Found In San Diego | The Crack Shack

This past weekend I sadly became a crack addict, a Crack Shack addict to be exact. I have my parents to blame for this since they were the ones who enabled me to devour the dangerously delicious fried chicken. Normally I'm not this crazy about fried chicken, but I quickly learned that this ain't your run of the mill fried chicken that you can get at the drive-thru window. If you're into healthy meals like kale and quinoa salads or those fancy but gross detox drinks, then look away. This is the cheat meal to end all cheat meals, the comfort food that will magically get rid of any of your worries, and the meal that will create the most epic food baby.

The Crack Shack is a more recent addition to the incredible Little Italy food scene. This is not exactly in the heart of Little Italy, but it is just a short walk away from the Little Italy sign. If you're familiar with Ballast Point or Bottle Craft, then you won't have a problem finding The Crack Shack.
2266 Kettner Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101
Open Monday-Thursday and Sunday: 9:00AM-10:00PM and Friday-Saturday: 9:00AM-11:00PM

The Crack Shack has a beautiful rustic, yet modern vibe to it. You'll also find some kitschy pop culture references like the Abbey Road cover with chickens and a giant chicken statue that's very reminiscent of the old Big Boy statues outside of their restaurants. There's nothing but outdoor seating at The Crack Shack but you do have plenty of seating options available. You have your standard tables, taller tables, bar seating, and even rocking chairs along the bocce area. You can also choose to be seated underneath the shaded areas or enjoy a little of that San Diego sunshine. Also, if you're a sports fan you'll be very happy to see that there's a lot of TVs around in the restaurant.

The prices at The Crack Shack are a bit higher that what you're used to seeing at fast food fried chicken places, but the quality is also drastically different. All the chicken and eggs used at The Crack Shack are locally grown right here in San Diego, so you won't be getting frozen chicken from who knows where. Sandwiches range from $9-13, while the fried chicken is $15 for 5 pieces or $28 for 10 pieces. There's also salads, sides, and soft served ice cream available. Click here if you want to check out the complete menu.

Being the lover of all things spicy, I went with the appropriately named Firebird Sandwich ($10). The sandwich has a large fried thigh with a spicy batter, a refreshing ranch sauce, crispy onions, a few slices of pickles, and a soft brioche bun. This is what a chicken sandwich should taste like! It was fresh, savory, and not very greasy. Unlike other fried chicken that I've had in the past, the fried chicken at The Crack Shack was very crunchy and didn't leave a film of grease on my tongue. If you typically like to feel a bit of that burning sensation, this wasn't ghost pepper hot but I personally really enjoyed the subtle kick that it had.

Another thing that blew my mind were the Schmaltz Fried Fries ($5). Those fries were life changing to say the least. Once again, they were so flavorful, crunchy, and they didn't feel too greasy. When paired with ranch or the chimichurri sauce, the fries become out of this world good. One order of fries is definitely more than enough for two people, but if you don't really feel like sharing then feel free to stuff your face in fries.

I know this wasn't the healthiest meal of my life but I can easily say that this was definitely the best fried chicken I've ever had, so I have absolutely no ragrets (like not even a single letter).

Are you a fan of fried chicken? Let me know in the comments below.