Walking up to a Cook Out for the first time and staring at that menu board is a lot. This guide breaks everything down so you know exactly what to order — and why.
If you’ve never been to Cook Out, welcome. You’re about to understand why millions of Southerners consider this drive-thru one of the best fast-food decisions a person can make. Founded in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1989, Cook Out has grown into a regional institution with over 350 locations across the Southeast — and a menu so packed with options that first-timers often freeze at the window.
The key to Cook Out isn’t just the food. It’s understanding how the menu works. Once you get the logic, everything clicks. This guide walks you through every section of the menu, explains what’s actually worth ordering, and gives you the insider knowledge to build the perfect meal on your first visit.
Let’s start with the most important thing you need to know.
The Cook Out Tray: Start Here
Before anything else, understand the Cook Out Tray. This is the cornerstone of the entire menu and arguably the best value meal in American fast food.
Here’s the structure:
- One main entrée (your burger, chicken, BBQ, hot dog, etc.)
- Two sides (chosen from a list of 15+ options)
- One large drink (or upgrade to a milkshake for about $1–$1.60 extra)
Price: Roughly $6.29–$7.49 depending on location and entrée choice.
That’s it. For under eight dollars — often well under — you get a filling, fully customized meal. There’s also a Junior Tray (Jr. Tray), which is a smaller, lighter version at around $4.99–$5.99, perfect for smaller appetites or kids.
The magic of the Tray is the customization. You’re not locked into “burger + fries + soda” like most fast-food combos. You can choose a BBQ sandwich as your main, pick hushpuppies and onion rings as your sides, and swap your drink for a Banana Pudding milkshake. Every combination is yours to build.
Beginner recommendation: Get the Tray on your first visit. It’s the best way to experience Cook Out’s full range.
Section 1: The Burgers
Cook Out’s burgers are char-grilled over an open flame using fresh, never-frozen beef — a fact they’re justifiably proud of. The beef is ground fresh at their own commissary and delivered to each location daily.
Burger Sizes
There are four size options:
- Small Burger — About 1/8 lb., starting around $3.00. Good for kids or if you want to add it as a side on your Tray (yes, you can do this).
- Regular Burger — The standard single patty, around $3.99–$5.49.
- Big Double Burger — Two patties, the most popular option, around $4.99–$5.49.
- Huge Burger — The half-pound option for serious appetites, around $5.69–$5.98.
Burger Styles
Each size comes in seven “styles” — these are preset topping combinations:
| Style | What’s On It |
|---|---|
| Plain | Just the patty and bun |
| Cook Out Style | Chili, slaw, mustard, onion — the Southern classic |
| Cheddar Style | Cheddar cheese sauce, mustard, onion |
| BBQ Style | BBQ sauce, pickles, mayo |
| Mushroom Style | Sautéed mushrooms and Swiss |
| Club Style | Bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo |
| Homemade Style | Cook Out’s house toppings combo |
Best burger for beginners: The Big Double Burger, Cook Out Style is the signature experience — chili, slaw, mustard, and onion on a double patty. It’s messy, it’s Southern, and it’s exactly what Cook Out is known for.
Customization
You can add or remove anything from any burger for free: mayo, mustard, ketchup, pickles, onion, lettuce, grilled onion, Cajun seasoning. Paid add-ons include house sauces like A1 Steak Sauce, Texas Pete, Ranch, Honey Mustard, Polynesian Sauce, and Buffalo.
Section 2: The Chicken Menu
Cook Out’s chicken offerings are more extensive than most people realize, and the chicken breast is one of the menu’s hidden strengths.
Grilled Chicken Breast (~$3.69–$4.99)
The chicken breast is marinated, then cooked directly over open flame — not fried, not reheated in a microwave. The result is a genuinely smoky, juicy piece of chicken that holds its own against dedicated chicken chains. Available in six styles:
- Original — Classic with lettuce, tomato, honey mustard, mayo
- BBQ — BBQ sauce, pickles, mayo
- Cajun — Spice-rubbed with Cajun seasoning, the spicy option
- Cheddar Style — Cheddar sauce and fixings
- Club Style — Bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo
- Homemade Style — House combination
Chicken Strips (~$4.49–$6.49)
Crispy, hand-battered chicken tenders. Available as a standalone order or as a tray entrée. Excellent with the honey mustard or ranch dipping sauce. Popular as a tray entrée because they’re filling, consistent, and great for people who aren’t in a burger mood.
Chicken Sandwiches (~$3.99–$4.99)
A fried chicken fillet on a bun, available in original, spicy, BBQ, and club styles. The spicy chicken sandwich is a solid choice and competitive with anything from Chick-fil-A at a noticeably lower price point.
Best chicken order for beginners: The Cajun Chicken Breast on a Tray, paired with Cajun fries and hushpuppies. It’s a full Southern flavor experience.
Section 3: The BBQ
North Carolina-style BBQ is not an afterthought at Cook Out — it’s a foundational part of the menu and a nod to the chain’s Tar Heel State roots. This is chopped pork BBQ, the Eastern North Carolina style: vinegar-based, tangy, tender, and served with homemade coleslaw.
BBQ Sandwich (~$3.99–$4.99)
Chopped pork piled onto a bun, typically served with slaw on top or on the side. If you’ve never had Eastern-style BBQ before, this is the quintessential introduction. It’s lighter and more tangy than the Kansas City or Texas BBQ you may be used to — the vinegar does the heavy lifting instead of a thick sweet sauce.
BBQ Plate (~$5.99–$6.99)
A larger serving of the same chopped pork, served as a plate with your choice of sides. Think of it as the BBQ version of the Tray — bigger portion, more meat, same side options.
Tip: Ask for the slaw added directly onto the BBQ sandwich rather than on the side. The crunch and creaminess it adds to the tangy pork is the full Cook Out BBQ experience.
Section 4: Hot Dogs
Cook Out takes hot dogs seriously — they’re char-grilled, not boiled or microwaved, and they’re deeply embedded in the Southern fast-food tradition the chain represents.
Available Styles (~$1.99–$2.99)
- Plain — Ketchup and mustard, the purist option
- Cook Out Style — Chili, slaw, mustard, onion. This is the one.
- BBQ Style — BBQ sauce and slaw
- Chili Cheese Dog — Chili, cheddar, the classic combo
- Corn Dog — The one you can order as a side on your Tray
The Cook Out Style hot dog is legitimately one of the best fast-food hot dogs in America. The combination of house chili, tangy slaw, yellow mustard, and diced onion on a grilled dog is a Southern tradition executed at high volume and low cost. Order one as your Tray entrée and you’ll understand why regulars defend it passionately.
Beginner tip: You can order a corn dog as one of your Tray sides. A corn dog as a side dish is a Cook Out right of passage — chaotic, delicious, and deeply affordable.
Section 5: Wraps
Cook Out’s wraps are soft flour tortillas filled with grilled or crispy chicken and your choice of sauce. They’re lighter than a burger, faster than a sandwich, and genuinely popular for anyone who wants something they can eat with one hand at the drive-thru window.
Available Wraps (~$2.49–$3.49)
- Ranch Wrap — Grilled chicken, ranch dressing, lettuce, tomato
- Cajun Wrap — Spice-rubbed chicken with Cajun kick
- Honey Mustard Wrap — Sweeter, milder option
- Bacon Ranch Wrap — Ranch wrap with bacon added, the most popular
- BBQ Wrap — Chicken with BBQ sauce
Wraps work particularly well as Tray sides. The Bacon Ranch Wrap as a side item alongside a bigger entrée is a popular move among regulars — you’re essentially getting two courses for the price of one combo.
Section 6: Quesadillas
Yes, Cook Out has quesadillas. And yes, they’re better than you’d expect from a Southern burger chain. They’re available as standalone items or — this is the fun part — as a Tray side. Ordering a quesadilla as one of your two sides means your Tray becomes a surprisingly eclectic meal.
Available Quesadillas (~$2.49–$4.99)
- Cheese Quesadilla — Simple, melty, the vegetarian-friendly option
- Chicken Quesadilla — Grilled chicken and melted cheese in a flour tortilla
- Cheeseburger Quesadilla — The wildcard: seasoned ground beef and cheese
Tip: Add Cajun seasoning or hot sauce to any quesadilla — simple customization that significantly improves the flavor profile.
Section 7: The Sides
This is where Cook Out separates itself from every other fast-food chain. The side options aren’t just fries and coleslaw — it’s an actual list of 15+ items, many of them things you can’t get as sides anywhere else at this price.
Full Sides List
| Side | Notes |
|---|---|
| French Fries | Classic, crispy, available regular or Cajun-seasoned |
| Cajun Fries | Spice-dusted fries — the most popular side on the menu |
| Onion Rings | Thick-battered, consistently good |
| Hushpuppies | Fried cornmeal bites — a Southern staple, Cook Out does them well |
| Chicken Nuggets | Yes, nuggets as a side. Yes, this is allowed. |
| Corn Dog | Same deal — a corn dog as a side is chaotic genius |
| Bacon Wrap | A mini bacon-filled wrap as your side item |
| Cheese Bites | White cheddar, fried, dippable |
| Coleslaw | Homemade, tangy, the real thing |
| Corn on the Cob | Seasonal at some locations |
| Fried Okra | A Southern classic — not every location carries it, but worth asking |
| Potato Salad | Available at select locations |
| Watermelon Slice | Summer seasonal item |
| Quesadilla | Yes, a full quesadilla as a side |
| Small Burger | Order a burger as one of your two sides |
The power move: Ordering a small burger as one of your Tray sides. You’re effectively getting two entrées for the price of one combo. This is legal. This is encouraged. This is Cook Out.
Best beginner side combination: Cajun Fries + Hushpuppies. One is salty and crispy, the other is soft and golden with a hint of sweetness. Together they cover all the textural bases.
Section 8: Drinks
Cook Out’s drink menu is more interesting than your average fast-food fountain situation.
Standard Drinks (~$1.99–$2.39)
- Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite — standard fountain options
- Cheerwine — The star of the drinks menu. A North Carolina-born cherry soda unlike anything you’ve had before. Sweeter and more complex than Cherry Coke, uniquely Southern, and the foundation of Cook Out’s legendary Cheerwine Float.
- Sweet Tea — Freshly brewed, house-made, served in a “Huge Tea” size that is exactly what it sounds like
- Hi-C Lemonade — Pink lemonade, available in various sizes
- Dasani Water — Bottled water option
The Cheerwine Float
Order this from the dessert/float section but know that it belongs in its own category. Vanilla soft-serve dropped into cold, fizzy Cheerwine — it’s a drink, a dessert, a cultural artifact. If your Cook Out carries Cheerwine (most Southeast locations do), order this at least once.
Section 9: Milkshakes
Cook Out’s milkshakes are famous — legitimately, nationally famous among food writers, college students, and late-night drive-thru regulars. They are hand-spun from real ice cream, thick enough to require a spoon, and available in over 40 flavors for around $3.99 each.
Adding a Shake to Your Tray
You can swap your Tray’s included drink for a regular milkshake for about $1 extra, or upgrade to a “Fancy Shake” (the specialty flavors) for $1–$1.60 extra. That means your entire meal — entrée, two sides, and a milkshake — stays under $9 at most locations.
Shake Categories
Classic Flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry — the reliable foundations.
Southern Dessert Flavors: Banana Pudding, Peach Cobbler, Strawberry Cheesecake — these are the Cook Out signatures. The Banana Pudding is the single most recommended shake on the menu.
Candy Bar Flavors: Reese’s Cup, Oreo, Oreo Mint, Peanut Butter Fudge, Snickers — if it’s a candy bar, Cook Out probably blended it.
Coffee Flavors: Cappuccino, Mocha — surprisingly good, genuinely coffee-forward.
Fruit Flavors: Pineapple, Blueberry, Strawberry, Cherry — lighter, refreshing options for hot days.
Seasonal Specials: Fresh Watermelon (summer), Pumpkin Pie (fall), Fresh Eggnog (holiday season) — available for limited windows each year and worth planning around.
Mix-and-Match: Cook Out allows you to combine flavors. Peanut Butter + Banana, Chocolate + Mint, Peach + Vanilla — hundreds of unofficial combinations are possible. Ask politely and most locations will accommodate.
Section 10: Desserts & Floats
Beyond the milkshakes, Cook Out has a small but solid dessert menu.
Floats (~$2.39–$2.99)
Soft-serve vanilla ice cream dropped into your choice of fountain soda. The Cheerwine Float and Coke Float are the most popular. Light, fizzy, and nostalgic in a way that feels distinctly American-summer.
Cheesecakes (~$2.49–$3.49)
New York-style cheesecake slices with your choice of topping: Strawberry, Blueberry, Caramel, Cherry, or Chocolate Chip. A surprisingly serious dessert option for a fast-food chain. If you’re too full for a milkshake, the cheesecake is the right move.
Ice Cream Cone (~$1.99)
Simple, soft-serve vanilla cone. Cheap, good, no notes.
Section 11: Secret Menu Items
Cook Out has no official secret menu, but there are several off-menu orders that regulars swear by and most locations will make without hesitation.
The Spicy Carolina Dog
A hot dog loaded with chili, jalapeños, Cajun seasoning, mustard, and diced onion. Add Texas Pete hot sauce if your location carries it. Order it by describing what you want — the staff will know what you mean.
The Loaded Burger
A standard burger built out with every topping available: chili, slaw, onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and optionally onion rings on top. It’s messy, excessive, and worth every napkin.
Peanut Butter Burger
Ask for peanut butter added to any burger. The peanut butter melts slightly against the warm patty, creating a salty, creamy bite that sounds wrong and tastes right. This is an actual thing regulars do.
Bacon Fries
Ask for fries with bacon and grilled onions added on top. Not on the menu. Very much a real item. Available at most locations.
Beginner’s First Order: A Recommended Build
If you’ve never been to Cook Out and want a starting point, here’s the ideal first-visit order:
Regular Cook Out Tray:
- Entrée: Big Double Burger, Cook Out Style (chili, slaw, mustard, onion)
- Side 1: Cajun Fries
- Side 2: Hushpuppies
- Drink Upgrade: Banana Pudding Milkshake (+$1–$1.60)
Total: Roughly $8–$9
This order hits every signature element Cook Out is known for: the char-grilled beef, the Southern-style toppings, the spiced fries, the fried cornmeal sides, and the legendary milkshake. After this, you’ll understand why people drive miles out of their way for this drive-thru.
Hours & Ordering Tips
Hours: Most Cook Out locations open at 10–10:30 a.m. and close between 2–3 a.m. On weekend nights, some locations stay open until 4 or 4:30 a.m. This is intentional — late-night is Cook Out’s prime time.
Ordering: Most locations are drive-thru only, with a walk-up window. Some newer locations have limited indoor seating. The drive-thru typically has two lanes, so don’t be intimidated by the line — it moves quickly.
The menu board: The Cook Out menu board is famously overwhelming. Having this guide in your head before you pull up will save you from the deer-in-headlights moment that befalls every first-timer.
Double up on sides: You can choose the same side twice. Two orders of hushpuppies is not just allowed — it is encouraged by Cook Out veterans everywhere.
Milkshake upgrade: Always upgrade your drink to a milkshake. The $1 upcharge for a hand-spun, real-ice-cream shake is the most obvious value decision in fast food.
The Bottom Line
Cook Out’s menu is enormous, customizable, and built around one central truth: give people a lot of great food for very little money. Once you understand the Tray system, the sides list, and the milkshake upgrade, you have everything you need to become a regular.
The rest is just exploration — and with 40+ milkshake flavors and a sides list that includes corn dogs and quesadillas, there’s plenty left to discover.
Welcome to Cook Out. You’re going to be back next week.