The Crack Shack

Our favorite local chicken shop in OC!Everyone there was super friendly, food came out super quickly and was so delicious!I also love the sauce bar they have, I'm a pineapple mustard and ranch girl here!Definitely would come back again!

A friend recommended this place to us. My gal & I really liked the food- it was a little bit too open inside for me. We split the all American chicken burger- but only with one patty. It's a bit messy- but very good. Fries tasty too. It's not exactly our spot- but good foodOur service, Anna was good and efficient - just more business than super friendly.

Chicken sandwich, a side of fries, a big order of fries, & 2 drinks came out to roughly $40 in Feb 2025, pretty good! Food came out fast & they bring it to the table. Don't live in Costa Mesa & saw it while driving by, caught our attention so we came in. We would probably come back :)They also have trivia nights every Thursday at 6:30pm!

Good vibes and service, but the food is questionable ...The place itself has a very comfortable and inviting atmosphere. We came at night so it was quite crowded and everyone seemed to be having lots of fun. The menu has a decent range of options to choose from as well as a bar with a separate menu.* Jidori Tender Combo: 6/10 - tenders were small and didn't have any breadingNot sure if it's just us, but my sister had a terrible stomachache after eating from here. She searched online to see if other people had similar experiences from ordering the same item and it seems that they did. We'll come back to try the food again and see if the same thing happens.Although the address is listed in Costa Mesa, I'd say it's more on the edge of Costa Mesa and pushing toward Newport Beach. The parking in the back can get quite crowded at peak times so it might be tough finding a spot. There were tons of seating inside and a sauce bar as well.Slightly disappointed.

Great place for good chicken sandwiches, beers, cocktails and more! Cool that they are dog friendly too!

The Crack Shack in Costa Mesa used to be a go-to for fried chicken, but sadly, it's not living up to its former glory. For the premium prices, there are definitely better options in the area now.The chicken tenders came out soggy, which was disappointing, and while the loaded fries tasted great, the chicken pieces were so sparse I could count them on one hand. The chicken sandwich? It was okay, but nothing that could compete with the likes of Cluck Kitchen, Howlin' Rays, or Hattie B's. It's still better than legacy fast food, but that's not saying much.Overall, it feels like the quality has gone downhill, and for the money, you're better off heading elsewhere for your fried chicken fix. Save yourself the time and skip this one.

I wanted to like it but the chicken was so dry The seasoning tasted good but it didnt like stick to the chicken? hard to explain but overall was disappointed

I love the chicken sandwiches here. Every time I have come, they have been freshly made to order and have the highest quality ingredients. It is a type of restaurant that you order up at the front and you go and sit down and the cashier was attentive. It is a more casual dining experience when I went and they did have TVs playing the football game and there were dogs allowed inside the seating area. The parking lot is extremely small so I can see it potentially getting full on a busy night. It is on the pricier side and the sandwiches and sides are served à la carte. I would come back perhaps for a casual date or to try the biscuits lol

One of my fave chicken place in the area. I'm glad Crack Shack opened in OC because I don't have to go to San Diego. I enjoy their fries. It's crispy and soft inside. Their firebird is also a must. Just the right amount of heat with lots of toppings.Their self served sauces is also a great addition. You can have many options. My favorites are their pineapple mustard and that bbq. Service is also great. You order and they bring your order at your table. The place is also big and spacious. Lots of TVs for you to watch sports and best of all.... Free parking. Lots of parking spaces! Definitely a must if you like fried chicken!!!

Life changing chicken sandwiches I can't find enough good things to say about Crack Shack but once you eat it you can never go back. The Costa Mesa location has a back parking lot and you are able to walk into an outdoor/open seating area. I just remember it had a lot of natural light and very spacious. It has a lot of booth and bar seating, along with an upper deck that I haven't noticed before. But you can walk to the front of the cashier where the sauce bar is to order. Food Ordered:Firebird: for the spicy lovers out there, you need this. It's a spicy fried Jidori thigh with ranch, crispy onions (in the photo we got them on the side accidentally - which was a blessing in disguise), pickles (actually meant to put these on the side), and served in a potato roll. This sandwich has altered my brain chemistry since 2019 - it's juicy, it's flavorful, it's the best dang chicken sandwich I've ever had. Eat it on the tray because the sauce it's served with is generous. Since I got the crispy onions on the side I ended up dipping some in ranch and put a lot of them in my sandwich Downward Dog: this was a new item I tried with squash, cauliflower, granola, raisins, creamy, and hummus. The hummus is on the side of the bowl so I had to get a spoon and scrape it to mix with the quinoa. There's a lot of sauces including a hot sauce collection so it paired real well with the mango habanero sauce. Good to eat if you need to get away from the fried foods. Bowls are a flavorful and healthy alternative. I split the bowl and sandwich with my husband after a walk and it was perfect. The mini biscuits: great and reliable staple. The miso butter is so chefs kiss. Crack Shack, known for their amazing flavors tops it off with their sauce bar. Options include ranch (100/10), sriracha thousand island (good spicy Mayo reiteration), barbecue, ketchup, pineapple mustard ?, and more. It really elevates the meal for the sauce bosses out there Real easy to order at the cashier but I will note it was an inside order experience. It's usually outside near the big chicken statue and felt more organized that way but it was still great. Always a pleasure to eat here when I get the chance.