This is always a great dining experience. We took some time after being back in town to come here. We both knew that we wanted to dine inside with the cold weather and we were not sure if the Little Italy and PB locations had inside seating, or enough of it. We ordered 1 Chicken Sandwich and 2 Cobb Salad, a shake, and water. Everything was delicious as usual. Staff was very customer service oriented. Our order came out in about 12-15 minutes, and we were able to find a table next to the large TV screen to watch the NBA Game. We love how consistently delicious the food is here. We also like that this location has inside dining. Thanks! read more

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My son picked up a kids meal to try. The chicken was dried. The cookie was delicious. Large indoor seating. Plenty of parking. read more

The Crack Shack - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Have to drop this down to 2 stars . I've been here a couple times since my initial visit and it keeps going down hill. From " we're short staffed " to "She never mentioned the sauces". I tried to like this place even driving from Oceanside but it's been nothing but cold food and messed up orders. First, get rid of that IPad and tip option. There is no need to tip anything as it's self serve . Take care of the kitchen so the orders come out correctly. If they don't, that's on you . Don't take the food back to make it right. That's on you and you bring out the correct order. That's how you learn not to make mistakes. The order is on the house . Super loud with kids running around . Every time I've left my ears are ringing. It seems staffed now but just workers waking around while the kitchen suffers with orders . Part of my last order I ordered some wings and they were the size of paper clips . read more

The Crack Shack - Firebird - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Great alternative for groups and families! Came here because the nearby In-N-Out was slammed and I'm glad we did. There were no lines and the food came out quickly. It's a standard counter-service setup: order first, then find a seat. What we ordered: Half Bird: This comes with 5 pieces of fried chicken and was the standout of the meal. Crispy and well-executed. Katsu Lookin': This sandwich features Namasu pickles, which are a bit sweeter than your standard pickle. Combined with the slaw, the whole sandwich felt a little too sweet for my liking. I really missed that sharp, vinegary kick to balance the richness of the chicken. Hand Cut Fries: Decent seasoning and a good side. The Sauces: Most of the sauces even the hot sauces lean quite sweet. The interior is massive with plenty of seating. The outdoor area is great for kids. we saw little ones playing with bubbles. Even the restrooms are located outdoors. However, there is a hand wash station located inside. Staff were friendly and the vibe over all is perfect for large gatherings read more

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Went there for a quick bite. Had their fried chicken wrap, French fries and a soft drink. The wrap was huge. Enough for two people, which I shared with my wife. It was ok. The fries were good. We topped it off with a large chocolate chip cookie. Very good. We've been here before and really enjoyed their fried chicken sandwiches. Fun place to take the kids too. read more

This is a great spot for fried chicken. We had the family flock that comes with half bird bone-in fried chicken, large fry, classic slaw, mini biscuits, chicken nuggets or tenders, and choice of 2 cookies. This is a very good deal for $60. They have several sauces to choose from and I really like that you have access to refill them. My favorite ones are the ranch and the sriracha 1000 island. It's a family friendly place with big chalkboards that the kids can draw on and keep busy. The staff is always very friendly and helpful. read more

The Crack Shack - Family Flock - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

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I am gluten free so heard this location had fried chicken that was gluten free. Happy I got to try! Overall I've heard good this chicken was but maybe just not my style of chicken. They clearly labeled the gluten free sauces and which ones were not which was nice. Staff was very nice. Plenty of seating and perfect for families. read more

The Crack Shack - gluten free chicken basket - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

My son and I spent the morning at Legoland and decided chicken sounded great for a late lunch. I ordered us each a Little Flock online. The order estimate was about a 20 minute wait. We arrived within 5 minutes and let them know we arrived. We were handed our cups and we sat down. Less than 5 minutes later they called my name, which I was shocked at, it was so quick. We ended up eating there and our food was very fresh. My son finally decided to give their ranch a try and loved it. The tenders are fantastic and some of the best fries anywhere. There are a decent amount of soft drink options and there was plenty of seating. The restaurant itself was very clean. There is plenty of parking at this location which is fantastic. That is my only issue with the Little Italy location. It was a great experience and we love The Crack Shack! read more

The Crack Shack - Little Flock - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

Came here and had the Firebird, the chicken is almost nonexistent and way overcooked. I've been here in the past and it seems the quality has gone down. Don't think I'd eat another chicken sandwich from here. read more

The Crack Shack - Can I get some chicken in this sandwich? - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

Service was out front and friendly. Get your drink and sauces on your way in to sit down to a pretty open air restaurant. A bunch of different seating options along the inside and outside of the building. Plenty of room for groups all around. Food was good portion size for the price. And very tasty. Be advised at the restrooms are outback around the corner. Will return again. read more

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Let me start by saying we are usually big fans and even today recommended to multiple people before we went. The staff was all very nice but first we placed our order and additional food to take home for dinner. Someone who I believe was a manager came to our table and apologized that they only had enough oysters for a bar order. I was very disappointed but things happen and he did give me nuggets at no charge. Then we get home and we did not get the biscuits which I confirmed were part of my order. We live too far to go back but this is unacceptable especially when there were more employees on site than customers. read more

Order at front, seat yourself, food brought out to your table. Mostly large tables with benches, other tables are 4 seaters. Outside seating available and dog friendly. Senor croque sandwich was amazing. Bacon cooked well, bread was soft, egg was perfectly cooked for a sandwich; just messy enough! Firebird sandwich had a few good spicy bites.... Hubby got it without pickles. The fries were good, really good seasoning. Wish they were served hot... they were basically room temperature. Ranch and BBQ was delicious! We will return when in the area for sure read more

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I wanna be clear that ... I LOVE the crack shack. I've been coming here with my family for years. Today however - it's been rough. So my wife and i got a chicken wrap... one side was for her , and one for me. My side ruled. Amazing as usual. Her side had one tiny sliver of chicken , and the rest was lettuce. No worries we will tell them. So we tell them and they offer to bring us chicken. Really I expected a remake but fine. So out comes thus girl and approaches my wife with said chicken , and says "you know ...you can order more chicken." - uhhhm.... I don't want more chicken I want normal chicken- The girl then said verbatim "well here's your chicken" and tossed it in front of my wife , rolled her eyes and walked away. This didn't sit with me- so I asked for a manager. After explaining to the manager what happened he exuded an attitude of disbelief, sighting that the employee had "been there from the beginning" and was "loved by everyone. Now ...the herpe on his upper lip slightly distracted me from the moment and acquiesced to his remarks and retreated to my seat. Now I've had a few minutes to think about it - and I'm just disappointed honestly. Not because my brother in laws sandwich was also undercooked and returned, and not because the chicken was shittily distributed - but because of the gross disrespect we were treated here at one of our favorite places to eat. Like ...another beer and I might talk shit. Anyway - whomever is reading this - I also witnessed the manager having a talk with this employee through the window. They were laughing. Hate to say it but RIP crackshack. You were a blaze. read more

We were in the area and saw the Crack Shack on Yelp. The restaurant is very convenient because it is off the 5 freeway and offers plenty of parking. They have dine in seating as well as outdoors because they allow you to bring your pets! They have a water station for your dogs if they any as well . The staff were very friendly and it's a great place to eat with a group of friends as they have a bar inside as well. It seems like a quick service style restaurant as you order outside and are given a number, so the staff can find you when your food is ready. They offer unique sauces to go with your sandwich or fries. The sandwiches were really good and the fries were crispy how we like it and seasoned very well! I definitely want to come back and try their fried chicken meal. read more

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We visited the crack shack on Saturday afternoon around 5pm for an early dinner with friends. There was no line and the ordering and finding the table was a breeze. Trying to eat a little healthier, I opted for the power bowl. The chicken al pastor had nice flavor. The veggies, quinoa and egg went well with the salsa verde. Al lin all, it was a nice bowl. Would I come back, maybe. The food was not bad. But I guess there's really no real reason to come here unless you want to eat fried chicken. read more

The Crack Shack - Power bowl - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

What a great branch! The Crack Shack in Encinitas is very spacious. It has both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu includes sandwiches, signature fried chicken, bowls, small and big flock , fries, coleslaw, biscuits, nuggets, Mexican poutine, chicken oysters, seasonal special, kids meals and more.They also have various assortment of craft beer. I ordered the food at the front window then I picked my order up at the side. They had a long line but it went very fast. The restaurant was very clean and had relaxing vibes. They even have ceiling fans. I ordered; -Coop Devillle 5/5 Large fried chicken breast, cabbage slaw, pickles, lime mayo in artisan brioche. The chicken was crispy from outside, juicy and tender from inside.This was the best sandwich -Mini biscuits 5/5 They are buttery and flaky. -Mexican poutine 5/5 I ordered it to go, so they put the fries in a box and the other ingredients in separate boxes to assemble them at home.I appreciated the neatness. It was savory with generous amount of chicken and other toppings -Chicken nuggets 5/5 Were crispy, juicy and savory. We finished it before going to the hotel. There were ample parking. I am glad I stopped by The Crack Shack in Encinitas. It offers exceptional quality of chicken, cozy vibes, and great service. read more

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Good stuff. Had ordered delivery before but stopped by for lunch with the kids. Had a pear and Brussels salad with fire tossed fried thigh which was pressed to make it extra crispy/crack. Kids had kids meals, which came with a cookie. Order outside and service pretty smooth. It's a big big space but a good number but I could imagine atmosphere would be higher level with a big crowd around dinner. read more

Went here kinda a joke because of the name.... Glad I did Their Firebird !!! spicy chicken sandwich was really good... thats all I needed... oh and their sauces are great... Pineapple Mustard sauce was surprisingly good ...I should have paired it with cold lager ... Next time read more

The Crack Shack - Firebird Sandwich Firebird Sandwich Firebird Sandwich - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

Finally tried the crack shack after all of these years of driving by it. Nothing fancy...just great delicious chicken for all your chicken loving needs. I especially love the biscuits and the honey butter that comes with the chicken. The chicken is great and the sauces that you get ti choose from add some great flavor. read more

Get the coupe davil and Mexican poutine one of the best combos at this place! Lots of seating and nice open area

We came here for lunch & sat at the bar. Easy to converse with other folks also sitting at the bar icy cold Pilsners sealed the deal. The salad with chicken & quinoa was very tasty. Passed on the pickled onions. Will be backHadn't been here in awhile. Very spacious inside. Excellent airflow with all the doors open. Pet friendly. Also, has outside dining. read more

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Good food, great portions, and quick service. Casual atmosphere. Family and dog friendly :)

This location is a favorite spot of mine. I love the beverage snd sauce selection on tap. I enjoy coming here for lunch meetings. They even have WiFi. This location has both indoor and outdoor dining with a full bar. The food is consistent and the staff is very friendly. I enjoy and recommend the Encinitas location. The Little Italy location is also great with a fun Urban vibe! They only have outdoor dining. read more

The place is quite unique. We had to order by the entrance, the menu can be viewed through the board by the entrance. we got Katsu Lookin and Firebird both have very distinct chicken flavor. The menu is by itself and for side order, it is sold separately. The french fries was super tasty and served hot. What makes this place different than the others is the sauces!!! They have pineapple mustard, BBQ, Sriracha, Ranch, and many more. Staffs are friendly and the place's vibe is more to me like a sports bar with spacious seating area. read more

The Crack Shack - Firebird Sandwich - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

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I chose the half chicken. The only piece that was edible was the wing. The other pieces were pink inside and under cooked. They looked rubbery and disgusting. I brought them home and put some of it in a pot for soup. You must do better!! Fried chicken may not be your thing. read more

Power Bowl Salad was the bomb with chicken al pastor and quinoa, arugula, a boiled egg and pickled onions. This felt hearty and not a salad that leaves you hungry. Fries were unfortunately too salty . read more

This place is fantastic! The food was amazing. I ordered the Cali Drip sandwich which is not for those counting carbs. It was made with spicy cicken,carne asada fries and other yummy ingredients. We experienced super friendly and genuine service. Both the bartender and the person that took our order were great. The atmosphere was also really cool and laid-back. Very family friendly. Dog friendly too. We saw some pups hanging outside. read more

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My wife and I were coming back from an evening in San Diego, and realized that we hadn't eaten yet - and both of us were starving. I remembered that Crack Shack was just off I5, so when we hit Encinitas Blvd, we headed over. We'd been here before, so we both knew what we wanted - she ordered the four piece fried chicken, and I stuck with the Coop Deville, while we split some fries. We ordered drinks at the bar, and within five minutes, our meal was delivered. Once again, Crack Shack hit it out of the park - both meals were simply perfectly done. Definitely a great place to grab a bite.... read more

My favorite fried chicken sandwich meal around!! I love this place and the options on the menu for a great fried chicken sandwich. Don't miss out. Good place for groups and families. Chill vibes and great sauces. Service was excellent as well! read more

I came to the crack shack for a cocktail tasting event. It was a competition between the bartenders at the various locations. The winner would get their drink on the menu as the featured drink. When I arrived, I was promptly checked in and given a card to vote and a list of the participating cocktails, the location of the bartender and the bartender's name. Each cocktail was poured into a Jell-O shooter sized cup, and we got to taste them and hear about them. Each one was quite different but very delicious. Purity spirits were in all the drinks. I also ordered my standby the chicken fried oysters, which are actually chicken, but it's delicious, tender, crispy, juicy and my favorite thing on the menu. It was a fun event and I hope they do more like it. read more

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Biscuit were flavorless tasteless chicken breading was tasteless , coleslaw was the worst , this was bad, kfc Popeyes or even churches chicken was better than this let's not forget the fries, , I really thought this place was gonna be really good very disappointed read more

gluten free chicken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! enough said. read more

I spent a nice day in San Diego, and saw my first Padres home game at Petco Field. I wanted to stop at In n Out for dinner before completing the long drive back to Orange County. The drive-thru line for In n Out was super long, but behold...across the street was the Crack Shack. We had been once before being a fan of Richard Blais and Master Chef. I decided to get something more hearty, if I was going to wait. I ordered a Firebird (spicy) chicken sandwich, and a regular size fries. Let me tell you, these fries beat In n Outs, small, pale French fries any day of the week. Crack Shack's version of French fried potatoes was so delicious, and very hot! In n Out's fries are usually pale and just warm, with lots of small or tiny pieces. Not here, the fries were thicker, crispy-crunchy, a little oily and salty, but very, very good! The sandwich was also a delight, a big piece of chicken breast fried to perfection, with slaw and pickles. Good job all around! read more

The Crack Shack - Waiting for my to go order - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

I really was expecting something special. $25 for a sandwich fries and a drink This should've been perfection and it definitely wasn't. The sandwich just tasted so greasy not just the fried chicken, but the fried onions too much. The chicken itself was half breading and half fat and grizzly not a lot of meat And it was so greasy soaked the breading everywhere. I feel like this place puts out a better product. I just got the wrong person making mine. And that's a bummer when you spend this much money on a meal. The fries were absolute trash. I think they might have some good fries but the ones they gave me were completely soaked with grease. You could tell that they were old fries that they had put back in the oil to get hot for me. Almost not edible. I wouldn't come here again. And I love fried chicken sandwiches. read more

First time going, it sits next to In-n-Out so it was a hard choice. But luckily we made the right choice. Order at the window, grab a beer and sit down. Food came out and was nice crispy, We bought the meal deal to feed a family of 4. Great value even with a beer. Ambiance is alot of tables great for big parties or family from going to a sporting event. The only thing that wasn't cool and it's nothing to do with, "The Crack Shack" this is KID Friendly however, bar patrons and employees were getting trampled by loose, rowdy kids RUNNING in the bar while their parents were enjoying a beverage and not watching them. Have respect for others enjoying a great meal!! Would definitely come back. Pending wild animal kids.. Lol read more

It was a nice clean place, great outdoor space and lots of heaters. I enjoyed my first time here.

The ambiance at the crack shack is like a cool brewery with cool seating inside and out. We got a salted chocolate chip cookie, which tasted great, and the senor croque chicken sandwich which was great with a sunny side up egg, but I would have liked more sauce on it. They have a ton of different kinds of food and drinks and it is nice inside so I wish I would have stayed to eat. The service was great and the burger was piping hot and ready at the stated time. I definitely want to go back and savor the moment. read more

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Crack Shack has the best GF fried chicken I've ever had at a restaurant! I appreciate their commitment to having a dedicated fryer. The restaurant is dog and kid friendly. The indoor-outdoor style is a great place to spend an evening. 10/10 recommend read more

The Crack Shack - Fries - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Surprisingly fair value and tasted good too! We got the chicken with egg, bacon, and miso butter and the sandwich was actually pretty big with a huge piece of chicken. Picking up my order after ordering online was very easy (they have a separate window). There's a section where you can serve yourself different sauces (try the pineapple mustard!) and they go really well with the food. I would definitely recommend trying this place out if you're in the area! read more

Holy Moly Sweet Baby Jeeezus!!!! I was losing sleep at night, tossing and turning and so unsettled by my last visit and review of this place I had to come back today. OMG I'm so glad I did because these guys outdid themselves!!!! Vindication never tasted so good. I opted for one of my usual orders of the Firebird Sandwich with a large fries and fountain drink. Wow, wow, wow... I would give this 47 stars out of 5 if I could. Pure awesome!!!! Thank you for bringing back the awesome to lunch. I promise to stay in my ordering lane moving forward however the table next to me ordered the fried chicken and I almost grabbed a breast as it went by... (the chicken, not the server's of course). read more

The Crack Shack - Old School Firebird... You just can't beat perfection - New American Near Me - Encinitas, California

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