Table of Contents
- Cookout Menu Prices in 2026
- Cookout Milkshake Menu 2026: Flavors & Prices
- Char-Grilled Hamburgers, Sauces and Toppings
- Chicken Breast, Strips and Sandwiches
- BLT and Fish Sandwich
- Refreshing Drinks
- Tasty Wraps
- Cookout Floats & Cheesecakes
- Crispy Fries & Signature Sides
- Bold Mexican-Style Quesadillas
- BBQ Delights
- Char-Grilled Hot Dogs
- Vegetarian-Friendly Options
- Still the Best Value Drive-Thru in the South
- Cookout Trays
- 15 Fan Favorites to Try at Cook Out
- Gluten-Free Meal Options
- Nutritional Details of Cookout Meals
- Cookout Hours: Daily and Holiday Schedule
- Ordering and Dining Options
- Payment Options at Cook Out
- Deals and Value at Cook Out
- A Brief Look at Cook Out's History
- Find a Cook Out Near You
- Cookout Job Application and Career Opportunities
- Final Thoughts
- More Cookout Guides
- FAQs
Cook Out has a simple pitch that most drive-thrus gave up on years ago: a full meal for well under ten dollars. The Cookout Tray gets you a main, two sides and a drink for about $6.29 to $7.49 depending on the location, and the menu behind it runs from char-grilled burgers and Carolina-style barbecue to wraps, quesadillas and more than 40 hand-spun milkshakes.
The chain started in 1989 with one restaurant on Randleman Road in Greensboro, North Carolina, opened by Morris Reaves. It is still owned by the Reaves family, with his son Jeremy Reaves as CEO, and has grown to about 380 restaurants in 11 states. North Carolina alone has about 150 of them, roughly 40%. Most locations open at 10:30 AM and keep the drive-thru running until around 3 AM, later on weekends, which is a big part of why Cook Out is the late-night answer for so much of the South.
Cookout Menu Prices in 2026
Low prices are the whole identity here. A Regular Tray is commonly $7.39 and a Jr. Tray $6.39, with most locations landing somewhere between $6.29 and $7.49 for the full tray. WRAL once worked out that the menu allows roughly 152,000 different tray combinations, so value does not come at the cost of choice.
Swapping the tray drink for a milkshake adds $1.00, or $1.60 for a fancy flavor. On their own, milkshakes are typically $3.99, burgers start around $3, and many sides cost under $3. Prices shift a little from store to store, so treat the figures on this page as a close guide rather than a receipt. Every price, plus the cheapest items and a monthly price history, is on our Cookout price tracker.
Cookout Milkshake Menu 2026: Flavors & Prices
With 40+ flavors (47 on the menu, 44 of them in the official nutrition guide), Cook Out's shake menu is bigger than most chains' entire dessert lineup. Everyday classics like Vanilla, Strawberry and Pineapple sit next to heavier hitters such as Oreo, Peach Cobbler, Reese's Cup and Banana Pudding, and nearly all of them are typically $3.99. Fresh Watermelon shows up in July and August, and Fresh Eggnog arrives in December.
Shakes are hand-spun to order and run roughly 31 to 35 ounces, thick enough that a spoon helps. You can mix any two flavors at no extra charge; Banana Pineapple, Peanut Butter Fudge with Strawberry, and Cheesecake with Cherry are popular pairings. Adding one to a tray costs $1.00 extra. The full list, with sizes and calories, is below.
Char-Grilled Hamburgers, Sauces and Toppings
Burgers are made from fresh, never-frozen beef and cooked over an open char-grill. There are four sizes: the Small (1/8 lb, about 245 calories), the Regular (1/4 lb, about 328), the Big Double (about 311) and the Huge (1/2 lb, about 516). Each can be dressed in a named style, and the Cook Out Style, with homemade chili, slaw, mustard and onions, is the one regulars point first-timers toward.
From there it is about toppings and sauces. Cook Out Sauce, BBQ, ranch, honey mustard, A1, cheese sauce and fresh jalapeños are all on the board, and extras like grilled bacon, a cheese slice, homemade chili and slaw usually cost well under a dollar each. The style prices and calories below show what each style adds to the burger.
Simple Style Hamburger (Regular)
Not in guide
$3.99
House Style Hamburger (Regular)
Not in guide
$3.99
Nacho Chili Style Hamburger (Regular)
Not in guide
$4.48
Tomato Slice
10 Cal
$0.10
Cheese Slice
70 Cal
$0.50
Grilled Bacon
60 Cal
$0.95
Grilled Onions
10 Cal
$0.10
Pickles
1 Cal
$0.10
Lettuce
1 Cal
$0.10
Cajun Seasoning
10 Cal
$0.10
Chicken Breast, Strips and Sandwiches
Chicken comes four ways: char-grilled breast, a crispy spicy fillet, hand-breaded strips and nuggets. The char-grilled breast is offered in six styles, including Original, Cajun, Barbecue, Cheddar, Homemade and Club, starting around $4.85, with most landing between about 375 and 395 calories before cheese or bacon.
Three chicken strips come to 660 calories and 36 grams of protein, with dipping sauces such as Cook Out Sauce, BBQ, honey mustard, Polynesian, ranch and buffalo. The Chicken Strip Sandwich is about 674 calories and the fully loaded Chicken Strip Club about 846. For something small, a full order of nuggets is only 240 calories. Every chicken item can also be the main in a tray.
Barbecue Style
376 Cal
$4.85
Original Style
393 Cal
$4.85
Cajun Style
377 Cal
$4.85
Cheddar Style
534 Cal
$4.99
Homemade Style
380 Cal
$4.85
Club Style
565 Cal
$4.99
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
680 Cal
$4.29
Cheese Style Filet
640 Cal
$5.79
Regular Spicy Style Filet
450 Cal
$4.99
BLT and Fish Sandwich
Two quieter picks round out the sandwiches. The BLT, with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo, is about 400 calories and usually around $3.49, and it is one of the main choices on the Jr. Tray. The fish sandwich, a fried fillet with tartar sauce, is about 500 calories. Both work on their own or as the main in a tray.
Fish Sandwich
500 Cal
$4.19
Refreshing Drinks
Fresh-brewed sweet tea is the drink most people pair with a tray, and unsweet tea is there too. The fountain lineup is Coca-Cola based, with Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero Sugar, Sprite, Fanta, Dr Pepper, Pibb Xtra, Mellow Yellow and Hi-C, plus Cheerwine, the cherry soda from Salisbury, North Carolina. Bottled Dasani water is also available. Every tray already includes a drink, and trading it for a milkshake costs $1.00 more.
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Dasani
20 oz · 0 Cal
$2.39
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Coca Cola (Large)
24 oz · 210 Cal
$2.39
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Coca Cola (Regular)
16 oz · 140 Cal
$2.19
Powerade Mountain Blast
32 oz · 149 Cal
$2.39
Dr Pepper
32 oz · 280 Cal
$2.39
Hi-C Fruit Punch
32 oz · 317 Cal
$2.39
Fanta Orange
32 oz · 302 Cal
$2.59
Mellow Yellow
32 oz · 288 Cal
$2.59
Sprite
32 oz · 289 Cal
$2.59
Pibb Xtra
32 oz · 290 Cal
$2.59
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
32 oz · 0 Cal
$2.59
Diet Coke
32 oz · 0 Cal
$2.59
Tasty Wraps
The wrap lineup is built on chicken, lettuce and a soft flour tortilla, finished three ways: Cajun seasoning (about 501 calories), ranch (about 522) or honey mustard (about 517). A Bacon Ranch Wrap is also on the menu. Wraps are cheap enough to order as a side, which is exactly how many people use them in a tray.
Cookout Floats & Cheesecakes
Floats pour a soda over vanilla soft serve in a 16 oz cup. Coke and Cheerwine are the classics, at about 399 and 401 calories, with Fanta and root beer versions at some locations. For something to eat instead of drink, a cold slice of cheesecake is on the dessert menu too, and a float can stand in for the drink on any tray.
Classic Cheesecake
360 Cal
$2.39
Chocolate Cheesecake
360 Cal
$2.39
Strawberry Cheesecake
360 Cal
$2.39
Crispy Fries & Signature Sides
Two sides come with every tray, so the sides list matters more at Cook Out than almost anywhere else. Regular fries are about 347 calories and a large about 694. Onion rings run 128 calories as a side or 256 as a full order, and hushpuppies 300 as a side or 600 as a full order.
Beyond the basics are cheese curds, okra, Cook Out Rounds, corn dogs, nuggets, chili and slaw, plus loaded fries in cheese, chili cheese, Cajun and jalapeño cheese versions. A side of chili adds about 164 calories and 5 grams of protein.
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Large Fries
694 Cal
$2.99
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Regular Fries
347 Cal
$2.39
Bold Mexican-Style Quesadillas
There are three quesadillas: cheese (about 355 calories), chicken (about 449) and beef (about 514). Each is pressed on the flat-top until the tortilla crisps and the cheese melts through, and the cheese version is the most filling meat-free main on the menu.
They are usually priced under $2, which makes them one of the best deals on the board. Two quesadillas count as a tray main, and a single one can be a side. The optional quesadilla sauce adds a little heat.
BBQ Delights
Chopped pork barbecue in the North Carolina style has been part of the menu since the first Greensboro restaurant. It comes as a sandwich or a plate. The BBQ Sandwich is about 368 calories with 29 grams of protein, one of the better protein-per-calorie options on the menu. The BBQ Plate is the big version, around 976 calories, built for a proper sit-down-sized meal.
Both lean on the vinegar-forward Carolina tradition rather than a heavy tomato sauce, and the sandwich is a regular tray main.
Char-Grilled Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are char-grilled like the burgers and come in several styles. The plain dog is about 260 calories. The Cook Out Style dog, with chili, slaw, mustard and onion, is about 383, the Mexi dog about 385 and the Mustard Relish about 394. The Bacon Cheddar dog tops the range at about 523, and the Cheese Dog is listed at about 146 in the official guide, the lowest of the dogs. Two hot dogs make a Regular Tray main, and one makes a Jr. Tray main.
Vegetarian-Friendly Options
Cook Out has no separate vegetarian menu, but a meat-free meal is easy to put together. The cheese quesadilla (about 355 calories) is the most filling meat-free main. For sides, regular fries, onion rings, okra, hushpuppies and cheese curds all fit. Two cautions: the homemade chili contains meat, and fried items share oil with meat products, so strict vegetarians should ask at the window.
Regular Fries
347 Cal
$2.39
Still the Best Value Drive-Thru in the South
Restaurant prices have kept climbing and true value menus have mostly disappeared, which is why Cook Out stands out. A full tray with a main, two sides and a drink still costs about $6.29 to $7.49 at most locations, less than a single combo meal at many national chains.
The individual items tell the same story. A Small Burger is about $2.99, a corn dog about $1.99, and regular fries and onion rings sit in the $2 range. A hand-spun milkshake in any of the 40+ flavors is typically $3.99, or $1.00 extra on a tray. For the money, few drive-thrus in the South come close.
Cookout Trays
The tray is the reason many people drive past everything else to get to Cook Out. You pick one main, two sides and a drink, and the Regular Tray is commonly $7.39 (about $6.29 to $7.49 depending on the location). Mains include the Big Double Burger, three chicken strips, the BBQ Sandwich, two quesadillas and two hot dogs, and the sides list is long enough that WRAL counted roughly 152,000 possible combinations.
The Jr. Tray, commonly $6.39, is the smaller version. Using Cook Out's official nutrition figures, the lightest Jr. Tray (a small burger, a double order of onion rings and a Diet Coke) comes to about 500 calories, which makes it one of the more reasonable late-night meals around.
Cookout Tray Pricing
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular Cookout Tray | $7.39 |
| Junior Cookout Tray | $6.39 |
| Upgrade drink to Regular Milkshake | +$1.00 |
| Upgrade drink to Fancy Milkshake | +$1.60 |
| Two sides included | No extra cost |
| Large drink included | No extra cost |
Regular Cookout Tray Options
| Category | Item | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of these Main Items | Big Double Burger | 311 Cal. |
| Reg. ¼ Burger | 330 Cal. | |
| Reg. Barbecue | 370 Cal. | |
| 2 Hot Dogs | 520 Cal. | |
| 2 Quesadillas (Chicken/Beef) | 440-520 Cal. | |
| Reg. Chicken | 380 Cal. | |
| Cajun Chicken | 380 Cal. | |
| Spicy Chicken | 450 Cal. | |
| BBQ Char-Grilled Chicken | 380 Cal. | |
| 3 Chicken Strips (or Sandwich) | 660 Cal. | |
| Choose 2 Sides or Double up | Bacon Wrap | 420 Cal. |
| White Cheddar Cheese Bites | 190 Cal. | |
| Chicken Nuggets | 150 Cal. | |
| Chicken Wrap | 520 Cal. | |
| Corn Dog | 220 Cal. | |
| Fries | 347 Cal. | |
| Hush Puppies | 300 Cal. | |
| Onion Rings | 130 Cal. | |
| Quesadilla | 260 Cal. | |
| Slaw / Chili | 405 / 164 Cal. | |
| Choose a Beverage | Large Drink | 290 Cal. |
| Huge Sweet Tea | 330 Cal. | |
| Dasani 20 oz. Water Bottle | 0 Cal. | |
| Cheerwine/Coke Float | 380 Cal. | |
| Regular Shake | 510-900 Cal. |
Junior Cookout Tray Options
| Category | Item | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of these Main Items | Small Burger | 245 Cal. |
| 2 Chicken Strips | 440 Cal. | |
| 2 Corn Dogs | 440 Cal. | |
| BLT Sandwich | 392 Cal. | |
| 1 Hot Dog | 260 Cal. | |
| 1 Chicken/Beef Quesadilla | 220-260 Cal. | |
| Choose 2 Sides or Double up | Bacon Wrap | 420 Cal. |
| White Cheddar Cheese Bites | 190 Cal. | |
| Chicken Nuggets | 150 Cal. | |
| Chicken Wrap | 520 Cal. | |
| Corn Dog | 220 Cal. | |
| Fries | 347 Cal. | |
| Hush Puppies | 300 Cal. | |
| Onion Rings | 130 Cal. | |
| Quesadilla | 260 Cal. | |
| Slaw / Chili | 405 / 164 Cal. | |
| Choose a Beverage | Large Drink | 290 Cal. |
| Huge Sweet Tea | 330 Cal. | |
| Dasani 20 oz. Water Bottle | 0 Cal. | |
| Cheerwine/Coke Float | 380 Cal. | |
| Regular Shake | 510-900 Cal. |
15 Fan Favorites to Try at Cook Out
Some orders have been winning people over since 1989. These are the items fans recommend most often, and the ones worth trying first if you are new to Cook Out.
- Cookout Tray
- Cook Out Style Burger
- Milkshakes (any of the 40+ flavors)
- Chicken Strips
- BBQ Sandwich
- Big Double Burger
- Cheddar Style Burger
- Cook Out Style Hot Dog
- Cheese Quesadilla
- Chicken Quesadilla
- Hushpuppies
- Onion Rings
- Cajun Fries
- Corn Dog
- BBQ Plate
For every side and the best pairings, see the Cookout Sides Menu.
Gluten-Free Meal Options
Cook Out does not publish a gluten-free menu, and its kitchens share grills, fryers and prep space, so cross-contact is always possible. Going by the ingredients, these are the items most likely to fit a gluten-free diet:
- Char-grilled hamburger patty (no bun)
- Char-grilled chicken breast (no bun)
- Hot dog (no bun)
- Chopped BBQ pork (no bun, no hushpuppies)
- Coleslaw
- Plain and fruit milkshakes (skip cookie, cake and cheesecake flavors)
- Fountain drinks and unsweet tea
If you have celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity, tell the staff when you order and check the official Cook Out nutrition and allergen information first.
Nutritional Details of Cookout Meals
Cook Out publishes an official nutrition guide covering calories, fat, sodium, carbohydrates and protein for the menu, and the numbers on this site follow it. As a rule of thumb, a Regular Tray usually lands between about 800 and 1,500 calories depending on your picks. At the extremes, WRAL found that the heaviest tray reaches 2,639 calories (a chicken strip sandwich, a doubled ranch chicken wrap and a cherry cheesecake shake), while the lightest Jr. Tray comes to about 500 using Cook Out's official figures.
The BBQ Plate, at about 976 calories, is one of the heaviest single items. For item-by-item numbers, see the full Cookout nutrition guide or build a meal with the calories calculator.
Cookout Hours: Daily and Holiday Schedule
Most Cook Out locations open at 10:30 AM every day and keep the drive-thru going until around 3 AM on weeknights and 4 AM or later on Friday and Saturday. That late window is a big reason Cook Out is the go-to after games, shifts and nights out. Nearly every holiday runs on normal hours; the three days most locations close are Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Hours vary by location, so check your nearest store before a late run.
Daily Hours
| Day | Typical opening | Typical closing |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM | 4:00 AM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM | 4:00 AM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM |
Holiday Hours
| Holiday | Status | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Valentine's Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Presidents' Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Good Friday | Open | Regular timings |
| Easter Sunday | Closed | None |
| Easter Monday | Open | Regular timings |
| Memorial Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Independence Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Labor Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Columbus Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Halloween | Open | Regular timings |
| Veterans Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Thanksgiving Day | Closed | None |
| Black Friday | Open | Regular timings |
| Christmas Eve | Open | Regular timings |
| Christmas Day | Closed | None |
| New Year's Eve | Open | Regular timings |
Ordering and Dining Options
Cook Out is a drive-thru restaurant first. The standard building has two drive-thru lanes and a walk-up window, and most locations have outdoor tables; only some newer restaurants have an indoor dining room. There is no official app and no in-house delivery, but many locations deliver through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub.
| Service | Availability |
|---|---|
| Drive-Thru | Yes |
| Takeout | Yes |
| Dine-In | Some newer locations |
| Outdoor Seating | Yes, most locations |
| Late Night Service | Yes, usually until about 3 AM (4 AM or later Fri–Sat) |
| Curbside Pickup | No |
| Delivery | Yes, through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub |
| Official Mobile App | No |
Payment Options at Cook Out
Every Cook Out takes cash and major credit and debit cards. Tap-to-pay wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay work where the store's card readers support them, which varies from location to location. If you plan to pay with your phone, especially late at night, it is worth having a card as a backup.
| Payment Method | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | All locations | Always accepted |
| Credit / Debit Cards | All locations | Major cards accepted |
| Apple Pay | Select locations | Varies by terminal |
| Google Pay | Select locations | Varies by terminal |
| Samsung Pay | Select locations | Varies by terminal |
| Cash App Card | Select locations | Works as Visa debit |
Deals and Value at Cook Out
There is no Cook Out loyalty program, app or promo code. The value is built into the menu itself: a tray at about $6.29 to $7.49 already costs less than most chains' combos. The only extra savings usually come from the delivery apps, which sometimes run first-order discounts or free delivery at participating locations.
| Offer Type | Where to Find It | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday tray value | Regular menu | About $6.29–$7.49 for a main, two sides and a drink |
| Delivery App Promotions | DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub | First order deals and free delivery offers vary |
| In-Store Specials | Drive-thru window or menu board | Location specific and short term |
A Brief Look at Cook Out's History
Morris Reaves opened the first Cook Out in 1989 on Randleman Road in Greensboro, North Carolina. His family had previously run Wendy's franchises in the Triad, and Cook Out became their own take on fast food: fresh, never-frozen beef cooked over a char-grill, big portions and low prices. The company is still privately owned by the Reaves family, and Jeremy Reaves, Morris's son, is the CEO.
Cook Out grew inside North Carolina for two decades before opening its first out-of-state restaurant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in July 2010. It reached Florida in July 2025 with a restaurant in Pensacola, followed by Tallahassee that October, and by July 2026 it had four Florida restaurants after openings in Temple Terrace and Jacksonville. The company, headquartered in Thomasville, NC, now has about 380 restaurants in 11 states, a taco spin-off called Taco Roos in Wilmington and Thomasville, and its name on NASCAR's Southern 500 at Darlington.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1989, Randleman Road, Greensboro, North Carolina |
| Founder | Morris Reaves |
| CEO | Jeremy Reaves |
| Headquarters | Thomasville, North Carolina |
| Ownership | Privately owned by the Reaves family |
| Locations | About 380 restaurants in 11 states (August 2026) |
| First outside NC | Spartanburg, South Carolina (2010) |
| Known for | Cookout Tray, 40+ milkshakes, fresh char-grilled burgers, late-night hours |
Find a Cook Out Near You
Cook Out is a Southern chain, with about 380 restaurants in 11 states. North Carolina is home base with about 150 of them, roughly 40%, and South Carolina and Georgia are the next biggest markets. You will also find Cook Out in Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, West Virginia, Maryland and, since 2025, Florida.
To find the closest one, use the store finder on cookout.com or our Cookout locations guide. Most restaurants open at 10:30 AM, but closing times vary, so check the listing before a late-night run.
Cookout Job Application and Career Opportunities
With about 380 restaurants and new ones opening every year, Cook Out is hiring across the Southeast. Common roles include crew member, cashier, grill cook, shift leader, assistant manager and general manager, in both part-time and full-time positions. Most entry-level jobs need no experience.
Pay depends on the location and the role, and Cook Out has a reputation for promoting from within, so crew members can move up to shift leader and management. You can apply online or walk in to a restaurant, and quick interviews are common. Our Cookout Careers guide covers the steps, requirements and typical pay.
| Category | Details |
| Head Office | Thomasville, North Carolina, USA |
| Phone Number | (336) 431-1094 |
| instagram.com/cookout | |
| facebook.com/CookOut | |
| X (Twitter) | x.com/CookOut |
| Official Website | Cookout.com |
| Locations | Cookout Locations |
| Employment | Cookout Careers |
Final Thoughts
Cook Out's formula has barely changed since 1989: fresh char-grilled food, generous portions, low prices and a drive-thru that stays open long after most others close. A tray at about $6.29 to $7.49 is still one of the best meal deals in American fast food.
This guide brings the whole menu together, from 2026 prices and tray breakdowns to 40+ milkshakes, nutrition, allergens, vegetarian options, hours, delivery and locations, so you know exactly what to order before you pull up to the window.
More Cookout Guides
Read the best items at Cookout, burger styles explained, high-protein orders, low-calorie orders, milkshakes ranked by calories and the history of Cook Out. Prices for every flavor are on the Cookout milkshake menu.
FAQs
1What is Cookout best known for?
The Cookout Tray (a main, two sides and a drink for about $6.29 to $7.49), 40+ hand-spun milkshakes, char-grilled burgers made from fresh beef, and drive-thrus that stay open until around 3 AM.
2What is included in a Cookout Tray?
One main, two sides and a drink. You can swap the drink for a milkshake for $1.00 more, or $1.60 for a fancy flavor.
3Does Cookout have drive-thru service?
Yes. Most locations have two drive-thru lanes plus a walk-up window, and the drive-thru is how most people order.
4How many milkshake flavors does Cookout offer?
More than 40, plus seasonal flavors like Fresh Watermelon in July and August and Fresh Eggnog in December. You can mix any two flavors at no extra cost.
5Are Cookout prices the same at every location?
No. Prices vary a little by location. A Regular Tray, for example, is usually between $6.29 and $7.49.
6Is Cookout open late at night?
Yes. Most drive-thrus stay open until around 3 AM on weeknights and 4 AM or later on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by location.
7Can you order Cookout online or through an app?
Cook Out has no official app or online ordering of its own. You can order delivery or pickup through DoorDash, Uber Eats or Grubhub at participating locations.
8Can I customize my order at Cookout?
Yes. Burgers and chicken come in several styles, you can add or remove toppings and sauces, and you choose your own sides on a tray.
9What is the most affordable item at Cookout?
Plain hot dogs, cheese dogs and quesadillas are among the cheapest items, often under $2. For a full meal, the tray is the best value.
10Is Cookout open on holidays?
Most locations are open on holidays with normal hours. The main exceptions are Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, when most are closed.
11Does Cookout have vegetarian options?
Yes. The cheese quesadilla, fries, onion rings, okra, hushpuppies and cheese curds are meat-free. The homemade chili contains meat, and fryers are shared.
12Does Cookout offer delivery?
Yes, through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub at participating locations. Cook Out does not run its own delivery.
13Does Cookout have combo meals?
The tray is Cook Out's combo: a main, two sides and a drink. There is a Regular Tray and a smaller Jr. Tray.
14Is there a Cookout secret menu?
Not officially. Fans share custom orders, like mixing two milkshake flavors or doubling up a side, and most locations will make them if the ingredients are on hand.
15Where can I find Cookout nutrition information?
Cook Out publishes an official nutrition guide. Our nutrition page and calories calculator use the same figures.
16Can I change sides in a Cookout Tray?
Yes. You pick both sides, and you can double up on one side instead of choosing two different ones.
17Does Cookout have gluten-free food?
There is no gluten-free menu, and kitchens are shared. Bunless burgers, grilled chicken and hot dogs, coleslaw and some plain milkshakes are the closest options. Always tell staff about allergies.
18Where did Cookout originally start?
On Randleman Road in Greensboro, North Carolina, where Morris Reaves opened the first Cook Out in 1989.
19How many Cookout locations are there?
About 380 in 11 states as of August 2026, with roughly 150 of them (about 40%) in North Carolina.
20Is Cookout considered good value for money?
Yes. A full tray costs about $6.29 to $7.49, less than a single combo at many national chains, and portions are generous.