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Setting up inside Las Vegas' brand new Park MGM Resort (previously the Monte Carlo) is the latest outpost of San Diego-based, fast-casual fried chicken concept The Crack Shack, which has been on an expansion spree since launching in 2015. The Crack Shack, San Diego: See 383 unbiased reviews of The Crack Shack, rated 4.5 of 5 on TripAdvisor and ranked #110 of 4,798 restaurants in San Diego.
With a name like the Crack Shack, it evokes curiosity.
It’s supposed to, according to its co-founder, Michael Rosen.
The fried chicken eatery set to open Monday in Costa Mesa is a riff on chicken and eggs.
Just think of “cracking an egg,” said Rosen, who founded the Crack Shack with “Top Chef” restaurateur Richard Blais.
With the Crack Shack, Rosen and Blais said they offer a higher form of fried chicken, using free-roaming, grain-fed Jidori chicken from Southern California and produce from local boutique farms.
“Mike really loves chicken and most chefs have a thing for eggs,” Blais said. “So, the idea sort of started there. We said, ‘Let’s do something with chicken and eggs.’ We realized there weren’t a lot of restaurants doing fried chicken at a high level.”
Rosen and Blais, both San Diego residents, launched the first Crack Shack in that city in 2015 and have been making their way north, opening a second in Encinitas and now a third in Costa Mesa. A fourth Crack Shack is scheduled to open in Century City in spring 2018.
Situated in a former site of a Chase bank, the two-story, 5,500-square foot Crack Shack is bright, open and airy, with a retractable roof, booths fashioned from barn doors and walls constructed of Torrey Pine wooden beams.
Renowned artwork and photos line the walls but with a playful twist.
For example, Neil Leifer’s iconic photo of Muhammad Ali standing over a flattened Sonny Liston is displayed, but with chicken heads replacing Ali’s and Liston’s heads.
“The vibe itself is super casual,” Blais said. “We’d like to think you can bring anyone from your business partner or work colleagues to your uncle from the Midwest who’s just coming to town for the holidays or your kids.”
The menu offers five- and 10-piece fried chicken meals with a choice of dipping sauces for $15 and $29, respectively.
Sandwiches range from $9 to $13 and include the Royale, a chicken sausage patty, topped with a sunny-side egg and smoked cheddar between a homemade English muffin.
The Coop Deville sandwich contains fried chicken, lime mayonnaise, pickled chilies and Napa cabbage between a brioche bun.
Schmaltz fried fries — cooked in melted animal fat — are made from scratch and take 48 hours of preparation.
The Crack Shack also has a full bar, offering craft cocktails and local beers.
“It just seems like the area is hungry for something that is authentic with high-quality ingredients,” Rosen said. “If you are going to eat fried chicken, it should be the highest-quality fried chicken.”
Having established himself as an investment manager, Rosen, a New Jersey transplant, didn’t initially envision himself in the restaurant business.
He relocated to San Diego several years ago for a business opportunity.
Rosen began thinking about opening a fine-dining restaurant in San Diego.
“When I was 50, one of my daughters told me they were tired of me talking about the restaurant business,” he said. “So, I was called out by my kids. I’d been thinking about it and I said, ‘I might regret doing it, but I might also regret not doing it.’”
Rosen sought out Blais and in 2014, the pair opened Juniper & Ivy, an upscale restaurant in downtown San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood.
Next door to the restaurant was a vacant metal shack that was a popular spot for photo shoots.
Rosen was approached with offers to convert the shack into retail space.
“I said let’s make that shack a homage to chicken,” Rosen said. “It’s a place not just to eat chicken but to experience chicken.”
The Crack Shack is at 196 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. For more information, call (949) 383-5040 or visit crackshack.com.
- Justin GianninotoApril 4, 2018Warning: you may become addicted to this creatively-inspired menu including fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, house-made toppings, extensive craft beer selection and fun, outdoor ambiance. ?
- Maya ByrneJune 25, 2017Loved the deviled eggs! They were super cold filled high and topped with crunchy bits. Biscuits with the sweet butter was delicious as was the spicy chicken sandwich
- KateNovember 12, 2015Awesome new addition to the neighborhood! Outdoor seating is dog and kid friendly, and 3 TVs at the bar + bomb fried chicken will make this my new hungover Sunday football go-to. Two thumbs up!
- Amanda CicconeMarch 13, 2018The firebird was AMAZING! The fruitslaw was surprisingly delicious & refreshing!! Drink menu was impressive. I'll definitely be back to try something new, or maybe I'll just get the firebird again :)
- Joey HernandezJanuary 3, 20165 pc chicken is a good amount for two people (maybe get an appetizer?) breading is super flavorful!
- Roger MaOctober 11, 2016Free range chicken is the biz! A bit steep ($15 for 5 pcs) but totally worth it.
- Mohammed RMarch 22, 2016Chicken based menu, Mexican Poutine is a must. Fried chicken was so tasty.
- Alyssa HirschMarch 7, 2018The fried chicken sandwiches are great! I loved my Senor Croque and I had a bite of the Firebird which was good too. Fries were not my favorite. They were kind of salty for my taste.
- Paul SmithDecember 7, 2015This was our furst time here and it wasnt the greatest experience. Cali dip was heavy on avocado and light on chicken. They were also diced which can be difficult with a dippedsandwich.
- Brett VenkerNovember 16, 2015The Bloody Mary was one of the spiciest mixes I've ever had and I enjoy spicy food. Don't get it. The coop deville was phenomenal and the environment outside is cool
- Colleen AlarconJanuary 20, 2018We've been waiting to try this place- parking is difficult Very popular and busy. Fried chicken was OK, and cannot understand why it is ranked #1 in SD. Salads were great, the fries outstanding
- Raquel LandefeldMarch 24, 2017Truly delicious fried chicken. As fresh & clean as fried chicken can get! The mini biscuits were to-die-for!!!
- Hessa Al ZamelAugust 28, 2017Get the firebirdsandwich ? and for the sides go for the Schmaltz Fried fries and the chicken oysters ????
- Craig VillamorJuly 23, 2017Great fried chicken down’t come cheap and neither do the beers, but this place is deliciously fun!
- Rando CornbreadJune 26, 2018The Coop Deville, the deviled eggs, the Schmaltz fries. That's your drinking combination! Biscuits if you're the early enough and need a breakfast bite
- David SickelsJuly 14, 2017Chicken's (Juicy) and all the sides are excellent. Try the 'Border Slaw'
- Ben Z ? ?May 30, 2016The full menu is available for order at the bar. You can skip the long lines and order food and drink directly at the bar.
- Charm B. TrippinAugust 6, 2016We all got a chicken sandwich and wished we ordered just the delicious chicken! The sides are huge so share.
- Wang YuqingMarch 20, 2018Love their seasoned fried chicken and butter biscuits! So good and yummy
- Chris MearsMarch 25, 2018Everything is amazing but I definitely suggest the Baja Chop Salad with pollo Asado and classic slaw.
- Connie ChiuJune 11, 2016Damn good. Biscuits with misomaple butter, chicken lollipop, thunderbird, and Mexican poutine.
- Tania LanaoAugust 28, 2017Fantastic casual place to spend time with friends and family. Never fails.
- Alison DeBenedictisOctober 18, 2018Amazing fried chicken & the border slaw was refreshing!
- Karen ChiangJuly 19, 2016The most chicken for your money is buying the 5 or 10 piece. 5 piece is enough for 2 people. Maybe get an appetizer too. Very flavorful and tender.
- Martin OngNovember 12, 2018Just get the chicken oysters
- Glenn RouhandehAugust 15, 2016Chopped salad and chicken oysters with mustard sauce were very good!!
- Joseph LeJune 13, 2017Little pricey but the fries and fried chicken sandwiches here are delicious
- Cathy S.November 14, 2015The Senor Croque was butter dripping delicious
- llonyort .April 20, 2018Best fried chicken I've had in SoCal.
- Scott NietzelSeptember 28, 2017Fried chicken, mini biscuits and deviled eggs for the win!
- AnnaApril 26I just tried cocktail and it was good)
- KelMarch 10, 2018Everything!!
- Wijdan MNovember 10, 2018I don’t know how its rate is 9!!!! The service is zero, and the french fries is so dirty! It’s taste oil rather than potato! Also; the drinks machine doesn’t work well! Coca cola’s taste is water!!!
- Tom MooreNovember 16, 2017Firebird and Mexican poutinefries.
- Tanya VFebruary 11, 2017Great concept, very busy with locals
- Hailey NguyenJuly 1, 2017One of the best fried chicken I've ever had!
- Joseph LeMay 18, 2017Try the Mexican poutine!
- TheDLMarch 23, 2016I was skeptical. Food is legit. Service could use some refinement.
- Roger MaNovember 19, 2015Senor croquette!
- Bob YoungMay 5, 2017Good Chicken but Not Great. Crispy coatings but over flavored with paprika.
- RajaMarch 13, 2018Maybe I’m just unrefined, the fried chicken here is nothing to note about. I’ll stick to KFC. Border slaw wasn’t flavorful.
- Marike Van RooyenFebruary 26, 2018Good food, great for large groups
- Hussain KhMay 27, 2016The worst food I have ever tried. It's too heavy and a lot of fat on it. My opinion about this resturant is the definition of unhealthy protein.
- Laura DolanApril 2, 2017Mexican poutine ❤️
- KateNovember 12, 2015Avoid the line by ordering food from the bar
- KateDecember 1, 2015Wifi password: crackwifi
- Matt ShobeFebruary 28Firebird. So decadent.
- Jason BellowsJuly 29, 2018Fireball chicken. Yowza.
- Jenn MicheleSeptember 21, 2017Meh, it was ok. Not nearly as good as Juniper & Ivy.
- Ahmad.DAugust 20, 2016Ohhhhh & ohhhh how soooo good ❤️❤️