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The Cook Out on Hardy Street in Hattiesburg is the only Cook Out in this series that its own city has taken to court. In June 2026 the Hattiesburg City Council voted unanimously to let the city attorney sue in Forrest County Chancery Court and have the restaurant declared a public nuisance, after about 50 calls for service in two years. Officials said the aim is a safety agreement, not a closure, and the restaurant stays open to 3 AM or 4 AM while the matter proceeds.
- ~50
- Police calls in two years
- 10%
- Tax on a meal
- $8.13
- Regular Tray with tax
- 4.1 vs 3.1
- Google against Yelp
About one every 15 days, per the city
7% state plus 3% Hattiesburg restaurant levies
The highest total on this site's city pages after Myrtle Beach
1,083 Google reviews; about 55 on Yelp
Cook Out Hardy Street
Open- Address
- 3601 Hardy St., Hattiesburg, MS
- Opened
- Reviewed as "new to town" on Tripadvisor in 2016
- Hours
- 10:30 AM to 3 AM; Yelp lists 4 AM on some nights
- Drive-thru
- Yes
Why did Hattiesburg move to declare the Cook Out a public nuisance?
Because of repeated violence and disturbances at the property, the city says. WDAM reported on June 11, 2026, that council members approved a resolution authorizing the suit, citing about 50 calls for service in two years and more violence in the area. Police said they had increased patrols there. Ward 1 Councilman Jeffrey George told WJTV the city tried several times to work with the restaurant and its police department before taking legal action, and that the goal is not to shut the business down but to make customers, employees and neighbors feel safe.
The reports say Cook Out did not respond to repeated requests for meetings, and its regional manager declined to comment. We found no report of a hearing date, a ruling or an agreement.
2016
A reviewer calls it new to town
A Tripadvisor review of the Hardy Street store from that year describes it as new.
May 2024
Police investigate a weekend shooting near the restaurant
WDAM reports on the incident on May 28.
June 11, 2026
Council votes unanimously
The resolution lets the city attorney file in Forrest County Chancery Court.
June 12, 2026
The city explains its reasoning
WDAM reports officials saying they had "no option but to respond".
Has Hattiesburg done this before?
Yes, with bars and clubs, and those cases tended to end in agreements. In 2021 the same court ordered the Nostalgia Lounge closed pending a hearing, and the parties then agreed that it could stay open if it upgraded security, enforced no loitering and followed noise rules. Club Empire was declared a public nuisance in 2023 and placed under a restraining order after its owners missed a hearing. No outcome has been reported for Cook Out.
Why does a Cook Out tray cost more in Hattiesburg?
Because Hattiesburg adds a restaurant levy on top of Mississippi's 7% sales tax. The Mississippi Department of Revenue lists a 2% restaurant levy that has applied since 1991, and voters added a 1% parks and recreation tax in April 2019, which took the total to 3 percent from June 1, 2019. That puts the tax on a meal at 10%. Totals start from the chain's typical menu prices; the Hardy Street board may read differently.
| Where | Tax on a meal | Regular Tray | Milkshake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 6% | $7.83 | $4.23 |
| Tampa, Jacksonville, Pensacola, FL | 7.5% | $7.94 | $4.29 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 10% | $8.13 | $4.39 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC (city limits) | 11.5% | $8.24 | $4.45 |
A group of four Regular Trays comes to $32.52 in Hattiesburg against $31.33 in Bowling Green, a difference of $1.19. See the price guide for the full board.
How do reviewers rate the Hardy Street Cook Out?
Three sites give three answers. Google shows 4.1 of 5 from 1,083 reviews, according to Wanderlog. Tripadvisor shows 4.0 from 28 reviews, ranks the store 54th of 211 restaurants in Hattiesburg and 11th of 34 quick-bite spots, with 3.9 for food, 4.0 for value and 3.7 for service. Yelp shows about 3.1 from 54 to 56 reviews. Tripadvisor titles range from "Many choices...best deal Cookout Tray!" to "Worst experience!".
What hours does the Hardy Street store keep?
From 10:30 AM to 3 AM, with some listings showing 4 AM, which matches the Friday and Saturday close at other stores in the chain. Because sources differ, confirm with the restaurant before a very late run. Tripadvisor and Yelp list different phone numbers for the store; Cook Out's own customer line is (866) 547-0011.
Should you go to the Hardy Street Cook Out?
Yes, for a late tray. Expect a $8.13 tray after the city's restaurant levies. Check local news for the outcome of the nuisance case if you plan a regular visit.