We've been fans since they first opened on Calle Amanecer and were ecstatic to learn they were opening a new location just down the street from us. Came in this Saturday night for their grand opening and had a wonderful experience. No opening snafus, food & service was great ( Bree our server was awesome.) Can't wait to come back for more and now we can bring our kids! read more

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Delicious food and friendly service. The atmosphere and decor in the restaurant is great and I love the big open window behind the bar.

We've been here several times and everything is great! However they have my favorite salad and fries in South OC! If you haven't been I highly recommend! read more

Drift Distillery - Fries with BBQ sauce and Ranch - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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This place rocks - great service ( Joey) - the atmosphere is relaxing. The food - ROCKSTAR !!!! Try the smoked brisket burger- my husband Ed it. I had tri tip sandwich - so moist - best tri tip I ever had. We will definitely be back. read more

I have been coming here for their drinks and Smoked tri-tip sandwiches with extra horseradish sauce. I couldn't count the number of times I have had this dish here and every time it had been delicious, satisfying, and well-priced. This past week we ended up coming here around noon and found out they now do a brunch menu. It has been a few days since we tried it and we have already been here twice. I knew with the heart that goes into their regular menu, that I could expect nothing but the best. They didn't disappoint, their Monte Cristo is the best I have ever had. Today, I had the Avocado Toast with a side of bacon and it was delicious. I will probably be hooked on eating this for a while. It is one of the tastiest toasts I have had and this is even comparing it to fancy cafes with elaborate prices. The dish alone goes for $13 and if I could eat two I would just because of how much I enjoy every bite. There's this saying from one of the characters from the Demon Slayer anime show where the character is at a noodle shop and all you hear him say through the restaurant is "TASTE!!!". I find myself saying the same quote while enjoying the food here...TASTE!! %. read more

Loved the atmosphere, service, food, drinks!! We had ribs, tritip sandwich and wedge salad. All so good. read more

This restaurant is located in the heart of San Clemente. We tried the restaurant on a Sunday for lunch. It has an open setup offering booths or bar seating. We started with the Tomahawk Fingers which are black opal Wagyu beef in hose spiced rub with whiskey bbq sauce. They were excellent. We split a, not a house salad with blue cheese dressing. It was fine. We split the lunch special which was a smoked turkey breast sandwich. My wife liked it. I did not. I thought it had a gross almost chemical taste. Yuck. The waiter was a polite, attentive young man. Not hurrying back. read more

My kids absolutely love this place and always choose it over anywhere else in town! The service is amazing--Julie was especially sweet and friendly. The tri-tip and ribs are my favorites so far. You won't be disappointed! read more

First time here and it was amazing! The brisket and ribs were very tender and had great flavor! Our server was very attentive and helpful! We will be back for sure!! read more

It's very difficult to get a table at the small, new restaurant in downtown San Clemente called Drift (use OpenTable, preferably days in advance) and after the first visit you will understand why. This family owned restaurant distills their own whiskey, bourbon and gin, offers amazing smoked meats and has the kind of relaxed vibe that successful San Clemente restaurants specialize in with great service and a diverse menu that has something for everyone. Our party of three on our first visit sampled pulled pork and that smoked brisket with the stunning pink smoke ring in both sandwiches and the loaded tater tots platter and walked away vowing to return, if only for the smoked duck spring roll appetizer or those kitchen sink beans ($8 as a side) that use all three of the barbecued proteins (chicken is the other one). There is also a whiskey sampler that we will be trying on future visits. They do simple things such as putting a solid, simple cheese sauce underneath those tater tots and top them with sliced red and jalapeno peppers. The funniest name for a signature mixed drink is "Where's my Two Year Old?" There is a small bar and live entertainment on the weekends, but anytime is a good time to drift into Drift. read more

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There food is awesome. Tonight was our fifth time here on a Friday night. But tonight the band was so loud, the table was vibrating. You couldn't even think straight. The table next to us were even plugging their ears. We complained and they did turn it down but by that time it was too late. Had huge headache and we stopped after appetizers and went to a place down the street. It was really too bad. We really do love this place and the food is excellent. I appreciate the music but they have to realize it is still a place to have a good dinner. We aren't there for a concert or dancing. If it was not for the sound,it would always be a close 5 star. Sorry guys. My recommendation would be to not go there on a Friday night. read more

We absolutely loved our visit to Drift! The ambiance is cool, coastal, and effortlessly inviting--think industrial chic meets SoCal chill. I ordered the mule cocktail, and it was hands-down one of the best I've had--super refreshing, perfectly balanced, and served with flair. And my husband is still talking about the wings. Crispy, flavorful, and just the right amount of heat--he called them "elite-level bar food," which is high praise coming from him! Great service too!! The drink menu is clever and creative, the food is way better than you'd expect at a distillery, and the overall vibe makes it a spot we'll definitely return to. A total win for date night or just hanging with friends in San Clemente! read more

We came in for just a happy hour drink and snack and wished we had a bigger appetite because everything sounded delicious! We got the loaded tater tots which were WONDERFUL! Drinks were just as delicious as well! read more

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The happy hour menu has good selection of savory dishes with reasonable prices. The liquor which is distilled at place is very good and priced right. I recommend this place. read more

The Drift is INCREDIBLE! Highly recommend coming here for lunch, dinner or just to sit and sip and snack. The owners are salt of the earth. The service is perfect. The food is SO good, and I am finicky. I am now a regular!!! read more

We went on a Tuesday night (perfect time to go) We were very well taken care of by our waitress. The food was Amazing! We've been looking for a good bbq place locally...This is it! We will be frequenting this restaurant in the near future! read more

Drift Distillery - TOMAHAWK FINGERS - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Had a GREAT time ! The meat was delicious, but my only suggestion would be to offer a variety of BBQ Sauces.

Finally tried Drift last week and couldn't be more pleased with our experience. The brisket sandwich was tasty and juicy. The cocktails were good and our waitress was amazing. She was friendly, answered our questions and was attentive. We're definitely going back. read more

Ok, I have always loved Drift! Love the owners and have always loved the drinks and food! Their new spot is really a great location and looks awesome! I was really bummed today because our food was no where near as good as in the past! Could have been an off day but they changed up the menu some! I would really love for you guys to bring back your old arugula salad! The new one is not as good! I used to come in Just for that with the pulled pork but the salad today wouldn't make me want to come back and the pork was not as good as normal! I'm only sharing in hopes maybe you will bring back some of how you used to do things! Please bring back my fave salad! We aren't going to let today keep us away. We are loyal customers and really like the owners! Service was great and friendly! Drinks are still awesome! The menu is more extensive so that is fun and gives lots of options! read more

My wife and I have been Drift fans for a few years now, so we didn't hesitate to invite two couples from out of town to join us for an early lunch yesterday; between the six of us, we had beer, wine and cocktails along with Tomahawk Fingers and Kansas City Twinkies for appetizers. Entrees, any one of which could easily serve two, were a Pork Quesadilla, two Brisket Smashburgers, two Cuban sandwiches, Cheesy Tater Tots, fries and slaw. As expected, everything was 100% excellent, including the service by Fernando, whiskey tasting and the usual "insider" chat with Ryan. We of course knew how good it would all be, and our friends left full, happy and very impressed with the whole experience...of course we'll be back! One request, though: PLEASE make bigger batches of your Agave distillate! read more

Great atmosphere! Beautiful remodel . Ask for the bartender Jon michael. Some wonderful Craft cocktails like the "pain killer" made with rum. Will return read more

Drift Distillery - Drinks - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Food, service, and atmosphere were great. With so many of the same types of restaurants, this distillery with food is a refreshing option. We had a gin drink, Brussels sprouts, smoked fried chicken sandwich, and the pulled pork sandwich. So tasty and filling. Will definitely be back. Our server was friendly and helpful. read more

Felt like barbecue while camping at San Clemente State Park. But didn't want to wait in line at Heritage in San Juan Capistrano. So after a Yelp search found Drift Distillery in San Clemente. What a sweet find! Drift is a small batch distillery which sources their wheat directly from their own Kansas farm. The cocktails we experienced were delicious: The Whiskey Ginger and The rum pineapple and coconut cream pain killer. All of their spirits are distilled in house. Their whiskeys, in particular, are amazing. This distillery just bottled a five year aged whiskey that was so smooth, strong, and delicious. Drift also specializes in barbecue for eats. We ordered up a combo plate with baby back ribs and brisket. This came with sides of choice including Cheesy Potatoes and Mac N Cheese. Also ordered was a brisket arugula salad. Accompanying the barbecue was a house made sweet whiskey-molasses sauce. Everything was beyond tasty. Nothing disappointed. This place is off the beaten track tucked away in a business center. But it's just a short drive from the beach and the 5 freeway. Worth a stop for lunch or dinner if driving between LA and San Diego. And if you are living or beaching in the area, hit this place up. We will return. read more

Drift Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

Super Cool country vibe with great bbq and whiskey. Bartender Emigdio is the man and pours a beautiful drink. Really great south OC Country vibe. Highly recommend. read more

The food was incredible ! Everything we had was delicious the tatter tot nachos and the strawberry salad - not to mention the brownie Sunday desert. All the sauces hit the spot. Will definitely be back. Great value for price point as well :) read more

I've been a customer of Drift from their earliest days. And in that time, the owners Ryan and Lesli, have always been customer-centric and have a wonderful concept of blending their familial roots in Kansas with the local San Clemente culture. Their cocktail list is a virtual greatest hits of craft cocktails, made from their own premium spirits including Vodka, Gin, Whiskey (wheat, aged and unaged, bourbon), Rum and their special agave-infused liqueur. My favorite food menu item is the Cuban sandwich, which is hands-down the best in town. I also love their "Not a house salad"...salad, which is always fresh and loaded with crispy bacon...and be sure to add their chicken. If you're looking for a fun night out, or a quick drink and bite here in San Clemente, Drift is definately a place you should consider. And now with the new and more roomy location on Camino Real, I expect the atmosphere at Drift will be ramped up significantly, so you'll definately want to be part of the action! read more

My husband and I came here for dinner over the weekend and we had a great experience. The food was really good. I definitely recommend trying the tomahawk fingers. They were absolutely delicious. The restaurant had a fun vibe with blues live music and our server of Fernando went above and beyond, he was so pleasant, welcoming did not make us feel rushed at all. He wanted us to stay and enjoy the music. Fernando made great recommendations for our date night. We will definitely be coming back. read more

The pork lollipops appetizer was 5/5. The smash burger was 4/5. The fries were small/skinny & cold when we got them. The tri tip sandwich was 3.8/5, meat had little flavor & bread was soggy. We got there at 6pm & there was 6 employees standing around and we didn't get our entrees until 7:05pm, there were 2 other tables with customers in the restaurant. They charged $3 for a coke refill and didn't tell us there was a charge for that. I won't be returning for the wait time alone for my entree. read more

Amazing food and service. Atmosphere was awesome, perfect for a date night or just to grab a quick bite. We had the brisket, octopus and macaroni. Although the flavor was incredible on the brisket and barbecue sauce, it was on the dryer side. Other than that everything was perfect. Presentation is on point. Would return read more

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Management and owners extremely smug and rude. Very bad attitude, and did not like the way we were treated. Do NOT recommend if you value customer service. read more

My new go to place for fried chicken sandwich. It was juicy crispy and just the right mix of spice and tang without being over sauced. The coleslaw and pickles were the perfect match adding a bit of acidity. Went w the fries which were hot and also amazing. Will be coming back. My wife had the KC Twinkies and those were also a hit. Couple of well made cocktails finished a great meal. The place is awesome as well with nice comfortable booths and a great vibe. read more

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Food was great drinks were great service was great, but at an establishment this expensive and high end it's pretty tacky that they charge for ranch read more

Went to this quaint distillery in San Clemente over the weekend. Absolutely amazing! This is a very small, family owned distillery that has been around for years. Mainly offer whiskey and some rum. There is a little kitchen in the back that allows you to order food. The lady who worked at the bar was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. The place wasn't busy on a Saturday afternoon but it was steady. They are about to open a bigger one on the Main Street towards the end of the year, hopefully they will get more foot traffic! We love to support local businesses and this one is definitely a local gem. Can't wait to visit them at the new location soon! read more

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I would never eat at this restaurant ever again. I did realize it was a smokehouse and I don't eat smoked food, but they did have some salads on the menu. The waiter said that the chicken was mildly smoked and had a light smokey taste. I was unable to eat the chicken so I just ate the salad. The cocktails were awful. I ordered a Margarita and a Mint Julep and they tasted like water. The waiter knew I disliked the Margarita, and knew I didn't eat any of the chicken, but never said a word and did not take at least the cocktail off of the bill. Total waster of money to go there. read more

Drift is a tough one for me to review. Their whiskeys are decent, agave liquor is not my favorite, but their gin. I don't like gin, but I like theirs, which makes little sense but if anything, a testament to their distilling. Personally, I think their food shines a little bit brighter. For BBQ, the price is reasonable, the flavor is decent, but the best thing they've got are their tater tots. Whoever is working that fryer is crushing it. read more

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Best service ever, amazing food even better ambiance. Always come to watch the game here ever week.

Great bbq! Loved this place. Will be back again soon. I ordered the brisket sandwich

Fist time to Drift, I got the tri-tip sandwich. It was amazing. The dipping sauce provided with it is excellent and it comes with a salad or fries. The spirits are clean and the flavors in their drinks really stand out. The service was really good, we were greeted by the staff promptly and the drinks and food came out pretty fast. The ambiance is super cool making you feel like you're on a ranch with a modern twist. I like plaid a lot and I could not stop staring at their seats lol. The whole experience was amazing and I definitely will be back to try the next item on the menu. Oh yea the Banana Pudding ... mmmmmm so good!! read more

Drift Distillery - Banana Pudding w ice cream and some Drift gifts. - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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My wife and I love Drift. We've been numerous times since it opened and haven't had a bad meal any of the times. All of the sandwiches (especially the tri tip) , as well as the fries are incredibly good. Wait staff are very nice and friendly! And the place looks awesome inside. The food can take a little bit of time to get, but I'll assume that's because they are preparing it perfectly (hence why it tastes so good). Have brought all our visitors here each time we have a new one and they've all love it as well. read more

The food was very good and drinks. However the service was not good. The waiter we had seem very confused and not sure where he was. Everytime we would glance over he was at the bar chatting with the bartender. Another waitress seemed to notice how he wasn't helping us and got our drink order right away. She was at the hostess's stand and I'm not sure what her name was but she was much better than him at serving us. read more