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Hartsville's Cook Out sits in the same county as the Cook Out Southern 500. Darlington Raceway, hosts the Cook Out Southern 500, the NASCAR Cup Series playoff opener that has carried the chain's name since 2020. The restaurant that serves Darlington County fans is on South 5th Street in Hartsville, closes at 2 AM most nights and charges at least 8% tax on a meal.
- 2020
- Cook Out Southern 500 begins
- 111.5 hrs
- Open each week
- 8%+
- Tax on a meal
- 4.1 vs 3.4
- Tripadvisor against Yelp
Held at Darlington Raceway, Darlington County
2 AM close, 3:30 AM Friday and Saturday
6% state plus 2% city hospitality tax
36 and 19 reviews
Cook Out Hartsville
Open- Address
- 626 S. 5th St., Hartsville, SC 29550
- Hours
- 10:30 AM to 2 AM; 3:30 AM Friday and Saturday (Yelp)
- Drive-thru
- Yes
How are Cook Out and the Southern 500 connected?
Cook Out holds the race's naming rights. NASCAR announced in August 2020 that the opening race of the Cup Series playoffs at Darlington would be called the Cook Out Southern 500, after Cook Out had already served as the track's official quick-service restaurant. A multi-year extension followed, and the race kept the name. Chase Briscoe won the 2024 edition. Before Cook Out, Bojangles' held the title from 2012 through 2019.
2012 to 2019
Bojangles' sponsors the Southern 500
The Carolina chicken chain holds the title for eight races.
August 25, 2020
Cook Out takes the title
NASCAR announces the entitlement partnership with Darlington Raceway.
2023
Cook Out sponsors the Richmond race
The chain's motorsports deals expand beyond Darlington.
2024
Martinsville spring race
Cook Out adds Martinsville Speedway, and Briscoe wins the Southern 500.
January 2025
Bowman Gray Stadium
Cook Out becomes entitlement partner for the Clash and Madhouse Classic.
Cook Out also sponsors races at Richmond, Martinsville and Bowman Gray Stadium. South Carolina has about 52 stores, second only to North Carolina's roughly 150. The first one outside the home state opened in Spartanburg on July 30, 2010, according to Wikipedia's company history.
What hours does the Hartsville store keep?
A shorter week than Bowling Green or Cookeville. Yelp lists 10:30 AM to 2 AM most nights and 3:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, which adds up to 111.5 hours a week. That compares with 117.5 in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and 118.5 in Cookeville, Tennessee.
| Day | Closes | Hours open |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday to Thursday | 2:00 AM | 15.5 a day |
| Friday and Saturday | 3:30 AM | 17 a day |
| Full week | 111.5 of 168 |
How do reviewers rate the Hartsville Cook Out?
Tripadvisor is warmer than Yelp, as at several Cook Outs here. Tripadvisor shows 4.1 from 36 reviews and lists it among the area's cheap eats, while Yelp shows 3.4 from 19. The Yelp sample is small enough that a few reviews move the average a full tenth.
What does the 8% tax mean for a tray?
South Carolina charges 6% on a restaurant meal, and the City of Hartsville adds a 2% hospitality tax on prepared food and beverages, which the state caps at 2%. Diners 85 and older pay 5% state tax under a Department of Revenue ruling, but the 2% hospitality tax is not reduced. A county sales tax may apply on top, so these are floors rather than totals. The prices here come from the chain's typical menu, not a photo of the South 5th Street board.
| Order | Menu price | With 8% tax |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Tray | $7.39 | $7.98 |
| Jr. Tray | $6.39 | $6.90 |
| Milkshake | $3.99 | $4.31 |
| Four Regular Trays | $29.56 | $31.92 |
Myrtle Beach's 11.5% meal tax is the other end of the range, covered in our Myrtle Beach guide. The Florence and Conway guides cover the nearest stores, and the price guide lists the full board.
What else is on South 5th Street?
A Biscuitville that opened in 2023 and promised 40 jobs, according to WPDE.
Is the Hartsville Cook Out worth a race-weekend stop?
For a late tray after Darlington, yes. The 2 AM close is earlier than in Bowling Green or Cookeville, so plan to arrive before it and use the drive-thru. Check the posted hours the night of a race.