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    The Diner

    4.0 (53 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 2:00 pm

    The Diner Photos

    Business Info

    THE DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    JOhn P.

    If you want good diner food from a good "diner," The Diner in downtown Smithfield, NC, is the place to go. After 18 years at it, they've got it down to a smooth running family-run machine. I sat at the counter right where all of the food comes out of the kitchen and watched one masterpiece after another flow from the grill. The workers seem to never slow down as they all seem to help each other keep the smiles on customer's faces. A rare find in a fast-food world!

    Rebecca M.

    I really wanted to like this place as I enjoy diners. The service was friendly. You can seat yourself and someone brings you a menu and takes your drink order. The prices are reasonable too. I went with the french toast with bacon. The bacon was amazing and really crispy but the french toast was soggy. I've not had soggy french toast before so wasn't sure if it was cooked long enough. It was hot. I'm not sure if they used too much milk or the wrong type of bread. I think I should have ordered eggs and bacon.

    Tenderloin sandwich on toast, home fries.
    Kelly M.

    It's been a minute, but back again for breakfast. Yummy tenderloin and gravy sandwich, home fries are always hot, fresh, seasoned. Unsweetened, fresh brewed iced tea. Yum. Fried egg, tenderloin for my guy, home fries, bisquit. Can you tell we're breakfast people? Why cook at home when you can get this great fare for a great price, support local! Wish we didn't have to drive to Smithfield for it, but we eat here when in town. Lunch specials on a whiteboard, sodas, Pepsi products, served in can. Today, busy, even a number of NC Highway Patrol dining in. Only a few tables empty, bar full of patrons as well. Glad to see business is booming. Try this place, you won't be disappointed. Open for breakfast/lunch.

    Abigail loved her food and told me to give The Diner a 5 star review! And I totally agree with her!

    Stopped for Lunch on away to a movie at the Howell Theater and to my amazement the service and food was excellent! It was a great find and will definitely be back and let everyone know of my find today!!

    a man sitting at a table in a diner
    Stacy H.

    A real local dinner with excellent food. We were to late for breakfast, so opted for some lunch items. I enjoyed a nice juicy cheeseburger and my friend sampled the BLT. They have daily specials and homemade desserts. This is a place where the locals hangout and they do quite a brisk carry out service. Next time, I want to have the breakfast.

    Inside the dining area

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    13 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Excellent food, Excellent service and Great Prices!! Nuff said!!

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    9 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Last time i ate here i had egg shells in my eggs. Not just a few either. The entire egg was cooked and scrambled. Havent been back since.

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    12 years ago

    Great locally owned establishment where the owner cooks and wife serves. Daily special such as meatloaf on Monday's.

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    8 years ago

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    Zack’s Char-Grill

    Zack’s Char-Grill

    4.6(50 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $

    A Classic Done Right at Zack's Char-grill. Sometimes the…read morebest meals are the simplest ones, and Zack's Chargrill in Smithfield proves this perfectly. My wife and I stopped in for what we thought would be a quick bite, but ended up with something much more satisfying. The menu isn't fancy - just good, honest burgers and fries - but the execution is spot-on. My wife ordered a double cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato, while I went full Carolina style with chili, slaw, mustard, and onions. Both burgers were cooked exactly right, with that perfect char-grilled flavor you can only get from doing things the traditional way. What really struck me was how this meal brought back memories of old-school burger joints where quality ingredients and proper technique mattered more than gimmicks. The fries were crispy and hot, the perfect complement to these substantial burgers. If you find yourself in Smithfield and craving a burger that tastes like it should, you really can't go wrong with Zack's Char-grill. It's old-time goodness served fresh, and sometimes that's exactly what you need. Sorry about the photos. Phone screen went blank and couldn't see what I was aiming at. :-)

    Can't say enough good about this place. Wife and I had lunch there yesterday and like always, it's…read morenever disappointing. This is an ole time lay back luncheonette with wood floors, a singing chef, a limited menu but outstanding food and service

    Photos
    Zack’s Char-Grill
    Zack’s Char-Grill - Double Cheeseburger -all the way. French Fries

    Double Cheeseburger -all the way. French Fries

    Zack’s Char-Grill - Double cheeseburger, lettuce tomatoe mayo

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    Double cheeseburger, lettuce tomatoe mayo

    White Swan Bar-B-Q & Fried Chicken - A must stop if you're around

    White Swan Bar-B-Q & Fried Chicken

    4.5(15 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    This is one of these Bar-b-q places that are known to locals and/or happily discovered by visitors…read more(like me). I was driving around town after visiting the University (which one, i can't recall) and wanted some local bar b que. I'm a yankee so NC barbeque is a bit different for me. I've tried the mustard-base and the vinegar-base and they do offer a vacation from the usual tomato-base/molasses based barbeque Stuff was fall off the bone and definitely worth the trip

    A true southern gem. My husband and I have a motto "if they serve it on styrofoam plates, it's…read moregonna be good" and once again we were not disappointed. It's a small business and most people ordered to go. Very few tables and parking. We walked in as a party of 4 and they didn't have seating, but we were waved over by a local to share his table and gladly took him up on his offer. Come to find out he was a local columnist and seems to be known very well by the community. We had great conversation, over a great meal. The owner came out and chatted with us for a little. It's been family owned since 1930! Everyone we encountered was very friendly. Including the local sheriff who was the cashier. We were greeted by a friendly server and a basket of hush puppies and a bucket of honey butter. We ordered a little of everything. True NC pork BBQ, southern style fried chicken, fried shrimp, boiled butter potatoes, colla greens, mac and cheese and cole slaw. EVERYTHING was good. The only let down was the mac and cheese. We were hoping for a baked mac and cheese but it was more of a velveeta style rou mac and cheese. Still good, just not what was pictured or what we prefer. This is a super easy stop off int. 95, maybe a mile off the exit. We will most definitely be stopping in every year as we head south. I would suggest you do the same!

    Photos
    White Swan Bar-B-Q & Fried Chicken - Sign

    Sign

    White Swan Bar-B-Q & Fried Chicken - Pork BBQ, Fried shrimp, greens and Brunswick stew

    Pork BBQ, Fried shrimp, greens and Brunswick stew

    White Swan Bar-B-Q & Fried Chicken - Pork BBQ, fried chicken breast and mac and cheese

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    Pork BBQ, fried chicken breast and mac and cheese

    Gotham's Deli - Mr. Met

    Gotham's Deli

    4.4(124 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Gotham's Deli is a great place to stop if you are looking for lunch in Downtown Smithfield. It is…read moresimilar to a New York City deli but it is located in North Carolina. The walls are decorated in sports memorabilia and September 11th tributes. When you walk in, you will see the Statue of Liberty. I tried to sit in the Mets section, but that was taken as it is a busy place, so I sat near the Yankees. I was ok with the photo of Don Mattingly and don't hate the Yankees, I just love the Mets. I made sure to spend some time in that section before leaving, seeing the 1986 tributes to Mike Piazza, Jose Reyes, and David Wright. It is just fun to be surrounded by the memorabilia. The sandwiches also follow in the New York theme. I ordered the Mr. Met, it had ham, turkey, and roast beef with lettuce, provolone, and tomatoes. I've had it before, so I knew it was good and ordered the full size rather than a half. I enjoyed every bite of it. The service was friendly, and they have daily specials with a different sub featured each day. The food was prepared fresh and fast. If you are looking for a high-quality sub, this is the place to order from.

    My first visit to Gotham's Deli was a sheer delight. The young lady asked what I would like and I…read morereplied my first visit so to please recommend. She asked how much I like meat. I told her I love meat of all kinds. She recommended and I thoroughly enjoyed The Dark Knight. It was loaded with meat and it was so big the gentleman who created it saw the "I'm so full" look on my face and offered to wrap the other half, which he did so carefully and tightly to hold it together. I took some great photos of their amazing deli. I recommend if you are in Smithfield, you must experience Gotham's Deli.

    Photos
    Gotham's Deli
    Gotham's Deli - Buffalo Egg Sandwich

    Buffalo Egg Sandwich

    Gotham's Deli

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    The Diner - diners - Updated May 2026

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