I reviewed Surf Up Chicken when it first opened and was less than happy with its procedures, though its food was good. I just returned from lunch there, and I am pleased to report that all of the procedural problems I had stumbled on are now fixed. The menu boards are sensible and readable. I was served the meal that I ordered; the food was excellent, the aioli sauces were superb, and the service was quick. The place was quite busy; I had to wait for a table to open up so I could sit down and eat. I had the #1 combo special--chicken and fries--and it was everything I could have asked for. I'll be back. read more

Small little tucked away fried chicken restaurant that seems primarily geared towards takeout as there was not a lot of seating. The ambience reflected that as it was minimalist but clean. Service was good, price was reasonable but not cheap. But I enjoyed the food that I got. I had the classic chicken bites with french fries. The selection of dipping sauces was fantastic. All in all a good experience and I will return anytime I'm in the area read more

Been a few more times since my first review and still a great spot for great food and great service! We came on Friday right when they opened. Love the vibe of this place. I'm always amazed how they can continue to give great customer service with a super small staff especially when it gets busy. They have great meal deals and their food is served at the right temperature, has great texture and so flavorful! They also have many different types of dipping sauces which we love. We've brought and recommended this place to friends and family and no one's been disappointed. If you're craving popcorn chicken, this place can't be beat! read more

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When I went several months ago, the chicken was delicious and juicy. I don't know what's changed but the chicken pieces look different. Way more breading but worst of all, so dry and almost inedible. What happened?? read more

Brought my whole family and some relatives here. We really enjoyed the crispy chicken and the different kind of sauce that are offered. Next time, will get the lime sweet tea combo with our crispy chicken! read more

Surf Up Chicken - CHICKEN WRAP CRISPY SHIRMP & CHICKEN (Surf & Bird) - Fast Food Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Crispy, juicy chicken, love all the sauces to choose from. Broccoli was seasoned nicely and the price was nice! Also love that it has some religious roots to them. Quick service and welcoming atmosphere. Will definitely come here again! read more

Surf Up Chicken - Fast Food Near Me - Carlsbad, California

After working in an office for years, I've become used to restaurants like this; small shops hidden away in industrial parks and sprawling office campuses. This particular one was easy to almost miss. Located on the edge of a block-sized scattering of breweries, camera shops, tattoo parlors, and trophy spots, facing a less-used side street, Surf Up Chicken is a bit of a hidden gem that I am very thankful to Yelp for helping me find. For those looking for a quick review, the prices here are very low. You still get a good amount of food for what little you pay. And the food is impressively tasty, juicy, and freshly made. All-in-all, a very good restaurant that I'm sure is both very popular with their neighbors and worth going out of your way to try. I had their Crispy Chicken Taco and the Crispy Shrimp Taco. Both were well fried, nicely seasoned, served atop a nice bed of crunchy slaw, and topped with a good amount of sauce and salsa to keep it flavorful. A great dinner. My beautiful wife opted for the Cheesy Crispy Chicken Bowl. While it did share the same juicy thigh meat and tasty breading, it was coated in what really felt was canned cheese sauce, which was not the best and one of the few detractions of our dinner. My son had a Crispy Shrimp and Chicken Bowl, which he ate the entirety of in a few minutes, happily gulping down everything on his plate. And my daughter asked for the Chicken and Waffles Bowl. The chicken was still juicy and nicely seasoned, paired with perfectly cooked mini-waffles that were both soft and had a nice and chewy crust to each of them. And the syrup on top of it all made her entire dinner a sweet and salty treat. On the side we had some of their fries, which were good, but standard. What we did not have was a side of their Spaghetti, one of the items we specifically came for as one of our seven year old's standard meals; they had apparently run out of it just before we arrived. So, pretty damned good food, very reasonable prices, and an impressive spread for such a small shop. I did find the ordering process a bit tedious, with only single kiosk to order from and no one behind the counter to help. But, they also had a nice sauce bar and an extensive selection of drink options. I definitely need to come back and try more stuff that Surf Up Chicken has to offer. read more

Definitely give this place a try! It's so good, really easy to chew soft chicken, a great sauce variety, and great service, it's definitely underrated for its amazing quality read more

5/5 chicken, service, and experience. The best fried chicken I have had in a while! Plus the variety of sauces really made the experience even more enjoyable. Seating & hours are limited as of now. Hopefully they can expand in the future! read more

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I came here as soon as they opened! I was pretty hungry. I ordered crispy chicken and shrimp with grass jelly. They changed their menu. I miss the tacos and salad. I need to try the wrap next time. Their sauces are the best! I liked the green one for the chicken and the Nashville hot for the shrimp. I've never had the jelly before and it was pretty great dessert! It was so fun to jiggle it and eat it. It was so soft. I like the cream/milk that comes with it. It's a very light taste and it's not super sweet. The service is always good and it was pretty empty when I came so it was comfortable. It does get pretty busy during lunch. read more

Surf Up Chicken - CRISPY SHIRMP & CHICKEN (Surf & Bird) and GRASS JELLY - Fast Food Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Surf Up Chicken in Carlsbad is a great lunch spot offering Fried Chicken in nugget or patty form. Very reasonable prices for combos and a la carte items. Seasoning on the crispy chicken is akin to pepper salt or chinese five spice. Great flavor on the crispy chicken but was a little salty for my taste. Fries were a great side item as well as the texas toast. The sauces are great with my favorite being the yum yum sauce for the chicken. Service was great and the wait was minimal. A great tiny shop located in a business park, all the tables inside and outsite were full during this lunch time visit. Would definitely love to visit again and try their other menu items. read more

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"I gave my love a cherry that has no stone. I gave my love a chicken that has no bone..." Bonus points if you know which classic film that line is from (no googling allowed). Now, where do I begin with Surf Up Chicken in Carlsbad? This place has quietly become one of my go-to spots for a weekly meal that hits all the right notes: comforting, flavorful, fresh, and fast. Let's start with their newest menu item: the pan-seared cilantro butter shrimp. Holy moly. This dish is a total game changer. Juicy, perfectly cooked shrimp served over a bed of vibrant Asian coleslaw that's crisp, tangy, and just the right touch of sweet. I love to order a side of their salad greens and combine it all for a light, healthy shrimp salad that's low in carbs, high in flavor, and (I'm guessing) pretty easy on the fat content. It's quickly become my guilt-free favorite. But don't worry, I still embrace the sinful side from time to time. Their fried chicken? Sublime. Always tender, juicy cuts of dark meat and none of that dry, day old overcooked nonsense you get elsewhere. And if I'm feeling wild, I go for the cheese dip. I mean, if you're going to do it, do it right. And now, let's talk fries. Hands down, the best french fries in North County. Maybe all of San Diego. Crispy, light, perfectly cooked, and they'll leave off the salt if you ask. I limit myself to fries only once or twice a week because of my training schedule, but if I could eat these daily, I would. Service is consistently sweet, fast, and friendly. They've extended their hours, which means I can swing by for dinner after a long day and still enjoy a great meal without compromising quality. Surf Up Chicken nails it every single time. Great food, great service, fair prices. What more can you ask for? Answer to what film that song is from- Animal House fans, this one's for you! read more

Surf Up Chicken - The BEST Fries in the area! Seriously! - Fast Food Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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While deciding what to order through door dash for Friday night dinner, there it was... Surf Up Chicken. Like where did this place even come from??? Mmmm...chiiiicken..... They have an interesting mix of items on the menu that at times seem to not be connected, but once you put it all together, it makes sense. I ordered the chicken sandwich along with French fries for myself, Japanese chicken curry for my daughter and shrimp tacos for my husband. For sides we also ordered the veggie eggrolls and Texas toast, which seemed a little strange for the menu, but it was so delicious. The corn tortillas for the shrimp tacos were a little tough, and really the only negative I have. Other than that, everything else was perfect and delicious! The chicken sandwich was perfection. We'll be back for sure! read more

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One of my favorite spots for chicken! They have everything a la carte or you can order a combo. I decided to get the fried chicken, fries, and Texas toast. To drink, I got the lime sweet tea and I am obsessed! The chicken was fresh and the breading flavorful. They have various sauces to choose from and I liked the golden sauce the most! The service is top-notch and everyone is so friendly. You order at the counter but the staff will make recommendations if you can't decide. I stop in from time to time but will have to come by again soon, because it was delicious! read more

The food here is really good, we stopped in before closing time and we're able to get out order in. Very chill inside, the owner was very nice and explained the what was popular on the menu. We started with nacho cheese chicken, fries, Thai ice tea and a shrimp taco. Everything was delicious, very crispy and flavorful. We got some sauces on the side, the green cilantro sauce was a favorite of mine and so was the chipotle. The owner offered us a free cookie when we finished dinner which was very nice. I will definitely be coming back here, hopefully they will extend their hours soon, they close at 6pm. Parking is easy here which is a plus and there is a brewery in the same complex. read more

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This place is great! Endeavour is seriously THE nicest guy. While the location is a bit hidden and not where you would expect a restaurant to be, once you find it you will go back and back. If they were open a bit later, I would frequent them much more often. Their chicken is perfectly cooked, the fries are amazing, and their Shrimp Taco is just absolutely perfect. Don't forget to taste the sauces, they are made in house and delicious! They are super clean, super friendly, and super tasty! Do yourself a favor and go here! read more

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This was my first time here at Surf Up Chicken. Some of my colleagues in the surrounding business plaza told me that I should try it the first thing you noticed when you walk in, Is that a very small place. The girl who took my order was very nice. I only waited a few minutes before the food was out and they had lots of sauce options and I really liked the zesty green sauce. The most the fries were really crispy and good and the chicken was genuinely the best fried chicken I've personally ever had. It was a light crisp on the outside, but not too much and the meat inside was super soft and moist, even though I was eating fried chicken it almost felt healthy because of how good quality I could tell the chicken is haha. I will definitely be returning this place is awesome and it's definitely a hidden gem of Carlsbad. read more

Surf Up Chicken - Crispy chicken and fries - Fast Food Near Me - Carlsbad, California

You ever have one of those days at work when you're so busy that allocating a few minutes for lunch seems like an unlikely aspiration? On those days mere survival appears to be the most reasonable goal and time to eat is a cute luxury afforded to others. When I was still working I recall on more than one occasion ordering something (typically at a drive thru) based upon some glam shot on the window. This form of deceptive advertising always left me wanting when I opened the bag and unwrapped something doing a very poor imitation of the item championed on their ginormous color poster. It always felt like I was another losing participant at one of those street shell games only to find out that the meal I thought I had ordered was actually under the cup on the right. That exasperated destination is exactly where I figured I was headed when I visited "Surf Up Chicken." I was intrigued by the featured picture of their "Crispy Chicken Sandwich" and wondered if there was any way it could taste nearly as good as portrayed. I figured no way, but was curious enough to find out. Given my previously disclosed pessimism I decided to hedge my bets and also sample their "Crispy Chicken Taco", "Chicken & Waffles", "Thai Tea Boba", and "Grass Jelly". Surely something had to hit for me, right? When my sandwich arrived it not only looked just as good as advertised, but it also tasted as good as it looked! The food quality here, and their fast-casual format, makes this a formidable opponent to their mega chain adversaries! While there are several options for the sauce enthusiasts out there, it's all about the "Yum Yum" sauce for me! During my visit I noticed a Biblical reference printed on their bag (and given their commitment to truth in advertising) I'd recommend that they add another: "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 And that's...Henry's Take. #truthinadvertising #yumyumsauce #megachainlunchalternatives Hand model credit @danavoros read more

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I just LOVE Surf Up Chicken and every time I come in they either have a new menu item or are doing something cool like their happy hour roll a 6 challenge. They are so nice to top it all off. Support this family business that brings positivity to the world! read more

Surf Up Chicken - Fast Food Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Great fresh and crispy chicken! The fries were also very good the thai tea was delicious. They had quick service and even brought out bowls for my kiddos to split the meal. read more

Surf up chicken is a great chicken spot with cool scenery inside and great service. When I walked in, I was greeted by what seemed to be the owner who was super excited to have guests in! He was very friendly and provided great answers to all my questions on what's the best thing to get as it was my first time here. The food here is real good! I ordered the cheesy chicken combo which comes with fries and toast. I also ordered a chocolate chip cookie. The price overall was about $14 dollars, which is on the cheaper side for Carlsbad food. The chicken is similar to popcorn chicken that I've seen at boba spots, but it's a little bigger. The cheese was a great touch too. The fries were spectacular and very crispy. They have many selections for sauces too that you can grab on the side. The yum yum sauce and Nashville hot sauce are must grabs. The only downside of this place is the location, it is easily missable as it's off the main road. But it's helpful that they have a sign at the main side of the street off the bed of a truck that was helpful to see and locate. A must try spot! read more

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Just finished my take-out and it was so good and filling! I got the popcorn shrimp and chicken and a side of the spaghetti. My husband got the chicken, broccoli, rice and fries...he liked his! Fries had a great flavor, piping hot and nice crunch. Broccoli was good, too. The sauces were all yummy, my fav was the yum yum. Super clean and friendly staff. Would love more surf related motif to match the name of the shop, but still cute inside :) I was surprised there was no tip option upon payment. Makes you want to tip, instead of feeling forced to. Highly recommend, would come back. read more

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Definitely not for me, not a fan of dark meat from a chicken French fries were pretty good would definitely be better with some seasoning on them. Service was great, staff was very friendly. Won't be visiting again only because of the chicken meat. read more

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Surf Up Chicken is known for their Taiwanese popcorn chicken and it's so crispy and packed with flavor, but the menu doesn't stop there--think chicken sandwiches, curry, chicken & waffles, tacos, spaghetti, strawberry salad, garlic bread, and fries! The lime sweet tea was super refreshing, and their sauces are a must-try. The strawberry vinaigrette was a touch sweet for me, but it definitely has potential. Can't wait to come back and explore more of this menu! Affordable, delicious, and perfect for lunch vibes. @cameraconsumptions read more

Surf Up Chicken - Fast Food Near Me - Carlsbad, California

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I was very hungry but didn't know what to eat. I found this little place on Yelp and decided to give it a try. What a pleasant surprise! I got the curry chicken and crispy chicken with fries. Everything tasted so good. I thought the price was very reasonable, too. I will definitely come back. read more

Taco Tuesday for a late lunch/early dinner for me since we were in the area. When we arrived the first thing I noticed was their new hours. Now open till 7pm! The young staffer told us it's going well and people have a dinner rush almost right as they're closing. It's always tidy and clean when we've been here. Even the bathroom is fresh. The chicken tacos are quite filling. I ate two but if I wanted a lighter dinner one would suffice! I got the pineapple drink. Yummo. Everything was good & two of us had filling meals AND together the cost was just under 30 bucks! They greet you kindly upon arrival and wish you a great day as you leave. The best attitudes go a long way! Happy to have gone back. I've even shared the new business hours with another friend who comes here as well. Elated to know that it's working out for them! read more

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Visited 12/20/2024 Wow For a Small Hole inn The Wall joint in an industrial Park Setting this place has some big surprises. Simple menu with some great choices and Kid Friendly items as well. Some seating inside and out and Great Fast Service. Family owned and operated. All the food I tried was Fresh and prepared nicely. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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I really enjoyed this spot, I went again after not going for a few months. The employees are super nice, it is super clean, and it's a nice spot to sit down for a quick lunch with coworkers. They have both inside and outside seating even though the restaurant is smaller it all flows and works nicely. Theyre hidden away in a plaza so I will say parking was tough. I got the fried shrimp this time around and it was delicious and I love their french fries. You can serve your own sauces form their sauce bar which are all good and serve your own drink which I like. Really appreciate this spot, and will be coming back read more

Was driving home from San Diego. Saw that the review's were great according to yelp. I. have to stop by. As I walked in very clean restaurant food was great. Prices are very reasonable. highly recommend it. It's a must try. read more

Surf Up Chicken - Chicken sandwich - Fast Food Near Me - Carlsbad, California

I get off around 6 and couldn't make it before they closed. But I was so excited when i found out they stay open until 7. Woo hoo. The service is fantastic. The young gentleman who took my order was polite, friendly, and welcoming. The service is as good as the food they serve and that is a rare combination for fast fancy food. Their chicken Burger (with extra pickles) is still tied for first on my best chicken (in southern California ) burger list. The golden chicken sauce which has a slightly sweet and Smokey flavor is super yum! I also ordered the shrimp which was also good. The restaurant has a nice chill socal surfy vibe. You have got to give them a try for some of the best chicken and dipping sauces (free unlike raising canes) around. read more

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Everything is delicious. The service is quick. I can't get over the homemade sauces. I could drink them. I haven't tried anything that I don't love. Also, the prices are really reasonable. read more

I ordered on DoorDash for lunch and the flavor of the chicken was amazing. It didn't taste too greasy or heavy. It remind me a little bit of popcorn chicken from boba shops but it's not spicy. If there was an option to make it spicy, I'd try it! But I don't know if I'd recommend delivery because the batter on the chicken and shrimp pieces were either too hard or too soggy. I didn't really have any perfect bites. I'm glad I tried this out but I'd come in person next time! Good portion for the price too which is a plus! read more

Place is a hidden gem! Really good food clean inside eating area and friendly owner and staff! Def will bring friends n coworkers here for lunch! read more

Surf Up Chicken - Place is a hidden gem! This place is now one of my favorite chicken spots! Food is really good owner and staff are friendly too! - Fast Food Near Me - Carlsbad, California

Tucked away in an unassuming strip mall off Palmer Way, Surf Up Chicken is the ultimate hidden gem for anyone craving next-level fried chicken in SoCal. I stumbled upon this spot when I forgot to pack a lunch. Let's talk about that chicken sandwich--holy crispiness! I went for the Classic, and it was an absolute game-changer: the breaded chicken breast was extra crispy on the outside with this golden, shatteringly perfect crust, yet unbelievably juicy and tender inside. No dry bites here; it's like they marinate it in magic (or that organic chicken broth they boast about). Paired with fresh pickles and a soft brioche bun, it was pure perfection, and honestly, it was so good it was clucking amazing! I customized it with their house-made sauces, which added just the right tangy kick--talk about egg-cellent flavor! The fries on the side were hot, seasoned to perfection, and didn't even need ketchup; they were a real wing-dinger. The service was very friendly and quick--staff hooked me up with recommendations without any rush, even though it was lunchtime busy, making the whole experience feel welcoming and fun. Prices are fair for the quality, and the outdoor seating lets you soak up that California sun. If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and surf on over. This place deserves way more hype! read more

What a wonderful hidden gem in Carlsbad located in between office buildings with ample parking. This isn't your ordinary chicken meal a family owned and operated establishment bringing delightful bites blending Asian and southern flavors all while giving back. Thinking about all the times you or your family/friends dine out your paid meal now continues to help those less fortunate it's a great concept and one I stand behind. Although, it is a small business the owner and staff have a humbling, kind larger than life personality keeping customers wanting to return. Upon arrival I was so torn on what to order so I ordered the chicken and shrimp bowl, side salad, chicken taco, Belgian waffles and cookies. First, the prices are what we all miss affordable without loosing the taste and quality. The Belgian waffles are mini perfect chicken and waffle bites with crispy chicken drizzled syrup and Nashville hot sauce. They looked small but were the perfect bites. The waffles were so soft and light everything you're looking for. I added the shrimp to my salad and it was the great way to balance out veggies in my life. The chicken taco which I heard was what everyone orders and the owner Endeavour suggested is no tiny, delicate thing. It is huge expanding the width of the boat. Last the cookies a nice sweetness too end the meal. If that wasn't enough I was drinking water and the owner had mentioned his twist to sweet tea with lime. He wasn't wrong the acid of the lime not only balanced the entire meal but broke up all the salty and sweet I had just inhaled. No judgement of my fat kid tendencies. So if you're in the area take a chance off the beaten path and stop in for some great food that won't let you down. read more

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This is a fantastic chicken restaurant. The balance of crispy outside vs tender inside is perfect. The seasoning is great. Their handcrafted sauces are delectable. They opened up in 2024, and I truly hope they become a franchise so I can eat here more often. If you like crispy fries, this place has great ones. Also, the owner is friendly and truly passionate about his restaurant. I will definitely be coming back soon! read more

Surf Up Chicken - Fast Food Near Me - Carlsbad, California

The owner came out & welcomed us, that was nice. He shared that his chicken is never frozen. The chicken was moist & full of flavour. Sauces were all good, I felt I didn't need the sauces, the chicken was very delicious alone. my husband is a sauce hog so he loved it! Garlic bread was light & fluffy, that was a pleasant surprise!! Very good prices too... very economical!! Over all great place great experience with a done to earth owner. This place a win! read more

Surf Up Chicken - Fast Food Near Me - Carlsbad, California

This is by far my favorite chicken shop ever now (and boba in north county)! It's taiwanese fried chicken with so many of the best (and free) homemade sauces you could ever think of. The owner was so friendly and incredibly helpful with walking through all the options for the first time and encouraged us to try all the sauces, which I'm very thankful for. For food, I got the cheese cripsy chicken combo and spaghetti and I was so surprised by how much I loved both and especially for how cheap it was. Substitute the fountain drink for any of their speciality drinks, the boba itself is also now my favorite in north county! The thai tea with boba was truly perfect and while the strawberry lemonade frost may be a little sweet, the lychee with it was amazing. WILL be back to try everything else! read more

Back again and still does not disappoint This place continues to consistently produce crunchy flavorful of chicken every single time it's always the same it's always perfect They import a lot of their products If you have not had their Boba, I highly suggest it The owners are always there, and they are always greeting all the customer. We need to open one of these in San Marcos read more

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Delicious and flavorful food! The grilled chicken wrap had perfectly cooked chicken, fresh green, and a yummy sauce. We'll be back. read more

Surf Up Chicken - Grilled chicken wrap - Fast Food Near Me - Carlsbad, California