Cookout Menu 2026: Prices, Calories & All 40+ Milkshakes

Cookout opened in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1989. One char-grill. One drive-thru. The same idea still runs on today, fresh food at prices that don’t push your budget.

Today, 350+ company-owned locations cover the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. No franchises. That single fact explains the pricing consistency, the quality control, and the “Always Fresh, Never Frozen” standard that holds across every location.

This page covers the full 2026 Cookout menu, every item, every price, every calorie — the Cook Out Tray at $7.39. The 40+ hand-spun milkshakes are $3.99 flat. Burgers, Carolina-style BBQ, char-grilled chicken, hot dogs, quesadillas, sides, drinks, and desserts. Plus gluten-free options, vegetarian picks, holiday hours, and payment methods are all here.

Overview of Cookout Menu

Real food, fresh off an open flame, priced honestly, that’s the core idea. Every burger, chicken breast, hot dog, and BBQ item goes over a char-grill, not a flat-top griddle. That backyard cookout flavor comes from the cooking method.

Most fast-food prices jumped hard over the past two years. Cookout held steady. The Regular Tray moved from roughly $5.99–$6.49 to $6.29–$7.49. Milkshakes, wraps, and individual items stayed close to original price points. Drive-thru runs until 3:30 AM weeknights, 4:30 AM on Friday and Saturday.

Cookout Milkshakes Menu

Cookout Creamery runs 40+ hand-spun flavors, all at $3.99 flat. No premium for loaded candy bar builds. Every shake comes hand-spun from premium ice cream, not soft-serve. The texture hits thick and dense on the first sip.

Seasonal Milkshakes

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Light options start at 538 Cal, Fresh Banana leads. Heaviest hitters: Reese’s Cup (894 Cal), Peanut Butter Banana (864 Cal), Oreo Mint (853 Cal). Calorie-conscious? Stick to Peach (547 Cal), Pineapple (575 Cal), or Strawberry (610 Cal).

Top pairing: Spicy Chicken Sandwich + Oreo Mint Milkshake. The cool mint cuts the building heat on every bite.

Cookout Burgers Menu

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Fresh, never-frozen beef. Char-grilled per order. Four sizes, seven styles, 11 core hamburger builds before sauces and toppings.

First-time order: Out West Style on a Regular Burger. Most people reorder it on the second visit.

Sauces ($0.20–$1.00): Cheese Sauce ($1.00, 100 Cal), CookOut Sauce ($0.50, 25 Cal), A1 Sauce ($0.50, 25 Cal), Quesadilla Sauce ($0.50, 35 Cal), Fresh Jalapeño ($0.50, 50 Cal), Polynesian Sauce ($0.50, 110 Cal), Buffalo Sauce ($0.50, 70 Cal), BBQ Sauce ($0.20, 29 Cal), Ranch ($0.20, 73 Cal), Honey Mustard ($0.20, 69 Cal), Mayo ($0.20, 57 Cal), Chili Sauce ($0.20, 0 Cal), Hot Sauce ($0.20, 0 Cal), Mustard ($0.20, 10 Cal), Ketchup ($0.20, 19 Cal).

Toppings ($0.10–$0.95): Grilled Bacon ($0.95, 60 Cal), Homemade Chili ($0.65, 70 Cal), Cheese Slice ($0.50, 70 Cal), Homemade Slaw ($0.50, 40 Cal), Tomato Slice ($0.10, 10 Cal), Grilled Onions ($0.10, 10 Cal), Cajun Seasoning ($0.10, 10 Cal), Pickles ($0.10, 5 Cal), Lettuce ($0.10, 5 Cal).

Add Cajun Seasoning at $0.10 to any burger. It’s the single best-value upgrade on the entire menu.

Cookout Chicken Menu

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Six char-grilled breast styles, two crispy filets, two strip builds, five wraps, all made to order.

Chicken Breast Filet

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Chicken Strips

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Chicken Wraps

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At $1.99, wraps are the most strategic tray-side pick. Adding a Bacon Ranch Wrap puts a full grilled chicken item in your meal within the $7.39 tray price.

Other Chicken Items: Chicken Nuggets (5 pc, $1.99, 199 Cal), Chicken Quesadilla ($1.99, 449 Cal), BBQ Char-Grilled Chicken ($8.09, 380 Cal), Grilled Chicken Sandwich ($3.39, 400–600 Cal).

Cookout Sandwiches Menu

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New? Start with the Honey Mustard Wrap, the cleanest read of what Cookout’s grilled chicken tastes like. Want heat? Go straight to the Cajun Wrap.

Cookout BBQ Menu

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The BBQ Plate at $5.99 puts chopped pork, homemade slaw, fries, and hushpuppies on one plate for under $6. Dedicated BBQ spots charge $12–$15 for the same spread.

Cookout Hot Dogs Menu

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Char-grilled on the same open flame as the burgers. 100% beef sausages. Prices run $0.99–$2.99.

The Mustard Relish Hot Dog at $1.99 and 400 Cal delivers the best calorie-per-dollar value of any item on the entire Cookout menu. The Cookout Style at $2.99 (chili, slaw, mustard, onion) costs less than a plain hot dog at Five Guys.

Cookout Quesadillas Menu

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Three quesadillas, all $1.99 flat. Denser portions and fewer add-on charges than at Taco Bell.

Walking Taco: Doritos base, homemade chili, sour cream, jalapeños. One of the most talked-about late-night orders across Cookout’s social media presence. Pair it with a mild main, and the jalapeño heat does its own work.

Cookout Sides Menu

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15+ sides. Most qualify as tray substitutes on the Regular and Junior Tray.

Cajun Fries at $2.39 are the most ordered tray side across all locations, same price as Regular Fries, with more flavor. Pair with CookOut Sauce at $0.50.

Hushpuppies at $1.99 and 590 Cal are the most distinctly Southern sides on the menu. Deep-fried cornmeal fritters are crispy outside, slightly sweet inside. Double up on hushpuppies as both tray sides for the most recommended Cookout tray configuration online.

Cookout Drinks Menu

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Cheerwine is the North Carolina cherry soda you won’t find at any national chain north of Virginia. Order it on your first visit. The Huge Sweet Tea at $2.39 and 32.9 oz gets brewed fresh at the restaurant, not from concentrate. Unsweetened version runs 0 Cal.

Extended fountain options at most locations (Small–Huge, $1.49–$2.59): Diet Coke, Sprite, Dr Pepper, Fanta Orange, Mello Yello, Pibb Xtra, Poppin’ Pink Lemonade, Hi-C Fruit Punch, and Powerade Mountain Blast.

Cookout Desserts Menu

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Seven desserts. One flat price: $2.39 each.

NY Style cheesecake at a drive-thru for $2.39; sit-down restaurants charge $5-$8 for the same slice. The Cheerwine Float is the most regionally specific dessert on the menu.

Cheesecake topping categories: Classic Fruit, Fresh Fruity, Nutty (peanut butter, walnut), Special, Dessert Delight, and Seasonal rotating options.

Cookout Sauces and Toppings

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The full sauce and topping system is covered under the Burgers section above. CookOut Sauce at $0.50 and 25 Cal is the house signature blend, versatile across burgers, chicken strips, fries, and wraps. Add it to every order. Best combination: Cajun Fries + CookOut Sauce for $2.89 total.

Best three topping combos by flavor impact per dollar: Grilled Bacon + Cajun Seasoning ($1.05), Homemade Chili + Cheese Slice ($1.15), Homemade Slaw + Grilled Onions ($0.60).

Cookout Tray Menu

The Cook Out Tray is the reason regulars keep coming back. One main dish, two sides, and one drink bundled into one price. The sides can be full menu items: wraps, corn dogs, quesadillas, or hushpuppies. That’s the difference from every other fast-food combo.

“Double up” means picking the same side twice at no extra charge. Double hushpuppies is the most recommended move online.

Item	Price
Regular Cook Out Tray	$7.39
Junior Cook Out Tray	$6.39
Upgrade to Regular Milkshake	+$1.00
Upgrade to Fancy Milkshake	+$1.60

First-time order? BBQ Char-Grilled Chicken as the main, double hushpuppies as both sides, Oreo Mint Milkshake upgrade for $1.60 extra. That’s the Cookout experience in one tray at $8.99 total.

Cookout Breakfast Options

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Cookout runs no dedicated breakfast menu. The full regular menu starts at 10:30 AM daily.

Category	Price Range
Char-Grilled Hamburgers	$2.99–$4.99
Hotdogs & Barbeques	$1.00–$5.99
Cookout Value Menu	$1.00–$3.39
Floats & Drinks	$1.00–$2.39
Milkshakes & Cheesecake	$2.39–$3.99

All 40+ milkshake flavors run from opening. A NY Style cheesecake slice and Fresh Brewed Tea at breakfast runs $4.58 total. Always confirm the morning menu status for your specific location before driving out.

Cookout Vegetarian Options

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Cookout centers on char-grilled meat. These items work cleanly for meat-free diners without modification.

Milkshakes contain dairy, not vegan, but vegetarian-friendly. Confirm Chili’s meat content locally before ordering it as a plant-based option. Sample vegetarian Regular Tray at $7.39: 2 Cheese Quesadillas as main + Hushpuppies + Onion Rings + Large Cheerwine.

Cookout Gluten-Free Options

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No certified gluten-free menu. Shared kitchen equipment means cross-contamination risk applies across fryers, grill surfaces, and prep areas.

Item	Modification	Notes
Grilled Chicken Breast	No bun	All six styles available
Hamburger Patty	No bun	Any size, any style
Hot Dog	No bun	Confirm sausage ingredients locally
Cole Slaw	None	Homemade recipe
French Fries	None	Shared fryer risk applies
Chili	None	Confirm local recipe
Cookie-Free Milkshakes	Specify cookie-free	Avoid Oreo, M&M, Snickers, Heath Toffee
Fresh Brewed Tea	None	Sweet or unsweetened
Cheerwine	None	No gluten content

Celiac disease patients: Call your nearest location directly to be informed about fryer separation and grill cleaning protocols before visiting.

Cookout Allergen & Nutrition Guide

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Our Cookout downloadable Nutrition PDF covers calories, total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugars, protein, and allergen flags for every menu item.

Our Allergen menu helps identify allergens and helps in making gluten-friendly choices.

Key allergen locations:

• Gluten in buns, breading, corn dog coating, and cookie milkshake mix-ins.
• Dairy in milkshakes, cheesecake, and cheese toppings.
• Nuts in Walnut, Banana Nut, Peanut Butter Banana, and Reese’s Cup milkshakes.
• Eggs in mayo, Ranch, and Honey Mustard.
• Fish in the Fish Sandwich ($4.19, 500 Cal).

Download the PDF before your first visit. Call 336-724-7970 for corporate inquiries or your nearest location directly for cross-contamination specifics.

Top Menu Picks at Cookout

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Rank	Item	Price	Calories
1	Cook Out Tray (Regular)	$7.39	800–1,600 Cal
2	Big Double Burger	$3.99	520 Cal
3	Oreo Mint Milkshake	$3.99	853 Cal
4	BBQ Sandwich	$4.99	370 Cal
5	Cajun Chicken Breast	$4.85	380 Cal
6	Hushpuppies	$1.99	590 Cal
7	Cajun Fries	$2.39	350 Cal
8	Spicy Chicken Sandwich	$4.99	480 Cal
9	Banana Pudding Milkshake	$3.99	781 Cal
10	Seasonal Milkshakes	$3.99	645–715 Cal

None of these needs a promotional campaign to move orders. Bold Southern flavors, honest prices, and consistent quality across 350+ locations; that combination drives every item on this list.

Cookout’s Budget-Friendly Items

Three items tie for the cheapest on the menu at $0.99: Plain Hot Dog (260 Cal), Cheese Dog (146 Cal), and Mustard Relish Hot Dog (400 Cal). Three Mustard Relish Hot Dogs cost $2.97 total, 1,200 calories of char-grilled build for under $3.

Best budget combos:

• Ranch Wrap + Cajun Fries = $4.38 for 870 Cal.
• Two wraps = $3.98 for two full grilled chicken items.

Best budget tray:

• Regular Tray at $7.39: Big Double Burger + Hushpuppies + Cajun Fries + Huge Sweet Tea = 1,850 Cal. Comparable volume at McDonald’s, Burger King, or Wendy’s pushes past $12–$14 in 2026.

Best full experience:

• Regular Tray + Fancy Milkshake upgrade = $8.99: BBQ Sandwich + Hushpuppies + Cajun Fries + Banana Pudding Milkshake.

Featured Cookout Dish of the Week

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About Cookout Restaurant

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Morris Reaves opened the first Cookout in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1989. His son, Jeremy Reaves, now serves as CEO. The chain expanded to 10 stores within nine years, built a company-owned meat commissary, and locked in “Always Fresh, Never Frozen” as a non-negotiable standard, not a marketing angle.

Detail	Information
Founded	1989, Greensboro, NC
CEO	Jeremy Reaves
Headquarters	2212 S. Main St., Winston-Salem, NC 27107
Locations	350+ company-owned
Motto	“Always Fresh, Never Frozen”
Newest Market	Florida — Pensacola opened in July 2025, and Tampa is planned
Hours	10:30 AM–3:30 AM weekdays, 4:30 AM Fri–Sat

Why Cookout stays popular: The tray system delivers four food items for $7.39. The open-flame char-grill produces a flavor that flat-top griddles don’t replicate. Fifteen sides, hushpuppies, okra, and white cheddar bites exist nowhere else in fast food at these prices. 40+ hand-spun milkshakes at $3.99 flat. Late-night hours until 4:30 AM on weekends with a full menu and no reductions.

My Thoughts on Cookout Menu and Service

The BBQ Sandwich at $4.99 was the first surprise. I expected a fast-food approximation. What arrived was actual chopped pork, homemade slaw, and Texas Pete at 370 Cal. I come back for it specifically, not as an afterthought, but as the reason for the visit.

The milkshakes are genuinely excellent. The Banana Pudding at 781 Cal and the Oreo Mint at 853 Cal both hit at a quality level that Dairy Queen and Sonic don’t match at comparable price points.

The Regular Tray at $7.39 is the most defensible meal value in Southeast fast food in 2026. I’ve tested it directly against McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Chick-fil-A across the same markets. Nothing touches it in terms of food volume per dollar.

Wait time during peak hours, 11 PM to 1 AM, near college campuses runs slower than the double drive-thru lane setup suggests it should. The made-to-order approach is worth every second. Just expect it.

What Are People Saying: Cookout Menu Reviews

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Cookout Hours

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Day	Opens	Closes
Monday–Thursday	10:30 AM	3:30 AM
Friday–Saturday	10:30 AM	4:30 AM
Sunday	10:30 AM	3:30 AM

The drive-thru stays open after the dining room locks at most locations. College-town locations near major Southeast universities typically run at or past the posted closing time on weekend nights. Rural and highway locations sometimes close earlier. Confirm your specific location through the Cook Out App or Cookout.com.

Cookout Holiday Hours

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Holiday	Status	Hours
New Year’s Day	Open	Regular
MLK Jr. Day	Open	Regular
Valentine’s Day	Open	Regular
Presidents’ Day	Open	Regular
Good Friday	Open	Regular
Easter Sunday	Closed	None
Easter Monday	Open	Regular
Mother’s Day	Open	Regular
Memorial Day	Open	Regular
Father’s Day	Open	Regular
Juneteenth	Open	Regular
Independence Day	Open	Regular
Labor Day	Open	Regular
Columbus Day	Open	Regular
Halloween	Open	Regular
Veterans Day	Open	Regular
Thanksgiving Day	Closed	None
Black Friday	Open	Regular
Christmas Eve	Open	Closes Earlier
Christmas Day	Closed	None
New Year’s Eve	Open	Regular

Three full closures: Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. Christmas Eve runs open but close earlier than standard. Call your nearest location before heading out late on December 24.

Cookout Restaurant Services

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Service	Available
Drive-Thru	Yes
Takeout	Yes
Dine-In	Yes
Outdoor Seating	Yes
Late Night Service	Yes
Delivery	Select locations
Mobile App Ordering	Yes
Curbside Pickup	No

The drive-thru is the primary service channel with a full menu available at every hour, with no late-night menu reduction. Delivery runs through Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Postmates at select locations. Confirm your specific location before building a delivery order.

Easy Payment Options at Cook Out

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Method	Counter	Drive-Thru	Notes
Apple Pay	Available	Available	Varies by location
Google Pay	Available	Available	Varies by location
Samsung Pay	Available	Available	Varies by location
Credit/Debit	Available	Available	All major cards
Cash	Available	Available	Always accepted
Gift Cards	Available	Available	Load, redeem, reuse
Cash App Card	Available	Available	Functions as a Visa debit

Cash works at every location without exception. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay run at most established Southeast locations, confirming contactless availability at your specific restaurant before relying on it for a late-night run.

Cookout Menu Deals & Discounts

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The best Cookout deal requires no code. The Regular Tray at $7.39 undercuts every comparable combo in the Southeast without a coupon, an app, or a promotional window.

Offer Type	Where to Find	How to Redeem
Online Promo Code	Website checkout	Add items → enter code → apply
App-Only Discount	Cook Out App	Sign in → add items → apply
Delivery Partner Deals	Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates	Check the Deals tab in the app
In-Store / Drive-Thru Specials	Menu boards/receipts	Ask at the window
Gift Card Promotions	Seasonal	Buy during the promo period

Download the Cook Out App. Sign in. Turn on notifications, app-only discount announcements push when a new offer goes live. Check receipts after every visit; promotional codes for future orders sometimes print there.

How to Stay Updated on the Latest Cookout Menu Prices

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The Regular Tray at $7.39, milkshakes at $3.99, and wraps at $1.99 have held stable. New Florida locations and other expanding markets sometimes run modified pricing during the initial operating period.

Five methods:

• Bookmark this page (verified 2026 pricing)
• Use the Cook Out App (location-specific pricing in real time)
• Follow Cookout on Instagram (@cookout), Facebook (Cook Out), and X (@CookOut)
• Call your nearest location directly, or check Uber Eats/DoorDash for current ballpark pricing.

2026 Cookout Price Quick Reference:

Category	Price Range
Regular Tray	$7.39
Junior Tray	$6.39
Milkshakes (all flavors)	$3.99
Milkshake Upgrade (Fancy)	+$1.60
Burgers	$2.99-$4.48
Chicken Breast	$4.85-$4.99
Wraps / Quesadillas	$1.99
Hot Dogs	$0.99-$2.99
Sides	$0.99-$3.55
Sandwiches	$3.49-$4.99
BBQ Sandwich / Plate	$4.99 / $5.99
Desserts	$2.39
Drinks	$2.19-$2.39

Cookout Delivery & Pickup

Delivery: Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Postmates carry Cookout at select locations. Enter your delivery address and search Cookout if your nearest location appears; delivery is active for your address. Delivery typically cuts off earlier than drive-thru hours. Don’t count on delivery after midnight.

Milkshake flavor holds through a 25-minute transit. Thick hand-spun texture softens. Drive-thru wins if texture matters. Hushpuppies lose crispiness during a 20-minute delivery window. Cajun Fries hold better than most fast-food fries through delivery.

Pickup: The drive-thru handles most orders. Pre-order through the Cook Out App before arriving, decide milkshake flavor, tray sides, and sauce additions at home rather than at the speaker with a line behind you. Walk-up windows follow drive-thru hours, not dining room hours.

Finding Cookout Locations Near You

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Store locator at Cookout.com: enter city, state, or ZIP code. Each location page shows current hours, direct phone number, drive-thru status, and delivery activation.

State	Locations
North Carolina	137+ (~38% of all stores)
South Carolina	51
Georgia	47
Tennessee	42
Virginia	42
Alabama	15
Kentucky	12
Mississippi	8
West Virginia	4
Maryland	1
Florida	1+ (Pensacola, July 2025, Tampa planned)

Cookout Job Application – Start Your Career Today

Every Cookout position is direct company employment, no franchise operators, no third-party staffing.

Position	Pay (2026)
Crew Member	$12.00–$15.00/hr
Management Trainee	$48,000–$55,000/yr
Assistant General Manager	$60,000–$70,000/yr
General Manager	$75,000–$100,000+/yr

Cookout pays weekly. Apply at Cookout.com/careers online process takes under 15 minutes. High-urgency hiring markets in 2026: Atlanta metro, Charlotte, Nashville, Pensacola, and Tampa. Florida’s new locations need full staffing from scratch; advancement timelines run faster there than in established markets. Cookout does not franchise. The only path in is direct employment.

User Reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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