Been having some issues with a tire. Called my guy at Cottman and said "sorry, we don't do tires, but call Smiling Chucks-they're great." I called ahead to get pricing and an idea if I needed to book an appointment or drop off and decided Tuesday would be a better day for me to get this done. I arrived around 11:30 am and it was revealed a tire patch would be a waste of money, my tire was DONE-ZO. I'm a little embarrassed I didn't realize it myself but I'm glad my mechanic Dylan was honest and direct. I agreed to replace the singular tire with an American made Milestar since Starfires were unavailable. Got a call about 3.5 hours later that my car was done. Easy peasy and now I'm road ready and SAFE to be on the road! They accept cash, check or card, however card processing tacks on a 3% surcharge. They waived this for me as it wasn't mentioned at the time of agreed service, and I appreciate that very much! read more

Smiling Chuck's is awesome! Highly recommend. They did a lot of work on my vehicle in a short amount of time. Very please with the service. Highly recommend! read more

Very accommodating, great to work with...prompt service. Nice guys doing a good job...pricing is very reasonable, also

I needed a relatively simple repair done (replace thermostat) so I stopped at Smiling Chuck's yesterday afternoon, based on the recommendation of others. I enjoyed chatting with Chuck for a while. He said I could bring the car in the next morning and he would get it done. I was there at 8am this morning and he called me at 11am to let me know I could come pick the car up. Quick, good price, good folks. I'll be back. read more

On 11/20/2023, I took my car for a visual inspection (tires and breaks). He kept my car for about three hours and charged me $137. read more

Smiling Chuck's Auto Service - Receipt - Auto Parts & Supplies Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I highly recommend Smiling Chuck's Auto Repair at 1501 S Norman C Francis Parkway in New Orleans. $320 plus tax to replace my axle after Meineke tried to get $531 for the axle plus another $1,500 for all kinds of other things. With tax it was $350 by Chuck. When I went to pay he gave me back a hundred because he said I overpaid. I looked at his paper and said no, it was correct. He had a math mistake and wrote $250 instead of $350. The mere fact that he would have given me back the money is enough to tell me that I can trust this guy. Here's what happened before him. I am new to New Orleans and started getting a thumping sound from the front end. I tried to figure it out myself and everything in the front end was tight. I had just put new axles in a couple of months ago so it wasn't even a thought. Since I was clueless on who to take it to, I went to Meineke. NEVER AGAIN!!! My two brothers used to own multiple Meinekes in New Jersey and I had worked with them on the weekends for decades, so I went there. Now I had done a full check of the front end and everything was tight. I told them I couldn't figure it out and that I had just replaced both axles in June. However it was the driver's side axle. List price for an axle is $200, wholesale to Meineke would be in the low hundred. Book repair time is an hour, $120 is standard hourly rate. So it should have been between $320 on the low end and $400 on the high end. For just that they wanted $531. But then they said I needed hub with bearings because the broken axle would have damaged it. Then wanted to tack on like another $800. They said it was pot hole damage so it would have damaged the bearings too. First, when I looked at it with Chuck after Chuck fixed it, there was no outside damage to indicate it was hit with force. Second, I had the car up on jacks and there was zero play in the front end. I checked everything including the ball joints, bearings, k-frame bushings, tie rod ends, steering arms, and stabilizer links. Everything was solid! And yes, I used a pry bar. Of course, sometimes bearings can be going bad with no play. But in that situation you would be hearing a whirring sound. There was none. Of course they also tried to tell me I needed both axles claiming if you change one you should always buy both. They were both brand new and one was just defective. If they were both original she would have been 100% correct. But I had just told her both were just replaced. Then they wanted to sell me a front wheel alignment at $150. I asked why I needed an alignment and she said it's always needed with front end work. I was like no! You pop the tie-rod out and pop it back in. The only reason an alignment would be needed is if your guy turns the tie-rod end and that there's no reason at all to do that. She replied with, there's no way I can guarantee that. In my head I was thinking, I just spoke to your mechanic and he is definitely knowledgeable. It would take some serious incompetence for that tie-rod end to turn. Then there was a recomendation to replace my air filter at $75. Yes! An air filter! Which, by the way, you can still see lots of light through. Next item was an exhaust hanger. The broken piece was a $10 rubber piece with two holes. It slides on and off. One hole slides onto a preexisting metal rod connected to the frame and the other hole onto the rod connected to the exhaust. If you can't go to the bin, take one over to the car, and pop in on in less than 5 minutes, maybe you should stick to fixing tricycles. Worst case scenario is that you need to hit it with a spray of WD40. Asking price, $125. At my brother's shop, he charged $20. The only thing I really needed outside of the axle were new tires. These were actually reasonably priced. And had I bought the new tires I would definitely got an alignment. When I went home I googled auto repair shop. When I scrolled down I saw "Smiling Chuck's" and something just said to me, this is going to be a good man so I called and he gave me a great price and didn't try to gouge me. read more

Fixed my side view mirror with a replacement I bought. The replacement needed re-wiring and Chuck did it in less than a week at a great price. Couldn't be happier! read more

Four new tires at a great price, and even with an oil change and tweaks came in well under budget. I can see them working hard! I didn't have to wait for anyone else's car just the work they did on my own. Great prices and super knowledgeable staff. They also gave me a great tow referral who was fast and efficient. Will definitely return. read more

I was recovering from COVID and my car wouldn't start. I had it towed here, where I'd previously had some decent (little costlier than it should have been, I know a thing or two about cars) work done. They had my car for months without even really being in touch. I was so sick that it was difficult to even breathe when I called. I'm better now, and I finally went to go check out my car, which is still not fixed. Come to find out they were using it for parts. Must have been banking on me dying. F*ck this place. read more

Chuck knows what he's doing, and doesn't mess around. He and his skilled team are always in a good mood (hence the name!) and will try to fit you in even on their busiest days. I haven't yet come to them with any problem they couldn't fix, usually the same day. Prices are reasonable (pretty much industry standard), and stuff like tires, parts and accessories are always within reach without unnecessary delay. Give Chuck a try! read more

Smiling Chuck's Auto Service - View from S. Jefferson Davis Parkway at MLK - Auto Parts & Supplies Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

I come here from time to time for my car repair needs. They are honest and down to earth, and I felt they never tried to take advantage of me. Highly recommended!! read more

Chuck and his guys are gewat . Very happy with the service price and my truck after he fixed it. did a great job 5 Thank you again Chuck. Boston Tony read more

Dropped my car off at 1 pm to change brake pads. Got a call before 5 pm that the car was ready. Super knowledgeable, super friendly, didn't try to rip me off, so 10/10 I'll be back...but hopefully not for a while! read more

My check engine light was on and when I went to get gas and my car wouldn't start. I got my car jumped to go over to this shop and made the owner aware that my check engine light was on and my car had to get jumped from the gas station. I showed him the paper from AutoZone as well. He assured me that it was the starter that was the issue. He fixed it the same day and not even 24 hours later the check engine light came back on and when I went to get gas -- THE EXACT same thing occured. Which means you did not fix the original issue. It was the weekend and I had to wait to get in touch with them. He tried to charge me more stating it may be another problem and that he had no knowledge of the check engine light when he was the one who turned it off. DO NOT GO HERE! THEY WILL SCAM YOU OUT OF YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY! read more

Tried to go to Cottmann for some general repairs as the reviews were very good. They were very busy but kindly referred me to Smiling Chuck's. Chuck, the owner was great, highly communitive, knowledgeable, thorough and fast. Prices seemed reasonable and the diagnostic was a bit cheaper than a lot of places. During my time on property it appeared that he had a lot of regular clients and knew the folks in the neighborhood. Not once did I feel like I was pulling teeth to get information out of him or that he was ripping me off or b.s.ing me. Left today feeling that they could be trusted, will definitely be returning. read more

Do not leave your car here unless you want your tire stolen off your car and left on a cinder block and then be required to pay for the missing tire. I was spoken to very condescendingly by Chuck and told over and over again that he won't be making any money off of my tire which seemed very obvious to me...why would he make any money off of a tire that was stolen from his property? I paid $250 for the tire and wheel PLUS the cost and labor of a starter. He should have paid for my tire himself. He has no gates, no camera (that are plugged in) and he leaves nice cars with brand new tires right by the road as if to say "Free Tires Anyone?" I will never be back and will recommend that no one goes here. read more

I hit a pothole, called Chuck's, and drove out with a repair, all in under an hour! They were so helpful and accommodating. Definitely will be coming back here. read more

Their mechanics have really poor communication skills. They said my tire would be patched in an hour. I'm poor so it's my only car. I took a walk for two hours and came back and they still hadn't gotten to my car. Then one of the mechanics said it would be 20 minutes but I had already called an Uber. I'd be happy to take down this review if they reimbursed me for the $30 I spent on ubers home and back to get out of the 90 degree heat. read more

Smiling Chuck's is not only fairly priced but it is staffed with knowledgeable and kind people. They have provided excellent service to my car multiple times and always take the time to talk me through what is wrong and how they are going to fix it. I would highly recommend them to any friend. read more

Highly recommend. Fast and easy and no hidden charges, you know what you're paying before the work gets done and there's no push for additional, unnecessary work. I've had the guys tell me to watch out for potential problems, which I find helpful, and I'm usually in and out same day. Only place I'll go in NOLA. read more

My daughter is at Loyola University New Orleans, and we are in California. So when her 1999 Ford Explorer need to be serviced. We needed a place that would take care not only of truck, but also my daughter and my husband. The staff was wonderful , taking calls from my husband, diagnosing the truck quickly. Giving a estimate and completing the work in a very timely manner. My daughter is feeling safe and confident that her truck is running great. Thanks for caring for a college student away from home for the first time. read more

My car engine light was on, came here to check out why, they charge me 45bucks just to see the code, so raping off, won't come here again

I just had a great experience with Smiling Chuck's. My electrical system died, and I thought my alternator needed to be replaced. I pushed the car to Chuck's (I'd broken down a block away) and was told they'd need a day to get to my vehicle. Two hours later I got a call saying the problem had been fixed. Turned out that I'd only blown the fuse to the alternator. The battery recharge, new fuse, and labor all came out to only $80. Since I told them that I thought my alternator needed to be replaced, they really could have taken me for a ride (no pun intended) by replacing the alternator. Instead, they provided me with honest, fast service at a very reasonable rate. This shop definitely earned a loyal customer. read more

Chuck is not only a great man but a knowledgeable mechanic. My friend recommended him to me when i was complaining to her about not being able to find any honest car mechanic who also know what they doing in New Orleans. I had to repair my car a few times nothing serious, but always was charged unrealistically high prices. For example in one shop i was offered to change brake pads for $700 and the story always goes the same with any place i have been. I have Lexus - 18 years old - but who cares it is Lexus so we have to charge her $$$$$ and she is a woman and blond ad extra $$$$$. Chuck is very honest and really good at what he does. I might not know a lot about cars but i know enough to see if someone trying to take advantage of me. Chuck gave me a good price and my car was ready in a few hours after i left it. I came later to him with some minor problems ( to change my back light). He did not had that particular lamp but called right away to get one for me and it was delivered in matter of 20 minutes while he also fixed another minor problem i had from long time ago. I highly recommend him. read more

Excellent service with a smile. Knowledgable and friendly and trustworthy. I live in Baton Rouge but go to NOLA often and try to time trips so that I can have Chuck do things like tires and oil changes for me. My parents have used his services for years and are always pleased. The gas station is great too- FULL service available from Mr. Charlie - who always has a smile for you as well. read more

Smiling Chuck's Auto Service is a hero in my book! He took care of a blown tire on my Sprinter RV. I own an RV Rental Business and I have very high standards in providing an incredible RV experience for my clients. So when something unexpected happens, it's very important to me to have skilled, competent, helpful and friendly resources available. I found these high standards with Smiling Chuck's Auto Service. My client's were in Texas when the thread came off a tire (a fluke experience as it was a newer tire!) I called Smiling Chuck to see if he could help when my clients arrived in New Orleans 2 days later. He was knowledgeable, friendly, caring, positive and helpful. Two days later Smiling Chuck had the tires ready to put on, suggested changing out the spare tire, checked the other tires for safety and sent them on their way in no time. He kept me informed as to what was needed and when the work was completed. My client's and I felt like we were well cared for and that they (and my RV) were in "good hands". Thank you Smiling Chuck, I appreciate your detailed and caring service! I highly recommend Smiling Chuck's Auto Service for your auto and tire needs. read more