Exciting News: Beloved Route 1 Food Truck Owner Launches New Restaurant in Waldoboro!

Randy Judkins has taken a big step from food truck to restaurant with his new spot, Zack’s Place, in Waldoboro. This new venue is an extension of his popular food truck, The Zack Shack, which has been serving up comfort food in Thomaston for 11 years.

Zack’s Place opened on June 1, and Judkins aims to create a welcoming place for locals along the Route 1 corridor. “We want to keep prices lower and be supported by the community,” he shared while prepping in his new kitchen.

The menu features familiar favorites like burgers, tacos, and salads. Unlike the food truck, the restaurant offers dine-in or take-out options. Plus, while the food truck closes during winter, Zack’s Place will stay open year-round.

Judkins puts in hours of prep daily, crafting fresh sauces and ingredients. Surprisingly, this isn’t his original career path. For most of his life, he worked in oil fields, traveling to remote sites. His passion for food grew during his time off, where he also developed an interest in horse racing—a family tradition.

Wishing to blend these interests, he decided to start The Zack Shack. “I thought having a food truck could give my kids a chance to work together and let me attend horse races,” he explained. Though serving food at events proved more complicated than expected, the food truck quickly became a local hit.

Judkins named both the truck and the restaurant after his son, Zack. While Sarah and Emily, his other children, have chosen different paths—one at the family salon and the other at the food truck—Zack works in the oil industry but has a fallback option with Zack’s Place if he ever decides to make a change.

Reflecting on community ties, Judkins decorated his restaurant with photos of local athletes from Medomak Valley High School, where his children were active participants. This decor reinforces his commitment to the people of Waldoboro.

Since opening, he’s been delighted by the turnout. Many regulars from Thomaston have made the journey to Waldoboro, and new customers are stopping by as well. So busy has the restaurant become that Judkins postponed planned radio ads to ensure his new team isn’t overwhelmed.

Interestingly, a recent survey found that small, local restaurants like Zack’s Place attract community members looking for quality food and a friendly atmosphere. As consumer preferences shift, local spots are increasingly important.

Zack’s Place operates Wednesday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Judkins is excited to serve more customers in the Midcoast area and sees a bright future ahead.



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