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    The Crack Shack

    4.1 (2.2k reviews)
    Open 10:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Order The Crack Shack Takeout or Delivery

    The Crack Shack Photos

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    THE CRACK SHACK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Crack Shack

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    Ying L.

    My son picked up a kids meal to try. The chicken was dried. The cookie was delicious. Large indoor seating. Plenty of parking.

    Sauce station
    Hanna K.

    Still enjoy coming here for lunch to grab their half size SoCal Cobb Salad. Refreshing and has all the different textures (soft and crunchy). Always packed with ingredients and leaves my stomach happy and ready to get through the rest of the day. They upgraded their outside menu to screens but other than that, it is the same relaxing restaurant. They have guest wifi available so I do my mid-day work here as well since the tables are far apart and due to the openness of the restaurant, sound doesn't get trapped inside to bother other guests.

    Mexican potene and nitro beer
    Virgil E.

    Love the food here. We just keep coming back! The open air eating are inside & outside patio or just sit at the bar watching sports. While you order food on your way in the do deliver alcohol & food to your table. Fresh made and perfect frier temperature makes for perfect chicken and fries. The do have healthy bowls as well. Kid friendly Enjoy

    Mini Biscuits
    Michael R.

    Their chicken is crispy and flavorful on the outside, and they have a good assortment of sauces as well! I felt like 2 pieces were a bit on the dry side/overcooked but the rest were all juicy and tender. Their biscuits are also super soft and fluffy, and the paired maple butter is delicious. Only issue with them is that they're pretty small for what you're paying for (they are called mini biscuits on the menu). Food came out quickly and everyone was very nice. Lots of seating inside and outside with the cool ocean breeze.

    Chicken nuggets and Katsu Lookin'
    C G.

    Came for the first time ever - check was perfectly cooked and delicious! The restaurant itself has an awesome vibe. Cocktails, wine and good beer on tap. Excited to try some of their other sandwiches. They also have a self serve sauce station with some yummy dipping sauces.

    Noah K.

    I've been wanting to try crack shack for awhile now, and I have been missing out! The food was exceptional. My wife got one of the salads and I got the Mexican poutine and a fried chicken sandwich. Everything was very delicious. The service was great and they provided water bowls for dogs. The restaurant is very cozy and it has a spectacular view from the patio. We went right at sunset and were treated to a wonderful sunset with our meal.

    Firebird
    Gabe F.

    Have to drop this down to 2 stars . I've been here a couple times since my initial visit and it keeps going down hill. From " we're short staffed " to "She never mentioned the sauces". I tried to like this place even driving from Oceanside but it's been nothing but cold food and messed up orders. First, get rid of that IPad and tip option. There is no need to tip anything as it's self serve . Take care of the kitchen so the orders come out correctly. If they don't, that's on you . Don't take the food back to make it right. That's on you and you bring out the correct order. That's how you learn not to make mistakes. The order is on the house . Super loud with kids running around . Every time I've left my ears are ringing. It seems staffed now but just workers waking around while the kitchen suffers with orders . Part of my last order I ordered some wings and they were the size of paper clips .

    Taura G.

    This is always a great dining experience. We took some time after being back in town to come here. We both knew that we wanted to dine inside with the cold weather and we were not sure if the Little Italy and PB locations had inside seating, or enough of it. We ordered 1 Chicken Sandwich and 2 Cobb Salad, a shake, and water. Everything was delicious as usual. Staff was very customer service oriented. Our order came out in about 12-15 minutes, and we were able to find a table next to the large TV screen to watch the NBA Game. We love how consistently delicious the food is here. We also like that this location has inside dining. Thanks!

    Half Bird
    Loan N.

    Great alternative for groups and families! Came here because the nearby In-N-Out was slammed and I'm glad we did. There were no lines and the food came out quickly. It's a standard counter-service setup: order first, then find a seat. What we ordered: Half Bird: This comes with 5 pieces of fried chicken and was the standout of the meal. Crispy and well-executed. Katsu Lookin': This sandwich features Namasu pickles, which are a bit sweeter than your standard pickle. Combined with the slaw, the whole sandwich felt a little too sweet for my liking. I really missed that sharp, vinegary kick to balance the richness of the chicken. Hand Cut Fries: Decent seasoning and a good side. The Sauces: Most of the sauces even the hot sauces lean quite sweet. The interior is massive with plenty of seating. The outdoor area is great for kids. we saw little ones playing with bubbles. Even the restrooms are located outdoors. However, there is a hand wash station located inside. Staff were friendly and the vibe over all is perfect for large gatherings

    Coop Deville
    Rod S.

    Loved it! Roomy interior. Service was outstanding. I ordered the Coop Deville and made it a combo (fries and a drink). Fries were on point. Super delicious with a crispiness that gave it the right texture. The sando was perfection! Crispy, juicy, tasty, spicy...so good! I'll be back cuz Crack Shack don't lack and all the rest are wack make you wanna yack.

    Family Flock
    Maria M.

    This is a great spot for fried chicken. We had the family flock that comes with half bird bone-in fried chicken, large fry, classic slaw, mini biscuits, chicken nuggets or tenders, and choice of 2 cookies. This is a very good deal for $60. They have several sauces to choose from and I really like that you have access to refill them. My favorite ones are the ranch and the sriracha 1000 island. It's a family friendly place with big chalkboards that the kids can draw on and keep busy. The staff is always very friendly and helpful.

    Little Flock
    Ashley D.

    My son and I spent the morning at Legoland and decided chicken sounded great for a late lunch. I ordered us each a Little Flock online. The order estimate was about a 20 minute wait. We arrived within 5 minutes and let them know we arrived. We were handed our cups and we sat down. Less than 5 minutes later they called my name, which I was shocked at, it was so quick. We ended up eating there and our food was very fresh. My son finally decided to give their ranch a try and loved it. The tenders are fantastic and some of the best fries anywhere. There are a decent amount of soft drink options and there was plenty of seating. The restaurant itself was very clean. There is plenty of parking at this location which is fantastic. That is my only issue with the Little Italy location. It was a great experience and we love The Crack Shack!

    Jesse R.

    Service was out front and friendly. Get your drink and sauces on your way in to sit down to a pretty open air restaurant. A bunch of different seating options along the inside and outside of the building. Plenty of room for groups all around. Food was good portion size for the price. And very tasty. Be advised at the restrooms are outback around the corner. Will return again.

    Whole bird

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    23 days ago

    The bartender she followed me out of the bar. She looks like a fucking bitch like a Mac truck such a Mac truck yeah

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    Page 1 of 55

    The Crack Shack Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Crack Shack

    Can you get the fried chicken coating without so much spice?

    Hi there. Yes, you can order your bone-in without Crack Spice! Just let our team know when you're ordering.

    Can you order just chicken legs?

    I'm not sure I remember they are really known for the sandwich

    Is the schmultz you use real schmultz?

    Yes, the use real Schmultz.

    Are your fries gluten free?

    Hi Lauren! Our fries are naturally gluten free, however they do share a fryer with our regular bone-in chicken so those with serious allergen concerns may want to avoid eating them. The Encinitas location does have GF bone-in fried chicken that is… 

    Do you have HAPPY HOUR?

    Every hour is happy here! We do not have specific times of day when we discount items.

    Pre-pandemic, my favorite item on the menu was the delicious Deviled Eggs. Any chance they will return to the menu?

    We went to the Encinitas location in April and they said they were not on the menu then.

    Is there brunch here?

    We have an all-day menu with some of the best quality chicken and eggs (and bacon!) you'll find. Perfect for any meal, and we make a mean Bloody Mary to wash it all down ;-)

    Has the restaurant closed? Thought I saw a sign that said "For Lease"

    We are OPEN, Steve! We did temporarily close over the weekend for a deep clean of the space, but we re-opened this morning, and are offering outdoor dining, takeout, curbside ordering/pickup and delivery. I hope you'll visit us!

    Is it halal?

    It is not certified as halal, Minha. Sorry about that!

    Is there frose?

    Yes Dani, we have delicious, refreshing frosé!

    Why no veggie option? I actually thought the "substitute grilled chix" line on the menu board meant I could get any sandwich made with a vegetarian chickn' patty like ones morning star farms makes and I was very excited.

    Great question! We do have vegetarian options on the menu--all bowls and salads can be made sans-chicken, eggs can be added to any bowl or subbed into any sandwich, and we've got sides that can be turned into a full meal, including deviled eggs,… 

    Is it a drive through?

    Sorry no drive-thru at the Crack Shack In Encinitas

    Will you be able to accommodate nut free and seafood allergies?

    Absolutely! Almost our entire menu is nut and seafood-free :) If you'd like, I can share an allergen chart with you--just send me an e-mail at nrogers@crackshack.com.

    Can we order 1/2 and 1/2 on the Fried Chicken tossing flavors?

    Unfortunately you cannot split an order, however you can order a 5-piece with one toss option, and another 5-piece in a different toss option, which technically ends up being a 1/2 and 1/2 10-piece :)

    Do you take reservations for more than 8-10 ppl?

    Hello! We do have a semi private dining area that is available to reserve. Please email madison@crackshack.com for more info!

    Can you accommodate dairy and gluten free?

    Absolutely! We have plenty of gluten and dairy free items. Just be sure to let our cashier know about any dietary restrictions and they can guide you from there. Thanks!

    View All 18 Questions

    Main Chick Hot Chicken

    Main Chick Hot Chicken

    3.9
    (227 reviews)
    5.8 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
    Dining area
    Dining area
    My 2 piece meal and Ube cheesecake dessert.
    My 2 piece meal and Ube cheesecake dessert.
    Flock 3

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    Flock 3
    Chicken Basket And Boba

    Chicken Basket And Boba

    3.5
    (172 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$

    I was in the neighborhood actually getting boba from a different place…read more I saw the sign and I decided to check it out. I noticed that the happy hour which is daily had $1 wings. I decided to try out some wings. I ended up trying 5 of the 6 flavors: Hot Spicy, Spicy & Sweet, Soy Garlic, Cajun Lemon and Original. I think the Original and Soy garlic were the best ones. I had to drive home so it was about 30 minutes away. They left the boxes open to try and keep the wings as crispy as possible. I think if you get these in house, they would be super delicious. I will admit these wings were pretty meaty, a very good size. I am used to seeing smaller or average size at a lot of wing spots. The lady working (Elizabeth) was super helpful and friendly. I chatted with her while my order was ready to go. Decor seems nice, there is a bar and some tables as well. If you are in the area, I would definitely stop in for $1 wings during happy hour. Ambiance: 4/5 Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5

    My friend recommended us to try their Korean fried chicken wings. There is a lot of parking in the…read moreplaza they are located in and it is easy to find. There aren't too many tables, but there is a bar area where they offer seating as well. I got the lunch special and they gave out a good amount of food! The food came out pretty quick and the staff was attentive. I wish I could taste the soy garlic sauce a little more, but overall the food was great! I would pass on the drinks because the boba was overcooked and it didn't have any flavor or sweetness to it. I definitely want to come back and try their happy hour and order some of the appetizers like the corn cheese and Korean pancake.

    Photos
    Chicken basket and boba
    Chicken basket and boba
    Chicken basket and boba
    Chicken basket and boba
    Wings (soy garlic)

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    Wings (soy garlic)
    Bonchon Village Way

    Bonchon Village Way

    3.8
    (220 reviews)
    8.1 mi
    $$

    Came for the Monday/Tuesday $1 wing special!…read more There's a 15-wing limit per person, which was the perfect excuse for the two of us to try all five flavors. My rankings: Soy Garlic (The clear winner) Yangnyeom Classic Crunch (This was surprisingly good!) Spicy Korean BBQ The interior was clean and service was fine. The shop is connected to Mad for Cheesecake so it's super convenient to grab a dessert on your way out.

    We placed a pickup order on Tuesday evening (8/11), and unfortunately, this visit was a huge…read moredisappointment. The drumsticks were nowhere near as fresh and delicious as they normally are--they were very tough, dry, and just not enjoyable. What upset me the most, though, was the customer service. When I walked in to pick up my order, the server was closing out at the cashier. Instead of greeting me, she simply looked at me without saying anything. I was the one who had to say "hi," and even then, there was just an awkward stare with no response. I eventually had to say, "I'm here for pickup." That was such an uncomfortable and unwelcoming experience. I actually have interacted with this same server before. During a previous dine-in visit, there was a male employee and her working the floor. The male employee appeared to be doing pretty much everything, while she seemed more interested in being on her phone. Seeing the same lack of attentiveness again this time was very disappointing. I worked as a server myself for over 7 years while I was in school, so I understand that restaurants can get busy and that everyone has off days. But greeting customers and acknowledging them when they walk in is basic customer service. A simple "Hi, how can I help you?" would have made a huge difference. Between the poor food quality this time and the disappointing service, we probably won't be coming back. It's unfortunate because we've enjoyed the food here before, but the experience matters just as much as the food.

    Photos
    TVs to watch your favorite games
    TVs to watch your favorite games
    Pork Buns
    Pork Buns
    Sports bar atmosphere

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    Sports bar atmosphere

    The Crack Shack - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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