Smitty's Better Burger — Restaurant in Hampton

I'm SUPER disappointed in something that happened here which has stopped me AND family from returning. I was in Smithfield enroute to Hampton when got a call from a long time family friend who is almost 70, has physical disabilities & is blind in one eye but has often pressed his way to drive to Smitty's for a turkey burger. Both our deceased Mom's liked Smitty's & we've liked going in memory of our Mom's but we both only go for the turkey burger. My friend received his food & after he gave the waitress his credit card to take in & run in the machine he took a couple bites from sandwich while waiting for her to return. She said the card was declined & he called me asking if I can bring $8 cash because he didn't have cash on him & that the waitress told him they'll call police over EIGHT ($8) dollars, which he said he would bring back next day because it was almost closing time. I flew across the James River bridge to take cash to pay them in DISBELIEF that this place that our parents & family have spent money at for DECADES would do this. One of the other workers came out there when saw me pull up beside my friend & told me she couldn't believe when she came out to get my cash that it was an old guy that was so polite because she expected to see a young person by the way it was described as if it was someone that was trying to scam out of paying😡. As one who doesn't always pay cash I've had to keep cards frozen from anymore hackers until I unfreeze it to use it. I found out later that nite his card was frozen but I think him being threatened to call police & him having NO criminal background made him kind of shaky & not remember but just reached out to the 1st person he could reach to bring EIGHT DOLLARS. The previous owners of Smitty's were decent enough to not do something like this but the offspring that's in charge now must be nothing like them. My friend has some memory issues after a really bad accident but I told him NEVER go back there & we'll just take the ride to RED ROBIN at Patrick Henry mall when want a turkey burger, because there's are better anyway but it's just not as close. I'd rather take the drive up there than to go to a place that did what they did over $8. He offered to give them the meal back but because he'd taken a couple bites it wasn't accepted & I'm just glad he didn't have to call his son or daughter-in-law from Va Beach to bring $8 since I was closer. I have a big brother that buys no less than 5 turkey burgers at one time to take on his 18-wheeler & put in his fridge to last a few days EVERY time he's in town but he too will go to Red Robin & whoever else we find that sells turkey burgers. This family's done with...

Finally, I made it over to Smittys Better Burger yesterday. I stumbled upon Smitty's a couple of years ago after doing some photography up in Poquoson and made a mental bookmark for when I was back in the area. I'm glad I did. Since I was already going to be in Hampton on an errand I added Smitty's to the list for lunch. Also, for those who don't know, Smitty's is an old drive-in burger stand located near the south gate of the Langly AFB. It's been owned and operated since 1956 by the Smith family.

The awning next to the building was mostly full when I arrived however I was immediately able to find a parking space. Due to my parking location, near the front, and the rain, I was unable to see the posted menu. Within maybe two minutes a server was at my car window. I explained it was my first time there and didn't want to have her explain the menu in the rain and get soaked I just said can you give me a bacon cheeseburger and fries. She asked if I wanted the usual condiments, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, etc. I said yes. She also asked if I wanted a drink as well, and then off she went. Super fast and efficient.

Less than 10 minutes later she came out with a bag and my drink. The cost was $9.13 before I generously tipped her and the transaction was over. I opened my bag and the fries were on top. Wrapped in wax paper, they were thick crinkle-cut kind and the portion was generous. The photo I'm including doesn't do it justice as I had probably eaten a 3rd of them before I remembered to take a picture. Next was the bacon cheeseburger, wrapped in foil paper. The burger was a tank. Full of condiments and a well-proportioned patty. Again the photo doesn't do it justice. This was a dense juicy burger that tasted wonderful. I enjoyed my lunch.

Sadly due to the weather, I was unable to get out and take some photos of the location, however, there's already plenty to see on the restaurant's profile. After reading other reviews it seems that their onion rings are also held in high regard, so that will be on my list during a future visit. Another easy...

Came here and ordered Grilled cheese, fries, O-Rings and a kids burger. Got the food passed a fry to my child and noticed The fry wasn’t super hot and then I gave him an onion ring and I was like OK. This isnt either but whatever not the end of the world halfway home get my son‘s burger out to pass it to him. The burger is cold mind you I am now on the other side of Hampton call back the manager said she was first of all defensive and said they cook the food right away so there’s no way that can be. I said so you’re telling me what I just told you was incorrect. OK they don’t do refunds unless you bring all the way back there , I’m gonna drive 40 minutes to get a $20 refund but that’s the only way they do it because people are doing this a lot I guess smh but her first response was well I’m the manager and you’re gonna have to speak to another manager about this cause I can’t do anything about it so if you’re the manager, the only thing you can do is have another manager deal with it and pass the buck. I don’t know. I will never go here again don’t care how long they’ve been around the way Manager handled it, I didn’t even have to ask for a full refund just a burger and grilled cheese because they were way below par and I’ve ate here plenty and never had it been like this. The car hop was great. Food and management blow par this Monday And the thing is the manager didn’t even say oh my I’m so sorry about that. It was cold. Like let me try to figure out how that is because our food is cooked as ordered blah blah blah…. but she got really defensive right away that I’m like there’s no, communicating with this woman because she’s already basically shaking her finger at me telling me this is how we do things around here like I’m lying and trying to get free food. I don’t want your free food. I don’t want you paid food. I don’t want any food from here...