About Us

Jason, Jennie Smith, and their cousin Jessica Hicks are the proud new owners since taking over the Freddies’ legacy in 2024. They have worked here for over a decade and were an easy choice to hand the reins to. They have 3 children and are Kure Beach locals, and are ready to welcome you in!

Freddie’s serves authentic Italian cuisine in an Irish pub atmosphere. There’s a small, friendly bar serving the best martinis in the area. You might even hear Al Martino or Frank Sinatra crooning in the background.

Freddie’s Restaurant became famous on Pleasure Island for its genuine Italian cuisine, salads, legendary martinis, and for the best pork chops you’ll find anywhere.

Family of six posing together at an outdoor location, with a picnic table and amusement park rides in the background.

Driven by passion

“Pork chops came into the restaurant because in my yearbook, my dream was to have an Italian restaurant and serve spaghetti and pork chops,” says Barbara Gargan. “That’s in my yearbook. I won’t tell you what year, but that’s in my yearbook.” Her dream has been going strong now for nearly two decades, and it has everything to do with a commitment to quality.

Think about how true tomato, meat or marinara sauce should taste, one that has been simmered for eight hours… this is what ours is! The melt-in-your-mouth lasagna features fine layers of fresh pasta enveloped with a bolognese tomato sauce and ricotta cheese, topped with a blanket of melted mozzarella.

Freddie’s has become known as the best “pork chop restaurant” by serving up truly mouth-watering pork chop creations. Freddie’s special chop is a huge center-cut chop, grilled to perfection then demi-glazed in a wonderful original balsamic reduction. It is served with cherry peppers and sided with ramekins of balsamic sauce and apple sauce.

Freddie’s offers a wide variety of Italian/ American cuisine selections with moderately priced entrees. There’s a small friendly bar serving the best martinis in the area, as well as wines by the glass and bottle, and premium liquor. Freddie’s offers a wide variety of Italian/ American cuisine choices with moderately priced entrees.

Freddie’s Italian Restaurante is open seven days a week and holidays. During peak tourist season, there may be a brief wait for a table, but it will be worth it. Come join us tonight!

A plate of food with a piece of meat topped with a fruit compote and sliced almonds, served with microgreens, on a red and white checkered tablecloth. There is a glass of red wine, a bowl of broccoli, and a yellow and white container in the background.
The exterior of Freddie's Restaurant with a yellow wall, a green, white, and red striped awning, and a black door. The sign indicates it was established in 1995.
The exterior of Freddie's Restaurant with a yellow wall, a green, white, and red striped awning, and a black door. The sign indicates it was established in 1995.
Beach scene with a wooden pier extending into the ocean during sunset, sandy pathway with grasses, and a clear sky with pink and orange hues.
A black trucker hat with white embroidered text that says 'Freddie's Restaurant, Kure Beach, NC' is on a vehicle dashboard. The background shows a coastal scene with a pier extending into the ocean, sandy dunes, and a blue sky.

* Fred Shambora and Barbara Gargan opened the doors to Freddie’s in 1995. They poured their heart and soul into this restaurant and made it what it is today. Freddie’s is truly a family restaurant, and Rob Gargan, Barbara’s son, was the General Manager for many years. We want to thank them for all they did, and we are honored to continue the Freddie’s legacy they began.

Four elderly people sitting on a green bench against a yellow wall, with two men and two women.
A man and a woman standing indoors, smiling and posing for a photo, with a brick wall, a plant, and a wooden railing in the background.