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We were looking for a place to eat on 4th of July and ventured out to San Clemente. Drift came up on yelp and had great reviews so we decided to check it out and we are so glad we did! We had to wait like 10-15 min to get a table since we didn't have reservations and it was a holiday but it wasn't a bad wait. My boyfriend ordered a beer (don't remember the name) but he really liked it and was a fan. For food we ordered the loaded tots with pulled pork. It's listed as an appetizer but it is pretty big! It can be a full meal! We loved the tots! The side of bbq sauce was so delicious and we asked for more sour cream which added even more flavor. We are big fans! My boyfriend ordered the pulled pork sandwich and he loved it! We are definitely adding this place to our rotation! The service and ambiance was great too!
Another great experience at Drift Distillery. The service was so nice and food was excellent. We started with the Loaded Tots with Pulled Pork (5/5 - tots were crisp, pulled pork tasted great and the mix of fun toppings pulled it all together). For the mains we had the Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich (4.5/5) and the Smoked Tri Tip Sandwich (5/5). We also tried the Butter Cake (4.5/5 - it has a fun sugary bottom). Overall excellent meal. Will be back again.
I always love trying out BBQ joints that I haven't been to. My order was a 1/2 rack of ribs and a half pound of brisket. The brisket was tender and passed the fold test. It was very tasty. The ribs were delicious they had a defined bone. A lot of places you have to pick the meat through the slivers of bone. I like that the sauce was on the side. I could taste the meat. Some places over sauce the meat. Extra sauce is to cover up bad BBQ. All the employees were really nice. I had a nice BBQ chat with the owner. I will definitely come back when I'm in town.
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.
Great spot!! Was looking for a distillery so my boyfriend could try a flight for his birthday and this was a great, low-key spot. Our waiter was super friendly and gave us great recommendations! My boyfriend enjoyed his flight and they had tons of cocktail options as well. We started with the Kansas City Twinkies (Smoked burnt ends / cream cheese jalapeño poppers / house bacon / whiskey BBQ sauce) and they were great, but super hot!! The first piece we each tried was great but the second one was significantly hotter and we had to tap out after that lol. We both enjoyed our brisket sandwiches, very generous helping of brisket and it was nice and tender as well. Definitely would order that again! We also really liked the seasoning that was added to the fries and tater tops, super yummy! Overall we both loved this spot and will absolutely be back:)
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
8 months ago
8 months ago
1 year ago
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
2 years ago
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
1 year ago
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2 years ago
Fist time to Drift, I got the tri-tip sandwich. It was amazing. The dipping sauce provided with it is excellent and it comes with a salad or fries. The spirits are clean and the flavors in their drinks really stand out. The service was really good, we were greeted by the staff promptly and the drinks and food came out pretty fast. The ambiance is super cool making you feel like you're on a ranch with a modern twist. I like plaid a lot and I could not stop staring at their seats lol. The whole experience was amazing and I definitely will be back to try the next item on the menu. Oh yea the Banana Pudding ... mmmmmm so good!! read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
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
1 year ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
Wow. What a hidden gem! Grabbed a beer and a BBQ plate for lunch. The Duck Beer was great! And the food was amazing. Wow! Soooo good!! We will DEFINITELY be back! read more
4 years ago
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
2 years ago
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
1 year ago
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
1 year ago
2 years ago
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
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
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
8 months ago
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4 years ago
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
2 years ago
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
2 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
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
2 years ago
1 year ago
6 years ago
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
3 years ago
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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Do you have to have a reservation to get a table?
No you don’t need a reservation but it is recommended.
Review Highlights - Drift Distillery
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