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    Surf Up Chicken

    4.8 (205 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 3:00 pm

    Order Surf Up Chicken Takeout or Delivery

    Surf Up Chicken Photos

    Business Info

    SURF UP CHICKEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Surf Up Chicken

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    Leo P.

    Crispy, juicy chicken, love all the sauces to choose from. Broccoli was seasoned nicely and the price was nice! Also love that it has some religious roots to them. Quick service and welcoming atmosphere. Will definitely come here again!

    Yadi E.

    5/5 chicken, service, and experience. The best fried chicken I have had in a while! Plus the variety of sauces really made the experience even more enjoyable. Seating & hours are limited as of now. Hopefully they can expand in the future!

    CRISPY SHIRMP & CHICKEN (Surf & Bird) and GRASS JELLY
    Klariza F.

    I came here as soon as they opened! I was pretty hungry. I ordered crispy chicken and shrimp with grass jelly. They changed their menu. I miss the tacos and salad. I need to try the wrap next time. Their sauces are the best! I liked the green one for the chicken and the Nashville hot for the shrimp. I've never had the jelly before and it was pretty great dessert! It was so fun to jiggle it and eat it. It was so soft. I like the cream/milk that comes with it. It's a very light taste and it's not super sweet. The service is always good and it was pretty empty when I came so it was comfortable. It does get pretty busy during lunch.

    Combo 2 - crispy chicken, fries, toast
    Don B.

    Surf Up Chicken in Carlsbad is a great lunch spot offering Fried Chicken in nugget or patty form. Very reasonable prices for combos and a la carte items. Seasoning on the crispy chicken is akin to pepper salt or chinese five spice. Great flavor on the crispy chicken but was a little salty for my taste. Fries were a great side item as well as the texas toast. The sauces are great with my favorite being the yum yum sauce for the chicken. Service was great and the wait was minimal. A great tiny shop located in a business park, all the tables inside and outsite were full during this lunch time visit. Would definitely love to visit again and try their other menu items.

    The BEST Fries in the area! Seriously!
    Richard T.

    "I gave my love a cherry that has no stone. I gave my love a chicken that has no bone..." Bonus points if you know which classic film that line is from (no googling allowed). Now, where do I begin with Surf Up Chicken in Carlsbad? This place has quietly become one of my go-to spots for a weekly meal that hits all the right notes: comforting, flavorful, fresh, and fast. Let's start with their newest menu item: the pan-seared cilantro butter shrimp. Holy moly. This dish is a total game changer. Juicy, perfectly cooked shrimp served over a bed of vibrant Asian coleslaw that's crisp, tangy, and just the right touch of sweet. I love to order a side of their salad greens and combine it all for a light, healthy shrimp salad that's low in carbs, high in flavor, and (I'm guessing) pretty easy on the fat content. It's quickly become my guilt-free favorite. But don't worry, I still embrace the sinful side from time to time. Their fried chicken? Sublime. Always tender, juicy cuts of dark meat and none of that dry, day old overcooked nonsense you get elsewhere. And if I'm feeling wild, I go for the cheese dip. I mean, if you're going to do it, do it right. And now, let's talk fries. Hands down, the best french fries in North County. Maybe all of San Diego. Crispy, light, perfectly cooked, and they'll leave off the salt if you ask. I limit myself to fries only once or twice a week because of my training schedule, but if I could eat these daily, I would. Service is consistently sweet, fast, and friendly. They've extended their hours, which means I can swing by for dinner after a long day and still enjoy a great meal without compromising quality. Surf Up Chicken nails it every single time. Great food, great service, fair prices. What more can you ask for? Answer to what film that song is from- Animal House fans, this one's for you!

    Japanese Chicken Curry
    Shay C.

    While deciding what to order through door dash for Friday night dinner, there it was... Surf Up Chicken. Like where did this place even come from??? Mmmm...chiiiicken..... They have an interesting mix of items on the menu that at times seem to not be connected, but once you put it all together, it makes sense. I ordered the chicken sandwich along with French fries for myself, Japanese chicken curry for my daughter and shrimp tacos for my husband. For sides we also ordered the veggie eggrolls and Texas toast, which seemed a little strange for the menu, but it was so delicious. The corn tortillas for the shrimp tacos were a little tough, and really the only negative I have. Other than that, everything else was perfect and delicious! The chicken sandwich was perfection. We'll be back for sure!

    Crystal F.

    The food here is really good, we stopped in before closing time and we're able to get out order in. Very chill inside, the owner was very nice and explained the what was popular on the menu. We started with nacho cheese chicken, fries, Thai ice tea and a shrimp taco. Everything was delicious, very crispy and flavorful. We got some sauces on the side, the green cilantro sauce was a favorite of mine and so was the chipotle. The owner offered us a free cookie when we finished dinner which was very nice. I will definitely be coming back here, hopefully they will extend their hours soon, they close at 6pm. Parking is easy here which is a plus and there is a brewery in the same complex.

    Crispy chicken and fries
    Josh B.

    This was my first time here at Surf Up Chicken. Some of my colleagues in the surrounding business plaza told me that I should try it the first thing you noticed when you walk in, Is that a very small place. The girl who took my order was very nice. I only waited a few minutes before the food was out and they had lots of sauce options and I really liked the zesty green sauce. The most the fries were really crispy and good and the chicken was genuinely the best fried chicken I've personally ever had. It was a light crisp on the outside, but not too much and the meat inside was super soft and moist, even though I was eating fried chicken it almost felt healthy because of how good quality I could tell the chicken is haha. I will definitely be returning this place is awesome and it's definitely a hidden gem of Carlsbad.

    Jason N.

    This place is great! Endeavour is seriously THE nicest guy. While the location is a bit hidden and not where you would expect a restaurant to be, once you find it you will go back and back. If they were open a bit later, I would frequent them much more often. Their chicken is perfectly cooked, the fries are amazing, and their Shrimp Taco is just absolutely perfect. Don't forget to taste the sauces, they are made in house and delicious! They are super clean, super friendly, and super tasty! Do yourself a favor and go here!

    Henry's T.

    You ever have one of those days at work when you're so busy that allocating a few minutes for lunch seems like an unlikely aspiration? On those days mere survival appears to be the most reasonable goal and time to eat is a cute luxury afforded to others. When I was still working I recall on more than one occasion ordering something (typically at a drive thru) based upon some glam shot on the window. This form of deceptive advertising always left me wanting when I opened the bag and unwrapped something doing a very poor imitation of the item championed on their ginormous color poster. It always felt like I was another losing participant at one of those street shell games only to find out that the meal I thought I had ordered was actually under the cup on the right. That exasperated destination is exactly where I figured I was headed when I visited "Surf Up Chicken." I was intrigued by the featured picture of their "Crispy Chicken Sandwich" and wondered if there was any way it could taste nearly as good as portrayed. I figured no way, but was curious enough to find out. Given my previously disclosed pessimism I decided to hedge my bets and also sample their "Crispy Chicken Taco", "Chicken & Waffles", "Thai Tea Boba", and "Grass Jelly". Surely something had to hit for me, right? When my sandwich arrived it not only looked just as good as advertised, but it also tasted as good as it looked! The food quality here, and their fast-casual format, makes this a formidable opponent to their mega chain adversaries! While there are several options for the sauce enthusiasts out there, it's all about the "Yum Yum" sauce for me! During my visit I noticed a Biblical reference printed on their bag (and given their commitment to truth in advertising) I'd recommend that they add another: "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 And that's...Henry's Take. #truthinadvertising #yumyumsauce #megachainlunchalternatives Hand model credit @danavoros

    Trevor T.

    I just LOVE Surf Up Chicken and every time I come in they either have a new menu item or are doing something cool like their happy hour roll a 6 challenge. They are so nice to top it all off. Support this family business that brings positivity to the world!

    CHEESY CRISPY CHICKEN.
    Kevin M.

    Surf up chicken is a great chicken spot with cool scenery inside and great service. When I walked in, I was greeted by what seemed to be the owner who was super excited to have guests in! He was very friendly and provided great answers to all my questions on what's the best thing to get as it was my first time here. The food here is real good! I ordered the cheesy chicken combo which comes with fries and toast. I also ordered a chocolate chip cookie. The price overall was about $14 dollars, which is on the cheaper side for Carlsbad food. The chicken is similar to popcorn chicken that I've seen at boba spots, but it's a little bigger. The cheese was a great touch too. The fries were spectacular and very crispy. They have many selections for sauces too that you can grab on the side. The yum yum sauce and Nashville hot sauce are must grabs. The only downside of this place is the location, it is easily missable as it's off the main road. But it's helpful that they have a sign at the main side of the street off the bed of a truck that was helpful to see and locate. A must try spot!

    A few fries and broccoli were eaten prior to photo lol

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    Endeavour S.

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    1 year ago

    Everything was delicious! Amazing meals. My daughter and wife loved their chicken and waffles.

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    2 years ago

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    Endeavour S.

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    1 year ago

    Awesome flavors, super friendly staff, great vibes and music! Will definitely be back!

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    9 months ago

    Very tasty and great value with friendly service. Loved the new chicken wrap. Nice to have few outside seats.

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    1 year ago

    Quick, Friendly, Delicious Food. If you're in this part of C'Bad it's a must hit for lunch.

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    8 months ago

    very good chicken, shrimp, fries, and milk tea. service is very fast. Very friendly ambiance. very nice staff.

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Excellent service and really good coffee. Just wandered in while killing time. Very impressed.

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    1 year ago

    Best BEST Chicken I've ever had. I don't how it's cooked, maybe with an Asian flare but WOW

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    Page 3 of 6

    Ask the Community - Surf Up Chicken

    Is the chicken breast meat or dark meat? Thank you!

    Great question! We use leg and thigh meat because it has a richer flavor and stays tender and juicy—perfect for our style of cooking. It’s all about delivering the best taste in every bite.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    BHC Chicken - Classic Fried Chicken (wings)

    BHC Chicken

    4.4(89 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$

    Winner, winner, chicken dinner!…read more Over the past few years, several new chicken restaurants have opened around Carlsbad, and I'm very grateful to Yelp for turning me on to this place. BHC Chicken is completely different from many of the others I've tried. Yes, they offer a variety of sauces and flavors, but what really impressed me was their classic fried chicken. I ordered the boneless thigh meal, and it was absolutely delectable. The batter was incredibly light, crispy, and crunchy without being overly hard or heavy, while the chicken inside remained tender and juicy. Best of all, it was thankfully NOT overly salty. The flavor was beautifully balanced and, quite simply, exquisite. I would recommend their fried chicken to any and every chicken aficionado. I also tried the spicy rosé stir-fried rice cakes, which were delicious. They had just the right amount of heat, enough to make them interesting and flavorful without leaving that lingering burn afterward. And then there were the sides! The potato wedges were perfection: nicely cooked outside and wonderfully moist and tender inside. The French fries were also really good. The Bburing cheese balls were DIVINE, delicately flavored, slightly addictive, and just ridiculously yummy. The apple coleslaw was fresh, crisp, and refreshing, and the Bburing chips were another winner. Even the complimentary pickled radish was excellent and paired beautifully with the fried chicken. There are certainly other nearby restaurants selling fried chicken, but for me, BHC Chicken is the clear winner. I am SO glad I discovered this place. Fantastic chicken, excellent sides, interesting Korean specialties, and flavors that don't have to rely on excessive salt to taste good. My new Carlsbad chicken champion!

    BHC is a pretty well known fried chicken spot in Korea and we were blown away by it when we tried…read moreit for the first time in South Korea. It's good to see that they branched out to the US with several locations. 8pc tender Bburinkle - get this flavor which is what they're famous for. It's so flavorful with salty and sweet. It's hard to describe but it's very unique to BHC. I was also very impressed with how big and juicy the tenders were. I'm not a fan of tenders but I actually love them here. The bburinkle cheese balls were so good! Crispy exterior with gooey cheese inside

    Photos
    BHC Chicken
    BHC Chicken - Two Rice Bowls with Japchae

    Two Rice Bowls with Japchae

    BHC Chicken - French Fries

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    French Fries

    Main Chick Hot Chicken - This is how the sandwich is supposed to look and how it has always looked when I've ordered I the past.

    Main Chick Hot Chicken

    3.9(231 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Family-owned & operated

    Still really good 3 years later!…read more Not a great spot for work lunches because the music is so loud but the food is really good. The fries are so crunchy and the chicken so moist!

    We were first-time customers who live nearby and decided to give this place a try. We placed an…read moreonline order and picked it up. Our order included a combo and an $8 cheesecake. When we got home, we realized the cheesecake was missing. We immediately tried calling the restaurant, but no one answered since they were close to closing. The next day, we called to explain what happened and asked if they could either refund the $8 or simply provide the cheesecake that we had already paid for. Instead of trying to help, the woman who answered was rude and asked why we didn't call the night before. We explained that we did try, but no one answered. She still refused to offer a refund or provide the missing item. When we asked to speak with a manager, she told us there isn't a manager. Mistakes happen, and forgetting an item isn't the real issue. The disappointing part was the complete lack of customer service or willingness to make it right. For an $8 item that was never provided, a simple refund or replacement would have gone a long way. The food itself was average, but the customer service was enough that we won't be returning. There are plenty of other places nearby that value their customers and stand behind their orders. Based on our experience, we can't recommend this restaurant. The lack of accountability and unwillingness to correct a simple mistake left a very poor impression, and the staff could benefit from better customer service training.

    Photos
    Main Chick Hot Chicken - New for me...

    New for me...

    Main Chick Hot Chicken - My 2 piece meal and Ube cheesecake dessert.

    My 2 piece meal and Ube cheesecake dessert.

    Main Chick Hot Chicken - Flock 3

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    Flock 3

    bb.q Chicken Vista

    bb.q Chicken Vista

    3.6(112 reviews)
    2.4 mi

    Finally got to try out BB.Q Chicken Vista…read more Located in a strip mall with banks, and other businesses, so there is some parking. Depending on the time of day and if the high school is getting out it can be pretty crowded to get in and out and park. The ambiance is ok, lots of pictures of their food, and a large TV playing people walking around. The place is clean, nice Tile floor, tables look inviting. There are probably 10-12 tables inside and a few outside. The doors were open so it was a little cold in there. They have a rewards program and an an app. You get 7000 points just for signing up. (Basically a free Soda). Joanna was super friendly, nice, and brought all of our food as soon as it was ready. She made sure we were all set. There is a paper menu you can look at, but there also have 3 monitors displaying the large menu. You can wait to talk to someone to order, or you can use the giant iPad to order yourself for takeout or dine in. There are quite a few choices for food. But the star are their wings. You can pick boneless or with bone, and for the qty they offer these sizes - small, medium, or large. They have several flavors to choose from. We tried the soy garlic, and they were delicious. Looking forward to try honey garlic and cheesling next. We tried the cheesling french fries, some kind of cheese powder, that is pretty tasty. Yum. My main course was the chicken fried rice, packed with umami, and very good. Nicely prepared. It was warm, delicious, and hit the spot. We also tried the fried dumplings, they were crispy, crunchy, also tasty. Definitely good food, and friendly service, so I am looking forward to go back to try other items for sure.

    I had to come back for the $1 wings!! Service was pleasant. I think the cook was doing both the…read moreregister and cooking my food. I got the crispy rice and golden wings for one order. Then the honey garlic, which is one of my favorites. Also added Cole slaw and kimchi. I was not digging the slaw and kimchi this time around. Mostly just wanted radish and forgot to ask for it. Anyways they still have the wing special for 2 more days. Today and Friday from 2-5 pm.

    Photos
    bb.q Chicken Vista
    bb.q Chicken Vista
    bb.q Chicken Vista

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    Surf Up Chicken - hotdogs - Updated September 2026

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