Crack Shack Pushes the Fried Chicken Envelope in Pasadena

Pasadena is the newest recipient of Crack Shack, the San Diego-based fried chicken mini-chain that’s been growing all around greater Los Angeles of late. From their Orange County location to the big anchor spot at the Westfield Century City mall, the Richard Blais-fronted restaurant is making moves all over town, but this San Gabriel Valley outlet is undoubtedly the new LA-area crown of the company.

This standalone Shawmut-built Crack Shack lands along Green Street, inside of a retrofitted former warehouse. That means lots of old, burnished wood beams and rustic brick, plus big windows for sunlight up front. There’s a ton of seating across wooden booths, open two- and four-tops, communal tables, and the back bar, which itself seats 24.

Much like the other locations, this Crack Shack hews towards all things fried chicken. That includes rich fried chicken sandwiches as well as nugget-like chicken oyster bites, plus a full lineup of cocktails in addition to beer and wine. There are some greens (and plenty of sides) available as well, plus a brined chicken thigh “pastrami” sandwich that is unique to this location and comes with sauerkraut on marble rye bread.

Crack Shack Pasadena officially opens to the public on Monday, November 12. Look for hours from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. most days, with an extension to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Crack Shack Pasadena. 30 W. Green St., Pasadena, CA.

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