Restaurant Review: Smiley’s Family Diner!

Remember where the “new” Paul’s Place used to be? Right there off of I-40, on 210 at the Rocky Point exit? That sounds like hillbilly directions if I ever heard ‘em! Anyway, Paul’s Place decided to be a singular location again and now, in their place is SMILEY’S! It’s family owned and it is simply good ole’ family, kuntry cookin. Feel like something tasty and greasy but not wanting to stand in line at Goody Goody or Dixie? Slap on a ball cap and hop in the car. It’s only about 15 minutes up the road and it’s worth it! Breakfast and lunch are yummy. You gotcher velvety- soft, fat pole beans cooked to death with a bit o’ ham hock, flat top fried burgers with soft steamed buns and a different special every day for lunch! I had chicken and pastry with the aforementioned beans and slightly sweet and gritty corn muffin. The hush puppies are crispy and brown on the outside, moist and hot and thick on the inside. The chopped barbecue was excellent. I was thrilled because, well for reasons we won’t go into I no longer frequent Jackson’s. It was very flavorful with the right bit of smoke and vinegar. Sweet Tea is SuperSouthernSweet, just right with their menu selections. Thursdays offer fried pork chops, yes please! They have great homemade potato salad, bright yellow with mustard and just the right hints of sweet relish. The drive from Wilmington to Raleigh is no longer a fast food wasteland! Hallelujah! I’d just skip the sweets. While really inexpensive the pound cake isn’t worth it when you could have gotten an extra side of somethin’ fried instead. (Lucky you! A food write up and some cultural poetry!!!) Just remember, oh suburbanites, you are in the country, people are kind and friendly and not always in a hurry, so BE NICE and POLITE when you go! These folks are working their behinds off and are just getting started, so take a big appetite and zero expectations of anything fancy or vegan! It fit me just right for a lazy Saturday afternoon. Let’s give em a minute on dinner. They haven’t been open too terribly long. I’m going next week -- I’ll let you know. Smiley’s Diner 13533 NC HWY 210 Rocky Point, NC (910) 675-3608 M-W 6a.m. to 7p.m. Th-Sat 6a.m. to 9 p.m.