Joey Salameh at Drift Distillery absolutely made the experience. From the moment we sat down, he brought a level of energy and professionalism that you don't see everywhere. He's the kind of person who genuinely enjoys what he does, and it shows in every interaction. His knowledge of the drinks was on point--he didn't just recommend things, he explained them in a way that actually made you excited to try something new. Every suggestion hit, and you could tell he really understands the craft behind what Drift is doing. What stood out most though was the service. Joey was attentive without hovering, personable without being over the top, and made the whole vibe feel elevated but still comfortable. It felt less like being served and more like being taken care of. If you're going to Drift Distillery, ask for Joey--you'll have a completely different (and better) experience because of him. read more

Drift Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

Stopped by for happy hour with a group of friends (a party of 7) and was quickly seated by our server Luke Jordan who's upbeat personality was very much appreciated. First menu's and drinks with great conversations among our-selves, we were given ample time to read and decide on our choices and under no pressure to order which was excellent way for everyone to catch up on life! Luke returned and took our orders made sure drinks were still full. The ambiance was outstanding and low key no blasting music or loud tv sets blaring which made our conversations that much more enjoyable. Luke return soon there after with our dinners which was delicious! For that reason I give 5 Stars nice portions presentation was wonderful. Luke did a great job! I highly recommend Drift Distillery read more

We wanted to try something new for Mother's Day and my son came up with Drift. Who doesn't want to try something new in town? It is a very cute place that is much bigger on the inside than one would think. Drift has a small parking lot and we managed to get a nice spot! We started off with beers and a flight of whiskey shots. I quickly ordered the pretzels to help soak up the booze. BOY! They are the best pretzels I ever had! They were soft, right out of the oven and delicious. We ordered the family platter of smoked meats and there was enough food on there to feed 5 big eaters. (Ribs, brisket, smoked turkey and pulled pork.) There were 4 of us, and we ate all that we could but we still had extra meat! So we took the leftovers home. You get 3 side dishes, those were all winners. I also ordered the smokehouse wedge salad, which was good. Our waiter named LUKE was just fabulous! Luke is a young man, full of energy and smiles and he knew a lot about the whiskeys and the menu - he is full of fun. He delivered great table service - along with several other runners. We were full, but could not leave without having some dessert, so we ordered the strawberry tart and the buttercake. The tart was not sweet, it had a Greek yogurt kind of flavoring to it, and when Luke asked how did we like it, we had to tell him that the chef needs to add sugar to it. He adjusted the check accordingly, but we didn't mean to be such big complainers! The buttercake was served warm with a dollop of delicious vanilla ice cream and a cherry with preserves too. As we were leaving, our timing was perfect and we met with the owner of Drift Distillery; Ryan Winter. He is from Kansas and that's where the whiskey grains get their start; under the wide, open horizons where the moon feels massive. My husband and son loved the clear whiskey shot the most - it was smoother than anything they tasted. Get in there everyone, and enjoy some great spirits and great smoked BBQ. I hope that you LOVE IT as much as we did! read more

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Drift has a convenient location right in downtown San Clemente. They have their own parking lot which is great as finding a parking spot on the weekend can be challenging. The craft cocktails are very tasty. As a distillery they make their own vodka, gin, rum, tequila and bourbon. The bloody mary mix was very well balanced and tasted fresh. The bacon garnish was very tasty. We split an appetizer and a sandwich which was enough for us. The staff was attentive. For a side with the sandwich you can choose fries, tots, or coleslaw. We went with tots and they were very crispy and hot. We chose the Cuban as they told us it was one of their most popular sandwiches. The pork had a slight smoke tint. Our appetizer was the kansas city twinkies, which are basically stuffed jalapeno poppers. We expected them to be spicier than they were. The whiskey bbq sauce was well balanced. We were a little bummed that everything came out of the kitchen at once as we were hoping to enjoy the appetizer first. The restaurant was clean and we enjoyed the vibe and country music. They also offer a happy hour during the week. read more

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Service sitting at the bar was 5 stars. Attentive and friendly. Great! Smoked turkey is one of my fav smoked meats and it seems to be hard to do without drying it to turkey jerky texture. Drift manages to make it very good. Not super juicy, but certainly not dried out. I enjoyed it. The turkey comes as a stand alone meat. You can buy 1/2 ($15) or 1 pound ($30). I got the 1 pound to have plenty to take home. I will likely make turkey sandwiches. Speaking of sandwiches, I wish the turkey was offered in a sandwich. It would be a great option. The server did offer to ask the kitchen if they could do a sandwich, but I decided to just get the meat. To round out my turkey lunch I ordered a side veggie, the fries. They are very good as well. Hot and crunchy. Their standard BBQ sauce is a bit sweet and molasses like for my taste. They do have a spicy version that is great. Not too spicy, but just right. You have to ask for it. My buddy ordered the Kansas City Twinkies for his lunch. He loves spicy foods and these were giving him a kick for sure. For someone that eats jalapeños with everything he eats, he was sweating a bit from this dish. The server did give a caution when he ordered them that they were spicy and she was not exaggerating. Since my buddy has had these before he knew what he was getting himself into. Go! Eat Well!! HAVE FUN!!! read more

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We've returned a few times since our initial visit to this new location, enjoying ourselves at the bar top each time To date, we're fans of: Smokehouse Wedge (chopped), $17 Bacon Chicken Sandwich (with Fries), $17; hubby enjoyed his Pork Outlaw Sandwich (with Fries), $17 During a couple of visits, the staff promoted their weekend brunch menu. While we don't usually go out for breakfast/brunch anymore, our desire to support Drift had us looking forward to this experience. Outside of their tasty Bloody Mary (with the option for vodka or gin, $16), with a nice hint of spiciness, garnished attractively with bacon, pimento-stuffed olive, pickle, pepper, and lemon and lime slices, our Biscuit Sandwiches ($15) did not have us longing to return. Our thoughts, not only in taste, but the preparation was inconsistent; on one, much of the egg white was translucent-&-runny, while the other was appropriately opaque, firmly set around the yolk (had we had the option to select the style of egg, I would have preferred over medium or scrambled). I'll stick with 5-stars, attributed to the fun, light-&-airy atmosphere, select food items (on their regular menu), and the positive-&-friendly staff! Our preference, however, is to stick with their non-brunch menu. read more

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Hadn't been to this location, but loved the previous spot. So enjoyed the new spot with the expanded menu. The meat is so well cooked. The service is really friendly and young. Will definitely be back. As good as you could ask for. read more

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This place is very amazing. The food was beyond expectation. Scenery was very good. Please try the espresso martinis. They are so good. Get it with coconut. read more

Drift Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

If I could give them 10 stars I would. To start, my family has always been a huge fan of Drift, so we were thrilled to see a full restaurant open! We came here during Thanksgiving week while everyone was in town from out of state, and we had the best experience. The food, atmosphere, and drinks were outstanding. Our server and the food runners were so kind and upbeat, we loved the enthusiasm and positivity coming from all of them. Everyone raved about the cornbread!! I'm already planning on making the drive back down to try more menu items and hit up happy hour. Excited to have another great eatery in town. read more

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Great spot. First time visiting but will not be my last. Stopped in on a Friday during happy hour. Moderate crowd, was able to sit at the bar. Many items to pick from on the menu, both the regular and happy hour menu. Great drinks, staff was very friendly. Reatruant was good for groups. Ok for kids. Nice patio area. Small adjacent parking lot. read more

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I was searching for local distilleries and this was a top result. I thought the environment was good and seemed like a local spot. For food, I highly recommend the spare ribs which fell off the bone! The Mac and cheese was also pretty good and a large portion. Unfortunately the trip tip sandwich was kind of chewy so we didn't love this. For drinks, I recommend the 'I'm On Vacation' which was like a berry martini. read more

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Great food, drinks & service for our party of 6. Apps: loaded tots, very large $19. Candied pork belly lollipops were tasty $18. Tomahawk fingers were tasty. Slightly high price points in my opinion. Drinks: whiskey flights, craft beer & specialty drinks. Mains: Cuban sandwich was delicious. Taquitos were on a special cinco de mayo menu & were good. Pulled pork was yummy. Side: macaroni & cheese was delicious. Street corn on special menu was yummy. Our server Sara was great. Nice bar inside as well. read more

Drift Distillery - Candied pork belly lollipops - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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I've been going to Drift since it was at its old location and loved it there and love it even more now! We sat at the bar area (which is huge!) and enjoyed some cocktail and food. Bartenders, wait staff and hostess were all very kind and made you feel like you knew them for a long time. They talked to you like you were their friend which made for a nice atmosphere. Got a half pound of brisket, a side of cornbread with honey butter, pork belly lollipops, a fill rack of ribs and a side of Mac and cheese. Everything tasted great! Highly recommend coming here as they are open late, food is tasty, cocktails and yummy and the ambiance is great! read more

Drift Distillery - I'm on Vacation cocktail - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

We enjoyed our visit here, specially since there are so few bbq places in San Clemente. I definitely recommend a reservation as it fills up quickly. We were only two and had a reservation, and quite delighted to have been sat in a booth. Not the best bbq or cubano sandwich I've ever had, but happy for this local jaunt. Despite its large layout, the acoustics were very good; it was very full and busy, but we could still chat easily. Our sever was full of vivre, and made excellent recommendations. read more

First timers and had a great experience. We arrived at noon on a Sunday and got seated and our waiter was hospitable and welcoming. The food was VERY good, down to the BBQ sauce they served. Let us not forget the crispy, lightly seasons tater tots that were amazing. The sandwiches were delicious and extremely filling. This is definately a restaurant I will be coming back to soon. read more

First time visiting their new location in Downtown San Clemente and it is AMAZING! The bar, design and layout of this new location is a major upgrade! Service was fantastic and fast. I only had a beer while my friend learned about a $5 taco and fries lunch plate that was the perfect amount and price. She said it was delicious. We will be back! read more

Drift Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

Husband has really gotten into whiskey, so when he sent me this place on IG a month or so ago, I decided I had to take him there for his birthday. We arrived around noon, and there was nobody in there. We were the only people in there our entire visit. For it being totally dead, it was unbelievable how bad the service was. Our waiter spent the whole time chatting it up with the bartender, while what appeared to be management/owners, sat in a booth in the back having a meeting. Waiter was super slow and never checked on us to see how things were, only came over to deliver plates. I will say the ambiance is really nice; it's a clean, large, inviting space with lots of nice decor touches. They also have designated parking directly next door and behind the restaurant, which is awesome since parking can be a hassle on this street. I asked our waiter for a Bloody Mary and was told they only serve those on the weekend. I thought that was very strange, and wondered why that's not stated on the menu? I ended up just going with an iced tea, which I had to ask to be refilled, then remind him again that I wanted it refilled, since he forgot. My husband had an Old Fashioned, he enjoyed it. We also both thought it was odd they don't offer flights of their spirits, or if they do, it's not listed on the menu. Had we been aware of a flight, we definitely would have ordered one. We started with the Smoked Duck Eggrolls. These were dripping in grease, I could not believe how oily they were. The oil also tasted old. Grease aside, I just didn't care for the flavor of the duck, so this was a pass for me. Husband thought the filling was good, and he was eating it with a fork to avoid the oil laden eggroll wrappers, but when he got a bone in one of his bites, he also abandoned this plate. For lunch he had their Smash Burger, which was the star of the show. We both really enjoyed his burger, I wish I had ordered it. It was the perfect amount of smoke with a nice balance of sauce and toppings. I had their Bacon Chicken Sandwich, it was alright. I found it to be too one note and needed more texture. There were super thinly sliced red onions on it, I felt if they were thicker and added some crunch this could have been better. There was some BBQ sauce served on the side that I dipped my sandwich into a couple times, but it was just too sweet, like eating candy. Oh, and let's talk about the fries. The serving size is way too much, seriously over half the plate. And the fries were hard as rocks, I couldn't find one on my plate that had any life left in it. I maybe ate 6 of them, they were awful. Lunch was $90 after tax and tip. If we lived closer, I might give them another shot since the reviews are so good, but our experience was too bad for me to drive 80 miles roundtrip to eat here again. What a bummer birthday lunch for my husband. 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 held a company event here and couldn't be happier with the experience. Ryan made booking a breeze, the food and drinks were incredible, and the service was friendly and fast. The pulled pork was honestly the best I've ever had. Everyone was still talking about the Tomahawk fingers the next day. Their spirits were great too--I loved them all and took home a bottle of gin. Even the restroom was spotless, which I really appreciated. Fantastic venue all around. read more

AMAZING. Let's start small, the chairs are comfy, the music isn't too loud, the staff is attentive. (All things that are important to me) But the FOOD is out of this world DELISH! Must try when in town. We ordered the twinkies and quesadillas from the appetizer menu. Practically licked our plates. Drinks were amazing too. Thanks Ian!! read more

Drift Distillery - Twinkies and brisket quesadillas - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

The server was amazing, full of life, incredibly attentive, and gave the best recommendations that made our experience even better. The ambience was cozy and welcoming, perfect for a relaxed night out. The food was outstanding, everything was packed with flavor, and the BBQ was especially delicious. You can truly tell that every dish is well thought out and made with care. I'm currently pregnant, but I'm already excited to come back and try their delicious looking cocktails in the future! Definitely recommend this gem, such a great spot all around! read more

Drift Distillery - Pulled pork Sandwich - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Drift Distillery is a barbecue joint and small batch distillery in San Clemente. It is next-door to Ole's Tavern so after you get some brisket, you can go play some pool. We went as a party of six and they had bench banquette seating to accommodate our larger group as well as other smaller tables to accommodate smaller groups. Drift has some nice open air windows but could use a fan or two for air flow. The space has a good vibe, informed and polite servers, and a decent drinks menu, including specialty cocktails. We ordered the Brisket, spare ribs, Tomahawk Fingers, Twinkies, side salad and an additional side. The food was well presented and had good flavor. Our favorite was the tomahawk fingers which had a sweet and sticky sauce on it. For a barbecue spot everything had decent smoke to it although we found the brisket a bit overcooked and the spare ribs oversmoked. Overall, we had a nice dinner and will come back here with friends, but not necessarily on our own. read more

Drinks were great and food was amazing. We loved it and will definitely visit again. We had a party of 10 and we were well served.

Drift continues to ROCK at their new(er) downtown San Clemente location. Had been a big fan over the years when they were located in Talega (small distillery); it took some time to venture into town to imbibe. New, expanded food menu is a welcome addition, as is their drink menu. They're now a bonafide "don't miss" resturant in the heart of town with their own private parking lot!!! Tried the Street Tacos; UNBELIEVABLE!!! $5.00 per, and includes fries and pickles. Have also gnoshed on their expanded sandwich offerings (amazing). Do yourself a favor; get to Drift and enjoy! read more

Drift Distillery - Street Tacos - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

Food: 5/5 Incredible, reminds me of some of the best BBQ places in the south. The side of the side of BBQ sauce is not good tho, it's sweet. The spicy BbQ sauce tastes better but I wish they had a 3rd normal option. Service: 1/5, the waitress had the worst attitude! She clearly hated being a server, and needs to get a different kind of job. She was blonde and I don't recall her name (this was a few weeks back) read more

This is a terrific date spot. We got a reservation for a Friday night, and they had our table ready when we arrived. We started with some apps (brussel sprouts - so good; and the pork belly lollipops - terrific). They have a great selection of crafted cocktails. I went with the gin drink - Where Is My Two Year Old - Smooth and delicious. For my main, I went with the Smoked Tri Tip Sandwich - it was 10/10 good. Overall great experience. We will be back. read more

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First of all the servers at Drift are very welcoming and well trained in all aspects of customer service. I have been here twice recently and they were wonderful. Way to go Fernando! Today I had the sliced chicken and bacon sandwich with fries. That might be my new favorite. Side of BBQ sauce had a nice smoky taste. My friends both had the tri tip sandwich and loved it. Portions are large and fillin read more

Drift Distillery - Bacon Chicken Sandwich - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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What a special experience and it was all truly because of our server, Lucas. From the moment we walked in the hostess was smiling and welcoming. Then we received the most personable service we've had in years. Our family happens to own three restaurants and Jettywave Distillery in HMB, and we begged this guy to get up and move to work for us. He made us want to order more, know more about this special place. He told us about the owners, the farming, all of it was just a special experience. Thank you Lucas and Drift, hang on to this guy!! he's a perfect Branding guy for you!! read more

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Outstanding service. I felt the brisket was a 7 out 10. A bit that night but good flavor The cornbread is amazing! The ribs are a 10 The macaroni is a 10. Priced well and cool decor read more

I enjoyed my experience at drift. I went on a Sunday and it was quite busy so we sat at the bar. The bar tender was very nice and helped us pick out amazing drinks. The food was also great. read more

This place came recommended by Charlie Fox First impression walking in: it's a nice place low light setting I would say it's a mixture of California and the midwest. Server did take a while to come to our table initially besides that the service was great. The food was great I recommend everything I took a picture of the food is savory and worth the money. In total everything we got was $195.57 Fun fact the wood pile is imported from Kansas read more

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Came to this location on Sunday. We ordered a beer, and Old Fashioned and Cheddar Jalapeño Hush Puppies. The beer was 8/10, the hush puppies were 6/10 and the Old Fashioned was 3/10 (due to it being about 2oz!) I realize the drink is traditionally made with a large ice cube... but come on! read more

Drift Distillery - Full Price Old Fashioned - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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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 distillery is more than just great drinks, the food is impressive. The menu pairs perfectly with their craft spirits, offering hearty bites and flavorful dishes that elevate the tasting experience. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff is very friendly. A must-visit spot whether you're here for a cocktail or a full meal. My favorite was the Tomahawk fingers omggg delicious they use a home made whiskey bbq sauce a little sweet but absolutely delicious.The seared tuna was fresh it was also very good. You also have to try the Brussels sprouts and the pork belly. And if you like salads the strawberry salad is really good.I loved everything that we ordered. Highly recommended, read more

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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

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

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