We went for Happy Hour and it was fantastic! The Whiskey Ginger was wonderful and the loaded tots, OMG! Our server Lucas was outstanding. We had our dog with us so we sat at the patio which was a great space. We will definitely be coming back. read more

First time trying this restaurant. Food was out of this world delicious. Ribs were the best ribs ever! Our server Fernando was absolutely awesome and gave 10/10 service. Would definitely recommend. read more

Decided to give this a try yesterday - WOW! So good! Loved our shared lunch order - pulled pork sandwich with fries and additional sides of kitchen sink beans and Cole slaw. The beans are incredible, a meal all by themselves! Nice selection of ice cold draft beer, great service in a beautifully decorated space. We were lucky enough to be entertained by a very cool bluegrass band complete with mandolin and banjo. Can't wait to come back again! read more

Who knew a proper bar and restaurant was located in a business park of San Clemente. I am grateful for my befriends who introduced me to this incredible neighborhood gem. I wanted a top notch drink and bite to eat before continuing to San Diego and this place was exactly what I was looking for. Their old fashioned was stirred up to perfection. Their Cuban sandwich was the star of the show. To know this quality sandwich exists in So Cal and Can compete w/ Porto's or any of the Miami spots, this will be my go to when needing that sandwich fix. I also added an arugula w/ feta salad to get a taste of their fresh menu and wow! I could eat that salad daily. Service from the bar and p/u window is super friendly. For sure a spot I would frequent often read more

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Amazing food and drinks! Best tri tip sandwich I've had. Love the cozy, rustic feel of the space. Can't wait to go back!

Food and service was great. This is what we needed. One area of improvement is in the cocktails they are very measured a light. Slightly larger pour and it will be perfect read more

Service was excellent. Their BBQ was tasty. We got the baby back ribs, pulled pork with cheesy mashed potatoes and corn bread. The only draw back is that their beans and bbq sauce were on the sweet side, but the ribs were tasty enough that they didn't need sauce. The rest of the sides were excellent. The drinks are hand crafted and a very reasonable priced. They offered us tasters of their whiskey, and we ended up buying a bottle. We'll definitely be back. read more

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Luke, you are killing it! Dinner was great. Drinks were equally as good. But Luke, he was exceptional.

Big fan of the chicken sandwich, Kansas City twinkies, Cuban, and burger. It looks really nice inside, I just wish the bartenders interacted with the bar guests more. Missed opportunities for second and third rounds all around read more

Drift Distillery - Smash burger - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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Wanted to stop by and try this place out as it was on my way home. Was greeted by Grace and Ryan...very hospitable and friendly !.. learned that all their distillery items are wheat based from their family farm. I tried the bourbon which was quite tasty. I am going to go back and try their BBQ read more

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This little hidden gem is definitely worth visiting if you're in San Clemente. The ambience set up comfortably where you feel like you're sitting in a friends backyard. The staff was friendly, and the food is absolutely amazing! We ordered the pulled pork tacos, which were tender and full of flavor, served with a Carolina style bbq sauce. The side of brisket mac & cheese was full of tender pieces of brisket wrapped up in creamy cheddar cheese and melted in your mouth. Paired up with a Moscow mule the meal was complete. We didn't drink any whiskey or bourbon this trip but we did get a few little samplings and we will be coming back soon! Highly recommend! read more

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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

This is a Trifecta of goodness. From service to food and ambiance. Try the pork belly pops. You won't be sorry.

The vibe at Drift was amazing. We met friends for Sunday brunch and sat at the bar. The brunch menu was small but we all had something different and all enjoyed our meal. The bar tender that served us was great. She made great recommendations for us. read more

I just so happen to stumble upon this fine establishment on my anniversary recently and we were very pleased with the food and the drinks!!! Loved the brisket quesadilla (you could add ANY of their meat to the quesadilla if you ain't into brisket). I absolutely Adored my Mojito, shoutout to my boy Caleb for making me the most balanced and tasty drinks and also recommending some fire menu items! Seriously, the mojito and other cocktail I had was probably the best cocktails I've ever had especially knowing they make everything in house pretty much from scratch!!!!! Insane!! Despite there being a huge rush right after we sat down and the food taking a good 20+ mins, Caleb's service was outstanding as he was juggling a bunch of us at the bar and still going above and beyond for any slight problem that may have come up, I really love to see patience (especially with some difficult guests next to us) and lord bless his soul, he had it!! Overall the ambiance was fantastic, really great spot for that type of night out with fantastic drinks and great food if you need it!!! Thank you to Caleb and the rest of the DRIFT staff! Yall were handling the Valentines dinner rush super well!!! If I lived closer I would be taking people there every other weekend to put them onto this gem!!! Cheers! read more

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Aye im back again just wanted to give a shoutout to the chef because even though he didn't want to bring back the cornbread, he brought it back man he a real one for that and a shoutout to the homie Ryan, keeping it real for real, who made the final decision in bringing back the cornbread. I'm going to have to visit again just for the cornbread. Sincerely, Juan aka compa chino aka Juancho del rancho read more

Joey is the man! Amazing service and made the evening that much better. Super attentive and knowledgeable about what offerings they have. If u get Joey as your server you will be sure to have a great time. read more

Great service, awesome drinks. We will have to come back to try the food but we were told it's even better! The ambiance was superb

This is one of those rare finds that checks every single box. I came here on a whim to celebrate my birthday and it was ultimately the best decision I made. Upon walking in, we were immediately greeted by the gentleman at the bar. I forgot his name but he is dating the owners daughter. His customer service was impeccable. As a former restaurant and bar consultant - I was pleasantly surprised by his hospitality. I started off with a flight of the spirits to get a lay of the land. I tried the silver rum, their aged rum (80 proof), their gin, and their 2 yr aged whiskey. All of it was delicious AND the gin was by far, my favorite gin. Yes, it even beat out empress on my list. It's unique, full of flavor, and even if you're not a gin fan... you'll be blown away by this. My partner ordered the old fashioned and it was the best one we've ever had (and we've had A LOT) They were training a new bartender so we decided to order a few other drinks to let her train AND to taste the menu. Everything was far superior to other bars and restaurants in all of Southern California. As we were chatting - the bartender asked if we wanted a quick tour and of course I got excited. He talked with the owner in the back and the owner waved us back while they made us another round of drinks. We got to hear their story, saw how they made everything, and it was definitely an amazing experience. The owner even gave us a taste of an IPA whiskey he was working on that may be available in the next 12-18 months. I was super excited about that one. Lastly, they had a 4yr aged bourbon that his daughter made on her 17th birthday and they bottled it for her 21st birthday. I purchased a bottle (worth the price for being locally distilled) and am giving it away as a gift. This is a long winded review to say go support this distillery. Purchase everything. You won't be disappointed. P.S. if you're a fan of Kansas City bbq... they make the best. But I highly recommend trying a flight to truly get to know their spirits. It's highly worth it! Can't wait to be back. read more

Drift Distillery - a bottle of whiskey next to a reed - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

A hidden gem tucked back in San Clemente business center. They make their own liquor and my favorite is their whisky. It is pretty smooth without an over bearing taste or lingering after taste. The service is great with plenty of outdoor seating. The bartender makes a nice Old Fashion and Mojito. As for the food, love it. The taters layered with brisket or pulled pork is fantastic. We also ordered the Mac n cheese as well as quesadillas, both with protein. All good. Highly recommend. read more

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you need to tell everyone that when they get the street corn it is not a dip also if its corn on a cob then you should give at least 3 cobs not just one split into 3 !!!! but other than that service was great and everyone was so nice!! the vibes were great the atmosphere was on point. i just think better descriptions of the food would be amazing. love this place tho!! xoxo -tom read more

Excellent food, service and a very cool vibe. We started with the Brussels sprouts appetizer ( a must !) and one of the best we've ever had. There were 3 of us and we shared the pulled pork and brisket, side of beans and vinegar coleslaw. We indulged and shared the decadent and incredibly delicious corn bread. The meat was tender,perfectly seasoned and sooooo good. Our server Joey was attentive, friendly and checked frequently ( water, drinks). The manager on site was cordial and friendly. We will be back and highly recommend it! read more

I recently discovered San Clemente's newest gem when making an unplanned stop at Drift Distillery & Smokehouse. Featuring their own line of top shelf liquor and a truly amazing selection of beers that rival any brewery...Drift compliments these unique libations with outstanding food that will satisfy any fussy eater, and especially us carnivores. But perhaps Drift's greatest appeal is the friendly, inviting atmosphere that you rarely see anymore. And I'm not just talking about the staff either (who are very engaging and gregarious) but the customers you meet here as well. I have stopped in for a much-needed beer to relax my brain for a spell during my usual 100+hr work weeks. A red ale and smoked brisket can be just the thing to de-stress my head, recharge my enthusiasm and always find myself talking to complete strangers at the bar like it's normal. At Drift it is normal...not so much elsewhere. It is this combination of booze, food and mood that makes this an exceptional watering hole you'll return to again and again. While I struggle to remember the names of all those who work here (big staff) who have entertained me when I stop in, Grace is the exception to the rule. Daughter of owners Ryan & Leslie, she serves up her contagious, bubbly personality to all at the bar and is a genuinely impressive young lady. I can't really describe it...you just have to drift in and meet her and the others for yourself. A block south of El Camino Real and Del Mar, Drift should be a stop on the list of anyone who appreciates a relaxed, social tavern with one-of-a-kind dinning and drinks. You can thank me later. read more

Great family owned business. Hard working father, mother (aka Corporate) & daughter. The Tri-Tip chili and brisket taco were delicious. Sweet atmosphere! We went home with their last bottle of single barrel rum 117 proof (batch 3). Drinks like a barrel proof bourbon. Thank you for the recommendation. read more

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Went in around 6 pm, hostess did asked if we had a reservation there was two of us with plenty of empty seats. Told we needed a reservation unless sitting at the bar then the host told us he forgot about the other tables when we looked at him confused. Our waitress came to the table twice the entire dinner. Once to ask for our drinks and once to take our order. It took forever to get both. The cornbread never came out. Food tasted more like a test kitchen of a failing restaurant. Drinks were horrible not a good ratio of mixer to alcohol. If you are anything but white do not except service here. If I could give zero stars I would. read more

Grace is the absolute best go on the weekends when she is there she recommends the best drinks and her customer service is excellent!

supposed to be a smoke house! No smoke or flavor in the meat! No seasoning! Very disappointing! I won't be back!!! Service from Amanda was excellent! read more

A true hidden gem in the business park area of San Clemente. Family owned business that distills their own rum, gin, vodka and whiskey. We keep at least 2 bottles of the rum in hand at home at all times. Alongside their delicious craft cocktails made with their alcohol, they serve BBQ that is to die for! The pulled pork is some of the best I've ever had. (They offer takeout by the pound too, which we love to get and take home during football season!) The ambiance here is kind of trendy yet relaxed. You can usually always find a place to sit and hang out. Love the country music and picnic benches. Unfortunately because it is a distillery, no kids allowed. Since having my daughter we haven't been able to go quite as much...but the takeout is great and it's a fun casual date spot for my husband and I when we are able to get a sitter. Absolutely recommend checking it out if you haven't already! read more

I came here to pickup sanitizers. It's hidden in an industrial complex, so use your GPS to find it. When you pull into the complex, turn LEFT and you'll see orange umbrellas. The company name is on the glass behind the umbrella. It's a totally chill place, and has a laid back vibe. I can see how this can be a neighborhood gem. Plenty of parking, but first you gotta find the place. read more

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

Drift has delicious BBQ and drinks!! Their staff is amazing, the owners are super nice and the arugula salad is perfect!!

Enjoyed their full offerings of food, spirits and great service from all of their staff. Renovated space with nice booths, bar and parking lot which is exclusively for their patrons. We came on a quieter Sunday night. Curious to see what a Saturday with live music will be like. You can tell this business is run by a family that truly cares. read more

Great hidden place with yummy BBQ! Had our small dog so the patio area was perfect! The pulled pork tacos and Mac n cheese were wonderful! Brisket and ribs just as yummy! Glad we trusted all the 5 star reviews! read more

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Fun tasting flight - chose your favorite spirits. But more importantly, the Kansas City BBQ was absolutely delicious!

Finally tried Drift and had a great experience! We ordered a few different good lunch options to try and appetizers. The bbq was all super good and the apps were a nice touch. The drinks speak for themselves and are amazing. Really cool spot with indoor and outdoor seating. Plenty of parking too. Highly recommend and we will definitely be back! read more

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We absolutely love Drift and their new location is done really nicely. Love their food, beverages and ambiance.

Nice place to have a bbq snack and have a drink. Nice food and good whiskey. A very unassuming location with a nice ambiance. Nice staff and good food and booze ! read more

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The food was amazing. The Tomahawk Finger appetizer and Cornbread skillet were fantastic. My husband had the Cubano and I had the fried Chicken sandwich. Looking forward to going back again and continue a journey through the menu. read more

My new favorite place. Incredible food. Real country music, delicious drinks & friendly people. I'm going out of my way to visit again. The only way to improve this place would be to add a couple desserts to the menu. read more

Drift Distillery - Distilleries Near Me - San Clemente, California

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The distillery gets a 5, but the BBQ was very underwhelming. Located conveniently across the street from Artifex Brewery, yet the place has 4 beers on tap (2 Brewery X and 2 Artifex) as well as canned beers. Bartenders were very personable and helpful. I didn't try any cocktails, as I wanted to try the spirits on their own. However the cocktails looked pretty tasty, I'll have to try some next time. For the flight: the unaged whiskey felt like I could breathe fire! The aged whiskey was much more mellow, the rum would be great in a cocktail, and the tequila (reposado) was lowkey my favorite as ot had a chocolatey taste to it. Now the BBQ...I got the Brisket plate with baked beans and cornbread. The cornbread with honey butter was great, the baked beans needed little BBQ sauce added, but the brisket was pretty disappointing. Smoky taste, yet cold and medium-well doneness. Ambiance was pretty chill, and walked out with their 3 blend whiskey which will go great with a nice smoke. read more

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My wife and I and a group of friends have been going to drift for years when it was at their old location. We loved the location , food and drink. We were a bit sad hearing it moved downtown. We decided to try the new location. My first impression was they did a good job on the new place, after that it started going downhill. 1. The menu is much larger but most of my favorites aren't on the menu . 2. Everything is more expensive. 3. We all wanted pulled pork but they were out, and that was on a Thursday. 3. My wife and I ordered the same beer. A pilsner. But when we got surved the beer was dark. I asked them waitress why a pilsner was so dark, she said other people had asked that and it's just how it's brewed. Upon asking another waitress for the beer I originally wanted she said they ran out of it. So instead of the telling me they were out of the pilsner, I was given some random beer. I think when you're paying $9 for a 16oz beer you should have your choice and not given just any beer. I really don't think I'll be back. read more