just went there and it's superior! Everything perfect!!! They distill locally and everything on the menu is unique. My pallate was definitely pleased. And, it was quiet ...a nice breeze with perfect happy quick service! 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.

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

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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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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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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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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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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We are so glad we finally got to try Drift! We have been wanting to go for years, but haven't since we couldn't bring our kids. Last night we took the whole family and we all loved it. My husband loved his pulled pork, I enjoyed my tri tip sandwich, our 10 year old loved the brisket smash burger and our 7 year old thought the Mac and cheese was great! We also enjoyed the party wings because the burnt ends were already sold out - yummy! Old fashioned's were delicious as well as the lemonade. We were sat right away on a Sunday evening and the service was great. read more

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

Drift Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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