I've driven by The Crack Shack in Costa Mesa so many times, and today I finally said, "Today's the day, I'm trying it!" I'm so glad I did. From the moment I walked up, the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. You order your food outside at the window and then head inside to a clean, inviting, and really fun atmosphere. There's plenty of seating, including a second-floor area, and the whole place has a playful, family-friendly feel. There's also a bar area with TVs if you want to hang out and watch a game. I ordered the Senor Croque, fries, and blackcherry soda. All delicious and it hit the spot! What really stood out to me was the service. The staff checked on me throughout my visit to make sure I was enjoying my food and didn't need anything. Everyone was genuinely friendly and attentive. I also had the pleasure of meeting the GM, Jerry. He was incredibly kind and thanked me for stopping in. When he found out it was my first visit, he surprised me with a complimentary house-made cookie, a very thoughtful gesture that made an already great experience even better. Excellent atmosphere, wonderful service, and such an excellent staff. I will definitely be back, whether it's with family and friends, or even just by myself! Thank you, Jerry and the team, for making my first visit such a great one. read more

The Crack Shack - Thank you, Jerry - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Nice service! However the fries were very greasy and oily, so I DO NOT recommend. The chicken burgers (the firebird & coop deville) are super good tho! There are a variety of sauces, but I recommend the pineapple mustard to dip with your burger. You order outside, and then you can choose a place to sit and eat inside. read more

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We tried the pieces of chicken tossed in honey butter. It wasn't as good as regular, because when they toss it they don't use the awesome Crack Spice. I tried adding some Crack Spice after the fact but it just wasn't the same. They seem to have a rotating dish of loaded fries. This time it was the Gravy Train Fries. They were average. I'll have to try their Mexican Poutine that is always on the menu. But I have a feeling that nothing beats just getting their regular fries and having fun with all the different sauces. read more

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Didn't have time to stop and eat but ubereats to go! Wow those tenders were juicy AF! Great flavor on the fries and loved the addition of the rolls as well too. Can see why it has the name, the place is so good! read more

The Crack Shack - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place came highly recommended by my niece, so when I was in the area for an appointment, I decided to stop by for lunch! I'm a huge Caesar salad wrap fan, so I ordered one but asked if they could swap in the spicy fried chicken instead, and they were more than happy to accommodate. It was ready pretty quickly. There was plenty of seating, and I loved the setup. It's technically indoors but has an open-air feel, so it almost feels like you're sitting outside. I originally planned to eat just half of the wrap, but it was way too good and I ended up eating the whole thing! Definitely glad I stopped by and would come back read more

The Crack Shack - Menu - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I ordered the Power Bowl for take out and it was so good! I like how there are healthier options on the menu other than just fried chicken. There is a lot of parking in the back and a lot of seats around as well. read more

The Crack Shack - Power Bowl - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I've passed by The Crack Shack many times when visiting Hi-Time, and I finally decided to stop in for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. There is a good sized parking lot behind the restaurant. The ordering counter is on the front side of the building. Once parked, you can either walk around the building, or walk through the open-air covered patio. I walked around to get a closer look at the unique chicken-head Beatles' Abbey Road mural on the side of the building. The menu is obviously chicken-focused, and features various sandwiches, wraps, and salads, along with several sides. They also have a small breakfast menu served until noon on the weekend. After ordering, they will give you a number and bring your food when it's ready. I really enjoyed the dining area, which is a covered, open-air space with a high ceiling. I sat in one of the booths towards the front. Each booth has a classic painting on the wall with chicken heads on it. There are also many different types of tables thoughout, and more seating upstairs on the second floor. There is also additional seating in front of their full bar. I had the Coop Deville sandwich (fried breast, pickled fresno chiles, pickles, napa cabbage, lime mayo, artisan brioche bun, $14.50). The chicken breast was thick and piping hot, and had a great crunchy crust on it. All of the ingredients went together well and I loved the flavor. The bun was very fresh, and the sandwich wasn't as messy as I thought it might be. I was still a little hungry, so I went back and ordered the regular sized hand cut fries (regular size $4.50, large size $7.50). They are tossed in schmaltz (chicken fat) and a light dusting of spices. They were hot and fresh, and the regular size was way more than I could eat by myself. They have a self-serve sauce bar with five options on tap including ketchup, Srirarcha T000 Island, Sweet Baby G's BBQ, ranch, and pineapple mustard. I dipped my sandwich in the BBQ and Srirarcha Thousand Island, and my fries in the BBQ, ranch, and pineapple mustard. They have a cornhole game towards the back, are dog friendly, and host trivia night on Thursdays. I enjoyed the food and atmosphere, and would definitely return. read more

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I have not been to the Crack shack in over a year and was so disappointed in the food. I ordered the chicken with french fries. The french fries were not good, covered in a boatload of oil and three strips of chicken.. Also had the Jidori chicken another three strips of chicken with oily fries. I was very disappointed. I felt like I was at Cane's restaurant. Maybe I'll go back and try one of the chicken sandwiches.?? read more

Honestly pretty amazing!! The food and the atmosphere blew me away! I couldn't stop laughing at the stupidity of the 1 star reviews, and it made me want to post a 5 star review! Also the Manager Jerry is truly amazing, down to earth, works hard, and hustles unlike other managers at other places! 10/10! read more

The Crack Shack - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Delicious combination of flavors. I'm very happy with the take-out portion. The eggs are cooked perfectly. I got the Power Bowl. The chicken Al Pastor was very tender and had a nice subtle kick. My favorite part was the pickled onions. They give you a hefty portion so you can get some with every bite. I love the sweet and saltiness it brings. The quinoa and arugula has a very pleasant lemony dressing. It's not too overwhelming. I used the online ordering platform. I joined because It has really nice rewards. I have stopped by for a beer at the bar before. The open atrium is truly beautiful. The bartender and take out server were both really great. read more

The Crack Shack - Protein Power Bowl - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I was in need of some serious comfort food!! And the crack shack came to the rescue We parked in their private parking lot which is located in the back of the restaurant. We then walked through the restaurant and ordered at the window outside (they don't have waiter style, but we were told we could place orders at the bar Instead of walking all the way through the restaurant and then going outside to the window to order) We had the pleasure of Jerry taking our order. He was great at making suggestions and helping us with the menu. (We got there during happy hour, but didn't order from that menu (They had great cocktails for HH) We ended up getting 2 crispy chicken sandwiches Their loaded fries (the chicken chili on the fries is pure heaven) Order of biscuits (Later, I ordered their spiked milkshake) Prices are actually really reasonable Portions are HUGE, they also have family Style options Jerry gave us a number for our table and then next stop was their HOMEMADE SAUCE station. (Their ranch and bbq sauce is to die for!) I love that the sauces are serve yourself and unlimited. No more having to wait for your waiter to bring it to you or them bringing only one little side of sauce. They also have everything else you need at the sauce station. Such as to go boxes and silverware. They have a roll of paper towels at your table which I love. I'm a messy eater and I don't have to bother wait staff for more napkins. So it's a win / win Thankfully a booth opened up (super cute booths) they only have a few booths and then just a bunch of tables. They have picnic style tables and chairs as well. But they also have a second floor which has a bunch of extra seating, you can book private parties up there and they have certain events like trivia night that is held upstairs (also, a bunch of TVs upstairs) They offer a Military discount They have beer flights But, my favorite is the quality of food you are getting. (This is all written on their menu) Our Chicken Our fresh, "beyond-free range," pasture-raised birds come from nearby boutique farms. They're organic, non-GMO, antibiotic- and preservative-free. Our Eggs Our eggs come from local, family-owned and operated farms like Eben-Haezer Ranch, raising hormone- and antibiotic-free chicks. Our Spices Our proprietary, ground to order, organic spice blends come from Le Sanctuaire in San Francisco. Our Bread We only use bread made in-house or artisan bread sourced from the best local bakeries. Always fresh. Our Produce Wherever possible, the produce found in our bowls and on our sandwiches comes from boutique local farms. Our Ice Cream Our seasonally rotating shakes are spun with premium, natural-ingredient scoops from SoCal-based After's Ice Cream. So, there it is. You KNOW you are getting quality food from them. I'll definitely be back soon! PS it's also dog friendly!!! read more

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THANK YOU for offering so much gluten free. us celiacs are so thankful! BEST fried chicken sandwich of my life! everything else so good and staff is always so nice. also fun to bring your kids here. feels like the 90's where parents can sit and eat and kids can run around and have fun! read more

Gluten free fried chicken!!!! YASSSSSSS crispy crunchy deliciousness! Coleslaw was fine-not my cup of tea but I ate some. Fries were very crispy which I love. Love that they have 2 Towns cider and Huckleberry Seltzer on tap! Service was friendly and fast. You can tell they were busting their butts to stay on top of things. Loved the environment for the USMNT World Cup game. TVs were fantastic and they have cornhole! Love the open air. read more

We found this establishment on yelp while visiting Anaheim...easy ordering on Toast app for carside delivery...we were nervous with it being GF but really love a chicken restaurant so wanted to try it, and let me tell you...if you are in CA near Costa Mesa, run to this place!!! Usually when u get take out it's oftentimes less than stellar, not hot and fries are sad...Crack Shack has that on lock the chicken was SOOOO crispy and the fries were perfectly crispy, thin and delicious! The side of ranch was clearly house made it was so fresh and delicious!!! This place is a 10/10! We were so hungry we forgot to take pics, next time for sure!!! Service was also a 10/10! read more

Was going to be in the area, so I placed an online order for a firebird bowl and power bowl. Both of them were really good bowls, and felt pretty healthy! The firebird bowl came with fried chicken thighs, crispy onions, pickled onions, lettuce, and quinoa. Chicken was delicious, and the salad paired with it made it well-balanced. Power bowl had chicken al pastor, boiled egg, avocado, pickled onions, and quinoa. I'd say the power bowl felt the most health-focused one. Def would recommend! The place itself has a pretty cool dining space, that's almost like a brewery vibe. You order at the front counter, and they'll give you a number and bring your food out to you. There's also a giant bar, a happy hour, and plenty of large TVs to catch the game. The place is so big, that you'd probably be able to bring a bunch of your friends and hangout. read more

Absolutely insane restaurant. Have heard so many good things I had to check it out. The firebird with fries was phenomenal. Need to come back to try more menu items. Jerry and the rest of the staff were the best. Lots of seating and bar inside as well. This is a must visit if in the area. Highly recommend!! read more

The Crack Shack - Firebird - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The fries are absolutely incredible! So delectably crispy! The chicken also fries to perfection! Tender and moist as well. The dipping sauces were tasty! The side Cobb salad was refreshing - so much needed greenery and freshness to balance the meal. read more

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The Crack Shack is an awesome family friendly restaurant serving up unique interpretations of chicken sandwiches. I ordered my food to-go. The coop devil is a classic, well put together chicken sandwich. It's flavorful on its own, and paired really nicely with the self-serve sauces (I.e. sriracha mayo, honey mustard, barbecue, etc). The Fowl Italiano was a perfect sandwich that felt like eating chicken parm in between two slices of bread. It needed no additional sauces and was great on its own. The service is fantastic and was above and beyond expectations. They were transparent about what they recommend ordering, gave me a small baggy to put my sauces in (self serve) when I was waiting for my food, and quickly prepared my take-out order. The atmosphere is fun. They have plenty of tables, some that faces a large TV screen for watching sports and an area to play corn hole. read more

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Stopped by because we were in the area and wanted to give it a try. Food here was decent, our food was a little overdone, didn't have much flavor and the fries were pretty oily. I ordered the Coop DeVille and my husband ordered the Katau Looking sandwich. The ranch dressing was good, they had several different dipping sauces to choose from. The atmosphere was nice, the inside was open and spacious. The service was good and they have plenty of parking in their lot. read more

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I have passed by this place so many times and finally decided to give it a try. Since fried chicken is one of their signature items, obviously I HAD to try it. I also ordered an off-menu wrap they were offering that day with al pastor chicken, along with a side of classic slaw. Sadly, the fried chicken was by far the biggest disappointment of the meal. It was extremely greasy, tasted burnt, and honestly tasted old... like it had been sitting around for way too long. I didn't feel too good afterward. The al pastor chicken wrap was actually ok, and the classic slaw was interesting. Not bad, just different. However, the customer service was great. Everyone was really nice and friendly. The ambiance was nice, spacious and comfortable. I really wanted to like this place, especially after passing by it so many times, but when fried chicken is one of their signature items and it comes out looking and tasting like this... it's pretty disappointing. Maybe I caught them on a bad day, but based on this experience, I don't think I'd come back for the chicken. read more

The Crack Shack - Half of bone-in fried chicken - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We had the pleasure of dining here today, and the food was AH-MAZING, but what truly stood out was Jerry, the General Manager, and the incredible staff! The service was absolutely top-notch, and their attention to detail was unlike anything we've experienced. It honestly felt like dining in someone's home, where the care and hospitality are genuine, thoughtful, and intentional. We brought our dog, Walter, along with us, and they welcomed him and treated him like family. We had the BEST family lunch here and left feeling so well taken care of. Great food, amazing service, and genuine hospitality--what more could you ask for? We'll definitely be back! read more

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this place is wacky fun, and it delivers on some pretty hefty chicken sandwiches. as a gluten free girly, i appreciate how most of the menu is GF! my only complaint is that the firebird sandwich is barely spicy. but they wallpaper their bathroom with one star reviews, so i'll overlook some underseasoned chicken to avoid being on the wall of shame. read more

The Crack Shack - Firebird - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This review is 90% love, but I hope the owners catch the 10% that needs work. We came back to Crack Shack for round 2 because my wife was obsessed with the Firebird on our first visit. Crispy chicken sandwich = dope, no notes. We also grabbed chicken tenders that first time and got... sad nuggets instead. Not the end of the world, so we rolled back after she dropped $200 on gift cards. This visit: Firebird again, Cob salad, and we made sure to get the _actual_ spicy chicken tenders. Place is huge for a crispy chicken spot. Two levels, 40-ft bar with beer/spirits, TVs, bar stools, and dog-friendly with pics of pups on the wall. Order outside, grab a number, find a seat. Very cool vibe. 10 mins later food hits. Firebird still looks like fire. Cob salad was on point -- avocado, egg, mixed greens, chard corn, pickled onions, crispy quinoa, tomatoes. Solid. Now the tenders. I know they weren't nuggets this time -- they were longer, thinner... and tasted like something I'd pull from 7-Eleven. Even then, 7-Eleven would get side-eyed. Disappointed is an understatement. Advice: skip the tenders unless you've got kids to feed. Last complaint isn't food -- it's the app. I bought $200 in gift cards but waited too long to claim reward points, emailed them, and got ghosted. That's the second bad taste in one visit. Mr. Crack, if you're reading: hit my email so I can update this to 10/10 and praise your customer service. You've got the food and vibe locked. Fix the tenders and the support, and you're untouchable. 8.2/10 -- you know what to work on. read more

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This is my 3rd time going here and it didn't disappoint. My customer service is exceptional and Jerry took "GREAT" care of my family. His staff are professional, courteous and friendly. read more

I see alot of mix reviews and I drive by here a lot and see the cool picture from outside. Decide to give it a try. The inside was spacious and pretty cool, remind of a Colorado sports bar. I'll stay with service, they're pretty good and fast. Super professional and friendly and attentive. Even though this is a buy your food from the front and they bring it to the back, they still run a good service spot. Let's get to the food. Ordered the whole bird. In all honesty, I was a bit disappointed. The chicken I felt was super rushed to make and it hardly had seasoning. The crunch was there for the skin, the juice was there for the chicken thighs and drum stick. The chicken breast was overdone. The saving grace was the sauces you get. I gotta give it a 2.7/5. The sauces are pour your own, pretty cool and the pineapple mustard and the siracha 1000 island was a hit. 5/5. The French fries were good, crust and seasoned well. 5/5. Biscuits were cute and small and fluffy. The butter that came with it was good 4/5. Overall I don't think I would come back here personally. read more

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Restaurant is huge, games inside, two stories, plenty of parking, bar area, nice decor inside, great staff, but for me the food lacked flavor. We got the whole bird and sides, and there just was not any seasoning to the chicken itself. Sauces are self served along with drinks. The mini biscuits were fluffy, soft and good. read more

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Not as good as I thought it would be my chicken was overcooked taste like it was cooked in old oil.. I don't know I heard good things about this place but maybe it was just the wrong day.. I might give it one more try read more

The Crack Shack - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

1 star because I can't give zero. I've lived in the Costa Mesa/Newport area my entire life and have been coming to The Crack Shack in Costa Mesa many times since it opened. I've never had an experience like the one I recently had. The restaurant was noticeably dirty and did not appear to be maintained to the standard I remember. My experience with the staff was also disappointing, especially my interaction with the manager, Jerry Kolby. I felt that some of his comments and the way he spoke to me were rude and unprofessional. I'm not making this review based on one small inconvenience I'm saying this because I've been a customer of this location for years and have personally noticed a major difference from the experiences I had in the past. I would genuinely like to speak with corporate about what happened and have my concerns about the management at this location reviewed. I hope they take the feedback seriously and look at the cleanliness, customer service and management because this location can do much better. read more

Food was delicious they have some tasty chicken I mean it's pretty pricey but I'm not surprised based on the area. The guy who helped me was polite read more

The Don Pastor Fries were delicious with lots of crispy fries, oaxacan fundido sauce, crema, and red sauce. I just wish there was more chicken pastor meat because the small pieces I got were minimal. It was also odd that the menu listed the price as $14.50, but the employee charged $15 on the register; odd. The tables and chairs were dirty and sticky so I had to wipe mine with the available paper towels. Plenty of parking because they have a private lot. read more

I've driven past this place so many times thinking it was just a little shack with just a window. This place has a full freaking bar inside! I was not at all expecting that. I stopped by today and got the firebird sandwich. It was okay. The chicken was the crispiest, crunchiest chicken I've ever had as well as juicy inside! It was seasoned well and was delicious. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the amount of fried onions. I like fried onions but not that much, at a certain point I ended up picking some of off. It wasn't spicy but I would definitely go back and try other items. I was in a rush and picked the first thing that caught my eye so I think it definitely deserves a second chance. read more

The Crack Shack - Firebird - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Stopped in again and DELICIOUS as always!! Love the firebird! Service great! Environment also great! Love this place and will be back many many more times! read more

The Crack Shack - Firebird - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Came here on a Sunday afternoon. You order at a window outside and sit down inside. When the food is ready they bring it to you. We got firebird and katsu lookin. Both of the sandwiches were pretty decent. The katsu lookin one i ordered was a bit dry and lack a bit of flavor but that was easily fixed with the sauce bar. I tried every sauce - the pineapple mustard was pretty good (not too mustardy with a hint of pineapple). My boyfriends favorite sauce was the sweet barbecue sauce. They also had ranch, ketchup, sriracha thousand island, and some hot sauces with a jalapeno and habanero sauce that both weren't too spicy. The fries were perfect though. Crispy and light on the outside and warm and fresh on the inside. I think this was the best thing there. The atmosphere of the restaurant is great with many tvs showing football and a section for bean bag tossing game. Overall not a bad choice to come to with friends or family. read more

I really appreciate the ambiance inside the restaurant. The layout is very fun and the people that work there always do a good job. That being said, the food leaves much to be desired. We've been there many times, and nearly every time the chicken and fries tasted like they were cooked in bad oil. The sauces are amazing, as well as the topping they put on their sandwiches, which tend to do a good job distracting from the oil flavor. When we came to trivia night, we ordered chicken nuggets, but we weren't able to eat them. On top of that, about six months ago my sister was served raw chicken. I remember enjoying it the first time I ate there, but I've been getting unlucky. read more

Traditional American fried bone-in chicken that is actually made fresh to order can be hard to come by and CS does a nice job in providing what these days seems like a delicacy. I never had the Chicken "Oysters" in my previous visits. Wow! A great concept. So juicy and delicious, with a unique tasty tartar sauce and lemon. The opportunities for making it even better include better maintenance of the sauce and condiment area, expanding the non-alcoholic beverage offerings and shaper attention to the cleanliness of the dining area. The service here is amazing. It's a blend of casual friendliness, diligent work and taking care of their guests. The iced tea ran out and when it was ready one of the staff brought out fresh iced tea to our table. The ambiance is super chill and comfortable. read more

The Crack Shack - Kinda messy... - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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From the moment we walked in everything was perfect! The owner was so welcoming and helpful. He showed us where to order, helped us with a high chair, and checked in on us. The food!!! We didn't take pics because we were starving! But we got the Cali drip and oh man what a mouthful of flavors that just went together effortlessly. We also got the señor croque and that was delicious as well. Kids meal we got the chicken nuggets. Be warned These are not ground up processed chicken nuggets. These are chicken breast bites. I do have a pic of what is left of my 2 year olds I will add. They are so good (a little hard for him to chew until we cut it up. They have a sauce bar that is delicious and I got the vanilla cream soda which is not over powering! Definitely check this place out. Also, seating is perfect, spread out and not sitting on top of one another. Open windows with a nice breeze. read more

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Very upbeat place to eat at, and the service is second to none! The food!! Oh my gosh the food is amazing!! Jerry the manager is very friendly and very sociable, speaking with everyone to ensure their experience is exceptional! The ambiance is fun and lively. And dogs are welcome!! My favorite place to eat!! read more

This sandwich was very good, i especially liked the onion roll. They also have gluten free fried chicken if you are so inclined! This is a fun spot for pets and kids, as there is in indoor/ outdoor area and corn hole etc! read more

TLDR: It's not crack, but it's good fried chicken located in a nice spot in town. The place is not a bad place to go back to, but it can improve to become the best fried chicken spot in town. 4.5 stars (won't round up) Senor Croque: This is basically what would happen if a fried chicken sandwich and a breakfast sandwich had a bold, slightly bougie baby. The fried Jidori chicken is crispy and juicy, and pairing it with bacon, cheese, and a runny egg on a brioche bun just works, no weak link in the lineup. The richness is real, but not overwhelming, and the balance of salty, fatty, and just a touch of sweet from the bread makes every bite hit. It's messy, indulgent, and absolutely worth it. Half Bird: If you want to judge a chicken spot, order their plain bird, and this place did not disappoint. The skin is crispy, the seasoning is flavorful without being over-the-top, and the meat stays juicy all the way through. You can tell it's quality chicken, and it doesn't need much help, though their sauces are fun to play with. It's simple, done right, and honestly, kind of impressive how much they let the bird speak for itself. If I had to critique it, I feel that the batter falls off the more you eat it. Economics will say it's diminishing returns, I say that the mixture of the batter wasn't balanced in that batch. Service: It's fine. I interacted with the staff during ordering and when they gave me the food. Nothing to report. Ambiance: I enjoyed the location. It's a partially open-air venue and was very family-friendly with an option for adults because of the bar. There is a 2nd floor that was closed because the 1st floor still had seats to be taken. The restroom is funny as the walls were filled with wacky 1-star reviews. Good vibes and good banter. read more

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I had their signature chicken sandwich. I didn't like the fried onions. They're very oily. The chicken I wished it were spicier. Overall I think it's mediocre. Staff was nice and curbside pickup was really convenient. read more

The Crack Shack - Burger - Chicken Shop Near Me - Costa Mesa, California