Cook Out Food Items – Complete Menu Guide
Every Cook Out food item organized by category, with current prices, calorie estimates, nutrition data, Tray eligibility, and links to detailed individual guides burgers, chicken, hot dogs, sides, milkshakes, and drinks.
Quick answer: The Cook Out menu is built around three formats chargrilled burgers cooked over an open flame, the Cook Out Tray (entrée + 2 sides + drink from $6.39), and 40+ milkshake flavors that can be mixed for free. Jump to any category below or scroll for the full breakdown.
Cook Out is a regional American fast food chain founded in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1989. It operates across the Southeast North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, West Virginia, and neighboring states primarily as a drivethru with walkup windows at most locations.
The Cook Out full menu spans burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, BBQ, wraps, and a sides menu that includes corn dogs, quesadillas, bacon wraps, and walking tacos. The chain is built around three core formats: char grilled burgers cooked over an open flame, the Cook Out Tray bundled meal deal, and a milkshake menu with over 40 flavors that can be mixed in any combination at no extra charge. This guide covers every Cook Out menu category with current prices, calorie estimates, and links to full individual item pages.
Menu Category Overview
| Menu Category | Items | Starting Price | Calorie Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burgers | 15+ | $3.89 | 360 – 900 cal |
| Chicken & Sandwiches | 8+ | $4.85 | 300 – 660 cal |
| BBQ | 3 | $4.99 | 370 – 500 cal |
| Hot Dogs | 6+ | $1.99 | 220 – 380 cal |
| Sides & Snacks | 15+ | $1.99 | 170 – 700 cal |
| Milkshakes | 40+ | $3.99 | 500 – 1,000 cal |
| Drinks | 10+ | $2.19 | 0 – 350 cal |
The Cook Out Tray is a bundled meal format one entrée, two side picks, and a large drink for one flat price. Ordering through the Tray is less expensive than buying those components separately at most configurations.
🍽️ How a Cook Out Tray Is Built
| Tray Option | Price | Est. Calories | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Tray | $6.39 | 600 – 1,100 | Smaller entrée, 2 sides, large drink |
| Regular Tray | $7.39 | 800 – 1,600 | Full size entrée, 2 sides, large drink |
| Milkshake Upgrade | +$1.60 | +300 – 500 | Swap drink for any of the 40+ shake flavors |
| Menu Item | Category | Tray Role |
|---|---|---|
| Burger (any size) | Entrée | Entrée Slot |
| Chicken Sandwich / Strips | Entrée | Entrée Slot |
| BBQ Sandwich | Entrée | Entrée Slot |
| Hot Dog | Entrée | Entrée Slot |
| French Fries / Cajun Fries | Side | Side Slot · No Upcharge |
| Onion Rings | Side | Side Slot · No Upcharge |
| Bacon Wrap | Side | Side Slot · No Upcharge |
| Corn Dog | Side | Side Slot · No Upcharge |
| Walking Tacos | Side | Side Slot · No Upcharge |
| Cole Slaw / Hush Puppies | Side | Side Slot · No Upcharge |
| Fancy Milkshake | Drink Upgrade | Drink Slot · +$1.60 Upgrade |
Based on order frequency and customer reports across Cook Out locations, these are the items that appear in the most orders. Each links to a full guide where available.
| # | Item | Category | Price | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cook Out Tray | Meal Bundle | $6.39–$7.39 | View → |
| 2 | Char Grilled Burger | Entrée | $3.89–$5.69 | View → |
| 3 | Cajun Fries | Side | $2.39 | View → |
| 4 | Fancy Milkshake | Dessert/Drink | $3.99 | View → |
| 5 | Bacon Wrap | Side | $2.49–$2.99 | View → |
| 6 | BBQ Sandwich | Entrée | $4.99 | View → |
| 7 | Cajun Chicken | Entrée | $4.85–$5.49 | View → |
| 8 | Walking Tacos | Side | $2.99–$3.49 | View → |
Five Cook Out food items have dedicated full length guides covering complete pricing, nutrition, ingredients, customizations, allergens, and FAQs. Click any card to open the full page.
~350 cal
Tray Eligible
~220–380 cal
Tray Eligible
~420 cal
~14g Protein
~390–450 cal
Tray Entrée
~450–550 cal
Tray Eligible
Cook Out burgers are cooked over an open char grill flame rather than a flat top griddle. Patties come in four sizes. Each size can be paired with a preset Style a named topping combination or built with individual toppings on request.
| Burger | Price | Patty Cal. | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Burger | $3.89 | ~240 cal | 1/8 lb single patty |
| Regular Burger | $4.99 | ~330 cal | 1/4 lb single patty |
| Big Double Burger | $5.49 | ~450 cal | Two 1/8 lb patties |
| Huge Burger | $5.69 | ~520 cal | 1/2 lb double patty |
Burger Patty Calories (bun and toppings not included)
Patty calories only. Bun adds ~120 cal. Style toppings add 100–240 cal on top of figures above.
Burger Styles – Preset Topping Combinations
| Style | Upcharge | +Cal. | Toppings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook Out Style | +$0.99 | +~130 | Chili, slaw, mustard, onion |
| Cheddar Style | +$1.49 | +~240 | Cheddar cheese, bacon, grilled onion, mayo |
| Out West Style | +$1.49 | +~210 | BBQ sauce, bacon, pickles, onion ring, mayo |
| Steak Style | +$0.99 | +~100 | A.1. Sauce, grilled onion, lettuce, tomato, mayo |
The chicken menu covers char grilled, breaded/fried, and wrap formats. The chargrilled breast is available in Original, BBQ, and Cajun preparations. The BBQ Sandwich uses chopped pork, not chicken.
| Item | Price | Calories | Prep Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken Breast | $4.85 | ~390 cal | Char grilled; Original, BBQ, or Cajun |
| Spicy Chicken Sandwich | $4.99 | ~450 cal | Breaded and fried fillet; lettuce, tomato, mayo |
| Chicken Strips (3 pcs) | $4.99 | ~660 cal | Fried tenders with dipping sauce of choice |
| Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap | $4.99–$5.49 | ~550 cal | Chicken breast, bacon, cheese, ranch in flour tortilla |
| BBQ Sandwich | $4.99 | ~370 cal | Chopped pork BBQ with coleslaw and Texas Pete |
Hot dogs range from a plain $1.99 option to fully loaded chili cheese builds. The corn dog battered and deep fried on a stick is also a valid Tray side pick, which makes it the lowest priced item available for that slot.
| Item | Price | Calories | Build |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Hot Dog | ~$1.99 | ~220 cal | Hot dog in bun; toppings on request |
| Chili Hot Dog | ~$2.49 | ~310 cal | Hot dog with Cook Out’s homemade chili |
| Chili Cheese Hot Dog | ~$2.79 | ~360 cal | Hot dog with chili and melted cheese sauce |
| Corn Dog | $1.99 | ~220 cal | Battered, fried hot dog on a stick; valid Tray side pick |
For all builds, nutrition, and ordering details, see the Cook Out Hot Dogs full guide.
The Cook Out sides menu includes 15+ items, from basic coleslaw and onion rings to quesadillas, bacon wraps, and walking tacos. All can be ordered individually or as Tray side picks at no upcharge.
| Side Item | Price | Cal. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Fries | $2.39 | ~350 | Fresh cut, skinon; Regular or Cajun at same price |
| Cheese Fries | $2.89–$3.55 | ~460 | Fries with melted cheese sauce |
| Chili Cheese Fries | $3.55 | ~460 | Fries with homemade chili and cheese sauce |
| Onion Rings | ~$2.39 | ~260 | Battered and fried; lowest calorie fried side |
| Cole Slaw | ~$1.99 | ~170 | Lowest calorie side pick; Southern style |
| Hush Puppies | $2.49 | ~590 | 10–12 deep fried cornmeal balls |
| White Cheddar Bites | $2.89 | ~590 | Deep fried white cheddar cheese curds |
| Chicken Quesadilla | $2.49 | ~440 | Diced chicken and cheese in a griddled flour tortilla |
| Bacon Wrap | $2.49–$2.99 | ~420 | Bacon, cheese, lettuce, ranch in flour tortilla; ~14g protein |
| Corn Dog | $1.99 | ~220 | Lowest priced Tray side pick |
| Walking Tacos | $2.99–$3.49 | ~450–550 | Fritos bag topped with chili, cheese, toppings |
Sides Calorie Comparison
All values are estimates for standard builds and vary by location.
Cook Out offers 40+ milkshake flavors across four categories. Any two flavors can be mixed at no extra charge. Shakes are blended thick and served with a spoon. Within a Cook Out Tray, the included drink can be upgraded to any milkshake for approximately $1.60 extra.
| Category | Price | Calories | Example Flavors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic & Fruit | $3.99 | 500–650 | Vanilla, Chocolate, Banana, Peach, Strawberry |
| Candy Bar | $3.99 | 700–1,000 | Reese’s Cup, Snickers, Heath, Kit Kat, M&M’s |
| Cheesecake | $3.99 | 700–950 | Blueberry, Strawberry, or Caramel Cheesecake |
| Specialty | $3.99 | 600–900 | Oreo Mint, Banana Pudding, Mocha, Peanut Butter Fudge |
Note: Some specialty or seasonal flavors may not be available at every location. Confirm with your local Cook Out before visiting if a specific flavor matters to you.
| Beverage | Price | Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet Tea | $2.19 | ~280 cal | Freshly brewed, not from concentrate; served in Huge size |
| Unsweet Tea | $2.19 | ~0 cal | Same freshly brewed tea, unsweetened |
| Fountain Soda | $2.39 | 0–290 cal | CocaCola products; Large or Huge size |
| Cheerwine Float | $2.89 | ~350 cal | North Carolina cherry soda with vanilla ice cream; regional item |
The table below compares calories, protein, fat, and sodium across commonly ordered Cook Out food items. All values are estimates for standard builds. For full breakdowns by category, see the Cook Out Nutrition Guide.
| Item | Calories | Protein | Fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Burger (plain) | ~450 | ~24g | ~22g | ~560mg |
| Grilled Chicken Breast | ~390 | ~35g | ~9g | ~680mg |
| Chicken Strips (3 pcs) | ~660 | ~40g | ~34g | ~1,200mg |
| BBQ Sandwich | ~370 | ~22g | ~10g | ~820mg |
| Bacon Wrap | ~420 | ~14g | ~28g | ~900mg |
| Regular Fries | ~350 | ~4g | ~18g | ~470mg |
| Onion Rings | ~260 | ~3g | ~13g | ~400mg |
| Cole Slaw | ~170 | ~1g | ~9g | ~210mg |
| Corn Dog | ~220 | ~6g | ~11g | ~480mg |
| Classic Milkshake | ~580 | ~10g | ~22g | ~290mg |
All values are estimates and vary by location, preparation, and portion size.
The Cook Out Tray format allows for significant variation in what a complete meal looks like. The table below shows five common configurations based on different priorities.
| Meal Goal | Entrée | Side 1 | Side 2 | Est. Cal. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Meal | Plain Hot Dog | Corn Dog | Cole Slaw | ~610 |
| Lower Calorie | Grilled Chicken Breast | Cole Slaw | Onion Rings | ~820 |
| High Protein | Chicken Strips | Bacon Wrap | Cajun Fries | ~1,430 |
| Classic Tray | Regular Burger | Cajun Fries | Cole Slaw | ~970 |
| Shareable / Group | Huge Burger | Large Fries | Walking Tacos | ~1,770 |
| Dietary Need | Suitable Items | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetarian | Fries, Cajun Fries, Onion Rings, Cole Slaw, Hush Puppies, Cheese Fries, White Cheddar Bites, Milkshakes | Fryer lines are shared; cross contamination possible |
| Vegan | Very limited Unsweet Tea; plain fries may apply depending on frying oil | Most sides contain dairy; verify with location |
| Gluten Free | No dedicated GF menu; grilled chicken and plain fries may apply | No GF buns or tortillas; shared fryers apply |
| Lower Calorie | Cole Slaw (~170 cal), Onion Rings (~260 cal), Grilled Chicken Breast (~390 cal) | Grilled chicken + slaw + unsweet tea = lowest calorie full Tray build |
For the full allergen breakdown by item, see the Cook Out Allergens Menu and the Cook Out Vegan Options page.
Cook Out does not publish an official secret menu. The items below are unofficial customizations combinations that customers regularly request by modifying existing menu items. Availability is not guaranteed and varies by location. Always confirm at the window before ordering.
| Item | How to Order |
|---|---|
| Banana Split Shake | Mix Banana + Pineapple + Strawberry + Chocolate in one Fancy Milkshake |
| Mexi Fries | Order large fries and ask for chili, cheese, Texas Pete, lettuce, and tomato added on top |
| Cheese Dog | Ask for a plain hot dog with liquid cheddar cheese sauce only |
| Side Only Order | Any Tray side corn dog, quesadilla, walking tacos can be ordered individually without buying a full Tray |
For more, see the Cook Out Secret Menu page.
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use the Tray format | If you are ordering an entrée, two sides, and a drink, the Tray price is almost always lower than ordering those components separately |
| Upgrade drink to milkshake | The +$1.60 milkshake upgrade inside a Tray replaces the included drink with any of 40+ shake flavors the lowest per unit cost for a Cook Out shake |
| Ask for Cajun fries instead of regular | Cajun seasoning is added after frying at no extra charge. The base fry and price are identical to a Regular order |
| Ask about sauce options | Cook Out Sauce, ranch, honey mustard, and BBQ sauce are available as free swaps or dipping sauces on most items not always listed on the board |
| Use both Tray side slots | You can choose two different sides or repeat the same side twice in a single Tray order |
| Customize the burger Style | Any burger can use a preset Style or be built with individual toppings on request. Styles are faster to order and typically cost less than adding each topping individually |
| Check milkshake flavor availability | Not all 40+ flavors are available at every location. If a specific flavor matters, call ahead or ask at the speaker before committing to the milkshake upgrade |
Common Ordering Mistakes
What is Cook Out most famous for?
Cook Out is known for three things: char grilled burgers cooked over an open flame, the Cook Out Tray bundled meal deal, and a milkshake menu with over 40 flavors that can be mixed in any combination at no extra cost.
Which Cook Out item has the most calories?
Among individual items, candy bar milkshakes can reach 1,000 calories, and the Huge Burger patty alone is approximately 520 calories before toppings or bun. A fully loaded Huge Burger with Cheddar Style toppings and a candy bar milkshake in a Tray can exceed 2,000 calories combined.
Which Cook Out item has the most protein?
Chicken Strips (3 pieces) contain approximately 40g of protein the highest protein entrée on the menu. Among side items, the Bacon Wrap has the highest protein at approximately 14g per wrap.
Can I customize every burger?
Yes. Any burger size can be ordered with individual toppings on request or with a preset Style Cook Out Style, Cheddar Style, Out West Style, or Steak Style. Styles are faster to order and are typically less expensive than adding each topping separately.
Are all menu items available at every Cook Out location?
Not always. Menu items, prices, and milkshake flavors can vary by location. Some seasonal or specialty items may not be available at all Cook Out restaurants. If a specific item matters to you, contact your local location before visiting.
Are prices the same in every state?
No. Cook Out sets prices at the individual location level. Prices vary between states and sometimes between locations in the same city. The prices throughout this guide are estimates reflecting the typical reported range your local menu board is the most accurate source.
Which side gives the best value?
The Corn Dog at $1.99 is the lowest priced side pick. Cajun Fries at $2.39 offer the same calories as Regular Fries at no extra cost. The Bacon Wrap at $2.49–$2.99 provides the highest protein of any Cook Out side item at approximately 14g per wrap.
Does Cook Out serve breakfast?
No. Cook Out does not have a breakfast menu. Most locations open between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM and serve the full menu all day until late at night.
Can you mix milkshake flavors?
Yes, at no extra charge. Two or three flavors can be blended together in a single shake. Any combination from the flavor menu is available on request.
What time does Cook Out close?
Hours vary by location. Many locations stay open until 3:00 AM or 4:00 AM on weekends. Check with your local location for current hours, or see our Cook Out Hours guide.
Can you swap the Tray drink for a milkshake?
Yes. Upgrading to any Fancy Milkshake costs approximately $1.60 extra. This upgrade is available on both the Junior and Regular Tray.
Does Cook Out accept Apple Pay or credit cards?
Most Cook Out locations accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and major credit and debit cards in addition to cash. A small number of older locations may be cash only.
What states have Cook Out locations?
Cook Out operates in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, and West Virginia. See the Cook Out Locations page for the full list.
Is the Cook Out Bacon Wrap an entrée or a side?
It is a side item. It can be selected as one of your two Tray side picks at no upcharge. See the Cook Out Bacon Wrap full guide for complete details.
- Cook Out Tray – Full Guide & Prices
- Cook Out Milkshakes – All 40+ Flavors
- Cook Out Burgers Menu
- Cook Out Sides Menu
- Cook Out Fries – Prices, Calories & Varieties
- Cook Out Bacon Wrap – Full Guide
- Cook Out Cajun Chicken – Full Guide
- Cook Out Walking Tacos – Full Guide
- Cook Out Hot Dogs – Full Guide
- Cook Out Secret Menu
- Cook Out Vegan Options
- Cook Out Allergens Menu
- Cook Out Locations
- Cook Out Delivery – DoorDash, Uber Eats & Grubhub
- Cook Out Nutrition Guide
All pricing, calorie, and nutrition figures on this page are estimates compiled from publicly available menu boards and nutrition data, reviewed periodically for accuracy. Exact prices, recipes, and calorie counts vary by Cook Out location and can change without notice. Always confirm current details at your local Cook Out before ordering, particularly if you are managing a specific dietary or allergen concern. For more on the rest of the menu, see our full Cook Out menu, sides menu, and Tray guide.