SMITHFIELD — The Peach Cobbler Factory has opened at 1258 N. Bright Leaf Blvd.
The chain offers cobblers, cinnamon rolls, banana pudding, milkshakes, brownies, waffles and churro sticks, a fried-dough pastry coated in sugar and cinnamon.
In cobblers alone, the eatery offers apple walnut raisin, blackberry peach, caramel apple, cherry, cinnamon praline peach, honey apple, strawberry, mango peach, peach, sweet potato pecan, blackberry and strawberry peach,
The full menu is online at peachcobblerfactory.com.
The growing chain is in 18 states and Washington, D.C. In North Carolina, it has stores in Burlington, Carolina Beach, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Gastonia and Indian Trail. Opening soon are outlets in Asheville, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Durham, Fayetteville, Garner, Greensboro, High Point, Mebane, Monroe, Raleigh, Wake Forest and Winston-Salem.
"Since 2013, the Peach Cobbler Factory has been devoted to crafting delightful desserts that evoke the feeling of grandma's kitchen," the company says on its website. "Our passion for creating premium products is matched only by our commitment to providing outstanding customer service."
Here's what one Smithfield customer wrote: "We enjoyed praline peach cobbler and blackberry peach cobbler. The menu is unique with a lot of options and an average price point. The staff is over the top."
The Smithfield shop, which has some indoor seating, is open from noon to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Online ordering is available, and so is catering.
Elsewhere in Smithfield, Slim Chickens is coming to 1311 N. Bright Leaf. Grading is underway at the site.
The fast-casual chain offers tenders and wings, sandwiches, wraps, salads, chicken and waffles, kids' meals, family meals and house-made sauces, including ranch, honey mustard, barbecue, buffalo and sriracha garlic. Sides include macaroni and cheese, potato salad, french fries, fried pickles and fried okra.
"Our mission was (and is) simple: to make the best hand-breaded chicken tenders using only the freshest ingredients, served in a friendly atmosphere where people can relax and feel at home," the company says on its website.