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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
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Redneck Benedict
    Lenora S.

    Classic small town charm with some fantastic cooks. First visit for breakfast. Home fried potatoes. Best I've had in 10 years and hundreds of breakfasts. Order them. Side pane cake came out hot and fluffy. The batter was so enticing I shared it with my friend. Had too. Only polite thing to do. Renegade Benedict. Was asked how I wanted my egg, the waiter countered my poached with over easy. I accepted. Gravy was fantastic. The sausage gravy was on top of another whole sausage patty. Dare I say sausage on sausage was too much. Biscuit- fluffy and firm. Will be back for a lunchtime or two. Many of the items are home made.

    This is their Hibachi chicken with Hibachi vegetables and rice. They have homemade yum yum sauce too !!
    James W.

    Their food is delicious and the service is amazing! Would recommend this place!! I will definitely be back!!

    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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    6 months ago

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    3 years ago

    So yummy! Fast service, flavorful food, great customer service. Will definitely be back!

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Breakfast or Lunch it cannot be beat! Nice menu and great food. Love Mom and Pop places like this.

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The breakfast we had was very good for the reasonable price payed. Would stop there again

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    12 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

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    Zack’s Char-Grill
    Double Cheeseburger -all the way. French Fries
    Double Cheeseburger -all the way. French Fries
    Great use of an older building

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    Great use of an older building
    White Swan Bar-B-Q & Fried Chicken

    White Swan Bar-B-Q & Fried Chicken

    4.5
    (17 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
    Sign
    Sign
    Pork BBQ, Fried shrimp, greens and Brunswick stew
    Pork BBQ, Fried shrimp, greens and Brunswick stew
    Pork BBQ, fried chicken breast and mac and cheese

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    Pork BBQ, fried chicken breast and mac and cheese
    Outback Steakhouse

    Outback Steakhouse

    2.7
    (211 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    We used to frequent the Smithfield, NC Outback Steakhouse several years back and it was just OK…read more We hadn't tried it in a while so for Linda's birthday yesterday, I took her shopping and then dinner at Outback. What a pleasantly surprising change! It was a WOW! Every employee in the restaurant was friendly and engaging and our server, Serenity, was absolutely top shelf. All the chefs, AL, Dee, Jordan and Alexis B were all on their "A" game because our delicious food could not have been any better. The owner/partner Fred stopped by to say hello, which always a nice touch. He said he really concentrates on adding staff with the ability to do the job, but with personality. They're like the family you see in a "Mom N Pop" restaurant. We noticed they all pull together and help each other out, making the dining customer the priority. I love dining where food, comfort, and service all culminate into an over tge top experience, and that's what Linda and I got at Smithfield's Outback!

    We have been coming here a long time and have quit due to management is not fixing issues ,…read morebathroom has been messed up up for years and not fixing it. Now sink inside mens bathroom is out of order. Ac not working now. Booth seating tears in upholstery never fixed. Will not ever eat here again unless remodel done. If no money is used to keep the resturant up and running what shortcuts are being taken with the food. Out of all the locations in the USA we have ate at this location is the worst ever. Switch to eat at clayton location. Franchise should step in on this location and check metrics , same standard as burger king it is terrible beware

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    Outback Steakhouse
    Outback Steakhouse
    Outback Steakhouse

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    The Gilded Pear Brew House

    The Gilded Pear Brew House

    4.7
    (35 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    The Gilded Pear is located in Downtown Smithfield. It is located in the Hood-Spiers Building, which…read morehas been restored. It was built in 1900 and still has the original tin ceiling, decorative windows and exposed brick. Seating is on two floors, providing a cozy feel if sitting in the loft. They have the "Pear Necessities of Life" This is both a cafe for coffee and teas but also a bakery that serves breakfast and lunch. They are known for their bubble waffles, and crepes. But also have a large menu that has sandwiches, salads, flat breads and breakfast items. There should be something that appeals to even the pickiest eater. Ordering is done at the counter, and you receive a number, and the beverage and food are brought to your table. The menu is posted outside the entrance so you can check it out first. I went with a rose and cranberry lemonade that was a drink special, and the bubble waffle, and added strawberries and bananas. The bubble waffle intrigued me as I had never had one before. It is a honeycomb waffle popular in Hong Kong. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It looks like bubble wrap, which is hard to tell as mine was covered in strawberries and bananas. I enjoyed the texture and flavors of it. The Gilded Pear is a great addition if you're looking for somewhere to grab a quick bite to eat.

    Very cute coffee shop in downtown Smithfield with a little kids play area as well. Near the new…read morebookstore!

    Photos
    The Gilded Pear Brew House
    Plenty of seating
    Plenty of seating
    The Gilded Pear Brew House

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    The Diner - diners - Updated July 2026

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