The Crack Shack

The Crack Shack The Crack Shack is a popular chicken shop, chicken restaurant and American restaurant, famous for their original "SoCal Style" fried chicken which has received national acclaim. Founded by Top Chef Richard Blais and Culinary Director Jon Sloan, the menu features locally raised, free-living chickens infused with Southern California spirit. With their proprietary "crack spice," The Crack Shack promises diners a unique and sumptuous culinary experience. Forget about which came first, enjoy both the chicken and the egg served with reckless abandon.
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Recent social media posts

The girls are glistening โœจAvailable for purchase at all of our SoCal locations and at SPECIALTY PRODUCE for $11.95! *all...
09/23/2026

The girls are glistening โœจ

Available for purchase at all of our SoCal locations and at SPECIALTY PRODUCE for $11.95!

*all sauces made with avocado oil! ๐Ÿฅ‘*

09/22/2026

Your fav sauces are bottled and NOW AVAILABLE at SPECIALTY PRODUCE along with our SoCal locations for purchase for $11.95! ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ

Grab one. Take it home. Put it on everythingโ€ฆ.

Crack grip ๐Ÿ’…๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ”
09/21/2026

Crack grip ๐Ÿ’…๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ”

09/15/2026

Rotisserie is BbY WOW ๐Ÿฉต

Enjoy The Full Roost (rotisserie chicken bundle) at both our Encinitas and Costa Mesa location!

It includes:
- one bird, 4 mini biscuits, miso maple butter, baja chop salad, chicken gravy, and a regular fry ๐Ÿ”

AVAILABLE MONDAY - THURSDAY

Skip the dinner stress, we got your flock covered ๐Ÿ˜Œ

09/14/2026

Class is officially in session. Meet the new menu! ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ“š

Le Cluck ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท *LTO* $16 - fried thigh, caramel used onions, Gruyรจre / white cheddar gratin, roast garlic-chicken jus aioli, pickled mustard seeds, herbs, potato brioche (SoCal only!)

Updated Downward Dog ๐Ÿซ’ $15 - Mediterranean inspired with cauliflower, cukes, baby tomatoes, feta, herbs, garlic confit olive sun-dried tomato tapenade, quinoa, hummus (San Diego only!)

Autumn Salad ๐Ÿ‚ ($16 / $18 LV) - butternut squash, toasted pumpkin seeds, dried cherries, goat cheese, herbs, baby kale, arugula, apple cider-Dijon dressing (available at ALL locations)

Gravy Train Fries ๐Ÿš‚ ($14 / $16 LV) - hand cut fries, country chicken gravy, Jidori tenders, aged cheddar, fall herbs, green onion (available at ALL locations)

For ya sweet tooth, weโ€™re also introducing our two new milk shakes! (SoCal only!)๐Ÿฅค

- Salted Caramel Coconut Oreo Shake ๐Ÿฅฅ
- Sโ€™mores 2.0 Shake โ›บ๏ธ

Study up on the menu and come test it out in stores starting TODAY! ๐Ÿ“

Class is almost in session ๐Ÿ” Peep the new syllabus tomorrow 9/14 ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‚
09/13/2026

Class is almost in session ๐Ÿ” Peep the new syllabus tomorrow 9/14 ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‚

Our NFL lineup is saucier than yours ๐Ÿˆ๐ŸซชHereโ€™s our starting lineup: โ€ข Sweet Baby Gโ€™s BBQ โ€ข Pineapple mustard ๐Ÿโ€ข House Ran...
09/08/2026

Our NFL lineup is saucier than yours ๐Ÿˆ๐Ÿซช

Hereโ€™s our starting lineup:
โ€ข Sweet Baby Gโ€™s BBQ
โ€ข Pineapple mustard ๐Ÿ
โ€ข House Ranch
โ€ข Sriracha 1K Island

Available for purchase for $11.95 at ALL SoCal locations!

Kinda chic(k) to do all of these things this Labor Day Weekend โœจ๐Ÿ’– respectfully.
09/04/2026

Kinda chic(k) to do all of these things this Labor Day Weekend โœจ๐Ÿ’– respectfully.

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL CHICKEN MONTH! Weโ€™ve been preparing our whole lives for this. ๐Ÿซช๐Ÿ”
09/02/2026

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL CHICKEN MONTH! Weโ€™ve been preparing our whole lives for this. ๐Ÿซช๐Ÿ”

I GOT (another) TEXT !! ๐Ÿ’ฌWe are BACK mamacitas! Come couple up with us on Monday, August 31st @ 6pm to end the summer wi...
08/27/2026

I GOT (another) TEXT !! ๐Ÿ’ฌ

We are BACK mamacitas! Come couple up with us on Monday, August 31st @ 6pm to end the summer with the Love Island Reunion in Pacific Beach ๐ŸŒดโœจ

Come for the drama, stay for the drinks and bites ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ” with our EXCLUSIVE love island menu! Along with activity sheets, bingo, and a GIVEAWAY! ๐Ÿ˜ฎโ€๐Ÿ’จ

We still rise I guess โœจ๐Ÿค

THEYโ€™RE HERE ๐Ÿ’ฆAfter much hard work, we are FINALLY launching our NEW bottled sauces! ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ”Fresh ingredients, fresh sauces, ...
08/24/2026

THEYโ€™RE HERE ๐Ÿ’ฆ

After much hard work, we are FINALLY launching our NEW bottled sauces! ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ”

Fresh ingredients, fresh sauces, all packed away for your pleasure in your fridge! ๐Ÿ๐Ÿฏ๐ŸŒฟ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ

Purchase them in-store at all of our SoCal locations for
$11.95 and $12.95 on third party!

Bring the fun home and elevate all your dishes with some sauciness ๐Ÿซฃ

Take yours home today!

08/20/2026

COMING SOONโ€ฆ. Feelin saucy ๐Ÿซช๐Ÿ‘€

Caught ya something worth craving. ๐Ÿ”ฅ
08/11/2026

Caught ya something worth craving. ๐Ÿ”ฅ

Consider us free agents, and help us pick an NFL team ๐Ÿˆ x ๐Ÿ” ON THE BOARD:The Philadelphia EaglesChicago BearsSeattle Sea...
08/10/2026

Consider us free agents, and help us pick an NFL team ๐Ÿˆ x ๐Ÿ”

ON THE BOARD:

The Philadelphia Eagles
Chicago Bears
Seattle Seahawks
Minnesota Vikings
Denver Broncos
Detroit Lions
Miami Dolphins

Let us know below who you think! Or your own choice not on the list ๐Ÿซฃ

Happy National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day ๐ŸชA day worth celebrating, if you ask us.
08/04/2026

Happy National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day ๐Ÿช

A day worth celebrating, if you ask us.

07/29/2026

Gotta keep an eye out for (PBโ€™s 2 newest additions)

If you havenโ€™t already come try our Crack Wrap and Cali Drip wrap! ๐Ÿ’ง

Available both in Pacific Beach and Costa Mesa!

Address

2266 Kettner Boulevard
San Diego, CA
92101

For public transport, one can take the Green Line Trolley to the Santa Fe Depot station. From there, transfer to the 83 bus heading towards Downtown San Diego. Get off at the Kettner Blvd & A St stop and walk a few blocks north on Kettner Blvd to arrive at the destination.

For driving/parking, head south on I-5 and take exit 17B for Front St. Turn right onto W Ash St and then left onto Columbia St. Turn right onto W A St and then left onto State St. Continue on State St which turns into Kettner Blvd. Look for parking options along the street or in nearby public parking lots/garages.

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What people say

The Crack Shack, located on Kettner Boulevard in San Diego, has received mixed reviews from newspaper critics. A review from the San Diego Union-Tribune in October 2020 praised the restaurant's chicken and waffles dish, calling it "a standout" and the chicken sandwich "worthy of attention." However, the same review criticized the prices as being "a bit steep for what you get."

A more recent review from Eater San Diego in March 2021 also highlighted the crispy chicken sandwich but noted that some menu items were hit or miss. The reviewer recommended trying the deviled eggs and fries but cautioned against ordering the seafood dishes.

Customers have also shared their opinions online, with some raving about their experiences at The Crack Shack while others were disappointed. One Yelp review from April 2021 called the food "outstanding" but mentioned long wait times and a crowded patio. Another Yelp reviewer from March 2021 was less complimentary, describing their meal as "underwhelming" and "not worth the price."

Overall, it seems that The Crack Shack's fried chicken dishes are a hit with some critics and customers alike, but there are concerns about pricing and inconsistent menu offerings.