The Crack Shack - Pacific Beach

Crack Shack Pacific Beach: Chicken Sandwich Heaven! ​The Crack Shack in Pacific Beach isn't just serving chicken; they're crafting an experience. Without a doubt, they have the best chicken sandwich I've ever tasted. Every bite is a flavor explosion, featuring incredibly juicy and perfectly fried chicken that avoids any hint of dryness. ​Beyond the sandwiches, their menu is packed with so many creative options—and honestly, everything on it is great. It's the perfect spot whether you want a hearty meal or something lighter. ​The service was quick, efficient, and genuinely awesome, making the entire visit a breeze. Fay was great and had awesome suggestions. Plus, if you're looking for value, their happy hour specials are fantastic. This spot is a must-visit for any fried chicken lover!

Tenders are just solid nothing crazy. The sandwiches are definitely better. Fries are crazy good. They also use very fresh chicken which i love. Sauce game is off he charts. The yellow one I think it’s Hawaiian mustard is to die for very sweet. Orange one super tasty as well. Don’t love their take on BBQ at all but don’t matter. I’ve been here a several times and I’m always happy with price and experience. They do take a while to prepare you food but it is what it is.

Visited July 7th, LUNCH OMG, I love providing reviews but this one takes the cake, or rather chicken! Now, it was our daughter and my 1st time and potentially our only but I must say, not forgettable. While our travel companions went across the way to In-and-Out Burger, I wanted to go somewhere new and not on our side is the country. Besides, the name of this place was encouraging. The next appeal was the menu. I enjoy poutine. My curiosity took hold when reading the menu and Mexican Poutine stood out! So, without hesitation, that’s what I ordered. And my daughter, who loves ice cream saw the Cookie Monster. Oh boy neither disappointed. The MP should be shared with a group or independent non-faint of heart. It was wonderful. It had the fixings of. Chicken taco but on top of boardwalk fries! Sooooo good! And filling. Unfortunately, not know how much you’re given, I could not finish. The chicken in it is flavorful and juicy. Everything is fresh: cilantro, green onions, queso, tomatoes made this dish. All served in a sheet pan. As for the CM, D’VINE. But to sweeet for me (yes, spending intentional). The staff was friendly. Prices are a bit high but this is Cali. If this place is still around when next visit, I WILL VISIT AGAIN!

These were the most pathetic wings I have ever had. I have seen more meat on a pencil. Some pieces didn’t even have enough chicken for a single bite. They were burnt, flavorless, and honestly embarrassing. If I were the owner, I would be mortified to serve these to anyone. These were not wings. They were a cry for help. Save your money, save your appetite, and choose anything else.

Cool spot a block away from pier and boardwalk. Food was tasty and fair prices for a place by the beach. Huge TVs to catch a game/show while enjoying some local brew. Would return for sure!

Excellent food, outstanding customer service, and we love the outdoor/indoor vibe. The food is always fresh and served quickly. The Mexican poutine fries are without a doubt my favorite—there is so much flavor to them. We also love the firebird sandwich, bone-in chicken with honey butter sauce, and the coleslaw which has a very unique combination of pickles and red jalapeño chili peppers—delicious! The best part about this place are the one star reviews used as wallpaper in their bathrooms. Hilarious and very entertaining!

We found the Crack Shack on the way to San Diego. And all we decided to stop and give a try. The place is amazing, like factory style, super cool. The fried chicken was juicy not too dry and greasy, the corn cake was good not too sweet. And they even have very nice bar here. Highly recommend!

The fries were a hit! Chicken was just so bland to us. Little biscuits are only good with the honey butter. No love no love in the food anymore? Friendly helpful staff 👏🏾 Nice atmosphere though 🙌🏾

This was the first of many more meals at this location. It was a convenient meeting spot suggested by a local because he knows I like GOOD fried chicken. I devoured the Katsu Lookin Chicken sando. It was prepared with panko crust, aioli, shredded cabbage on a potato bun. The meat was moist, the breading was light, flavorful, crispy, crunchy and not greasy. It was love from the first bite. Sauce: I added Pineapple Mustard to enhance the flavor. A+ My side dish was cole slaw that was incredible. I am not one to rave over a "simple" cabbage salad; however, this recipe tops others because of the dressing (lime mayo), plus minced pickled Fresno chili and sliced pickle chips. A+. The condiment and utensil station was a self-serve area with dipping sauces (Sriracha, Ranch, Pineapple Mustard, and Sweet BBQ). They proudly serve free-range, bone-in jidori fried chicken and it's Gluten-Free, available for putchase as a combo with hand-cut fries, whole bird, or half-bird. Menu boards are large with descriptions of each item from breakfast, sandwiches, salads, power bowls, to a children's menu (Little Cluckers) and beverages. I was more than satisfied and pleased with the service, quality and taste! The restaurant has ample patio dining and a small parking lot. Sincerely, Rosemary

These were the most pathetic wings I have ever had. I have seen more meat on a pencil. Some pieces didn't even have enough chicken for a single bite. They were burnt, flavorless, and honestly embarrassing. If I were the owner, I would be mortified to serve these to anyone. These were not wings. They were a cry for help. Save your money, save your appetite, and choose anything else on the menu.

BEST. FRIES. EVER!! This joint is pretty interesting because a majority of it is outdoors (with heaters of course!) and one small indoor seating area. The workers were super nice even though my friends and I were definitely all over the place & asking tons of questions / accidental sauce spills! Can't remember the name of the guy working there, but he was super helpful & nice!We chose this place at random because my friends and I were craving some chicken fried sandwiches, but honestly, if you get anything at all, make sure you get an order of the fries! They are so perfectly seasoned with a little bit of salty, spice and sweetness + they say crunchy for SO long. They also have a sauce station where you can have unlimited ranch, bbq sauce, ketchup, honey mayo & one other sauce that I can't remember off the top of my head, but it was super sweet and tangy too! I ordered the chicken sandwich w/ the honey burger, which pretty greasy but overflowing with ranch, coleslaw and pickles, and also absolutely gigantic. I had to eat half there & finish the rest afterwards! I thought the sandwich itself was just alright, didn't love the seasoning bc it just felt heavily caked on, but the chicken was nice and crispy. My friends both got the chicken patty sandwich, which they said was tasty, but didn't love the texture of since it was soft and pasty. I would totally return back if I was in the area!

I stopped at the Crack Shack for the "Coop Deville" fried chicken sandwich with all the fixings. The sandwich came on a toasted brioche bun and with juicy jidori chicken breast. The fried chicken sandwich was very delicious. The chicken was crispy on the outside, even with the thin crust, and tender and juicy on the inside. I liked the Fresno Chili's on the Napa cabbage slaw. The gave the slaw a good flavor. The lime mayo was great and you can't go wrong with tasty pickles with a fried chicken sandwich. I would say the brioche bun could have been toasted a little more. The you lady at the counter was very nice. She was in good spirits when I visited. The place was well organized and clean.

Comfort food craving = activated. For context-I'm recovering from a gnarly injury, so comfort food is like my love language right now. I wanted to give this spot a shot after reading a few reviews. First off-this spot had me at the non-GMO chicken + locally sourced ingreditents. Love that! The staff was super sociable and informative. There's tons of outdoor seating, perfect for the fam or just hanging out with ur peeps. It stays open until 10 pm. Their chicken sandwich was perfectly seasoned and yummy. Their bowl was loaded with fresh greens. Their fries were delicious.  Their dishes are easy to share. I would recommend their big flock of chicken/fries/mini-biscuits/bunch of other stuff, it is basically happiness on a tray. Overall 5 stars.

Wow! I had no idea what I was expecting when I came here but this blew me away! The fried chicken is so juicy and the crack dust is fantastic. The servers are super friendly and it has a super awesome vibe with plenty of seat outside plus tv's that have sports! They have a full sauce bar and they also serve alcohol. This place is bussin, would recommend!

Now I know why they call this place the "crack" shack! Once you try it you are hooked, addicted whatever adjective you want to use if ya know what I mean The chicken here is so moist, tender & tasty! Fried is crunchy & crisp on the outside and very tender on the inside without being under cooked. The chicken sandwiches are yum! The salads are also very good. In fact, I don't think anything you order here will disappoint! Great service. Order at the counter, get a number and when it's ready it will be brought to your table. There is a condiment station that's is also stocked with to-go boxes & paper bags if you can't finish your meal. Generous portions. *Parking lot is small

It had been several years since I last visited a Crack Shack, mostly due to having moved away for some time. But having come back to San Diego, I began craving it again. I had vague memories of Chicken Oysters and juicy, well seasoned chicken sandwiches. And so I went to the Pacific Beach location (it was also my first time at this one). The location is in a cool area, around all the other busyness of PB. It makes use of the outdoors which is great as well. When I entered, I was immediately greeted by a friendly team member who was named Fay. She helped me take my order, giving her recommendations on not just the food but the sauces I should use as well. I took her advice and helped myself to the many sauces and sat down at a table. It was not long before I got my meal: the Katsu Lookin' Sandwich with some extra maple butter, and a side of fries. The fries were genuinely so addicting, honestly among the best seasoned fries I've ever had. The chicken sandwich was also really good, and thought the maple butter is not normally a part of this particular item, I will say it worked nicely so I'm glad I got it :) Fay made sure to check in with me during my meal which I really appreciated. After I was done, I went to wash my hands at a conveniently located sink. Overall I would say this was a wonderful experience and I will certainly be back! Thank you

Crack Shack is honestly one of those places that surprises you in the best way. The chicken is insanely bussin, super flavorful, and just feels like it was made with way more care than your average spot. Every side actually tastes like something someone put thought into, not just filler. The vibe is relaxed but still feels put together, the kind of place you can come with friends and know you're getting something legit every time. And I have to shout out Fay, who took care of us and did a genuinely swell job. Super friendly, helpful, and made the whole experience even better. Overall, Crack Shack just nails it. Great food, great atmosphere, and the kind of meal that makes you want to come back the next day.

Crack Shack's Coastal Coop on Mission Blvd is a fun spot with great vibes and even better chicken. The open-air setup is perfect for a sunny day, and I loved that the patio is dog-friendly. TVs everywhere make it easy to catch the game while you eat. I tried the Firebird sandwich it has spicy Jidori thigh with cool ranch, crispy onions, and pickles on a soft potato roll. Perfect balance of heat and flavor. The Jidori Tender Combo came with five seasoned tenders and crispy shack fries is a solid choice if you want to sample their fried chicken straight-up. Music was upbeat, the atmosphere was lively, and the staff were friendly and provided quick service. Looking forward to trying one of their shakes next time. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area!

Solid chicken sandwiches. The line gets a bit long and seats are first come, first serve but the turnaround is fairly quick. They have a large outdoor seating area and you get your food delivered to your table -- just make sure your table number is visible for the server to see. The Cookie Monster milkshake is delicious and is blue! I loved the cookie bits. The Senor Croque and Firebird are good like everyone mentions and recommended when you come. Also tried the spicy nuggets were just ok, can skip. Servers are also super friendly! Recommend :)

Great spot for a fried chicken sandwich! We came in after reading some reviews. It's casual style, you order at the counter, they give you a number and he food is delivered to your table. The Firebird was delicious with spicy fried chicken thigh, crispy onions, pickles, ranch dressing on onion bun. The Coop Deville was also delicious with fried chicken breast, pickled Fresno chilies, pickles, Napa cabbage and brioche. I had a few bites of both and they are equally delicious! The condiments station is perfect - we tried all but the ranch sauce. The Sriracha 1000 sauce was our favorite! The bathroom wallpaper is funny! Go check it out!

PB is the latest location of The Crack Shack franchise as the ownership razed a former sushi joint and taco shop along the main drag near the beachfront and constructed a new building with plenty of seating and some on-site parking spaces. The grand opening was earlier this month, and I was surprised that it wasn't very busy during my visit. The outdoor patio areas were less than half full, and there were even fewer customers in the inside dining room. The menu boards seemed to be the same as the Little Italy branch, however it has been a while since I visited that OG location. I picked two of the sandwiches for my to go order, the Sunny 'Daise and the Katsu Lookin'. The first was made up of chicken sausage, maple hollandaise, sunny egg, and American cheese on an English muffin. The second consisted of a panko breaded chicken cutlet, umami aioli, purple cabbage slaw, and namasu pickles on a potato bun. I liked the breakfast sando better because of the runny egg that made it gooier to eat. The crunchiness of the cutlet was very good though. The preparation time for my order wasn't lengthy as a server brought the food within 15 minutes to where I was waiting with a numbered placard. I enjoyed my experience at this newest branch of Crack Shack to give a four star rating.

Went here on a Monday afternoon, around 4 pm. It was empty, so it was easy to find seating. I usually go to the Encinitas location, but this one was closer so we went here instead. There is a private parking lot, but we parked on a nearby street. Next time, we will use that parking lot! We had the Crack Shack app, so we got the free Firebird sandwich ($14.50) with a purchase. I got the Mexican Poutine fries ($14) while my friends got the Cali Drip ($14) and the Jidori Wings ($11) with honey butter. The Firebird sandwich was still as yummy as I remembered (it had been over a year since I last had Crack Shack). The crispy onions and pickles added a nice crunch, and the fried chicken breast (I substituted the fried chicken thigh) was juicy. The Mexican Poutine fries were good! The fries were crispy and seasoned well. The cheese, chicken, pickled jalapeños, and pico de gallo made the fries even better! I'd definitely get it again. The Jidori wings were good, but I was disappointed with the quantity, as it was like 6 small wings for $11. I probably wouldn't get it again considering the price. The sriracha 1000 island sauce was still as good as I remembered, and they have to-go boxes and bags at the sauce bar. Very convenient! They have both outdoor and indoor seating, and they have a sink near the cashier so you can easily wash your hands without having to go to the restroom. Overall, I'd definitely come back for my fried chicken fix.

Excellent food, outstanding customer service, and we love the outdoor/indoor vibe. The food is always fresh and served quickly. The Mexican poutine fries are without a doubt my favorite--there is so much flavor to them. We also love the firebird sandwich, bone-in chicken with honey butter sauce, and the coleslaw which has a very unique combination of pickles and red jalapeño chili peppers--delicious! The best part about this place are the one star reviews used as wallpaper in their bathrooms. Hilarious and very entertaining!

Hmmm.... Love the downtown location but ho hum in Mission. Same menu but a very different vibe and there's just something about take out fries that just doesn't work well. Chicken is fantastic!

I love this place! I've been a few times every time I've travelled to San Diego and the food is great! Love the outdoor seating as well. I highly recommend this place and will definitely come again.

BEST CHICKEN SANDWICH EVERRRR!!! IM OBSESSED WITH THIS RESTAURANT! Every single bite is so flavorful!! 10/10 service is awesome! And the place a block away from the beach I love to go orders and eat it at the beach! Ambiance good!!

Their chicken strips are amazing! Their fries - delish and don't miss trying their cookies. But the best thing about this specific location is Payton. She's attentive, kind, always has a smile on her face and she just knows her stuff! Give this place a try and say hi to Payton, you won't be disappointed. What a gem!

Best chicken sandwich I've ever had. I've had a lot of good chicken sandwiches but this one blows them all out of the water! It was the juiciest and somehow crispiest chicken I've had and the combination with their house sauce and Cole slaw within the sandwich is perfect. Great vibe when sitting outside as well!

I recently went to Crack Shack and had such a good experience! The food was fresh, crispy, and full of flavor. But what made the visit even better was the service, especially from Fay and Payton. She was super sweet, patient, and made sure everything was perfect. You can tell she actually cares about customers. Definitely coming back again!

I had the Katsu Lookin' back in June and it was a horrible sandwich. The meat was dry and hard around the edges, was the slaw too wet and quickly made the bread ultra soggy, the pickles weren't tasty at all. I had visited the Little Italy location twice and the food was exceptional in both visits but this one was dreadful.

Food was great! Kids enjoyed the new meal deal with tenders, fries, biscuits and a fountain drink. What a steal! Elise was really helpful with my kids and they had a great time. Husband was stoked they finally have a bar! Spot was great for watching the sunset.

Got the flock meal, unfortunately, two pieces of chicken were undercooked. When we asked the staff, they told us the chicken wasn't bleached? See my pictures and judge for yourselves. Red and rubbery is raw in my book.

Waaaaay overpriced and the food was mediocre. Also, the eight foot tall painted aluminum chicken out front isnt bolted to the ground, it is wobbly and is an accident waiting to happen.

The service was fast and friendly as usual. Got the cookie butter shake and mini biscuits with the Senor Croquet and it was delicious but in grand total it's $38 with tip. The music has the vibes you can watch the sunset bring your dog to the patio and enjoy really good food. As long as the cookie butter shake stays on the menu we will return the ice cream is from afters so that helps with it being delicious. Didn't get a cookie this time but I recommend it.

Went here on a whim while looking for food after walking around Pacific Beach for awhile. We needed something quick to take to go on our next stop. I wasn't too hungry so I got a kids chicken strip meal which was pretty big for the price. It came with a drink and I got some homemade lemonade which slapped and it came with a huge chocolate chip cookie which I devoured. I tried pineapple mustard for the first time which was very interesting. It's a place where you order outside and there's some TVs in the outdoor seating area which was nice. Very cool vibe to it with all the decor, and service was very friendly. I wouldn't say the service was fast but it was reasonable. I definitely recommend if you want some good chicken.

Happy to see Crack Shack in PB! Lots of seating and an adjacent parking lot. Attentive staff. Food and service was on par and pleasantly surprised they worked out any newly opened kinks. Seating area is nice and clean and ample!

Awesome spot, great food and super friendly ppl. They have an amazing happy hour with $4 beers which is ridiculous in this area. If you walk by and see someone eater a mother clucker burger you will drool.

Hands down one of the best chicken restaurants in San Diego! Will always come back when in the area. 10/10

Excellent food, lots of flavor and hand-battered chicken. My favorite sauce was the sweet bbq sauce and a side bottle of the Carolina Reaper, the HEAT! Service was just as good as the food! Ryan and Brady were killing it. Wiping down tables, checking on us, and running food out. Hustling. We really appreciated the service. Lastly, great music, great environment in general. Lots of seating. Will be back!

Food was ok, Vibe is great. Outdoor open air seatings with sauce station. But service from server was terrible...

First timers, my bf and I. Sky and Dylan helped us out and shared in some silly late evening conversation while we ordered. Solid recommendations and the food was great. Thanks guys.

Service was good at the to go window. Food was expensive and nothing special. We spent $60 for two of the least expensive meals, fries and rolls and a tip. We both ate well but normally we have left overs the next day but we tossed everything we didn't eat.. One of the worst things about this place is that it displaced a wonderful taco shop where $60 would have fed us three times!

We had a busy vacation day. We were tired. We were hungry. We had a hangry kidlet. This place was perfect. Good fries. Good chicken tenders. Nice crunchy coleslaw (really good). Loved the pineapple mustard. Excellent lemonade and root beer. Outdoor seating. Nothin' fancy. Happy campers.

First time, fire bird sandwich super good after they cooked it through (i dont care what range the chickens running on, it dont need to be purple) bomb sando hands down. Went the second time, phone order for the family and my frys are yesterdays clean out. Really?! We get it, butbit shouldn't be "hit or miss" . Service bith times was great. I guess no oversight from the kitchen to the shoot ‍. You guess just opened, general managers need to be doing their job. If raw chicken is some kind of selling point, okay whatever, probably not the best pitch. Than gross ass burnt grease trap fries too?!?

Best chicken nuggets you'll ever have... Most of the menu is quite pricey but the chicken nuggets are affordable and they are very large size and just purely amazing

Excellent products & service. The Firebird sandwich was most likely THE BEST chicken sandwich ever !! French fries like the sandwich were HOT & FRESH. Nothing sitting under a heat lamp here. ALL HOT & FRESH !!!

Update still no call from management in regards to the raw chicken. .be careful I recommend cutting your sandwich on half before eating .

Food does not taste like it has good quality and the seasoning is off. Service and the environment is awesome though.

The Coup Deville sandwich, the amazing fries, the pineapple cream soda...how do I pick a favorite? It's ALL good.

MUST stop here for great crispy, flavorful chicken! Excellent chicken!! Fries are also amazing! Not only was the food spectacular, the customer service was 12/10! Shout out to Ryan and Brady for not only providing excellent service but also keeping the restaurant clean and welcoming! We will definitely be back!

Decent taste but always leaves me disappointed. Power bowl was pathetically small, especially compared to their other bowls and salads. It was basically a $15+ side salad (honestly smaller than a side salad). Their other salads and the keto bowl at Mavericks is easily 3-4x bigger. Whatever sandwich I got was good but not much flavor and no veggies, you need to add sauce. Crack shack replaced a late night taco joint but isn't even open late which is a let down as well. Overall it's decent but way overpriced, very basic, and could be much better. The menu sounds better than it is. Staff and service are great, and there are several nice dining areas to eat. I can't think of any reason to go back though.

Food was great! The cookie butter shake was amazing. Staff was super friendly and helpful. I would definitely eat here again when in San Diego. Food is pricey though lunch was 105 dollars for me and the family. I was on vacation so when in Rome however they say it but I wouldn't normally spend 105 dollars on lunch. To each there own but give em a try

On a staycation in PB with my girlfriend and wanted her to experience the glorious sandwiches of Crack Shack - she grabbed a Cali Drip which was missing a crucial component that we didn't notice until we got back to our rental property. I called the restaurant and want to shout out the exceptional customer service I received, both from the lady who answered the phone, but especially from the manager Johnny He invited us back for a visit so they could make things right and they absolutely delivered We'll definitely be returning to crack shack over the years for their excellent sandwiches and award winning chicken 10/10 By the way, the new pb location is beautiful just like the rest of their locations and captures that crack shack feel/ambiance which they've nailed at their little Italy location all these years

Firebird sandwich and fries were outstanding! Great beach vibe and friendly staff. Dylan was especially helpful as he went above and beyond to bring us extra condiments and napkins. He even checked back with us as we ate our meal. Well done!

Crack Shack was a solid spot for a late-night bite in PB! Tried the Downward Dog veggie bowl--great flavor, though a bit minimal in size. The chicken bowl was tasty, especially with their awesome sauce selection (Blaze 619 Mango Chili & Garlic Verde). Cool vibe, friendly staff, and humorous decor. Definitely coming back to try the Katsu Lookin'! Perfect beachside stop in the heart of the action and probably even cooler in the day being next to the beach.

The Crack Shack has always been a favorite of mine to visit when I come to San Diego, however my last visit was less than pleasant. I ordered The Firebird and got food poisoning. I wish my experience was as good as always but this time it was horrible.

The chicken was fried with the most amazing butter flavor. The service was amazing fast and quick. The eating and tables were available in doors and outdoors open and with great view and fresh air felt awesome.