The Crack Shack - Encinitas

I’d heard good things about this place and I wasn’t disappointed!
The Baja chop bowl, with added check thigh tossed in the fire sauce was great and very filling! And the salted caramel cookie, a great way to top off dinner!

The wine is a little expensive, but I guess that’s America…

Staff is so friendly, welcome and ready to give honest recommendations 🙏🏼

Crack Shack offers a warm, inviting atmosphere, perfect for a casual meal. The highlight is their fried chicken - crispy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Each dish, from the unique sides to the delectable sauces, showcases their commitment to quality. Service is friendly and attentive, adding to the restaurant’s charm. A delightful spot for comfort food lovers!

First time at Crack Shack Encinitas, and I was very impressed. Extensive menu and beer and wine choices. I tried the Mexican Poutine and did not regret my choice. Delicious with excellent flavors and textures. A glass of sauvignon blanc balanced it out. Great place for families, couples, or groups. There is plenty of seating indoors and out. Fun activities for the kids. Service was pretty quick and accommodating. Restrooms are clean and well stocked. Plenty of parking. Location close to the freeway for easy access.

Best gluten free fried chicken I’ve ever had and solid fried chicken in general. The crunch and flavor is everything you’re looking for and most of their delicious sauces are GF too. The ranch in particular is superb. My only gripe is they only serve bone-in chicken gluten free - so you can’t get tenders or nuggets or anything. You also can’t get their fries because they fry them in the gluten fryer (I don’t know why? Seems like they could fry them in the GF fryer and then everyone could have them?)

Had lunch here on a weekend. You order at the front and are given a number stand where someone will come to your table to bring your order. There are 4-5 sauces available to flavor up your chicken. Lots of open seating.

Sandwiches sounded interesting so we tried two different ones (coop deville and senor croque), fries, cole slaw, and an additional chicken breast. Sandwiches are large and the chicken was very juicy. There was cole slaw on the coop deville so it help lighten and refresh the sandwich. Compared to senor croque, this was also good but felt heavy and rich with the egg and bacon. Ended up asking for to go containers to take the rest back for another meal. Expect hands to get messy and appreciated the roll of paper towels at the table and hand washing station.

Overall was a very good chicken place and will have to come back to try the fried chicken meals

Crack Shack is my go to for a banging chicken sandwich, high quality food, never had a poor experience there, staff is nice, sauce game on point, the pineapple mustard is my go to, perfect blend of sour and sweet, pairs well with the fries and the chicken. Soda choices are a breath of fresh air. Very cool idea to be able to sub grilled chicken for fried. Downward dog also very fresh and a nice second option for me, depends on my mood that day (Pictured is the Señor Croque, the fried egg on top rounds out the sandwich so well)

Been here for fried chicken and not that impressed for the price, however, decided to return for the Pollo asada torta I saw on their website. Had a small order of fries also. Counter gal very friendly. Was thankfully slow due to weather. Place gets packed.

Decided to make a pit stop here for lunch, the menu is outside and so is the counter service, but the inside is nice and cozy warm atmosphere. This location is off Encinitas BLVD. I decided to go with the firebird sandwich and my GF got the Cali Drip sandwich, the food was very tasty and they also have different sauces which is nice for example they have a pineapple mustard, which was really good. The restrooms are outside so if you’re sitting indoors it can be a tiny walk. Overall my experience was great and had great service and food. I would go back.

Came on a recommendation from a friend and we left completely satisfied and well fed. It is speedy counter service and then a cozy upbeat inside/outside dining area where they bring your food right to the table. I had the chefs special chicken sandwich and my husband had the downward dog. Both were so tasty. Glad we came.

The food was yummy even though it does add up since everything is a la carte style. The pineapple soda was pretty delicious as well. It was such an airy place that was simultaneously bar scene and somehow wholesome, kids and dog friendly as well with golf in the background 🤗

Amazing Layout and Open Space.
The service at the bar was very helpful and friendly, with super fast food for a high quality product

Probably my favorite chicken sandwich spot in the country regardless which location you go to. Their food is consistent, customizable, fresh, hot, and always packed with flavor. Their staff are always so nice and the place is clean and wide open. I love this place. I've purchased many giftcards for friends as well.

Very pricy, in my opinion, needs to at least have a combo option but definitely worth it. The spicy chicken is really spicy but still enjoyable. Sauces are great and dog friendly 👍 10/10 would come back

The absolute best chicken sandwich I've ever had in my life! Bursting with flavor, gooey and perfectly seasoned 👏 go get you some!

Very good chicken sandwich. Recommend Firebird over the others because the chicken thigh is more juicy than the breast.
Actually quite good fries! Very fresh ingredients. Also a lot of sauce options. I recommend pineapple mustard (never seen elsewhere) and BBQ.
And this site has more parkings than the Little Italy one.

Had parked in the Crack shake parking lot then pulled up menu saw the prices so I walked across the street to in n out but the line was at the door with one cashier. I can take an hr lunch but not for a burger. Was able to order my sandwich and eat it in my car in less than 15min yes it was that good I gobbled it.

Excellent food! Better than the little Italy location as they have a parking lot! Received a recommendation to come here and checked it out, it was 100% worth coming here. So much so that we checked out their other location later in the week!

The Firebird 🔥🐔

Crack Shack in Encinitas brings the fire with their fried chicken and just about everything there will have you leaving stuffed and happy!

Highly Recommended items to order from Crack Shack:
- The Firebird (Spicy Chicken Sandwich…drown this baby in their delicious ranch) 🍔🔥🐔
- Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie (perfect crispy edges with a soft core, sprinkled with salt) 🍪

I can’t get enough of this place. The entire experience is 5 stars. Wish I could give it more!

The food is out of this world. I was glad to go my first time with friends that wanted to eat family style so we got one of everything. I didn’t eat anything that I didn’t completely love. And the location! I could spend all day in the shack atmosphere.

Please go and eat here! You won’t regret it. #firebirdgang

Best fried chicken in town! The chicken is fried but still juicy inside! I usually only get the fried chicken but for once I tried the BAE sandwich and oohhh my God that was good! So definitely don't miss out the sandwiches! They are worth it!