, wine and mixed drinks are also available. Get the devil eggs! Street parking is tough but there is a valet. Dog friendly.

The Crack Shack is still the best fried chicken place in San Diego. There are now a few more branches around the city bu this is the original. They have sandwiches, salads etc but the crown is the fried chicken. THey have nice outdoor seating. Highly recommended again

Grabbed a quick lunch here and we were not disappointed. The two of us ate (2 sandwiches, 2 drinks, and one order of mini biscuits) for $40. A bit pricey but definitely delicious. I got the Firebird and the heat was perfect. I like spicy, but not too spicy, and this was sandwich was just right. We also enjoyed watching the planes coming into the airport.

This is one of the best fried chicken places to go to...had eaten here many times. good for family eat out or get together with friends...they have a littel play area too! Food is awesome but not for the health buff!

Food literally couldn't be better. The Matzo Ball Pozole is the star of the show....but every sandwich Ive had has been stellar. Love the use of schmaltz and love the vibe. Will return time and time again.

Went once and was looking forward to it. Busy place with outdoor, covered seating. Great place to watch incoming jets landing at the near by airport. Tables could be cleaned quicker but it was busy. Good chicken and chips ( fries ), beer on tap, nice enough. Staff friendly, reasonable prices.

The Firebird undoubtedly is rich in flavor. Lots of outdoor seating on a Tuesday night. The Senor Croque was just ok, certainly not as rich as the Firebird. If you've got stomach real estate for only one, get the Firebird. It is also the single most expensive chicken sandwich I've ever had @$12. That being said, it's probably worth it every now and then.

Server is personable and helpful. I did not know what to expect from this place, I ordered the quinoa bowl with chicken on the side. Everything was fresh and tasty. I highly recommend. You can sit indoors or outdoors. Place is spacious!

This place is amazing! All outside seating, great bartenders, drafts, tons of sauces, food unbelievable, great fun atmosphere... apx 10 minutes from the airport, very easy to get to...do yourself a favor - find it for great food fun and drinks!

We found this place on a travel blog for places to eat with kids in San Diego. We were very happy with both the service and our meal, the atmosphere was great. Will definitely eat here again.

Food is delicious and served quickly. Planes flying overhead added to the outdoor dining experience (in a good way). Come for the fried chicken, biscuits and classic coleslaw. Friendly, cheerful staff.

There were six in our group and we tried several of the sandwiches including the coop deville and firebird. We also ordered the schmaltz fries, deviled eggs and the classic slaw. The slaw was interesting but small portioned. The experience at this restaurant was like eating fast food but pricey. The deviled eggs were mushy and lacked flavor. Even the fries were limp and soggy. Nothing special about this place that would make me want to return so I could pay $12 for a chicken sandwich and $5 for an order of not very good fries.

Honestly we weren’t impressed, we’ve had way better. The best thing on the menu was the warm chocolate chip cookie. The Firebird sandwich was ok but honestly not that spicy. All of the sauces are a great novelty and we loved most of them! I would say it was good overall but I wouldn’t recommend it as a ‘must’ or go back.

Finally was able to try this place after years of driving by and the hype is still going when the lines are super long! Unfortunately, I’m not a fan. Yes their chicken was juicy. Yes their skin was super thin and crispy. However, it had no flavor! We got honey butter but it was like cooking a plain chicken and dunking it in the fryer with no seasoning. No wonder why they have so many sauces to choose from because it was necessary to dip to get flavor. The pineapple mustard and sriracha 1000 island were my favorite. We also got the Mexican poutine which was like carne asada fries but with chicken. This came out in a huge tray perfect for 5 of us to share. I wasn’t impressed with their food but the atmosphere was popping. It’s all outdoor with a bar, tv screens, fire places, nicely lit and an area to play corn hole.

Love the food and it’s creativity and freshness. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Highest quality menu with many choices. The only drawback, most of the seating is outdoors... we went on one of the few nights when it rained in SD. But, the bar is covered, heated and you can skip the lines to order by just ordering atbthevbsr...a good tip from staff.

Have been there three times now. All three times we were blown away by the quality and taste of the crack Shack. The first two times we had their fried chicken with sides, and the last time we had the breakfast. Always fantastic. They also have a great full bar for all the extras.

Very happy to visit after seeing Crack Shack on Travel Channel. Outgoing employees and bartenders! I had a very good Firebird sandwich, that did NOT fall apart or explode on the first bite, always a good sign. While not a fan of fried chicken or even Andrew Zimmern for that matter, this was not at all greasy or threatening to my heart in any way. It's also a great place to watch very low flying planes on approach to San Diego. Crack Shack...terrible name, great place! Did I mention a large on tap craft beer list?

I love this place. The San Diego outpost of chef Richard Blais's quick service, gourmet chicken shack is consistently delicious. Prices are on the higher side, but the quality is worth it. We came here during Comic Con and since I hadn't had a real meal in a couple of days, I opted for something on the healthier side. I normally get the mini biscuits and fried chicken sandwich here, but today I ordered the G-Bird, which has a grilled chicken breast, shishito pepper relish, swiss cheese, romaine, tomato, on a whole wheat brioche. I was shocked that the grilled chicken was just as tasty as the fried! This will absolutely make it into my normal rotation when I eat at The Crack Shack. The toppings were ripe and crisp, and the brioche bun was soft, spongy, and worth every carb. I ordered iced tea and it was freshly brewed and yummy. Nobody likes old, burnt iced tea, and this was perfect. Free refills too, so I kept going back to load up on tea. Service was ridiculously fast! There was a long line to wait to order but once we placed our order and paid, our food was brought out to our table within five minutes! Note that the dining area here is completely outdoors. It's covered, but be aware you won't be sitting in a comfy, air conditioned restaurant. It's not too bad except in super hot and humid weather (and there's an airport flight path right above so the roar of jet engines can get loud). But who cares about the lack of ambiance when the food is so good?

Went there with a friend. I had the firebird - chicken breast was well prepared and nice size. Fried onions on the sandwich could have been crunchier but were still good. Seasoning was good but nothing I’ll search out in the future. They have sauces and those were tasty. Friend said her sandwich was good but wasn’t a fan of the miso. No table service for drinks so order multiple drinks to start if you’ll want more than one, or make your way to the bar if you’d prefer to keep them cold. I liked it enough to maybe go back but not to stand in line.

There are dozens of restaurants in Little Italy, most having excellent reviews, portions and prices. I totally regret choosing The Crack Shack. I insisted my family go here as I read decent reviews and the pictures showed a modern, fun place to dine outdoors. We ordered the 10pc chicken, G-Bird sandwich and the fries. None of us were impressed. The most delicious part of our meal was the grape flavored fountain soda.

Visited the Crack Shack on the recommendation of a relative and we loved the restaurant. Open air restaurant with some wonderful chicken and a wide variety of drinks.

There were 2 great things about this place, John, our bartender, and the fried chicken! Atmosphere was great! Fries tasty but too greasy. This is a fun, friendly place!

The fried chicken, French fries and coop deville sandwich were delicious. It was a perfect place for lunch. The biscuits were great too! Highly recommend!

My buddy wanted to go here for dinner. Neat concept, and everything looked good on the menu. Sandwich, fries, and a beer were $25 with tip, which seemed a bit pricey. Restaurant has a fantastic ambience and setup, and even includes an area with games that will entertain all ages. My Senor Croque wasn't quite as awesome as I had hoped, but it was sure hot and fresh--it just didn't have the rich flavor I was expecting. Fries were good, but a bit greasy. I enjoyed all the different dipping sauces. Even though I was a little underwhelmed by the food, I would definitely go back and try again.

This place is so so good. Everything we had was phenomenal. You absolutely have to go here. It was the best food we ate in san diego. It was so good I'd come back just to eat here. That's a 10,800 mile round trip for chicken and chips . The chips .... well they are so good they leave me speechless.

Wife loved it, I thought it was soso. She really loved the chicken sandwich. I had regular fried chicken, which was also very good

Very niche with focus solely on chicken/ egg. It’s a complete home run in my family’s eyes. Wife enjoyed a bacon/avocado / egg BAE Sanny. I received a recommendation and had a the Coop Seville, daughter had the croque... fries were delicious. My 12 yr old is fussy eater and her sandwich minus the lettuce/ tomato and maple butter on side hit the spot for her... if she’s happy, I’m happy. Did I mention the fries? Awesome. Stubborn craft sodas were also a treat. I loved the pineapple cream soda. Highly recommend for a casual, counter style experience with 5 star flavors.

If you like chicken this is your place to visit. Menu is extensive with lots of chicken meals. Stand in line to order and send someone to the bar for drinks so you can get a place to sit as there is sometimes too many dinners and too few seats.

Went there after reading lots of good reviews and having heard that Richard Blais was behind it. We both wanted the fried chicken so we ordered a 10-piece fried chicken, an order of mini biscuits, and deviled eggs. The batter was flavorless with a hint of spice. I tried a leg, a thigh and breast. Tried was it, couldn't eat more than a couple bites of each. While the chicken itself want bad, it wasn't worth the price. I can buy free range organic chicken at Whole Foods and make much better fried chicken at home. The biscuits were doughy and undercooked. The deviled eggs were ok, but the bacon and French toast crumbles were just too much for it The cocktail I had was great and the only good part of the meal. Go to KFC for more flavor at half the price, or better yet go to a a more formal restaurant and order chicken there.

Para los amantes del pollo frito y los no tanto este restaurante es imprescindible. La comida es deliciosa, la ubicación en el vecindario es ideal, y el sabor y la calidad de la comida vale mucho la visita al lugar. Ordenamos 5 piezas, ensalada coleslaw, bisquets y papas a la francesa. Es simplemente delicioso. De nuestras mejores experiencias de comida en San Diego. / For lovers of fried chicken and those not so much this restaurant is a must. The food is delicious, the location in the neighborhood is ideal, and the taste and quality of the food is well worth the visit. We ordered 5 pieces, coleslaw salad, biscuits and French fries. It's just delicious. One of our best food experiences in San Diego.

This is the second time we’ve eaten here, the last time was at a different location, but this place is great no matter where you’re eating it. This location was awesome as long as you can find parking. It’s all outdoors with tons of seating and a space for the kids to run around. It is expensive though, it cost us about $60 for a family of 4. Everything we ate was so fresh and so tasty and I’d highly recommend adding on a side of mini biscuits, they’re AMAZING! Crack Shack-please add a biscuit sandwich to your menu!

Somebody told me the name of this place was based on the fact that once you had it, you would never be able to stop, in other words, it was so good it was addictive as crack. Well guess what, I'm going to be staying away from it as I've always stayed away from crack all my life. I thought it was expensive and very very average. Had the Mexican Fries, they were not that great, had some of the fried chicken too and wasn't too impressed. The place is nice to have a beer, and maybe, just maybe, the food might be good as bar food, but for an actual lunch, i'll pass.

Went here for the first time ever while visiting from the east coast. Amazing chicken! Service is prompt, lots of drink options, and very cool outdoor seating sections. Outdoor fireplaces, TVs to watch whatever games you want, and even some astroturf for lawn games! I would def go back here!

Crack shack was not a disappointment! We loved the chicken sandwich which was moist and flavorful with an amazing slaw I could eat all on its own. We had the salad which had arugula, chicken, quinoa and avocado which was very flavorful. The deviled eggs were scrumptuous- the flavors and texture were great! It’s an open air outside restaurant but they have heaters outside to make it comfortable. Looking forward to returning sometime.

We ordered the big flock-10 piece meal which came with a heap of breast nuggets, mini biscuits and fries. The chicken was really crisp, and the breading was light with a decent seasoning. Would have liked a bit more herbs or seasoning, to enhance the chicken flavor. The sauces did offer some interesting flavors to the chicken. That said, this was a very satisfying meal for our family of six. The chicken pieces are huge, like a thigh was so big we mistook it for a breast. The coleslaw is a spicy, sweet mix with the unexpected but enjoyed addition of pickle slices. The chocolate chip cookies have an element of salt which enhanced their gooey sweetness. So yummy. The miso-maple butter was amazing. It was perfect for the biscuits but seriously I would bathe in it and it would be awesome on any bread The fries were a bit soft and bland, but were probably the victim of takeout. The Senor Croque was delicious as was the Cali No Dip, but we dipped it in the spicy sauce and loved it. The senor croque had delicious and perfectly crisp bacon on top of a perfectly cooked fried chicken patty but the egg yolk had hardened by the time it was eaten. The drawbacks of take out, I suspect. It had the miso-maple butter on it so, of course, that set it off. Great sandwich. The Cali no dip was packed full of juicy chicken, guacamole and fries that made for an enjoyable mouthful. The sandwich was huge. I have to make one complaint because Richard Blais is making a huge mistake by not combining the best ingredients to make the perfect bite. The menu screams for a chicken and biscuit sandwich with that amazing butter. That is the bite that makes this a nationwide chain. Nonetheless, great food, amazing accoutrements, very good service makes this a must visit in San Diego. Definitely a memorable meal.

Recommended by a friend. Staff is very friendly and helpful. It's a bit of a wait to order but not too bad. Tried the fried chicken and fries. It's $16 for a 5 piece of fried chicken and $3 for regular fries. $8 for the beer. It's a great place to hang out with friends and have a drink. Chicken was ok but overdone. Flavor is just ok also. The fries are very good though

I always stop by when I’m in San Diego. I took a friend who hadn’t been before and the went back twice. Quality is consistent and has enough variety for almost everyone.

Crack Shack is a fun restaurant with great fried chicken. I had the senior Croque(fried breast, cheddar cheese, bacon and seasonings). It tasted delish and the strawberry milkshake hit the spot. The place is spacious with a bocce field, fireplace and bar. Note: I saw alot of military there(they offer a 10% discount to service members). The creative menu and excellent service by Randy and Nunzia combined with the lively, quirky environment makes a repeat visit de rigeur. I also had the 5 piece chicken and down dog hummus salad which rate 6 star if that were possible.

We had the 5 piece fried chicken and the coleslaw. We split one meal for lunch and had plenty to eat. Both the coleslaw and chicken were delicious. You order at the window and they deliver to your table. Very casual and children friendly

Well-organized, laid-back, on-point chicken shack. All outdoor seating with counter service. Cool cocktails, good beer list, and bocce. Choose from full fried chicken experience or sandwiches with funny names, don't miss the Mexican poutine! And then there is a sauce bar with 6 or eight delightful house sauces. Every fried chicken place should have a trough sink (outside the bathroom) for handwashing!

It was a decent meal but not overwhelmingly good. Like others we went because of hearing about it. I'm not one to give a good review just cause "it was on T.V." I had 5 pieces of chicken ($15) my husband a sandwich ($12) and an order of fries- extra cost.. Good quality but very pricey. For $15 one would think there would be some side-fries were delicious though. I say that as one who does not usually care that much about fries. Would we go back? eeeh maybe if we were in the area but there are other places to try so.... Will we recommend this to our friends- no. Truly Kentucky Fried is as good just a different recipe.. So save your money or have fun checking out a T.V. place. Staff clearing tables very nice. But it was very busy and there was only 1 register taking orders. Stood in line about 15 minutes. Pretty much mostly outside not too nice seating.

Went on a Sunday right before the dinner rush. Ordered a firebird and deviled eggs. Definitely enough for one person. Went to the bar to order a beer and found out you can order your your food there too. So if the line is long just go to the bar. Food was really tasty and filling.

Amazing taste and great chicken products. Their sauces and soda bar at a perfect compliment to a great meal. Plenty of portions. I can’t recommend the pineapple cream soda with all their chicken sandwiches

great place for a fast meal in a trendy setting with seating outside on wooden picnic tables...a full service bar attached also. one of the coolest thing about this restaurant (especially for airplane enthusiasts like me) is that you'll be able to see various planes fly over your head as they land at the San Diego airport nearby. great place for plane spotting. Now to the food...best fried chicken I ever had. tender pieces of chicken thigh with a flavorful, crispy crust. I had it on top of a bowl of jicama and tropical fruits...it was OK. my friend ordered his on a bed of slaw with arugula and cabbage with miso dressing...that was a perfect with the chicken. They also provided numerous sauces you could dip the chicken in. The sides were great also. Best fries...very crispy on the outside, full of flavor with just the right amount of grease...the way a good batch of fries should be. they also served deviled eggs...at a fast food place??? crazy, but good. typical deviled egg topped with a piece of bacon. I can't wait to go back and try the other interesting stuff on their menu.

Ate here 4 years ago and then this past week. Sandwiches are as good as I remembered. I took a friend and he went back with his friends. Full bar, good beer selections. I would recommend and I will return.

We got off the plane and went straight there! 10 min away from airport. Atmosphere is awesome! Outdoor open air bar. People watching the basketball game, businessmen getting some relaxation, and families sitting around fire pits eating. So far so good! We ordered the basket of chicken, fries and fun dipping sauces. The food is where it got average. The chicken was super joint but the flavor was quite bland. The dipping sauces were average. I was glad to have them to spice up the chicken a little. It was pricey for a basket of chicken, fries and two Shakes it was $65. It did feed my family of four. The fries were great. The shakes had real fruit! Two choices- strawberry cheesecake and Oreo. Neither tasted exactly as advertised. Would I go back. Sure, however am I compelled to return? Not so much. The atmosphere would pull me in.

This place was suggested to us by our hotel. When we arrived and seen the line, we anticipated that the chicken would be good, it was the most expensive fried chicken I have ever eaten. We ordered 5 pieces for $16.00, which was very disappointing, The menu was a la carte so order carefully because before you know it your lunch will be $40.00 for two people. The open air restaurant was not worth the money spent. Would not go back again. The price of your meal doesn’t fit the ambience.

My husband & I went while we were on vacation. He had a chicken sandwich, which he said was “ok” but nothing outstanding. I love fried chicken so I ordered the 5 pieces of fried chicken. It was way overdone and tasteless. Like other reviews, everything is a la cartel so you don’t get anything else unless you pay for it. And not much for side dishes. We had the French fries which were greasy. Chef Richard Blais, I suggest you quit being a judge on tv cooking shows and focus more on the quality of food at your restaurants.

Really enjoyed it; the Schmaltz Fries were maybe the best thing I ate while in town. They were so good, I ordered some on my last night in town. Really good Ranch, perfect for the fries. I am somewhat watching calories (ha!) so I was glad to get the chicken filet on its own, rather than a full sandwich. I will admit that the flavoring of the chicken was a little bit different than what I was expecting. Not bad. A bit spicy at times. But...like I said, there was a certain spice that I just wasn't quite expecting. I am sure the chicken is delicious in the context of a sandwich. It was cooked just right, juicy, not overcooked. Cookie was fine. Probably not worth the extra calories, but not terrible. Service was really good. I would describe the vibe as very hip, very trendy. A little too hip and trendy for square ol me, but the food totally justifies it. One interesting thing, and you may consider it a positive or a negative, but due to the location, you will catch numerous planes flying low overhead on their descent into the airport. I thought it was cool. So, I would and will definitely be back. It's too bad Crack Shack has only expanded throughout the West/Southwest. Would love to see a couple make it out more toward the Eastern side of the country!

Absolutely loved this place. I like it when it’s a straight forward menu. I highly recommend the fried chicken. It’s really good and they have a bunch of sauces to go with it. Their fries are also quite good. They’ve got a nice bar service and some good craft beers. I would also recommend not leaving before trying their chocolate chip cookies, which can be shared on for two or three people.

Also if you’re happy to sit at the bar you don’t need to wait on the que! So glad I asked! Water is free and beer is good! Definitely try this place

Chose this place based on it being labeled as family friendly and it looked like it had fun vibes with outdoor bar, cornhole, etc. It definitely lived up to all those expectations but unfortunately the food fell flat. The kids meals chicken tenders were extra breaded and overall bland with dry chicken meat. My kids tend to love any fried chicken put in front of them but both protested heavily. The fries were drenched in oil and super soggy. Again, hard to find fries my kids don’t like, but these were it. My husbands sandwich roll was stale. The side of “biscuits” were a huge disappointment and more of a peeled off of a frozen product that was doughy and undercooked. My salad was decent with freshly cut dark leafy green romaine and a lovely pickled onions. The cookies were warm baked and tasty. The staff aside from the person who took our order were unenthused and overall flat. The location had difficult parking as well but that could have been partially related to a nearby venue having a wedding or large event going on. It also has the added scenery of Boeing 747s landing every 5 minutes which emit a very loud sound and the aroma of jet fuel. Admittedly it is entertaining for the kids but just know it is under the flight path of San Diego airport This was our one shot at a nice dinner out and although it wasn’t a complete disaster it just didn’t feel like we got a quality meal with only the salad and cookies getting an okay grade.

Loved this spot! Fresh and airy atmosphere, great service and most importantly delicious chicken. I had a yummy bowl with chicken on top and it was amazing. A bit of a line up around lunch time and it's pretty pricey but worth it!

If you’re looking for a nice spot in little Italy this is definitely a good choice! Staff was super kind and food delicious! 100% recommended

Crispy chicken, but has a spicy kick. The coleslaw straight up is dill. Not what I expected. Go get a taco instead.

Nice spot, a little pricey but not bad. We ordered the senor croque, coop deville, Cali dip and grilled cheese kids meal. My kids didn’t really care for their meals but the first two sandwiches were great. Fries are yummy (sold separately so keep that in mind as well as drinks) I would recommend it as well as the pineapple cream soda. That drinks was everything!!!!

I had the firebird and my wife had the croque sandwich. Our sides were the fries and deviled eggs. Everything was delicious and the atmosphere was great.

Great food! Wonderful time!Such a nice place. But now I regret that I started this process because you want me to right one hundred words and it is insane.

Went here while visiting friends in San Diego none of them had been before as it was a kinda new restuaurant we gave it a try. Not impressed patio doors were open and pigeons were wandering about the restuarant floor and one landed on a table. Staff never seemed too bothered about them. Food was just ok a milk shake cost $7 had better meal at McDonalds

This place has a cool name and a famous chef associated with it. Very cool atmosphere and very friendly staff. However, the food fails in comparison to the other things going on at the restaurant. The food is alright but not out of the ordinary. The chicken didn’t have a unique or amazing flavor. The Firebird is an ordinary chicken sandwich. The best foods item we had was definitely the French fries, they were delicious! Other than that the food is only ok when you expect it to be something very special. Thank goodness for the workers and atmosphere who make up for the food!

Great place to enjoy the taste of delicious fried chicken with a modern twist. Great sandwiches, and so yummy minnie biscuits that you will eat too many. Also Loved the fun, casual outdoor atmosphere!

Honestly, some Of the best chicken sandwiches we have ever had. Fun place with amazing food. The Firebird was FIRE! The fries are crispy too. We did not have a shake, but they looked amazing! We went twice in 3 days - and not because we didn’t have options! We all just wanted it again - badly! Yummmm

Complete meal was good poutine was the best out of are whole meal sadly the chicken was a bit bland and dry We had better chicken at another place in Los Angeles and half the price for the meal

The line may look long but service is quick. Seating is under cover outdoors or take out. Menu is all chicken, from grilled to fried. From sandwiches to healthy eating. Great lunch or dinner place for casual dining!

Not your Mom's Matza Ball Soup but oh soooooo delicious! Deviled eggs were FABULOUS too. Definitely worth the trip to Little Italy. Thank you Chef Blaise.

Everyone moaning and groaning about which fast food spicy chicken sandwich is the best..the Firebird is in a league of it's own. Pair it with some miso-maple biscuits and I'd eat here several times a week. Everyone has always been super friendly, and the food never disappoints. We are to the point that when we visit San Diego we always go (and bring friends) and when we know people are going to visit we recommend it. We discovered CS on a trip when we went to Juniper & Ivy and haven't regretted it since!

We took a day trip and decided to try The Crack Shack for lunch. The lines at night can be long but at 1:00 in the afternoon no problem. I had the Coop DeVille sandwich and my wife had the AntiSalad Power Bowl. Lots of food with a spicy kick. Seating is outside in the patio. The food was good but for us this is not a repeat.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting when our group made our way here for lunch. It was obvious chicken was going to be involved, but I didn't have great expectations, after all it's just chicken. I am happy to report that at The Crack Shack, it isn't "just chicken". Certainly the menu is composed of various chicken dishes, but the sheer variety is intriguing and a bit frustrating when trying to make a decision. I finally settled on the Double Clucker and was happy with my choice, though I was sorely tempted by the Firebird, as I'm a fan of spicy. A colleague went with that and said while it was spicy, it was not the heat he was expecting, so I'm not overly saddened by my selection. Our entire group took advantage of the variety and I there was very little overlap in our selections and in the end we all left impressed and happy with our lunch choice for the day.

Overall this was a good place to eat. The routine is to first find a table. Next order your food and drinks at the kerbside window and take an order stick that sits on your table. Sit at table and wait for food. Although there was a queue for ordering the meal was soon delivered to our table. There was an issue with one meal but this was quickly and efficiently dealt with by the manager. The place was busy but had a good vibe. One annoying thing was the restricted space between the soda machines and the sauce dispensers. This is where everyone has to pass through so it has become a bottleneck. I think the layout could be changed for the better. The other thing which newcomers to this part of town may not like is the noise of the planes landing. They are very low and very noisy. Of course this is the same for all restaurants in the area and with all noise pollution people get used to it. I would not mark the venue down for this as they have no control over it. On summary fast quality dining at a reasonable price for the area.

Chicken - Simple, crunchy and seasoned just right. With a cold beer just the tix. Walk 2 blocks from the waterfront and enjoy. Servers were great.

It was so good, we had to leave a review. Recommended by our hotel staff and it was only a 2 blocks walk away. Their cole slaw, fries and sauces were the bomb to compliment that crunchy, tasty, fried chicken. Next time we visit SD, we're absolutely going back to the Crack Shack.

I had dinner at Juniper & Ivy last night (same owner) which was amazing and I’m so glad I came here also. It was excellent. I had the Senor Croque sandwich and it was delicious. Small fries plus they have about 5 dipping sauces which are probably for the chicken nuggets or fried chicken but I tried them out with my fries. Definitely check out this place when in San Diego!!

QUICKIE REVIEW Worth at least one visit; after that, it is your call. FOOD Here is what I got: -5 piece chicken- the portion size on this was very generous. I have to say it was quite moist and fried just right. I was unable to eat everything in one sitting. -mini biscuits - nice and soft. I know quite a few people who are big fans of this place but I cannot say I am one. I was expecting the chicken to have a bit more flavor compared to what it did although the portions were big. In this instance, I felt quantity in size was covering up for quality in taste. The biscuits were soft but the maple butter wasn't as sweet as I would have liked it to be. Had it later on at the house with a dab of honey and that did the trick. PARKING This one is not good due to location. It is across the street and one block down from Little Italy and Ballast Point, which contributes to the parking problem. If you have time, you can drive around until you find street parking, it's free. I would say your best bet is taking the valet service right next to Crack Shack (it is to the left of it), which gives you 3 hours for $5. It is a steal. I do not know if the prices changes at night but that is what it was during the daytime. SERVICE & DÉCOR They got it right on this one. Ordering is just like Panera. You order at the window, take a number, and your food is delivered to you. Staff checked on us periodically to make sure we were good although and was kind enough to get us to go boxes when we were done. The layout is all outside and is great for a sunny San Diego day. If there is inclement weather outside, this isn't going to work. However, the atmosphere being outside is super festive, which adds to the experience. PRICE 5 piece chicken, mini biscuits, and a beer = $26. That was for one person. TIP Dipping sauces were great! Sauces are located at the entrance to the patio. Try an array of sauces to see what matches your chicken best. After you got the pair, refill and enjoy.

Just a revisit! Met a couple, amazing people 🤗, on Carnival Miracle cruise and hope they have the opportunity to visit as well! This place is absolutely incredible! Located near Little Italy and the airport! Great fun, people, outside area always fun around Christmas time for sure! The matzoh ball soup is absolutely incredible as well as the array of sauces, deviled eggs, OK everything on the menu!

I had the Firebird sandwich. This place is known for its fried chicken and it certainly did not disappoint. The chicken was crispy without being oily. Pretty good selection of craft beers on the menu too.

Since I was in the area and needed lunch, decided to try the Crack Shack. I love fried chicken, so this seemed like a perfect fit. I can tell this establishment tries to draw from local producers and offers a novel and healthy(er) alternative to chain restaurants, so kudos for that. There is a very cool vibe here. I ordered the 5 piece deal. Decent price but I will have to say that I was not impressed with the chicken. Though it’s nice and crispy, I felt that it could have been cooked more. I found it very chewy. And , there was a noticeable lack of flavor. Is that why they offer so many different sauces? I’m sure there are many that absolutely love what this little restaurant offers, but for me, it was disappointing. Next time I am in the area I may try it again, just in case it was an off day. 🙂

This place is super popular and Michelin rated but I’m not sure why? Maybe I didn’t order the right items, but I did try it twice because I was staying nearby. Menu is different, I’ll give it that. The outside seating is nice and it has a grab and go atmosphere. Short menu. Good for kids.

Stopped by for lunch while visiting little Italy. The service and food were both average in our opinion.

Jesus the food here is delicious! Ordered a smorgasbord of items and they are pretty spot on at this place. Surprisingly vegetarian friendly and so many other options besides chicken. Biscuits, sandwiches, bowls were all 10/10. Loved the outdoor, casual appeal of the restaurant. Open bar, self serve water, games for the kids and lots of seating for all party sizes. It's quick and easy - order at the counter and it's done. Perfect for work lunch or a pit stop before going somewhere. I've come to the conclusion, everything Chef Richard Blais touches is fantastic. Fresh, delicious ingredients, good value for money, family friendly and an awesome cocktail list.

Kind of a cool little joint! The ordering and the seating are all outdoor, but a fun atmosphere. The chicken is terrific with some unique dishes. I heard that there were always huge lines, but we were there on a Thursday at about 5:30PM and it wasn't crowded. The planes flying over are so close you feel like you could reach out and touch them...which could be a good or bad thing depending on your mood. We found it to be a fun experience. So bottom line - great chicken and a super casual outdoor atmosphere.

This is a great concept. We enjoyed the outdoor seating and great service. The mini biscuits, French fries, and dipping sauces were very good. We especially like the seasoning on the fries. But the chicken was greasy and a little bland. We think it is because we ordered the honey flavor toss chicken. Next time we are going to ask regular fried chicken with the same seasoning as the fries. Five stars for biscuits and fries! Three for the chicken 🙁

Good food, great shade, the only downfall was getting put sauces and drinks for the price my husband paid for which takes away from enjoying the food and the experience.

The Crack Shack is a nice casual outdoor chicken sandwich joint located in the city of San Diego... Service and Dining area: You place your order with a cashier, they give you a number tag for your table and you seat yourself. It's all outdoor seating with wooden tables and chairs built to that "shack" type of vibe. They also have a full service bar should you need to grab more cocktails/beer once seated. We stopped by during lunch on a business Saturday and the kitchen and staff moved with a sense of urgency. Double Clucker Sandwich: two ground chicken patties, cheddar, bacon, fried onions, romane, guace pickles. This is tasty stacked up sandwich that I was feeling because I was hungry af. The Double Clucker did good as the ingredients were very fresh. Mexican Poutine: Fries, Pollo asado, pico cilantro, jalapeno and the best ingredient...Cheese Wiz!!! This large dish of fries was shared between 3 of us and we had plenty. God bless if you can take this down solo because this is a hearty serving! Overall, we enjoyed our visit to The Crack Shack. It's a great place to grab a tasty chicken sandwich while exploring San Diego. Cheers!

We stopped here to pick-up some dinner to bring to some friends we were visiting in San Diego. The chicken is good. Did I exclaim "that was the best fried chicken ever!" after eating it, no, but I thought it was pretty finger-licking good. The sauces are a nice touch and the sides are very tasty. What I loved most was that I ordered online and picked it up in a nicely packaged box and it was super easy. It can be a challenge bringing enough food to feed a group of people and this was just the ticket. They even have pre-configured family meals to make it simple.

Really good chicken sandwich…I had the Diablo and perfect heat. Okay biscuits. Hipster hangout but noise isn’t too bad. Try for late or early hours to avoid the lines. Seems Ike only outdoor seating but plenty of heat lamps. Oh yeah, I’ll return.

Fantastic restaurant, wish there was one near me! The set up of the restaurant was amazing - large outdoor seating area, full bar, and corn hole course. Had a great vibe and felt like a truly local place. I had the seasonal chicken sandwich which was amazing - baguette, chicken, arugula, parmesan, pistachio relish, and garlic aioli on a baguette. The fries had great flavor but were a bit overdone in my opinion. Liked it so much ended up coming back again and ordering the same thing!

Yum. The bowl I had was delicious (added chicken, of course); the couple fries I swiped from my kid were, too! Bathroom wallpaper was entertaining - their comical (undeserved) 1-star reviews. Hip bar vibe but family-friendly (at least at 7pm-ish). Prepare to pay for parking or walk a bit.

Very creative, though casual menu emphasizing fried chicken and similar dishes served in an outdoor atmosphere. Also has a full bar for drinks. Counter service with plates brought to your table. Excellent across the board.

Read about this place on thrillist.com and knew that I had to try it out. One evening after a long day of studying, i suggested to friends that we meet up at this place. Everyone was stoked and we all tried different foods for the table to sample. I LOVED everything but the firebird has the best balance of flavor that I have experienced on a piece of chicken. Coming from a girl from TX is definitely a statement! The only downside was the entire space is open air which at 8 pm was quite chilly. There are heaters and a fireplace but it didn’t block out the breeze from the water. Great spot for street parking. Definitely will be back.

I had the Barbie q sandwich and though it was messy it was delicious! The deviled eggs were out of this world too. Highly recommended it all. Ambience was kitschy but fun, lived the fire features.

Excellent food and fun atmosphere. My teenage son said his entire paradigm of chicken sandwiches has been upended by Crack Shack. We both had Senor Croque, shared fries, and had soda to drink. Sauces for fries were tasty, and we appreciate a unique approach to the drinks available. I’d go back again if it were anywhere near us in Georgia!

A definite place to tag when visiting San Diego this is a great place for lunch. The firebird sandwich is very tasty as well as the ahi salad.

This place is awesome with lots of different chicken options and attentive staff. They also had fun sauce and soda options and great outdoor seating.

I was really excited to try this place! As a fan of Top Chef, I had high expectations!! However, the food did not live up to the hype. We ordered chicken, fries, and the Firebird sandwich. If you go to Instagram, it is all about the chicken and the Firebird. So naturally we ordered both. The sandwich was spicy but it wasn’t robust in flavor. For me, the chicken needed more flavor intensity. The fries were awesome!! I would come back for the fries (yummo!), not the chicken. The food looked insta-worthy (as seen in my photos). The atmo is awesome!! I loved the vibe and service was great!! I’m from Texas, so I love fried chicken!! After a couple bites, I was like...meh. Give me Babe’s any day!!!! Maybe the flavor profile is different here in SD? There was a constant line to order while we were there, so people here seem to like it. Honestly, the chicken kind of reminded me of KFC, but I like Kentucky’s better. Lol, if you make it Texas and want to try some fried chicken, give Babe’s a try! Compare and see what you think!

The Crack Shack was referred to us by a friend that had lived in San Diego and they were right on. Its the best. Our family went for lunch and order the Firebird, Senor Croque, the 10 piece chicken and the Mexican Poutine. All the different sauce choices for the chicken were great. The outdoor dining was perfect and the service was quick. We would all definitely visit again next time we are in town.

My sister and I enjoyed a very filling lunch at the Crack Shack. The location is pretty convenient since it’s right off of Little Italy. It’s pretty clean and spacious. Lots of seating but can be hot since its all outdoors. The staff were friendly. They have a bar, which is pretty typical of SD. I ordered the spicy fried chicken sandwich and fries. Both were tasty but I did like the fries more. My sister ordered a protein bowl with quinoa and chicken. She really enjoyed the flavors of that meal. The deviled eggs were just okay. I also like that they have an eclectic selection of sauces for their chicken. This was a nice restaurant for kids and adults alike.

Amazing and very different from any other regular sandwich and burger place. Crack Shack's USP is their locally raised, free range, antibiotic-free chicken and original recipes. The menu is mostly chicken and egg based with a range of chicken sandwiches, fried chicken, bowls, etc. We ordered the Señor Croque (crispy chicken, bacon, fried egg, cheddar, maple butter and brioche); Malibu Barbie Q (bbq thigh, onion ring, smokey bacon, pineapple mustard, potato roll); fried chicken (great dips); fries; and Mexican Poutine, and they were all outstanding in taste and quantity. There is full bar with craft beer and craft cocktails. You first order and pay at a window then find a table in the large outdoor patio area which also has the bar, soda machines and some lawn games, with a giant white chicken standing guard. Service is quick and with a cheery smile. Modern and hip ambience.

We decided to check this place out and as our Uber arrived, we could see the line of people around the corner. We watched for a second and it appears to be moving, so we decided to jump in and see how it went. We waited a while...thought about bailing, but we were hungry and had donated the time already so we stayed. Once we ordered, the food came out pretty quickly. The carne asada fries were delicious! We were there around 2PM, so no clue what the lines are like closer to lunch or dinner.

The concept is fun and unique: lots of options but only two for the fried chicken (a five- or ten-piece), so you need to share. The choices for sides are plentiful, and if you'd rather have something other than fried chicken, there are options for you, too. The chicken was delicious -- crispy, not greasy, and though we felt it was a bit underseasoned, we realized that this helped the various sauces shine through better. The vibe is cool -- casual, friendly, and very "soCal". The service was quick and efficient. I'd come back here over and over again!

Loved this place. sitting outside eating chicken burgers at night. Good value, nice food, really lovely vibe on a warm evening. Felt like somewhere locals go, not just tourists

The customer service is Excellent and the food is Great!! First time visiting San Diego and this was the first place we chose to eat and it was definitely a good choice.

What a great place with wonderful food! The fries were the best ever! I had the Anti-Salad which was delicious! Chicken Chili Verde with quinoa, eggs, avocado,and greens. There chicken sandwiches are the best. Great location and atmosphere.

So if you visit one restaurant TWICE in less than 24 hrs while on a business trip, then it definitely warrants a 5 star review and you know I think it is so freaking good! Everything I tried was exceptional. Frankly, I thought the fried chicken was the best I’ve ever had. And that’s saying something. The chicken is moist, well seasoned with something delicious and a hint of tingly heat on my tongue ever so slight. The batter was crunchy and simply sublime. Order the 5 piece all to yourself. You’ll be glad you did! The slaw was so dang good I also ordered it twice. Loved the Napa cabbage and Fresno peppers making it unique. Schmaltz fries were very good but not anything spectacular. Also making my best ever list (don’t tell my wife) were the deviled eggs! So creamy and flavor packed! Yums! The Coop Deville was very good and I had a very tough choice choosing but since I loved the slaw so much I went this route. Not disappointed in any way. The atmosphere of the Kettner location is a cool, laid back walk up space. Outdoor bar and fireplace compliment the bocce ball court. It’s also fun to watch the jets fly overhead as they land at the San Diego airport. I recommended the restaurant to anyone that would listen at my business meeting and promptly asked the Uber driver to drop me back off at Crack Shack for lunch before my flight home. Please Richard Blais, I need a Crack Shack in Dallas Texas!!

Went there on vacation, kinda noisy right in the flight path but who cares. Schmaltz fries were the best I’ve ever had, stayed crispy until they were gone. Oysters were crunchy and juicy and delicious. Bar had a good selection of beer. As long as you’re not allergic to hipster douchebags you’ll love it

Stopped in for a fried chicken sandwich. It was the best chicken sandwich I've ever eaten. All seating is outdoors which normally isn't an issue in California. I was there on an unusually cold day but the heaters were keeping the dining space comfortable. Great lunch or dinner option if you like fried chicken. They have a nice variety of sauces too.

This was actually an Uber eats order, so I can’t speak on the ambience or the service. But dang the food was GOOD. No one tell me how many calories I just ate lol. I got the firebird sandwich with definitely has a kick to it, along with the fries and deviled eggs. Let me tell you, even if you don’t let deveined eggs, these are worth it! I’ll be eating here again in the future.

Ate here for lunch twice in the last 3 days. Had the 5 piece and then the Coop Deville sandwich both with fries. The chicken here is amazing.....crip on the outside and juicy and moist inside. The fries are incredible. They also have a nice selection of beers and a full bar. If you are craving fried chicken as I frequently do, this is the place to go. Casual picnic table setting. Please Crack Shack, open in the San Francisco area.

We ate here on our first day on the recommendation of the hotel. We waited in line for 15 minutes or so to place our order. We both ordered chicken sandwiches and no substitutions are allowed. My sandwich had an egg on it that was barely cooked. It was fine but it would have been better plain. The French fries were good and the portions were big. We did like the stubborn soda on tap. If you go order the plain fried chicken.

The firebird sandwich was AMAZING..... we absolutely loved it! The cookie monster shake is a must. My kids enjoyed it as well which is always a bonus.