"When the team behind the Michelin-recommended restaurant Juniper and Ivy wanted to open a more fast-casual affair, they started with a crowd favorite: fried chicken. What sets the poultry apart from the rest of the flock is the Jidori chicken, which is non-GMO and ultra-free range. Since the first location opened in Little Italy in 2015, they added a second location in Encinitas and recently opened a third outpost in Pacific Beach, just a block from the beach. With indoor and outdoor seating, patio spaces have games like cornholes and giant Connect 4 to keep the kiddos occupied. The kids’ menu is much like the grown-up menu — fried chicken galore. “Little Cluckers” have options like nuggets, tenders, or grilled cheese, as well as small fries, a juice box, and a bonus cookie. Or try the Big Flock, which includes a whole bird bone-in fried chicken, nuggets, fries, slaw, mini biscuits, and two cookies." - Helen I. Hwang
"For elevated chicken sandwiches, this Little Italy coop is expanding to Pacific Beach next month, bringing its delectable fried chicken seaside. From katsu-style Jidori chicken to fried egg pairings, sandwiches are priced under $15 and include the Firebird with spicy fried thigh, crispy onions, pickles, and cool ranch on an artisan potato roll, and the Coop Deville with fried chicken breast and cabbage slaw with pickled fresno chiles. Lighter fare includes the Power Bowl with chicken al pastor, salsa verde, a soft boiled egg, avocado, arugula, quinoa, and cilantro." - Roxana Becerril
"The kids’ menu is a lot like the grown-up menu — fried chicken galore. “Lil Cluckers” have options like nuggets or grilled cheese, as well as a bonus cookie. Or try the Big Flock, which includes a whole bird fried chicken, chicken nuggets, fries, slaw, biscuits, and two cookies. The SoCal, Baja-style poultry is non-GMO and ultra-free-range. Both the Encinitas and Little Italy outposts have play areas." - Helen I. Hwang
"Spot the giant rooster in Little Italy and you’ll find the flagship location for this chicken empire. The all-outdoor space includes tables, a bocce court, and cornholes. The menu features fried chicken and chicken sandwiches, made with organic Jidori chicken from small farms. The brainchild of the team behind Juniper & Ivy, the casual chicken spot has grown from the original Little Italy location to additional spots in Encinitas, Costa Mesa, and Las Vegas." - Helen I. Hwang
"The kids’ menu at Crack Shack is a lot like the grown-up menu—fried chicken galore. “Lil Cluckers” have options like nuggets or grilled cheese, as well as a bonus cookie. The SoCal, Baja-style poultry is non-GMO and ultra-free-range. With several locations in San Diego and beyond, note the Encinitas and Little Italy restaurants have play areas." - Helen I. Hwang