The Crack Shack
Rating
Family of 4
$50-$75 (2 adult entrees at $14-18 each + 2 kids meals at $8-10 each + drinks = $50-75)
Duration
1-1.5 hours
Best Ages
Best for all ages
About
The Crack Shack is one of San Diego's most family-friendly restaurants -- not because it has a kids' play area with plastic slides, but because its entire concept naturally accommodates families. Created by Top Chef winner Richard Blais, this chicken-and-egg-focused restaurant operates as an upscale-casual outdoor eatery with bocce ball courts, a spacious patio, and order-at-the-counter service that removes every pain point of restaurant dining with children.
The food takes humble ingredients -- chicken and eggs -- and elevates them with chef-level technique. The Coop Deville is the signature: a fried chicken thigh sandwich with miso-maple glaze, pickled Fresno chiles, and herb aioli. The Mexican Poutine layers fries with chicken chicharrones, queso, and salsa verde.
The bocce ball courts are the family game-changer. Kids who finish eating can play bocce while parents linger. This natural entertainment buffer transforms the dining experience.
The Little Italy location puts The Crack Shack in one of San Diego's most walkable neighborhoods. On Saturday mornings, the Little Italy Mercato farmer's market fills Date Street with over 200 vendors. Combining a farmer's market stroll with a Crack Shack lunch makes for one of the best family half-days in San Diego.
Service is order-at-the-counter: walk up, order, grab a table, and food is brought to you. Fast, efficient, and low-stress.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
Limited
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Outdoor
Rainy Day
Not ideal
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Weekday lunch (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM) for the shortest lines. Weekend brunch gets crowded -- arrive before 10:30 AM. Late afternoon (3-5 PM) is a sweet spot with no wait and open bocce courts.
Wait Times
5-15 min during peak lunch/dinner; minimal off-peak
Nearby Food
Little Italy surrounding it has dozens of options: Juniper & Ivy (upscale, $20-35), Kettner Exchange (trendy, $16-24), and Extraordinary Desserts (incredible cakes, $8-12 per slice). The Little Italy Mercato farmer's market on Saturdays is a must-visit.
Why Kids Love It
The Crack Shack is the kind of restaurant that makes kids forget they are eating at a restaurant. The entire concept is built around fried chicken and eggs from Top Chef winner Richard Blais, but the real magic for families is the outdoor setup: a sprawling patio with picnic tables, a giant rooster mural, and most importantly, bocce ball courts that kids can play on while parents finish their meals.
The order-at-the-counter format means no waiting for a server, no bill negotiations at the end, and no guilt if kids want to bolt from the table after 10 minutes. Parents order, grab a table, and let kids migrate between eating, playing bocce, and exploring the colorful patio art.
For kids who are picky eaters, the fried chicken and egg-based menu is safe territory elevated to a level that parents actually enjoy. The crispy chicken sandwich, the Coop Deville, is one of the best chicken sandwiches in San Diego.
Pro Tips from Parents
- The bocce ball courts are first-come, first-served and free -- kids can play while parents eat
- Order the Coop Deville fried chicken sandwich -- it is the signature dish
- The patio is dog-friendly, which means kids get the bonus entertainment of nearby puppies
- Located in Little Italy, which has a Saturday farmer's market (8 AM - 2 PM) -- combine the two for a full morning
- Weekend brunch adds egg dishes and breakfast sandwiches to the menu
What to Bring
- Sunscreen (patio is partially shaded but still sunny)
- Cash or card (both accepted)
Cost Info
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
$50-$75 (2 adult entrees at $14-18 each + 2 kids meals at $8-10 each + drinks = $50-75)
Tips to Save
- The kids' meal is a great value -- chicken tenders with fries for around $8-10.
- Share the Coop Deville between two smaller kids.
- Water is free.
- Skip the craft cocktails and save $30+.
- The bocce ball courts are free to use.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Monday
- 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Sunday
- 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Saturday
- 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Thursday
- 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
