ROCKLAND/THOMASTON — The blue shack on the side of the road catches your attention as you head up Route 1 towards Thomaston, just before you get to Walmart. It’s The Zack Shack. Fast food is an understatement. The family-owned enterprise began as a way for Randy Judkins, who is from Union, to have a family business.

Judkins said they chose this location because there wasn’t anything like it in the immediate area.

“We’re on our second year,” he said. “I know a long time ago there was a place called JC’s Takeout around where the Time Out Pub is now. I was a UPS driver at the time and he was really busy. I always liked that type of food.”

Fish tacos and haddock baskets are the most popular items.

“We do lobster rolls, crab rolls, steak fajitas and baskets,” said Judkins. “And you can buy a pint of chicken, haddock or shrimp. You can build a burger or just have a plain taco.”

Judkins said they opened July 23 of last year and didn’t have to close until January 20 of 2016.

“We were really busy in the summer, but of course we were caught up in all the stuff it takes to get going,” he said. “We’re looking forward to a really busy summer this year.”

Judkins said it was social media that gave the shack its biggest boost in business.

“We have a Facebook page of course,” he said. “We were busy because of our location, but there are two or three food groups in the area and once they started talking about us and sharing information we started seeing a lot of people who said they heard about us from their group.”

Judkins said it is a complete family business.

“My wife and other daughter work here, as well,” he said. “Zack and Sarah, Emily, and my wife’s name is Amy. Sarah worked a Scott’s Place through high school and college and Zack was a chef for the last few years at Chez Michel at Lincolnville Beach.”

Judkins said they depend heavily on locals for business.

“We see a lot of tourist business as the numbers swell in the summer, of course,” he said. “But in the off season, it’s the locals who keep us open. Like I said, we didn’t have to close until January 20 this year and we opened again in March. It’s the local business that keeps us going. We need them to support us. They all come for lunch and that’s great. It’s just great.”

The Zack Shack is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will extend their hours to 7 p.m. in the summer. There’s ample parking and picnic tables to enjoy your meal.