Cookout Menu 2026Prices, Calories, 40+ Milkshakes & Nutrition
Cook Out Calorie Calculator
Build a Tray or custom meal with real 2026 menu data. Totals update instantly for calories, macros, and estimated price.
Mirrors a Cook Out Tray: one main, two sides (duplicates allowed), and a drink or milkshake.
Cook Out lets you pick the same side twice.
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Estimated price: $0.00
Uses our 2026 menu database. Values are estimates—not official Cook Out nutrition labels.
What Is Cook Out?
Cook Out is a privately owned American fast-food chain that started in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1989. The founder, Morris Reaves, had spent years running Wendy's franchises with his family across the Triad region of North Carolina before selling them back to the company in 1979. After a brief attempt at a sit-down Southern cooking restaurant in Georgia, he came back to what he knew best: burgers, drive-thrus, and affordable fast food.
The first Cook Out opened on Randleman Road in Greensboro, directly across the street from one of his old Wendy's locations. From day one, the focus was on fresh beef, char-grilled on real flame, made to order every single time. No frozen patties. No heat lamps. The meat commissary in Greensboro, established in 1999, grinds and patties the beef daily and delivers it fresh to every location.
Morris Reaves still owns the company. His son Jeremy Reaves is the CEO. There are no franchises. Every Cook Out is company-owned, which is unusually rare in the fast-food industry at this scale. By 1998, the chain had 10 locations. By 2006, it had 50. Today, Cook Out operates more than 360 locations across 11 states: North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Maryland, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, and Florida.
Most Cook Out locations have two drive-thru lanes and a walk-up window but no indoor seating. Some newer locations have added dining rooms, but the original format, which keeps costs low and lines moving, is still how most people experience it. Late night hours, often until 3 or 4 AM on weekends, have made Cook Out the default stop for college students across the Southeast.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 1989
- Founder
- Morris Reaves
- CEO
- Jeremy Reaves
- Headquarters
- Greensboro, NC
- Locations
- 360+
- States
- 11 Southeastern states
- Franchises
- None (all company-owned)
- Signature Item
- Cook Out Tray ($6.29–$7.49)
- Milkshakes
- 40+ flavors at $3.99 each
- Hours
- 10:30 AM – 3:00 AM (4:30 AM weekends)
Cook Out Menu Guides (2026)
Use these hubs to go deeper than a single menu board photo. Each section is built for a specific search intent—prices, calories, nutrition, locations, or ordering tips—with internal links to every item page.
Full Menu & Categories
Every Cook Out category with 2026 prices and item pages.
Browse menu →Food Items Directory
Search-friendly hub for burgers, trays, shakes, BBQ, and sides.
All food items →Menu Prices
Dedicated price pages for every item plus Tray value breakdowns.
Price guide →Calories & Nutrition
Calorie counts, macro breakdowns, and FDA-style nutrition labels.
Nutrition facts →Cook Out Near Me
State and city location pages with hours, phone, and local menu snapshots.
Find locations →Secret Menu
Hidden combos and ordering hacks regulars use at the drive-thru.
Secret menu →Complete Cook Out Menu Categories (85+ Items)
Browse the full Cook Out menu by category. Every card links to a category page with prices, calories, macros, and individual item detail pages—updated for 2026 across Southeastern locations.
Char-Grilled Burgers
9 itemsCook Out's signature char-grilled burgers are cooked on real flame using fresh, never-frozen beef ground daily at the Greensboro commissary. With 4 sizes and 7 styles, there are 11 core hamburger options ranging from the $2.99 Small burger to the $5.98 Huge Burger with Cheddar. Every burger has distinct grill marks and a smoky char that sets Cook Out apart from flat-top griddle competitors.
Char-Grilled Hot Dogs
8 itemsCook Out's hot dogs are char-grilled to order, starting at just $2.00. Choose from 8 styles including the classic hot dog, corn dog, bacon cheddar, chili dog, and the signature Cook Out Style with chili, slaw, mustard, and onions. Hot dogs are the cheapest entry point on the menu and can also be used as a Tray side.
Chicken Breast
15 itemsCook Out offers char-grilled chicken breast in 6 styles (original, Cajun, homemade, BBQ, cheddar, club), plus chicken strips, wraps, sandwiches, and quesadillas. The chargrilled breast is made from real whole chicken breast, never processed, and is one of the healthier options on the menu at around 290 calories.
North Carolina BBQ
3 itemsCook Out serves authentic North Carolina-style pork barbecue with a vinegar-based sauce that is tangy, smoky, and distinctly different from Kansas City or Texas BBQ styles. The BBQ sandwich is widely considered the best value item on the entire menu, and the full BBQ Plate with slaw, fries, and hush puppies comes in under $8.
Sides
8 itemsCook Out offers 15+ side options that form the backbone of the Tray system. From classic French fries and onion rings to Southern staples like hush puppies and coleslaw, every side can be doubled up in a Tray. The corn dog and quesadilla even count as sides, making the Tray one of the most flexible meal systems in fast food.
Milkshakes
37 itemsCook Out has over 40 hand-spun milkshake flavors, all at the same $3.99 price point. Made with real ice cream as the base (not soft-serve mix), Cook Out shakes are genuinely thick and hold their shape. Flavors range from classic chocolate and vanilla to loaded options like Oreo, Reese's Cup, and cheesecake. The shake upgrade on a Tray costs just $1 extra.
Cook Out Trays
2 itemsThe Cook Out Tray is the signature meal: one main entree, two sides, and a large drink for $6.29 to $7.49. The Jr. Tray offers the same format at a smaller size for $5.29 to $6.49. With 20+ entree options and 15+ sides, Cook Out claims over 54,000 possible Tray combinations. Upgrading the drink to a milkshake costs $1 extra.
Drinks & Floats
3 itemsCook Out serves a full range of soft drinks plus specialty items like the Cheerwine Float, a North Carolina exclusive combining the state's iconic cherry soda with creamy ice cream. Drinks are included in every Tray and can be upgraded to a milkshake for $1 extra.
Want a flat directory? See our food items hub or open the full menu with prices.
How a Cook Out Tray Works (Step by Step)
Pick your main
Choose a burger, BBQ, chicken breast, strips, hot dog, or sandwich. Trays include any eligible main.
Choose two sides
Fries, onion rings, hush puppies, corn dogs, and quesadillas count. You can pick the same side twice.
Add a drink or shake
Fountain drinks are included. Upgrade to any of 40+ milkshake flavors for about $1 extra—best value on the menu.
Check nutrition before you go
Use our calorie and nutrition pages if you are tracking macros or allergens.
Tray pricing runs $6.29–$7.49 for a regular Tray and about $5.29–$6.49 for a Jr. Tray in 2026. See Cook Out Tray details and store hours.
The Cook Out Tray: The Whole Point
The Tray is why most people choose Cook Out over everything else nearby. Here is what you get: one main entree, two sides chosen from 15+ options, and one large drink. The price in 2026 sits at $6.29 to $7.49 depending on your location and what main you pick. If you want to swap the drink for a milkshake, that costs $1 extra. Most regulars consider this upgrade non-negotiable.
The Jr. Tray follows the same format at a smaller size and lower price, starting around $5.29. To put this in perspective: a combo meal at McDonald's in 2026 runs $9 to $12 in most markets. At Chick-fil-A, you are looking at $10 to $13 for a sandwich combo. Cook Out gives you a full tray with two sides and a shake for under $9 at most locations.
Cook Out Tray
The signature Cook Out meal. One main entree from 20+ options, two sides from 15+ choices, and a large drink. Priced at $6.29 to $7.49 depending on location and main. The most popular order at Cook Out and widely considered the best fast-food value in America.
Jr. Tray
Same format as the regular Tray at a smaller size. One entree, two sides, and a smaller drink for $5.29 to $6.49. Good for lighter appetites or people who want a complete Cook Out meal at the lowest price.
Tray Ordering Tips from Regulars
- Pick the same side twice. If you want two orders of hush puppies, you can do that.
- Use a side slot for a corn dog. It is technically a full food item but counts as a side in the Tray system.
- The $1 milkshake upgrade is the best value move. It brings a regular Tray into a $7–$8 complete meal with a hand-spun shake.
- Cook Out claims over 54,000 Tray combinations when you factor in all main options, side choices, and drink/shake flavors.
Cook Out Milkshakes: 40+ Flavors, All at $3.99
There are more than 40 milkshake flavors. Every single one costs the same: $3.99 in 2026. It does not matter if you order a plain chocolate shake or an Oreo Reese's cheesecake loaded shake. The price is the same across the board.
The shakes are thick. Genuinely thick, not the kind that collapses the moment you stop sipping. Cook Out uses real ice cream as the base. A 16-ounce Classic Vanilla Shake comes in at around 600 calories, 25 grams of fat, and 75 grams of sugar. The shakes are also available as a Tray drink upgrade for $1 extra.
Chocolate Milkshake
$3.99620 cal
Vanilla Milkshake
$3.99600 cal
Strawberry Milkshake
$3.99580 cal
Banana Pudding Milkshake
$3.99640 calOreo Milkshake
$3.99720 cal
Reese's Cup Milkshake
$3.99740 cal
Cheesecake Milkshake
$3.99660 cal
Pineapple Milkshake
$3.99560 cal
Peach Milkshake
$3.99580 cal
Banana Berry Milkshake
$3.99610 cal
Banana Pineapple Milkshake
$3.99590 cal
Blueberry Milkshake
$3.99590 cal
Cappuccino Milkshake
$3.99620 cal
Caramel Milkshake
$3.99640 calCaramel Fudge Milkshake
$3.99700 cal
Chocolate Cherry Milkshake
$3.99650 cal
Double Chocolate Milkshake
$3.99680 calChocolate Chip Milkshake
$3.99660 cal
Chocolate Chip Mint Milkshake
$3.99640 cal
Chocolate Malt Milkshake
$3.99660 calChocolate Nut Milkshake
$3.99680 cal
Fresh Banana Milkshake
$3.99570 cal
Fresh Eggnog Milkshake (Seasonal)
$3.99700 calFresh Peanut Butter Milkshake
$3.99680 calFresh Watermelon Milkshake (Seasonal)
$3.99520 cal
Heath Toffee Milkshake
$3.99680 calHershey's Chocolate Milkshake
$3.99640 calM&M Milkshake
$3.99700 cal
Mocha Milkshake
$3.99640 cal
Oreo Mint Milkshake
$3.99700 calOrange Push-Up Milkshake
$3.99580 cal
Peach Cobbler Milkshake
$3.99640 calPeanut Butter Fudge Milkshake
$3.99760 cal
Peanut Butter Banana Milkshake
$3.99680 cal
Peppermint Milkshake
$3.99600 cal
Snickers Milkshake
$3.99740 cal
Walnut Milkshake
$3.99620 calMost Popular Milkshake Flavors
Chocolate — The classic and the most ordered. Reliable, genuinely chocolatey.
Oreo — Probably the most popular loaded option. Real Oreo pieces.
Banana Pudding — Has a loyal following. Tastes like actual banana pudding.
Cheesecake — Underrated. Genuinely tastes like cheesecake in a cup.
Pineapple — Lighter and fruitier. Worth trying if you want something refreshing.
Reese's Cup — For anyone who thought a Reese's needed to be drinkable.
Char-Grilled Burgers: Fresh Beef, Real Flame
Cook Out built its reputation on burgers, and the char-grill is the reason they taste different from other fast food. Most fast-food chains cook on flat-top griddles. Cook Out uses actual flame char-grilling. The result is a burger that arrives with grill marks, a slight char on the outside, and a texture that actually resembles something you would make at a backyard cookout.
The beef is fresh and never frozen. It gets ground and pattied daily at the Greensboro commissary and delivered to each location. Cook Out offers four burger sizes and seven burger styles, creating 11 core hamburger options.
$2.99Small Burger
The cheapest burger on the Cook Out menu. A single char-grilled patty on a standard bun with your choice of toppings. At under $3, this is the most affordable way to get real flame-grilled beef at Cook Out.
$3.49Regular Burger
Cook Out's quarter-pound char-grilled burger. Fresh, never-frozen beef cooked on real flame with grill marks and a slight char. The standard entry point for a full-size burger experience.
$3.99Big Double
Two char-grilled patties stacked together at a price that undercuts most single-patty competitors. The Big Double is a popular step up for those who want more beef without paying premium prices.
$4.99Huge Burger
Cook Out's largest burger option. A thick, char-grilled patty that delivers maximum beef flavor. Regulars often pair it with cheddar or Cook Out Style toppings for the ultimate burger experience.
$3.99Cook Out Style
The North Carolina signature. Chili, coleslaw, mustard, and onions on a char-grilled patty. This regional classic tastes like it came from a Southern diner and is unlike anything at other fast-food chains. If you want the authentic Cook Out experience, this is it.
$5.98Huge Burger with Cheddar
The most popular premium burger at Cook Out. A thick Huge Burger topped with melted cheddar cheese. Simple, satisfying, and one of the most ordered items on the entire menu.
$3.99Out West Style
A Western-inspired take on the classic Cook Out burger with BBQ sauce and grilled onions. Smoky, slightly sweet, and packed with char-grilled flavor.
$4.99Nacho Chili Style
Char-grilled burger loaded with nacho cheese sauce and chili. A bold, messy, flavor-packed option that combines two Cook Out favorites into one sandwich.
$4.29Steak Style
A premium burger style with seasoned steak-inspired toppings on a char-grilled patty. Adds about 100 calories over the regular and gives the burger a richer, more savory profile.
North Carolina-Style BBQ
Most people come to Cook Out for burgers and milkshakes. The BBQ is underrated. Cook Out serves North Carolina-style pork barbecue. North Carolina BBQ is a specific regional style — it uses pulled or chopped pork, often with a vinegar-based sauce in the eastern part of the state or a tomato-vinegar blend in the Piedmont region where Cook Out originated. It is tangy, smoky, and nothing like the sweet BBQ sauce style you find in Kansas City or Texas.
The BBQ sandwich is widely considered the best value item on the entire Cook Out menu for anyone who wants real smoked meat flavor without paying restaurant prices.
$3.90BBQ Sandwich
North Carolina-style pulled pork barbecue on a bun with vinegar-based sauce. Tangy, smoky, and nothing like the sweet BBQ sauce style you find in Kansas City or Texas. Widely considered the best value item on the entire Cook Out menu.
370 cal$7.99BBQ Plate
A full plate of North Carolina pulled pork BBQ served with homemade slaw, French fries, and hush puppies. At 980 calories, this is the ultimate Cook Out BBQ experience and still comes in under $8.
980 cal$6.99BBQ Tray
BBQ as a Tray main entree with two sides and a drink. Get real smoked pork plus your choice of two from 15+ sides for around $7. One of the best full-meal deals on the Cook Out menu.
850 calChicken, Hot Dogs & More
Chicken (15 items)
Char-grilled chicken breast in 6 styles (original, Cajun, homemade, BBQ, cheddar, club), plus strips, wraps, sandwiches, and quesadillas. The chargrilled breast is made from real whole chicken breast, never processed.
Hot Dogs (8 items)
Hot dogs start at $2.00 and are the cheapest items on the Cook Out menu. Available in 8 styles including corn dog, bacon cheddar, chili dog, and the signature Cook Out Style.
Sides & Extras (8 Options)
The sides are where the Tray system gets its flexibility. You get two of these with every Tray, and picking well makes a real difference in how satisfying the meal is. You can double up on any side. Both slots can be the same thing.
Drinks, Floats & Southern Favorites
Beyond milkshakes, Cook Out serves Cheerwine Floats, sweet tea, lemonade, and fountain drinks included with Trays. The Cheerwine Float is a North Carolina staple worth trying once.
Cheerwine Float
A North Carolina exclusive combining Cheerwine, the state's iconic cherry soda, with creamy ice cream. If you are visiting NC and have never tried this, it is worth the trip.
Sweet Tea
Southern-style sweet tea, brewed fresh and served ice cold. A Southern staple that pairs well with any Cook Out entree. Included in every Tray order.
Fresh Lemonade
Freshly squeezed lemonade. Tart, sweet, and refreshing. A step above the standard soft drink options and a good choice for hot summer days.
Cheapest Items on the Cook Out Menu (2026)
Cook Out is one of the few chains where you can still get a char-grilled meal for under $3. These are the lowest-priced items in our database—ideal for budget orders or Tray side swaps.
| Item | Category | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coleslaw | sides | $1.69 | 160 cal |
| Baked Beans | sides | $1.69 | 200 cal |
| French Fries | sides | $1.99 | 300 cal |
| Hush Puppies | sides | $1.99 | 280 cal |
| Sweet Tea | drinks | $1.99 | 180 cal |
| Onion Rings | sides | $2.29 | 360 cal |
| Mac and Cheese | sides | $2.29 | 340 cal |
| Spicy Fries | sides | $2.29 | 320 cal |
| Chili Dog | hot dogs | $2.30 | 382 cal |
| Mexi Hot Dog | hot dogs | $2.30 | 385 cal |
| Cheese Dog | hot dogs | $2.39 | 350 cal |
| Cheese Curds | sides | $2.49 | 380 cal |
Most Popular Cook Out Menu Items
High-traffic orders at Cook Out usually center on the Tray, char-grilled burgers, NC BBQ, and hand-spun milkshakes. Each card links to full menu, price, calorie, and nutrition breakdowns.
Cook Out vs. Other Fast Food: Price Comparison
Cook Out consistently undercuts competitors on price while offering more food and more choices. Here is how the value stacks up in 2026:
| Item | Cook Out | McDonald's | Chick-fil-A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full combo meal (entree + 2 sides + drink) | $6.29–$7.49 | $9–$12 | $10–$13 |
| Single burger | $2.99 | $5.49 | $5.25 |
| Milkshake | $3.99 | $4.99 | N/A |
| Chicken sandwich | $4.29 | $5.99 | $5.25 |
| Hot dog | $2.00–$2.99 | N/A | N/A |
| Side item | $1.69–$2.49 | $2.49–$3.29 | $2.25–$2.85 |
| Combo with shake upgrade | $7.29–$8.49 | $12–$15 | N/A |
Cook Out Near Me — Locations by City
Find Cook Out restaurants near you with our state and city directory. Each city page includes addresses, phone numbers, late-night hours, and a local menu price snapshot—similar to a store locator, but with full menu and nutrition links.
Browse by city
Browse by state
Cook Out Hours (2026)
Most Cook Out restaurants open at 10:30 AM and stay open past midnight—often until 3:00 AM on weeknights and 4:00–4:30 AM on weekends. Hours can vary by location; confirm on your city location page or our hours guide.
Vegetarian Options at Cook Out
Cook Out has limited but workable vegetarian options. The menu does not have dedicated vegetarian entrees, but the Tray system allows you to build a satisfying meal from sides and quesadillas.
Vegetarian-Friendly Items
- Cheese Quesadilla ($2.30, 180 cal)
- Hush Puppies ($1.99, 280 cal)
- French Fries ($1.99, 300 cal)
- Onion Rings ($2.29, 360 cal)
- Coleslaw ($1.69, 160 cal)
- Mac and Cheese ($2.29, 340 cal)
- All 40+ Milkshake Flavors ($3.99 each)
- Cheese Curds ($2.49, 380 cal)
Latest Cook Out Guides
Cook Out Secret Menu: 8 Hidden Combinations Regulars Swear By
Cook Out's secret menu is not written anywhere on the menu board, but these 8 combinations are ordered by name at drive-thrus across the Southeast. Here is what they are, how to order them, and why they work.
Read Article →
Every Cook Out Milkshake Flavor Ranked: The Complete 2026 Guide
Cook Out has over 40 milkshake flavors and every single one costs the same $3.99. This guide ranks all of them based on popularity, taste, and value, with details on what makes each one worth trying.
Read Article →
15 Cook Out Tray Hacks That Save You Money in 2026
The Cook Out Tray already gives you a full meal for $6.29 to $7.49, but these 15 hacks help you get even more food, better combinations, and smarter orders that regulars use every single visit.
Read Article →Cook Out Menu FAQs (2026)
Cook Out is a privately owned American fast-food chain founded in 1989 in Greensboro, North Carolina by Morris Reaves. It operates over 360 company-owned locations across 11 Southeastern states. Cook Out is known for char-grilled burgers, the Cook Out Tray, and 40+ hand-spun milkshake flavors.
The Cook Out Tray costs $6.29 to $7.49 in 2026, depending on your location and which main entree you choose. It includes one main, two sides from 15+ options, and a large drink. The Jr. Tray starts at $5.29 to $6.49. Adding a milkshake upgrade costs $1 extra.
Cook Out offers over 40 hand-spun milkshake flavors, all priced at $3.99 each. Flavors include chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, Oreo, Reese's Cup, cheesecake, banana pudding, pineapple, peach, and many more. Mix-ins like M&M, Heath toffee, and Snickers are available at the same price.
Cook Out uses fresh, never-frozen beef. The beef is ground and pattied daily at the Cook Out meat commissary in Greensboro, North Carolina, and delivered fresh to every location. This system has been in place since 1999.
Cook Out Style refers to a specific topping combination that is a North Carolina regional signature: chili, coleslaw, mustard, and onions on a char-grilled patty. It is available on both burgers and hot dogs and is one of the most popular ordering options.
Cook Out operates in 11 states: North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Maryland, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, and Florida. All locations are company-owned with no franchises. As of 2026, there are over 360 locations across the Southeastern United States.
Most Cook Out locations are open from 10:30 AM to 3:00 AM on weekdays and 10:30 AM to 4:30 AM on weekends. Late-night hours make Cook Out a popular destination for college students across the Southeast. Cook Out does not typically have breakfast hours.
Yes, Cook Out is generally cheaper than McDonald's for a comparable meal. A Cook Out Tray with a burger, two sides, and a milkshake costs around $7 to $8, while a McDonald's Big Mac combo meal runs $9 to $12 in most markets. Cook Out gives you more food and more choices at a lower price point.
Cook Out has limited but workable vegetarian options. Cheese quesadillas, hush puppies, French fries, onion rings, coleslaw, mac and cheese, and all milkshake flavors are vegetarian-friendly. The menu does not have dedicated vegetarian entrees, but the Tray system allows you to build a satisfying meal from sides and quesadillas.
The most popular Cook Out milkshake flavors are Chocolate (the most ordered), Oreo (the most popular loaded option), and Banana Pudding (a loyal following). Other highly rated flavors include Cheesecake, Reese's Cup, Pineapple, and Strawberry. All 40+ flavors cost the same $3.99, so there is no price penalty for trying different options.
Yes, Cook Out offers extensive burger customization. You can add tomato, bacon, cheese, chili, slaw, grilled onions, and jalapeños as toppings. There are also 13 sauce options including Cook Out Special Sauce. Each burger style comes with preset toppings, but you can request modifications at the window.
Cook Out claims over 54,000 possible Tray combinations when you factor in all main entree options (20+), side choices (15+ with the ability to pick the same side twice), and drink or shake flavors (40+). This number is hard to verify exactly, but the flexibility is real and far exceeds any other fast-food chain.
Cook Out offers 13 sauce options: ketchup, mustard, mayo, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ranch, hot sauce, buffalo sauce, Cook Out Special Sauce, steak sauce, chili sauce, honey, and grape jelly. Standard condiments cost around $0.20 each. The Cook Out Special Sauce is their signature blend and worth trying on any burger.
Cook Out is owned by founder Morris Reaves, who started the chain in 1989 in Greensboro, North Carolina. His son Jeremy Reaves is the CEO. Cook Out has no franchises; every location is company-owned, which is unusually rare in the fast-food industry at this scale.
Cook Out does not have its own delivery service, but many locations are available through third-party delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub depending on your area. Delivery availability varies by location and is not guaranteed at all 360+ restaurants.
The Bottom Line on Cook Out in 2026
Cook Out stands alone in the fast-food landscape. By rejecting the trends of shrinkflation and maintaining its commitment to fresh, flame-grilled food, endless milkshake varieties, and legendary late-night hours, it has cemented its place as a Southern institution. The Cook Out Tray remains the single best value in American fast food, and the 40+ milkshake lineup has no equal at any competitor.
Whether you are a first-time visitor trying to figure out what to order, a college student looking for a $7 meal at 2 AM, or a regular who wants to know the latest prices and nutrition data, this guide covers everything. Cook Out does not publish full nutritional data on its official website, which makes independent resources like this one essential for anyone who wants to make informed choices about what they eat.