Zack’s Family Restaurant is OPEN!
Zack’s Family Restaurant, which was devastated in a fire in July 2022 and reopen on Nov. 11, 2024 in this new building in Dothan.
(Photo courtesy of Dianne Whaley; used with permission)
We had our Grand Re-Opening on NOVEMBER 11th and are now open Sunday-Friday from 10:30am to 2:30pm! There’s no better way to celebrate your favorite veteran than with a yummy lunch. We can’t wait to see all of you and serve you as you begin joining us again for lunch. Thank you for all your patience during this rebuilding time.
Thank you AL.COM for writing this wonderful article for our business. We appreciate all of your support.
Make sure you keep an eye out for meal giveaways between now and opening day!
Famous Alabama meat-and-three restaurant reopening two years after fire
- Updated: Oct. 28, 2024, 5:06 p.m.
- |Published: Oct. 28, 2024, 7:15 a.m.
By Bob Carlton | [email protected]
Zack’s Family Restaurant, a Dothan favorite that AL.com named Alabama’s Best Meat-and-Three in 2017, is reopening more than two years after a devastating fire forced the restaurant’s owners to close their business.
The mom-and-pop restaurant, beloved for its country-fried steak and pear cobbler, is scheduled to reopen in a new building on Nov. 11, Dianne Whaley, who owns Zack’s with her husband, Zack Whaley, told AL.com.
The new space, a brick-red metal building that will seat 144 guests, is at 1495 Headland Ave., the same location as the previous restaurant.
Longtime customers are eagerly awaiting Zack’s reopening, Dianne Whaley said.
“I’ve got people coming up now, wanting to each lunch,” she said.
Most of the kitchen crew from the previous Zack’s is back, Whaley added.
“My whole kitchen staff – all but one person – is returning,” she said. “One had moved to Panama City, and he’s moved back just to come back to work with us.”
The Whaleys’ nephew, Benjamin Henderson, will be the restaurant’s new general manager.
“Zack and I are staying, but we’re not gonna work 60 and 70 hours a week,” Whaley said. “He’s gonna run it. We’re gonna help work it.”
The restaurant will be open for lunch only Sundays through Fridays. Hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Each day, the Zack’s menu will feature a selection of six meats – including fried chicken, baked chicken, country-fried steak, pork chops, catfish, roast beef and meatloaf – and about 12 vegetables, from collard greens and creamed corn to sweet potato casserole and fried green tomatoes.
Most of the dishes are from old family recipes.
“We do the real Southern food,” Whaley said. “It’s my mama, (Zack’s) mama and sister, and me and Zack and some little church ladies (who) gave us recipes.”
Getting close!!!
Sign going up!!
Building Enclosed!
Framing up!
Exciting Update!
Foundation leveling!
