Cook Out is famous for its char grilled flavors, affordable pricing, and massive variety. From burgers and BBQ to milkshakes and sides, Cook Out offers one of the most customizable fast food menus in the USA. Below is a complete breakdown of Cookout food items, including prices, calorie estimates, and category explanations to help you choose the best meal.
The Famous Cook Out Tray
The Cook Out Tray is the most iconic value meal in the fast food industry, offering a massive amount of food for a single flat price. It allows guests to combine a heavy duty main course with two distinct sides and a large beverage or milkshake.
| Tray Option | Est. Price | Calories (Est.) | Included Items |
| Junior Tray | $6.39 | 600 – 1,100 | Small entrée, 2 sides, and a drink. |
| Regular Tray | $7.39 | 800 – 1,600 | Large entrée, 2 sides, and a drink. |
| Milkshake Upgrade | +$1.60 | +300 – 500 | Swap the drink for any of the 40+ shake flavors. |
Char-Grilled Hamburgers
Cookout burgers are famous for their authentic backyard flavor, as every patty is cooked over an open flame rather than a flat top grill. They come in four sizes to fit any appetite, ranging from the snack sized Small to the half pound Huge burger.
| Burger Size | Est. Price | Calories (Patty) | Portion Size |
| 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 |
Signature Burger Styles
Instead of choosing individual toppings, most customers select a Style to customize their burger with a pre set combination of ingredients. These styles range from the chili heavy Cook Out Style to the bacon and BBQ infused Out West Style.
| Style Name | Est. Price | Added Calories | Main Toppings |
| Cook Out Style | +$0.99 | +130 cal | Chili, slaw, mustard, and onion. |
| Cheddar Style | +$1.49 | +240 cal | Cheddar cheese, bacon, grilled onion, and mayo. |
| Out West Style | +$1.49 | +210 cal | BBQ sauce, bacon, pickles, onion ring, and mayo. |
| Steak Style | +$0.99 | +100 cal | A.1. Sauce, grilled onion, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. |
Chicken & Specialty Sandwiches
The chicken menu offers a variety of preparations, including char grilled breasts for a lighter meal and crispy breaded fillets for a more indulgent sandwich. The chicken wraps and North Carolina style BBQ pork round out the non beef options.
| Item Name | Est. Price | Calories | Style / Preparation |
| Grilled Chicken Breast | $4.85 | 390 cal | Available in Original, BBQ, or Cajun. |
| Spicy Chicken Sandwich | $4.99 | 450 cal | Breaded fillet with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. |
| Chicken Strips (3 pcs) | $4.99 | 660 cal | Fried tenders served with choice of sauce. |
| BBQ Sandwich | $4.99 | 370 cal | Chopped pork BBQ with slaw and Texas Pete. |
Sides & Snacks
Cook Out is unique for its side menu, which includes items like corn dogs and quesadillas that are typically served as main dishes elsewhere. These can be ordered individually or used as the two side components of a Cook Out Tray.
| Side Item | Est. Price | Calories | Notable Details |
| French Fries | $2.49 | 350 cal | Available Regular or Cajun seasoned. |
| Hushpuppies | $2.49 | 260 cal | 10-12 crispy, deep-fried cornmeal balls. |
| White Cheddar Bites | $2.89 | 590 cal | Deep-fried white cheddar cheese curds. |
| Chicken Quesadilla | $2.49 | 440 cal | Diced chicken and cheese in a flour tortilla. |
| Corn Dog | $1.99 | 220 cal | Classic battered and fried hot dog on a stick. |
Fancy Milkshakes
The dessert menu features over 40 flavors of Fancy Milkshakes that are so thick they are famously served with a spoon. You can mix any two flavors together for free to create your own custom dessert combination.
| Flavor Category | Est. Price | Calories | Examples |
| Classic/Fruit | $3.99 | 500 – 650 | Banana, Peach, Strawberry, Vanilla. |
| Candy Bar | $3.99 | 700 – 1,000 | Reese’s Cup, Snickers, Heath, M&M’s. |
| Cheesecake | $3.99 | 700 – 950 | Blueberry, Strawberry, or Caramel Cheesecake. |
| Specialty | $3.99 | 600 – 900 | Oreo Mint, Mocha, Banana Pudding. |
Beverages & Floats
To wash down the heavy meals, the beverage menu focuses on Southern staples like freshly brewed sweet tea and unique soda options. The Cheerwine Float is a particular local favorite, featuring North Carolina’s famous cherry flavored soda.
| Beverage | Est. Price | Calories | Sizes |
| Freshly Brewed Tea | $2.19 | 0 – 280 | Available Sweet or Unsweet in “Huge” size. |
| Fountain Soda | $2.39 | 0 – 290 | Large or Huge Coca-Cola products. |
| Cheerwine Float | $2.89 | 350 cal | Cheerwine soda with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. |
Cook Out Secret Menu & Popular Hacks
Hidden Combinations & Customizations
While there isn’t an official hidden menu printed in the back, the highly customizable nature of Cook Outs kitchen allows for some legendary secret items. Most of these hacks involve mixing milkshake flavors or adding specific toppings to standard menu items to create something new.
| Secret Item | Est. Price | Calories (Est.) | How to Order / Description |
| Banana Split Shake | $3.99 | 600 – 800 cal | Order a Fancy Milkshake with Banana, Pineapple, Strawberry, and Chocolate mixed. |
| PB&J Milkshake | $3.99 | 750 – 900 cal | Ask for a Peanut Butter shake mixed with Walnut (or just fruit) to mimic the nuttiness and jam. |
| The “Tray Side” Hack | $1.99 | 200 – 400 cal | You can order any Side item (like a Corn Dog or Quesadilla) individually for a cheap snack without buying a whole tray. |
| BLT Sandwich | $2.99 | 350 – 450 cal | It’s not always on the board, but you can usually order a BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato) on a bun with mayo. |
| Mexi-Fries | $3.49 | 500+ cal | Order large fries and ask for them Mexi Style (Chili, cheese, texas pete, lettuce, and tomato). |
| Cheese Dog | $1.99 | 280 cal | A hot dog topped simply with liquid cheddar cheese (ask for a hot dog with just cheese sauce). |
Why Cookout Food Items Are So Popular
Cook Out stands out due to its low prices, large portions, late night hours, and customization options. Whether you want a quick snack or a full meal, Cook Out offers flexibility that few fast food chains match.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Cook Out serve breakfast?
No, Cook Out generally does not serve a dedicated breakfast menu. They open for lunch (usually around 10:30 AM or 11:00 AM) and serve the full menu all day.
How many milkshake flavors can I mix?
You can mix as many flavors as you want! Most people mix 2 or 3 flavors (e.g., Chocolate + Peanut Butter). There is usually no extra charge for mixing.
What time does Cook Out close?
Cook Out is famous for its late-night hours. Most locations are open until 3:00 AM or 4:00 AM on weekends, making it a popular spot for late-night food.
Do they take Apple Pay?
Yes, most modern Cook Out locations accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and major credit/debit cards, in addition to cash.
Can I swap my drink for a shake in a Tray?
Yes! This is the most popular upgrade. For a small fee (usually around $1.60), you can replace the tea/soda in your tray with any Fancy Milkshake.
Are there vegetarian options?
Yes. The Cheese Quesadilla, Hushpuppies, Fries, Onion Rings, Fried Cheese Bites, and Milkshakes are vegetarian friendly.
Final Thoughts
Cookout food items offer something for everyone from flame grilled burgers and Southern BBQ to indulgent milkshakes and sides. With affordable prices and extended hours, Cook Out remains a top choice for fast food lovers across the USA.