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Huntsville's Cook Out opened on January 4, 2018, as the fourth Cook Out in Alabama. Today the state has about 16, so the chain has quadrupled its Alabama footprint since the Sparkman Drive store opened. That restaurant now splits review sites sharply: 4.1 stars from about 2,005 Google reviews and 3.0 on Yelp, a gap of 1.1 stars.
- Jan. 4, 2018
- Opening day
- ~4x
- Alabama growth since
- 1.1
- Star gap between sites
- $8.06
- Regular Tray with tax
Alabama's 4th Cook Out, per WAFF
From 4 stores to about 16
Google 4.1, Yelp 3.0
Huntsville charges 9%
Cook Out Huntsville
Open- Address
- 2220 Sparkman Dr. NW, Huntsville, AL
- Opened
- January 4, 2018
- Hours
- 10:30 AM to 3 AM Monday to Thursday; 4 AM on Friday and Saturday (Yelp)
- Drive-thru
- Yes
- Seating
- Not confirmed
Why do Google and Yelp disagree on the Huntsville Cook Out?
They draw different reviewers, and the volume differs by a factor of 24. Wanderlog, which pulls from Google, shows 4.1 from about 2,005 reviews, with praise for value and milkshakes. Yelp shows 3.0 from 83. Restaurantji, a third source, shows 3.1 from 229 ratings, and splits the score: food 3.7, atmosphere 3.5 and service 3.1. That points at service as the weak spot, which matches reviewers who describe inconsistent service while still praising the burgers, fries and onion rings. Tripadvisor has no reviews for the store.
| Site | Rating | Reviews | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google (via Wanderlog) | 4.1 | About 2,005 | The broadest sample |
| Restaurantji | 3.1 | 229 | Food 3.7, atmosphere 3.5, service 3.1 |
| Yelp | 3.0 | 83 | The smallest sample |
| Tripadvisor | None | 0 | No reviews on the listing |
How much has Alabama grown since 2018?
WAFF's report on the Sparkman Drive opening called it the chain's fourth Alabama store without naming the first three. ScrapeHero's August 2026 count puts the state at 16, sixth among the states, and listings now show restaurants in Birmingham, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, Prattville and Jacksonville, plus Mobile and Foley on the Gulf Coast.
January 4, 2018
Huntsville opens
Fourth Alabama Cook Out, at 2220 Sparkman Drive.
October 2025
Dothan appears on the coming-soon list
3354 Montgomery Highway, with no opening date, in the roundup of 19 planned restaurants.
April 25, 2026
Foley opens
2550 S. McKenzie St., according to Gulf Coast Journeys.
The state's other guides: Mobile and the Gulf Coast and Jacksonville, Alabama.
What does a tray cost in Huntsville?
Alabama charges 4%, Madison County adds 0.5% and the city of Huntsville adds 4.5%, for 9%, according to Avalara. Avalara lists it as a minimum and does not show a separate restaurant rate. The totals assume typical Cook Out prices, since the Sparkman Drive store sets its own.
| Where | Tax on a meal | Regular Tray | Milkshake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 6% | $7.83 | $4.23 |
| Huntsville, AL | 9% | $8.06 | $4.35 |
| Cookeville, TN | 9.75% | $8.11 | $4.38 |
| Mobile, AL | 10% | $8.13 | $4.39 |
Four Regular Trays cost $32.22 in Huntsville, 22 cents less than in Cookeville. Our price guide lists the full board.
Is the Huntsville Cook Out worth the late run?
Yes, if you want the Friday and Saturday 4 AM close and a tray under $8.10. Order the burgers and fries, which draw the praise, and check the bag at the window, since service is the lowest-rated part.