The Crack Shack
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I ordered the Power Bowl for take out and it was so good! I like how there are healthier options on the menu other than just fried chicken. There is a lot of parking in the back and a lot of seats around as well.
I've passed by The Crack Shack many times when visiting Hi-Time, and I finally decided to stop in for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. There is a good sized parking lot behind the restaurant. The ordering counter is on the front side of the building. Once parked, you can either walk around the building, or walk through the open-air covered patio. I walked around to get a closer look at the unique chicken-head Beatles' Abbey Road mural on the side of the building. The menu is obviously chicken-focused, and features various sandwiches, wraps, and salads, along with several sides. They also have a small breakfast menu served until noon on the weekend. After ordering, they will give you a number and bring your food when it's ready. I really enjoyed the dining area, which is a covered, open-air space with a high ceiling. I sat in one of the booths towards the front. Each booth has a classic painting on the wall with chicken heads on it. There are also many different types of tables thoughout, and more seating upstairs on the second floor. There is also additional seating in front of their full bar. I had the Coop Deville sandwich (fried breast, pickled fresno chiles, pickles, napa cabbage, lime mayo, artisan brioche bun, $14.50). The chicken breast was thick and piping hot, and had a great crunchy crust on it. All of the ingredients went together well and I loved the flavor. The bun was very fresh, and the sandwich wasn't as messy as I thought it might be. I was still a little hungry, so I went back and ordered the regular sized hand cut fries (regular size $4.50, large size $7.50). They are tossed in schmaltz (chicken fat) and a light dusting of spices. They were hot and fresh, and the regular size was way more than I could eat by myself. They have a self-serve sauce bar with five options on tap including ketchup, Srirarcha T000 Island, Sweet Baby G's BBQ, ranch, and pineapple mustard. I dipped my sandwich in the BBQ and Srirarcha Thousand Island, and my fries in the BBQ, ranch, and pineapple mustard. They have a cornhole game towards the back, are dog friendly, and host trivia night on Thursdays. I enjoyed the food and atmosphere, and would definitely return.
Delicious combination of flavors. I'm very happy with the take-out portion. The eggs are cooked perfectly. I got the Power Bowl. The chicken Al Pastor was very tender and had a nice subtle kick. My favorite part was the pickled onions. They give you a hefty portion so you can get some with every bite. I love the sweet and saltiness it brings. The quinoa and arugula has a very pleasant lemony dressing. It's not too overwhelming. I used the online ordering platform. I joined because It has really nice rewards. I have stopped by for a beer at the bar before. The open atrium is truly beautiful. The bartender and take out server were both really great.
I was in need of some serious comfort food!! And the crack shack came to the rescue We parked in their private parking lot which is located in the back of the restaurant. We then walked through the restaurant and ordered at the window outside (they don't have waiter style, but we were told we could place orders at the bar Instead of walking all the way through the restaurant and then going outside to the window to order) We had the pleasure of Jerry taking our order. He was great at making suggestions and helping us with the menu. (We got there during happy hour, but didn't order from that menu (They had great cocktails for HH) We ended up getting 2 crispy chicken sandwiches Their loaded fries (the chicken chili on the fries is pure heaven) Order of biscuits (Later, I ordered their spiked milkshake) Prices are actually really reasonable Portions are HUGE, they also have family Style options Jerry gave us a number for our table and then next stop was their HOMEMADE SAUCE station. (Their ranch and bbq sauce is to die for!) I love that the sauces are serve yourself and unlimited. No more having to wait for your waiter to bring it to you or them bringing only one little side of sauce. They also have everything else you need at the sauce station. Such as to go boxes and silverware. They have a roll of paper towels at your table which I love. I'm a messy eater and I don't have to bother wait staff for more napkins. So it's a win / win Thankfully a booth opened up (super cute booths) they only have a few booths and then just a bunch of tables. They have picnic style tables and chairs as well. But they also have a second floor which has a bunch of extra seating, you can book private parties up there and they have certain events like trivia night that is held upstairs (also, a bunch of TVs upstairs) They offer a Military discount They have beer flights But, my favorite is the quality of food you are getting. (This is all written on their menu) Our Chicken Our fresh, "beyond-free range," pasture-raised birds come from nearby boutique farms. They're organic, non-GMO, antibiotic- and preservative-free. Our Eggs Our eggs come from local, family-owned and operated farms like Eben-Haezer Ranch, raising hormone- and antibiotic-free chicks. Our Spices Our proprietary, ground to order, organic spice blends come from Le Sanctuaire in San Francisco. Our Bread We only use bread made in-house or artisan bread sourced from the best local bakeries. Always fresh. Our Produce Wherever possible, the produce found in our bowls and on our sandwiches comes from boutique local farms. Our Ice Cream Our seasonally rotating shakes are spun with premium, natural-ingredient scoops from SoCal-based After's Ice Cream. So, there it is. You KNOW you are getting quality food from them. I'll definitely be back soon! PS it's also dog friendly!!!
We had the pleasure of dining here today, and the food was AH-MAZING, but what truly stood out was Jerry, the General Manager, and the incredible staff! The service was absolutely top-notch, and their attention to detail was unlike anything we've experienced. It honestly felt like dining in someone's home, where the care and hospitality are genuine, thoughtful, and intentional. We brought our dog, Walter, along with us, and they welcomed him and treated him like family. We had the BEST family lunch here and left feeling so well taken care of. Great food, amazing service, and genuine hospitality--what more could you ask for? We'll definitely be back!
I have passed by this place so many times and finally decided to give it a try. Since fried chicken is one of their signature items, obviously I HAD to try it. I also ordered an off-menu wrap they were offering that day with al pastor chicken, along with a side of classic slaw. Sadly, the fried chicken was by far the biggest disappointment of the meal. It was extremely greasy, tasted burnt, and honestly tasted old... like it had been sitting around for way too long. I didn't feel too good afterward. The al pastor chicken wrap was actually ok, and the classic slaw was interesting. Not bad, just different. However, the customer service was great. Everyone was really nice and friendly. The ambiance was nice, spacious and comfortable. I really wanted to like this place, especially after passing by it so many times, but when fried chicken is one of their signature items and it comes out looking and tasting like this... it's pretty disappointing. Maybe I caught them on a bad day, but based on this experience, I don't think I'd come back for the chicken.
Absolutely insane restaurant. Have heard so many good things I had to check it out. The firebird with fries was phenomenal. Need to come back to try more menu items. Jerry and the rest of the staff were the best. Lots of seating and bar inside as well. This is a must visit if in the area. Highly recommend!!
The fries are absolutely incredible! So delectably crispy! The chicken also fries to perfection! Tender and moist as well. The dipping sauces were tasty! The side Cobb salad was refreshing - so much needed greenery and freshness to balance the meal.
The Crack Shack is an awesome family friendly restaurant serving up unique interpretations of chicken sandwiches. I ordered my food to-go. The coop devil is a classic, well put together chicken sandwich. It's flavorful on its own, and paired really nicely with the self-serve sauces (I.e. sriracha mayo, honey mustard, barbecue, etc). The Fowl Italiano was a perfect sandwich that felt like eating chicken parm in between two slices of bread. It needed no additional sauces and was great on its own. The service is fantastic and was above and beyond expectations. They were transparent about what they recommend ordering, gave me a small baggy to put my sauces in (self serve) when I was waiting for my food, and quickly prepared my take-out order. The atmosphere is fun. They have plenty of tables, some that faces a large TV screen for watching sports and an area to play corn hole.
Stopped by because we were in the area and wanted to give it a try. Food here was decent, our food was a little overdone, didn't have much flavor and the fries were pretty oily. I ordered the Coop DeVille and my husband ordered the Katau Looking sandwich. The ranch dressing was good, they had several different dipping sauces to choose from. The atmosphere was nice, the inside was open and spacious. The service was good and they have plenty of parking in their lot.
This review is 90% love, but I hope the owners catch the 10% that needs work. We came back to Crack Shack for round 2 because my wife was obsessed with the Firebird on our first visit. Crispy chicken sandwich = dope, no notes. We also grabbed chicken tenders that first time and got... sad nuggets instead. Not the end of the world, so we rolled back after she dropped $200 on gift cards. This visit: Firebird again, Cob salad, and we made sure to get the _actual_ spicy chicken tenders. Place is huge for a crispy chicken spot. Two levels, 40-ft bar with beer/spirits, TVs, bar stools, and dog-friendly with pics of pups on the wall. Order outside, grab a number, find a seat. Very cool vibe. 10 mins later food hits. Firebird still looks like fire. Cob salad was on point -- avocado, egg, mixed greens, chard corn, pickled onions, crispy quinoa, tomatoes. Solid. Now the tenders. I know they weren't nuggets this time -- they were longer, thinner... and tasted like something I'd pull from 7-Eleven. Even then, 7-Eleven would get side-eyed. Disappointed is an understatement. Advice: skip the tenders unless you've got kids to feed. Last complaint isn't food -- it's the app. I bought $200 in gift cards but waited too long to claim reward points, emailed them, and got ghosted. That's the second bad taste in one visit. Mr. Crack, if you're reading: hit my email so I can update this to 10/10 and praise your customer service. You've got the food and vibe locked. Fix the tenders and the support, and you're untouchable. 8.2/10 -- you know what to work on.
I see alot of mix reviews and I drive by here a lot and see the cool picture from outside. Decide to give it a try. The inside was spacious and pretty cool, remind of a Colorado sports bar. I'll stay with service, they're pretty good and fast. Super professional and friendly and attentive. Even though this is a buy your food from the front and they bring it to the back, they still run a good service spot. Let's get to the food. Ordered the whole bird. In all honesty, I was a bit disappointed. The chicken I felt was super rushed to make and it hardly had seasoning. The crunch was there for the skin, the juice was there for the chicken thighs and drum stick. The chicken breast was overdone. The saving grace was the sauces you get. I gotta give it a 2.7/5. The sauces are pour your own, pretty cool and the pineapple mustard and the siracha 1000 island was a hit. 5/5. The French fries were good, crust and seasoned well. 5/5. Biscuits were cute and small and fluffy. The butter that came with it was good 4/5. Overall I don't think I would come back here personally.
Restaurant is huge, games inside, two stories, plenty of parking, bar area, nice decor inside, great staff, but for me the food lacked flavor. We got the whole bird and sides, and there just was not any seasoning to the chicken itself. Sauces are self served along with drinks. The mini biscuits were fluffy, soft and good.
Everything about The Crack Shack was crack! We ordered the Senor Croque which was a fried chicken breast sandwich with bacon, egg, cheese, and miso butter. First off, i noticed that this sandwich wasn't dripping with oil like most other fried sandwich. This was a big plus. The chicken breast portion was huge and surprisingly juicy for being white meat and the seasoning on it was on point. All the other toppings added so much more depth to the sandwich and make sure to get a side of Pineapple Mustard which is an amplified Honey Mustard. The fries were also a huge portion with the texture being a nice mix of crunchy and fluffy. There is also a full bar and multiple screens to watch sporting events. Looked like they have Happy Hour so will definitely try that next time. The building had a lot of space with high ceilings which reminded me of a brewery! Perfect for get-togethers. Would definitely recommend this place! read more
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Dan P.
John, we're thrilled you had an amazing experience at The Crack…
6 months ago
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Dan P.
Bee, we're thrilled you enjoyed the Firebird burger and appreciated…
Our favorite local chicken shop in OC! Everyone there was super friendly, food came out super quickly and was so delicious! I also love the sauce bar they have, I'm a pineapple mustard and ranch girl here! Definitely would come back again! read more
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Dan P.
Kim, thanks for your kind words! We're thrilled you loved our…
3 months ago
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Dan P.
James, thanks so much for the love! We're thrilled our gluten-free…
6 months ago
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Dan P.
Neville, thanks for giving our chicken sandwich a try! We're glad you…
6 months ago
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Dan P.
Keith, we're thrilled you had such a great experience at our Costa…
2 years ago
Came here for OC restaurant week with my partner. We ordered the $25 combo which came with 5-piece (half bird) Signature Bone-In Jidori Fried Chicken, Biscuits w/ Miso Maple Butter, and Regular Shack Fries. It was my first time going to crack shack, but my partner had been to the location in Encinitas I believe. THE EXPERIENCE: This place is a fast casual spot so you line up to order outside, and then you find an open seat. There's a decent amount of booths, benches, tables, and bar seating. After you order, they give you sauce cups (you can ask for more if you want!) and you can go to the sauce bar to fill them up. We tried basically every sauce they had to offer and I think I liked the sriracha ketchup, pineapple habanero, and ranch the most. And then they bring out your food and when you're done you clean up after yourself. PRICE: Since we came for restaurant week, I think the cost was worth it. FOOD: Everything was DELICIOUS. It was super filling and heavy. Chicken was cooked to perfection. Super crispy skin, and tender meat. I am a certified chicken breast hater, but even the fried chicken breast was delish. The fries were amazingggg as well. Super good fry texture. Crispy exterior with soft interior. My fave. The miso maple butter was also super good. At the end of my meal, I was incredibly stuffed and fried chickened out hahaha. I'd recommend this place if you want to try a new fried chicken spot! :) read more
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Dan P.
Charlie, thanks for your stellar review! I'm so thrilled you were…
One of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the OC, and there's plenty on the menu to compliment your meal like biscuits and perfectly fried fries. The staff are attentive and add to the chill vibe. Besides the many hot sauces to choose from, I love the large TVs streaming games, the outdoor patio with fun play area for kids. There's an upstairs that would be perfect for a private party and the bar is well equipped. Their parking lot is behind the building. read more
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Dan P.
Awesome review, Maria! Thanks so much for the kind words-- happy to…
The chicken here is meh. Don't expect top-tier Southern friend chicken. Heck, I would even go far to say for the value you might be better off going to a friend chicken chain. I ordered the Firebird ($13) which is their most population chicken sandwich. The first thing I noticed is the chicken isn't even the main flavor of the sandwich. The sandwich was drenched in so much ranch that the sauce was all I could taste! I recommend asking for no ranch or ranch on the side if you really want to taste the chicken.. Maybe they are compensating for their subpar fried chicken quality with toppings and sauces? Regardless, if you are looking for a true chicken sandwich I would probably recommend a Nashville or other Southern friend chicken spot where there are no frills. Taste aside, the only reason why I'm giving this spot 3-stars instead of 2-stars is because service was good and fast. You order outside the restaurant at a window, grab a number, and the food comes to you. I prefer this quick service style and it is convenient when coming in groups. There is also a decent sized parking lot in the back. read more
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Dan P.
Jordan, I'm sorry to hear that we missed the mark on your visit. I…
6 months ago
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Dan P.
Caitlin, we're thrilled you loved the Firebird sandwich and had such…
2 years ago
Chicken sandwich, a side of fries, a big order of fries, & 2 drinks came out to roughly $40 in Feb 2025, pretty good! Food came out fast & they bring it to the table. Don't live in Costa Mesa & saw it while driving by, caught our attention so we came in. We would probably come back :) They also have trivia nights every Thursday at 6:30pm! read more
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Dan P.
Nayely, we're thrilled you stopped by The Crack Shack! Our team…
1 year ago
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Dan P.
Steven, thanks for visiting The Crack Shack! We're delighted you…
8 months ago
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Dan P.
Triane, we're thrilled you loved our gluten-free wings and that zingy…
6 months ago
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Dan P.
Lauren, we're thrilled you loved the Firebird and all those amazing…
4 months ago
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Dan P.
We're truly sorry to hear about your disappointing experience with…
2 years ago
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Dan P.
Kristina, thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed…
4 months ago
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Dan P.
Michael, thank you for giving us a try and sharing your honest…
1 year ago
Great food and happy hour! Good service and atmosphere as well. They have a great trivia night on Thursdays and are dog friendly. read more
The Crack Shack is focused on chicken in a number of forms. They even have what they call chicken pastrami. I head the fried chicken is very good. On this trip it was all about the sandwiches. I had the Coop Deville along with the addictive schmaltz fries. Both were delicious. They have a solid selection of craft beers to wash it down with. They also make cocktails. I'll come back for one because the bar staff is quite knowledgeable. It's a unique layout in that you order from a window outside then dine inside. If you like wood you'll have a lot to enjoy in the dining room. You can also go inside and sit at the bar where you can order food and drink. All in all it's a fun place. read more
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Dan P.
So glad to hear we lived up to the hype, John. Thanks so much for…
2 years ago
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Dan P.
Tiffany, we're thrilled you enjoyed your visit! Our team works hard…
Since they only have few locations in west coast, made sure I had a chance to stop by and try their offering. A friend told me to get 1) beer, 2) coop deville and 3) fried chicken. Well, that's too much of food for one person lol... so got the beer, coop deville sandwich and shack fries. I liked the interior, a mixture of outdoor seating feeling with picnic tables, regular tables and the bar. Now, my favorite had to be the fries and the beer unfortunately. The fries were perfectly fried and seasoned and the beer went very well with it. As for the sandwich - the flavor profile was an issue for me. The napa cabbage didn't go well with the fried chicken to be honest... maybe I was missing something. The napa cabbage wasn't seasoned well, bland to my taste and frankly speaking wondered why it was included. Maybe I ordered the wrong items? I guess I'll need to try the fried chicken next time I'm in the area. read more
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Dan P.
Hi Jason, I appreciate you taking the time to leave your feedback on…
They have this name for a reason. Their food is addicting, like... Well you know what I mean. I don't have to spell it out for you lol. Food: Variety is there, you have tons to select from. But their main entrée item, which is their signature fried chicken is a MUST try. You'll definitely need at least 2 or 3 pieces. I wanted 4, but I had to drive, and food coma definitely wouldn't be wise ha! Drinks: Tons of selection, just like their food. They have carbonated drinks, beers, and wines. I had a beer myself. My sister, and brother in law had carbonated beverages, we were all happy campers. Staff: From Cashier, to food servers, to cleaners, to bartenders, all were friendly. Not one member of their staff did I have any negative encountering. They definitely helped persuade me in giving a 5 star rating. Cleanliness: They are consistently cleaning, so the restaurant as a whole stays well maintained, and clean throughout your visit. Parking: There is a lot located in the back, we had no problems with parking even during a holidays weekend, during dinner. Recommendation: Absolutely!!!!! read more
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Dan P.
I'm thrilled to hear you were blown away, Sam! Appreciate the kind…
In all honesty, I didn't expect the food to be as delicious as it was! The chicken was incredibly good, extremely juicing, flavorful and tender! The Firebird had a great kick and crunch. I did add some bbq sauce and ranch which elevated everything for me. read more
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Dan P.
Diana, we're thrilled you enjoyed our signature dishes! The Firebird…
1 year ago
Service is not eager or excited to help. Food is mediocre. Ordered a salad when they weren't even busy and it was missing half the ingredients. When I brought it to the staffs attention it seemed like I was a bother and it was my fault there was an error. I just wanted what I ordered to be correct. Won't come back. Really hope management gets a better handle on staff and kitchen relations. The kitchen is not helpful either and it was their mistake. read more
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Dan P.
Zoe, we appreciate your feedback and are saddened that your…
3 years ago
We came here today for a very late lunch, 2 o'clock, I'm not a fan of the way you order outside at the window, but it is what it is. We found a nice booth inside and waited for our beverages and food to be delivered. It ended up, I had to go up to the bar to get my beer and we ended up getting our own waters and silverware and condiments and napkins. We weren't told that this is what we were supposed to do, so we didn't know at first? I think maybe they should give you the rundown at the first step of ordering, especially if you're new to the establishment. The bartender was nice enough to put on the football game for us. My son ordered a power bowl with extra chicken breast, and I opted for the chopped bowl side with chicken breast. The food was great, and we really loved all of the creative chicken paintings on the walls. read more
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Dan P.
Hi DeLayne, thanks for stopping by! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your…
3 years ago
I don't usually travel to Costa Mesa, but when I do I'm coming to The Crack Shack. I don't know if crack is the secret ingredient, but I'm hooked. High quality chicken sandwiches, coleslaw and fries are very good. I asked for mine without a bun and they put it on a bead of lettuce and made it into a great meal instead of just throwing it on a plate. Plus they have a sauce bar! Who does love a good sauce bar to jazz up your sandos however you want. Highly recommend the sriracha thousand island and mango sauces. The place looks really cool too. Full bar inside, cornhole and upstairs seating that overlooks everything. I would just want to come hang out here. Make sure to read the walls in the bathroom. Also, don't climb the chicken. read more
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Dan P.
Honored to be your go-to whenever you're in Costa Mesa, Jennifer!…
First time at this place and I enjoyed it. The food was tasty. You order outside, get a number, and they bring the food out to you. They even have a small playground area for little kids to entertain them. There is a fountain drink station with interesting drink flavors. My favorite were the Hibiscus Orange and the Acai drinks. They also have a sauce station with Ketchup, Mustard, BBQ, and different types of hot sauce you can try. * Firebird Sandwich 5/5 - This is a spicy fried chicken burger with crispy onions, ranch, and artisan onion bun. It's pretty spicy so we're glad that we asked for the sauce on the side to dip as we go. The sandwich was crunchy and delicious. * Senor Croque Sandwich 5/5 - Fried chicken, bacon, runny egg, cheddar, butter, and artisan brioche bun. I love this one! It comes with a melty poached egg that balances the crunchy texture. The flavor was just on point. * Fries 5/5 - The fries were crispy and tasted great. I'd get them again. * Nuggets 3/5 - The nuggets were okay, better when dipped into some kind of sauce. They also have a white powder, maybe cornstarch for frying? This comes as part of the kids' menu with options of chicken nuggets, tenders, grilled chicken, or grilled cheese. The food comes with a side of fries or carrots, plus cookie and juice. read more
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Dan P.
You always remember your first! Glad to hear you enjoyed everything…
2 years ago
Came here with a group of friends, we ordered at the counter outside on a Sunday then you seat yourself. Standouts are the different chicken sandwiches offered here. I opted for the Firebird which seemed like your standard hot chicken sandwich. The chicken was tender but the flavor was kind of lacking and not very memorable. The sauces quickly made the bun soggy, and the flavors did not mesh very well. Next time, I would try for their fried chicken itself read more
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Dan P.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Tiffany. We're glad you…
8 months ago
After seeing the exterior chickens I had to take a peep at the crack shack! Food is 10/10 Vibes 10/10 Service 1000/10. Staff were extremely nice and helpful. Jerry thank you so much for sharing the history, recommendations, and energy!! You made our experience even more memorable read more
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Dan P.
Katt, we're thrilled you discovered our spot and had such an amazing…
4 months ago
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Dan P.
Thank you for the feedback, FG. We appreciate you giving us two…
10 months ago
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Dan P.
Nicole, we're thrilled you love our crispy fries and found us to be…
9 months ago
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Dan P.
Grant, we're thrilled you're loving our happy hour cocktails and that…
2 years ago
Very surprised by this spectacular dine in setting, it's just so beautiful with an incredible ambiance! The food menu is filled with fantastic food choices. There's also a variety of alcoholic drinks to choose from. I ordered a delicious spicy chicken sandwich and let me just say it is the best chicken sandwich I've ever eaten All the employees are just so friendly and kind to help a customer out. read more
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Dan P.
Alejandra, we appreciate your kind words about our lovely ambiance…
5 months ago
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Dan P.
Hi Michelle, thank you for sharing your honest feedback! We…
3 years ago
The Crack Shack is SO good when you want to indulge in some tasty chicken! We've been here a few times while visiting friends and have always had a great experience. On this visit, we ordered a firebird, fries and a little clucker chicken finger kids meal. The firebird is insanely good. The chicken is cooked perfectly and coated in flavorful spices. Everything that comes on the sandwich complements the chicken so well. Their fries are seasoned with a unique seasoning that's really good. Their kids meal is a great value as it comes with fries, a drink and a cookie. The restaurant is kid friendly and in an open and inviting space. The staff is always great and we will always make it a point to stop in when we need our chicken fix! read more
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Dan P.
Honored to be your go-to for a stellar meal, Sharmeen! Appreciate you…
1 year ago
This place is smackin! Is there such a word?! LOL I meant it in a good way! I tried every food item on the happy hour menu except for the Half Mexican Poutine. No reason except I was pretty sure my friend and I didn't have the room to eat more than what we ordered. Anyway, I'm posting a photo that I took of the HH menu so you can see what I ordered. It was all good and a new experience. Unique. Full of flavors. Some spicy. They use GOOD chicken - Rahmel, the guy working there who was fantastic, by the way, told me about how they use the wagyu of chicken. No lie and yup it's good stuff! I like the ambiance. Outdoor eating and seating. Huge bar. I liked it overall and was happy to give it a try. I'll be back!! read more
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Dan P.
Phyllis, we're thrilled you enjoyed the flavors and uniqueness of our…
2 years ago
I love the chicken sandwiches here. Every time I have come, they have been freshly made to order and have the highest quality ingredients. It is a type of restaurant that you order up at the front and you go and sit down and the cashier was attentive. It is a more casual dining experience when I went and they did have TVs playing the football game and there were dogs allowed inside the seating area. The parking lot is extremely small so I can see it potentially getting full on a busy night. It is on the pricier side and the sandwiches and sides are served à la carte. I would come back perhaps for a casual date or to try the biscuits lol read more
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Dan P.
Rebecca, we genuinely appreciate your visit and glowing remarks about…
3 years ago
Had to update my review with new pics to give this place justice! Usually, I suck at finishing chicken sandwiches so I wanted to give their fried chicken a try. I got the Half Bird Bone In Fried Chicken with the Toss-It-Up Fire sauce on the side. I asked the girl taking my order how spicy it was and she said on a scale of 1-10, it was a 7. Thank god I got it on the side because I didn't really like it as much as I thought and the spicy definitely built up. My favorite part about this meal was being able to dip it in a variety of sauces to create a favorable taste. I think my favorite sauce was ranch and the orange one (maybe buffalo?). The half bird alone was super juicy and had a lot of meat to it that I believe sharing could've been done to it too. Can't wait to return another day after the beach! read more
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Dan P.
Glad to hear you finally stopped by and tried some of our…
More info about The Crack Shack
196 E 17th St
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
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(877) 230-1416
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https://crackshack.com/location/costa-mesa/
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Ask the Community - The Crack Shack
We have a travel water polo club. Would you be able to accommodate a group of 40-50 on a Wednesday night, July 22nd?
Hi Mandy! Absolutely! Please email rblesio@crackshack.com to book your reservation. We look forward to hosting you!
Do you need Reservations?
Hi there! We do not take reservations as we are a counter style fast-casual restaurant with self-seating. You should have no problem finding a spot.
Did I read you had locations in LA and Pasadena? I can't find them. I need a gf fried chicken fix!
I don't think so..I've only seen the Costa Mesa location.
Did the business resume doing happy hour?
Hi Janette! We don't currently have happy hour, but we do have plenty of affordable snacks and shared plates for the flock to enjoy. We are proud to source directly from local purveyors in the community for the ingredients that make up our menu--we…
Is the gluten free chicken cooked in the same fryer as regular chicken? And also, if so, is there an option to get fries cooked in the gluten free oil? Hope so! I'll be so excited! Thanks in advance!
We do have a dedicated prep station and fryer for the gluten free chicken! Unfortunately it can not also accommodate the volume of fries we do—so while the fries are naturally gluten free they do share a fryer with the regular fried chicken. Hope…
Any plans to bring back the Matzo Ball Pazole Soup and the Deviled Eggs?
No plans to do so, Irene. Perhaps as a special in the future! :)
Is there a vegan chicken option? If not, that would be amazing to consider adding to the menu!
I agree, it would be an awesome addition to the menu! Unfortunately, the vegan chicken options currently out there contain additives, preservatives, and chemicals that we just don’t feel right having in our kitchen. We hold our ingredients to a very…
Do you have a new gluten-free fried chicken option?
Julie, we do have gluten free fried chicken at both our Costa Mesa and Encinitas locations! It starts with the same all-natural, non-GMO, "beyond free range" chicken from Jidori Farm, but is breaded using an organic quinoa, millet and chickpea flour…
Is this business still doing happy hour?
Not at this point in time, Zeke, but we hope to bring it back soon!
Has indoor seating opened?
Yes! Our coop is open-air, so we have plenty of space both “indoors” and on our temporary outdoor patio. Hope to see you soon!
Is the chicken cooked in peanut oil?
There are no little to no nuts in our kitchen, and definitely no peanut oil! We use canola for frying.
Is there seating?
Yes! However right now dine in is not permitted in our county so our outdoor and open air seating are closed. They’ll be open AS SOON AS we get word that it’s permitted again in OC!
I just had the season frose to go and I'd love to know what's in it. I think it was a frose mule?
So glad you got to taste our play on mulled wine frosé! It includes rosé, cranberry, clove, vanilla & cinnamon. Glad you liked it!
Are alcoholic beverages available for curbside pickup?
They sure are! Here is the link to order in advance online:…
Is it kid friendly?
Yes, in fact there was a family with several kids near us today when we ate there.
Anyone know if the chicken is certified halal?
Our chicken is not certified halal, Madiha. Sorry about that!
Does this restaurant cook with peanut oil? I am allergic to peanuts and want a good chicken place to go to since chik fil a is out of the question because peanut oil, among other reasons.
We use canola oil!
What sauces do you have for the fried chicken? I can't seem to find them listed on the online menu?
Hi Sean! Our 6 sauces are baja hot sauce, sweet heat, sriracha 1000 island, cracksup, buttermilk ranch, and kimchi bbq.
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
140 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
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The Crack Shack - chickenshop - Updated September 2026
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