Zack’s Char-Grill

Hole in the wall with EXCELLENT service, $ 2.59 for a cheeseburger. They only have American cheese, but the burgers and chili cheese fries are so delicious. Just go, it’s worth it!

Great burgers and love the fries. Owner is very friendly as well. Small southern town atmosphere. Prices are excellent as well especially with the food quality.

This is such an obvious local favorite based on how many people seem to be known on a first name basis by the owner and his staff.
I have eaten here a couple times recently and had the burgers and the fries and every time it has been well prepared and tasty.
Just good old fashioned chargrilled burgers. Not a fancy place but consistently good food with very friendly service. Th patties are hand formed from fresh beef. Good flavor.
I recommend it to anyone wanting to find a good place for lunch in the local area.

This is good old fashioned country burger joint food. I enjoy coming here for a greasy burger when I am in the area.
Super nice staff, cool «divish» atmosphere, and you get the feeling the owner knows just about everyone who comes in.

Great burgers and all food is really good. Homemade cookies are soft! Love this place. I call ahead and pick it up. Know what you want when you go in. You will be rushed. Don’t take it personally.
GOTTA ORDER FAST!!!
CASH ONLY!!!

I’m a burger and fries guy so this place was right up my alley. The food reminded me of what I used to get years ago at the Coffee Pot diner so I am a fan for sure. Courtesy and friendly staff, great food, and the place was as clean as any diner I’ve been to in years and I eat at a lot of diners.

This place is amazing! The food is fantastic and the staff is amazing. Every time I come to visit my parents, we go here at least once every time I am in to visit. So good, best burgers!

Zack’s is a great pit stop if you’re traveling along 95. Service is quick, the owner is super friendly, and you can’t beat the price.

Excellent service and the staff was very friendly. We live about an hour away and we were just driving around and came across this place… we will be back

I’m really impressed by the graciousness of the owner. I’m pulling jury duty and walked down to his shop from the courthouse during lunch. After I’d ordered lo and behold, he takes all cards except American Express, and that’s all I had. Without any hesitation he said «don’t worry about it, pay me back next time your in.» I like supporting local business, but even more so I like supporting good people. Not to mention their hotdogs are great and their service is fast.
Edit:
Moments after writing this review he went around his restaurant and offered free cookies to all of his guests. Such a great homey feel good kinda place.

I just stopped there yesterday. Disappointing. School cafeteria type burger in 2/​$ 1.00 grocery store rolls. Small burger too! Their fries were ok. But there is also no menu here, burgers, hotdogs, fries, and chicken salad. And they keep yelling and it wasn’t even busy. They yell the orders, they yell at each other, and I heard him yell to the customers «now you all stand in line there and give him your orders one at a time!» The only reason why this place is highly rated by others is because there is no place to eat out in that area besides fast food. And this place runs like fast food too but with no choices. No music, no tvs. And because I have to say something nice. The place was very clean.

We love Zack’s! Best burger in the Smithfield area. Rich, the owner, knows everyone by name and actually remembers! Great price, great food… who can ask for more?
PS: get a chocolate chip cookie… they are homemade and absolutely perfect!

I had to be in Smithfield for jury duty and needed to pick up a late lunch. Given a choice between a local place and a chain — I will go with a local joint. I had seen good reviews of Zack’s and when I saw the sign — I had to check it out.
Walk in — greeted and welcomed. First thing I noticed was how the owner went back and forth between cooking and his customers. The atmosphere was laid back and comfortable. Even though it seemed like he was having ongoing conversations with the regulars — at no time did I feel excluded or forgotten. I lingered after I was finished and watched him make a point of speaking with anyone and everyone and make an effort to connect with people. Even though I had never been in Zack’s before — I could see this becoming a goto spot if was in town.
The place says Char-​grill so I went with the bacon cheeseburger. When done, he offered me multiple options but I went with an old favorite — chili, slaw, pickles. First bite and I was transported back home to a favorite drive-​in. This isn’t some overblown foofoo fancy sandwich — it’s a down to earth, good tasting, solid beef burger with crunchy bacon (yeah — exactly what I ordered). Fries were crispy and HOT — no stale, soggy potatoes here (a pet peeve of mine). Being full, I turned down the apple turnover and ice cream but you can bet I’ll be back. Next time — chicken salad or BLT. I highly recommend anyone stopping in!

This is always a stop every time I’m in Smithfield! All of their food is great — burgers, fries, chicken salad… everything!

If you are driving the I-​95 corridor through north carolina and want a delicious char grilled burger with fresh condiments, excellent homemade chicken salad, grilled chicken or locally made hotdogs… this is the place to stop. Get a taste of Smithfield instead of the usual chain fast food joints. Owner Richard is a trip… runner and Tarheel grad. Glad we stopped… Florida surf here we come. Thank you Richard!