Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q — Restaurant in Wilmington

Eat Here Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q has always been good. Very recently though, I visited their Patriot Way location off of 17th street extension and when I walked in they managed to become one of my favorite places to eat in Wilmington.

Let's be honest, in today's world you can have everything you used to have, only delivered right to your door all the while never speaking to another living individual. While this convenience is great for the economy and indicates American innovation and entrepreneurship is alive and well. What seems to have been lost in the convenience of the "touch-less" society has been quality of service and customer appreciation. Not at Smithfield's and I was so impressed by their service and commitment to it, I felt it should be expressly stated.

Their Carolina style BBQ is as good as it ever was, the hushpuppies, beans, and Brunswick stew is as good as it ever was.

On the day that I had visited I had just walked my second 20-mile day in a row, a personal challenge. Needless to say, I was a little grumpy those last couple of miles and in serious need of some food to pacify those hanger pangs competing to spill out over my usual friendly disposition. Fortunately, there was a line of cars in the drive-through at the time I walked by, and I took a b-line for the door. Entering the store, it was clean, sounded like it was dinner rush, and smelled good. Having not been to Smithfield's in a while I took time to appreciate the homage to the 50's in their uniforms and store decor and smiled at the memories of stories my parents told us about that time period when they were young. At the counter the salesperson was very nice, didn't make me feel foolish when I realized I had no idea how to order and helped me through the process with a laugh. Every employee looked the part and behaved in such a way that tells me that they understand they are in the service business. At Smithfield's they understand people can choose to eat wherever they want and so it is the experience of the customer that builds loyalty no matter how good your food is. Smithfield's remembers and comes from a much different time, a time when competition for business meant trying to out friendly, out please, out offer, and out appreciate your competitors. Smithfield's service as well as their excellent food won me over as a customer for many years to come, and I have no reason to think that their commitment to what they do will change any time soon, and I for one am grateful for that. Thank you, Smithfield's you turned my day around just by doing what business, particularly in the service industry, were always...

Ordered at the drive through and asked for three dark meat chicken combo plates. Each plate requested difference sides. We received 3 dark chicken plates, no barbecue. I can forgive that mistake because with each platter wanting different sides and two plates requesting 2 thighs instead of the thigh and a leg, focus was on the chicken and the barbecue was not mentioned, other than saying "combo plates" at the beginning.... and the lady on the register was super nice, in fact I would say the best I have had at that location. The fries, cole slaw, baked beans, and potato salad were good, but the chicken was disgusting. It had about a thick inch of chunky greasy breading all over it, making it appear like the pieces were large, but no, only the breading was large. I had to rip all of that off and then it just had no taste because all the seasoning was in the breading. The price was reasonable and the service was otherwise excellent. What happened to the fried chicken I used to love where you just dipped it in an egg wash and then in a light dusting of seasoned flour? Anyone on Keto - beware! The food came up quick. But.....I will never order their chicken again and cannot recommend it unless you love bread that is gummy from being soaked in grease. My tummy was upset afterwards, which Never...

I ordered a staff lunch in the drive thru and paid with a credit card. When arriving back to the office, I noticed the receipt attached to the bag was not the correct receipt because the total listed on the receipt did not match what was charged to the credit card. Also, after unpacking the bag, we were missing a meal. I called the restaurant and spoke to the manager, Mr. Packer. NICEST MAN EVER! I told him what happened with the receipt and our missing food. He said he would figure out the situation and call me back after the lunch hour because he had lines wrapped around the building. He called me back no later than 1PM to request more details, and again at 3PM after investigating. He said he no explanation and said it could of been a technical error. (It happens right? I mean it's 2020.) Because he did not have any explanation, he refunded us the entire amount paid and said have a blessed day! What wonderful customer service! Thank you for all your help...