The wife and I stopped for dinner while traveling home to Washington after visiting with family in Kernersville, NC this past Sunday, 9/28/25. We were in the mood for some fried chicken and BBQ. The fried chicken was perfect and the BBQ tasty, as were the french fries, cole slaw and brunswick stew. Their sweet iced tea is next to southern perfect, too. My wife, once a food service employee many years ago, commented to Christina, the manager, about the impeccable cleanliness of the bathroom. I can attest to the same in the men's bathroom as well. My wife remarked that a clean bathroom is usually indicative of a clean kitchen area as well. Smithfield Chicken & BBQ in Zebulon is well run with friendly personnel and a top-notch manager with Christina in charge. read more

Went back home to NC and my buds stopped here on the way to the country. Love the pork pulled BBQ with slaw Sandwich with side of Carolina Hush Pups. Delicious. Stopped at same location again on the way back to the airport 24 hours later. This was my first time trying this chain BBQ and was so impressed with the cleanliness, service, and food. I loved it! read more

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Stopped by yesterday around three. The barbecue wasn't chopped well and the entire serving of pork lifted off my plate with my fork. I had to chop it up and douse it in vinegar to give it flavor. The fried chicken breast was overcooked and dry and was probably under a heating lamp before I got it. Spent $60 and I'm not even looking forward to eating the leftovers. The best part was the bbq beans and sweet tea. Will be awhile before I give them another chance. I used to love this place. read more

The waitstaff and counter staff were friendly and helpful. The food came out super fast and was hot and crispy! It was perfect, especially the baked beans! The dining room was clean as was the ladies restroom. A perfect stop for lunch! read more

Decent quick serve BBQ. Not terrible for a chain- but nothing spectacular either. The folks are friendly enough and it's clean... but everything is just a bit under seasoned for my taste and for quick serve I waited a little longer than I would prefer. I'd try it again- but avoid the sweet tea. read more

The food was delicious. The employees were friendly and hard working. The restaurant was spotless A+ read more

Their Eastern NC style barbecue is the BEST in this area. Their fried chicken is hot and fresh, seasoned perfectly. And their sides are always fresh and like Grandma makes them. Their hush puppies are always hot and fresh, their iced tea is perfect, and most importantly, their service is superior to all other restaurants in this area. The friendly atmosphere will keep you coming back. read more

I love this particular location! Their food is fresh and tasty and their service is impeccable! It's nice and clean on the inside and the staff is very nice. Great improvement from most the places around them. read more

Stopped in for a quick bite at lunch. It was packed, so I expected our food to be fresh. It wasn't. The chicken was cold and the fries were warm. The service was good & fast though. I definitely won't complain there. They bring your food to you if you eat inside. There was plenty of parking available. I'd will give them another try in the future and update this review. read more

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This was my first time in North Carolina and I stopped by Smithfield's on a whim because I was so hungry. Never heard of this place but I saw BBQ & Chicken on the sign so I walked right in. Excuse my inexperience with this brand or being on the East coast but I loved that there was a hand washing sink right when you walked in. Can I get an Amen from another germaphobe?? I asked the young man at the register what I should order and he recommended the BBQ sandwich w/ coleslaw. It was a sweet pulled pork and apple cider slaw but it was delicious. Didn't even use any of the BBQ sauce because it was so moist. Fries were ok- reminded me of McDonald's fries. I was still hungry so I came back for a couple of fried chicken thighs (which are my favorite part of the chicken). I rarely eat fried chicken so I especially savor it when I do and this was really good stuff. Tons of breading and great flavor! Wished I had saved room for dessert but next time. Service was great and friendly and lots of "Yes Ma'am" read more

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q - Chicken Thighs and hush puppies - Barbeque Near Me - Zebulon, North Carolina

I was unimpressed. Their chicken is dry and everything else is full of mayonnaise & sugar.. The service was OK. The ambience... What ambience? read more

OMG!! The best chicken and Bar- b -q I've had since my dad cooked a full pig for our family reunion. The Brunswick Stew and potato salad is just how mom makes it. And let me tell you about how friendly Mr. Hudson is. He greeted us like family. The decore and music is delightful. It brings back good memories. My only recommendation is we'd love to have a resturant in Chesapeake, Portsmouth, or Norfolk, Virginia. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE read more

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q - Fried chicken, hush puppies, Brunswick Stew - Barbeque Near Me - Zebulon, North Carolina

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Friday before Christmas, and this place was hoppin'! They were super nice and friendly as they took everyone orders. The food there never disappoints! I love their pulled pork and fried chicken...and Brunswick stew! The restaurant was really busy but clean and well run. They did not disappoint! read more

Our family loves Smithfield's in Zebulon! The food is always amazing! Smithfield's is my all-time favorite fried chicken, and the Zebulon crew are experts at making it. The crew and the food are what makes this our favorite location! Specifically, Christina and Mr. Savage add a level of "family" with their exceptional customer service. My family and I will continue going to Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q in Zebulon for many years to come. Well done Christina, Mr. Savage, and other crew members. Your location is the best! read more

Foods always good, just seems that they skimp compared to others. I deer large fry and it's always the same as a small fry at the others but service is always outstanding read more

Oh my goodness. The best BBQ in the world! I have to stop by and get a sandwich when I drive by on road trips!! Even if I am not so hungry. I take the other half I do t eat home with me and eat it cold for a snack. AMAZING. read more

Awesome service, great hush puppies, crispy fried chicken. Jazzy upbeat atmosphere. Quiet not a lot of people inside.

Good chicken Num num num Service was nice Num num num The atmosphere is okay I don't really pay attention to that kind of stuff Num num Num Nummmmmm read more

Smithfield's is always a solid choice for a quick, delicious meal at a great price! Every location I've been to is very clean. Highly recommend! read more

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q - Barbeque Near Me - Zebulon, North Carolina

Good southern cooking for a quick dinner and a good price. Service even through the drive through is always helpful.

Jamie is the absolute definition of superior customer service. When I made my order, he carefully got every detail. He also made it his business to bag my drinks and thank me for stopping at Smithfield. The food was delicious. I look forward to seeing Jamie again read more

Food is Always hot and fresh. The customer service is amazing. The bathrooms are clean. Try this place out I love their barbecue

Such a great experience! The service here is amazing!!! Christina is a multi-tasking QUEEN! She's so sharp, kind, and attentive. She seems like she keeps her eye on everything going on in every corner of the restaurant anticipating needs and meeting them before anyone asks, all while training other newer staff to do the same. She should be running the place, if she's not already. The food is also super yummy. The BBQ shredded pork was my favorite, hands down. read more

Yum yum and yum can't describe it any better. You won't be disappointed it beats a lot of chicken restaurants. I'm from Massachusetts and I haven't tried better south western chicken than this. Bringing this restaurant to the north east would be a benefit for all of us. If you come around to the Carolinas try you won't be disappointed you will be hooked. read more

I Love Smithfield's Chicken but not this one. It wasn't cooked enough for me. I'm used to it being crispy and delicious all the years I've eaten it in Raleigh and Garner NC. Here in Zebulon I guess you have to tell them to make it crispy (well done?). I've tried it twice and had to finish it in the Air fryer. I'll give it another try and request it "crispy/well done/doubled fried or whatever term that store uses. They also didn't have the honey creamy butter for the hush puppies that were standard at all the Smithfield's I've ever eaten at. Nice establishment and great staff. read more

Great food and very friendly service!! Always clean and plenty of tea! Never been to a below average Smithfield's!

We randomly stopped here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. It was our first ever visit to any Smithfield's restaurant. The first thing we noticed was the bathrooms were very clean. Next, the young woman taking my order was very friendly and provided great service. The kids and I enjoyed the chicken tenders and my wife enjoyed the fried shrimp. We would definitely eat at this location or any Smithfield's again! read more

The fried chicken is way better than kfc. Bbq is very good as well. And the tea is just right

We look forward to Smithfield's every time we travel to Eastern North Carolina. If we're not hungry we stop for the unsweetened iced tea. If you're hungry you've come to the right place. The Eastern NC shredded bbq is delicious. There is tons of meat on the sandwich which we sometimes split. Fries are consistently great. We like the Brunswick stew (very meaty) but it's heavy on salt. Service seems to always be with a smile. We can always count on Smithfield's. read more

They have good barbecue and really good banana pudding! Also enjoy their hush puppies.

Great fried chicken. BBQ is lean pork which I prefer. Hush puppies are good too. Friendly staff.

Christina is a very good person to have as a hostess she has a pleasant attitude and very on point when it comes to serving you and making sure everything things ok doing your dining experience on top of the great food and clean dining room I would recommend if your in Zebulon stop by Smithfield chicken and barbecue read more

For fast food, this is first class! We got the tender snack and it was enough for two people. The sauces are vinegar goodness and the tenders were high quality and delicious. Clean establishment, friendly service and they play jazz on the pa : ) read more

Customer service has gone down hill....the food ok...but the service you used to get inside is non existent. Can't believe they served that to my wife...Quality control and Customer service very poor. And the score was a 93...used to be 98 all the time. read more

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q - Rotten potato served on the top of the potato salad. - Barbeque Near Me - Zebulon, North Carolina

ROACHES CRAWLING ALL OVER THE WALLS. The management team couldn't care less, and did nothing to address it. I left that food exactly where it was. Yuck read more

They have very nice facilities, however the food prices are very high. The portions are fair size.

This place has no healthy sides all sides are carbs no vegetables the barbecue chicken is fried hard without the flour and then drowned in the barbecue sauce read more

Delicious food unbelievable service and legendary Brunswick stew. Tesla chargers! We had an RV and could not drive-through and a young man named Malcolm was so kind to deliver our food to us and help us get even more when it was so delicious. We drove from California just to get some barbecue that has the proper vinegar sauce and this place has it. (And to see my parents) This was our favorite stop of our entire cross country trip thank you Malcolm and everyone at Smithfield's Zebulon NC!! read more

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q - Tesla charger!!! - Barbeque Near Me - Zebulon, North Carolina

Picked up the combo platter of fried chicken and pulled pork. The meal came with hush puppies,coleslaw and I chose New Brunswick stew as a side. It was very good and while I'm new to NC style bbq sauce, the vinegar and pepper sauce was not overpowering. Will definitely pay another visit. read more

This was my first time at this particular Smithfield. My family and I came here after visiting my grandmother at the hospital in Greenville, NC. Like most of the Smithfields I visit, the staff were extremely friendly and the restaurant was clean. Even the customers were friendly but would do you expect in NC. I would definitely return for my iced tea and BBQ sandwiches. read more

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q - Barbeque Near Me - Zebulon, North Carolina

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