The Best Cookout Order Guide: What Locals Actually Get (2025)
The huge menu at Cookout can make your head spin. They serve everything from never-frozen hamburgers to fresh-made milkshakes, and the food arrives fresh each day. But not everything on their menu will blow you away. Finding the Best Cookout Order ensures that you get the most delicious and satisfying meal possible.
We tried 13 different items to help you find the Best Cookout Order. Our taste test covered their chicken quesadillas and strawberry cheesecake milkshakes. The results surprised us—some popular items didn’t taste as good as we expected.
This piece shows you what locals love and gives you tips to make your next Cookout visit better. You’ll get a full picture of their menu and learn which items deserve your attention to create the Best Cookout Order.
Cookout menu with latest prices 2025 order now.
Understanding Cookout’s Menu Structure
Cookout’s menu has a unique structure that makes ordering fun and easy on your wallet. You’ll find the menu organized into clear categories with char-grilled burgers, chicken options, BBQ plates, and their famous milkshakes.
Basic menu categories
Main entrées, sides, and beverages make up the menu’s core sections. Fresh, never-frozen burgers are the life-blood of their char-grilled selections. The menu also features BBQ sandwiches, crispy chicken options, and quesadillas. The sides range from classic french fries to unique options like white cheddar cheese bites.
Tray combinations explained
Cookout’s menu shines through its tray system. Each tray has one main entrée, two sides, and a beverage. This system stands out because you can customize your tray with over 54,000 different possible combinations. Customers can pick between regular and junior trays, with junior trays giving smaller portions at lower prices.
Price points and value options
The prices stay competitive at all Cookout locations. A standard tray costs between USD 5.99 and USD 7.99, based on where you are. Here’s how prices change by region:
| Region | Base Tray Price | With Milkshake Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | USD 5.99 | USD 7.49 |
| South Carolina | USD 6.19 | USD 7.69 |
| Georgia | USD 6.49 | USD 7.99 |
Adding a milkshake to your tray costs about USD 1.00 extra. The value becomes clear when you look at casual dining restaurants where similar meals cost USD 12.00 to USD 15.00.
Most Popular Tray Combinations
Cookout’s menu features countless tray combinations, but some choices are clear customer favorites. The Big Double Burger holds the #1 spot for most ordered item. Chicken Strips rank 8th in popularity.
The Classic Double Burger Tray
The Big Double Burger tray stands out with four distinct style options. The Cheddar Style combination is a masterpiece that blends cheese, bacon, grilled onions, and mayo. Many customers skip the simple options and go for the Out West Style, which adds BBQ sauce and pickles. The Steak Style version combines A1 sauce, lettuce, tomato, and grilled onions.
The tray prices show great value:
| Region | Base Tray Price |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | USD 5.99 |
| Georgia | USD 6.49 |
Chicken Strip Combo
The Chicken Strip tray puts a unique spin on comfort food. The careful preparation creates strips with a juicy, tender interior and crispy, seasoned exterior. Each order lets you choose from these signature sauces:
- BBQ sauce
- Cookout sauce
- Honey mustard
The preparation makes these strips special. They’re breaded and fried for exactly 6 minutes to achieve the perfect balance of crunch and tenderness. The 26-minute total prep time helps maintain consistent quality.
Most customers choose either cajun fries or white cheddar cheese bites with their strips. Some customers discovered a tasty hack – they open the quesadillas and wrap them around the chicken strips.
The strips go through a precise cooking process that takes 20 minutes to prepare and 6 minutes to cook. This attention to detail keeps them ranked among Cookout’s best menu items.
Local Favorites by Region
Regional priorities shape the diverse menu offerings at Cookout locations in states of all sizes. The chain started in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1989 and has grown to over 270 restaurants across ten states.
Southern signature picks
Cookout’s menu draws its soul from Southern roots. Their Carolina-style BBQ sandwich shows evidence of authentic Southern flavors with finely chopped pork topped with homemade slaw and hot sauce. Sweet tea remains non-negotiable for Southern customers seeking their favorite beverage.
East Coast priorities
East Coast Cookout restaurants serve distinctly different regional tastes compared to their Southern counterparts. Menu items vary by location, with each spot offering unique specialties:
| Region | Signature Items |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | [Cheerwine soda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Out_(restaurant), BBQ plates |
| Virginia | Hot dogs with regional toppings |
| Maryland | Wings-focused combinations |
Regional specialties
Each region proudly serves its own special menu items. Some locations feature fried okra and white cheddar cheese bites among other options, and tacos have joined the menu recently. The restaurant’s steadfast dedication to regional tastes shows in their side options:
- Southern locations emphasize hushpuppies and BBQ plates
- Coastal areas offer seafood-inspired items
- Western locations feature spicier variations
Menu adaptability reflects in their operating hours. Most locations stay open until 2:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and extend to 3:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. This flexibility, combined with region-specific offerings, helps Cookout maintain its position as a beloved fast-food chain in locations of all types.
Fresh burger meat arrives daily at every location, ensuring consistent quality whatever the regional variations. Strategic collaborations with local beverage companies, such as featuring Cheerwine, a cherished North Carolina soda, demonstrate their commitment to regional authenticity.
Ultimate Milkshake Guide
Cookout’s milkshakes are the life-blood of their dessert menu with over 40 flavors. These thick, creamy treats need a spoon instead of a straw and taste nothing like regular fast-food shakes.
Top 3 year-round flavors
Three flavors stand out based on customer feedback and sales data. The Banana Pudding shake brings authentic Southern dessert flavors to life by mixing real banana chunks with vanilla wafers. This creation strikes a perfect balance between its creamy texture and crunchy cookie pieces.
The Oreo shake holds the second spot and comes packed with crushed cookies throughout. Customers love that they can ask for extra cookie pieces, even though the standard recipe already has plenty of cookies mixed in.
The Reese’s Cup shake rounds out the top three with its rich blend of chocolate and peanut butter. Crushed Reese’s pieces spread throughout the shake create a delicious mix of salty and sweet flavors.
Seasonal specials worth trying
The menu changes with the seasons as Cookout brings unique flavors throughout the year. Here’s the best time to try these limited-time treats:
| Season | Special Flavor | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Fresh Watermelon | July-August |
| Winter | Fresh Eggnog | December |
| Fall | Pumpkin Pie | October |
The Fresh Watermelon shake hits the menu in July and August with real watermelon pieces that taste like summer in a cup. The Pumpkin Pie shake shows up as fall begins, mixing actual pie pieces that create beautiful swirls of filling and crust throughout.
The Fresh Eggnog shake arrives with winter and captures the essence of holiday flavors. This seasonal favorite stays exceptionally thick and blends with the vanilla soft serve base while showcasing traditional holiday spices.
These shakes are a great way to get more than just different flavors – they make the best Cookout orders even better. Knowing how to mix and match flavors opens up 1,081 unique combinations, and each visit is a chance to find your next favorite blend.
Insider Ordering Tips
Become skilled at ordering at Cookout and you’ll discover delicious possibilities beyond the standard menu. We focused on knowing how to customize orders to get exactly what you want and maximize value.
How to customize any order
Cookout lets you customize extensively. You can mix multiple shake flavors in a single order. Create unique combinations like the banana pudding shake with walnuts and chocolate chips that tastes exactly like banana bread. You can also get Nilla wafers in any shake flavor by asking for it “cobbler style”.
To name just one example, see these value-maximizing options for tray orders:
- Replace standard sides with a grilled cheese sandwich
- Add bacon and grilled onions to your fries
- Request Cajun seasoning on any side at no extra charge
Secret menu hacks
You’ll find hidden gems if you know what to ask for. Here’s a curated selection of secret menu items and their availability:
| Secret Item | Description | How to Order |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese Dog | Two slices of cheese, chili, slaw, onion in a hot dog bun | Ask for “Cheese Dog Special” |
| Loaded Fries | Fries with melted cheese and bacon | Request “Loaded Style” |
| Mexi Dog | Hot dog with cheddar, chili, Texas Pete, diced onion | Order “Mexi Style” |
Most locations can prepare these items even though they don’t appear on the menu board. You can add an extra slice of cheesecake to any shake for USD 1.99.
Best times to visit
The right timing will improve your Cookout experience. Most locations stay open until 3 AM or later. This makes Cookout perfect for late-night cravings.
These timing tips will help you plan better:
- Late Night Service: Many locations operate until 2:30 AM Sunday through Thursday, extending to 3:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays
- Peak Hours: Lunch rushes happen between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM
- Value Times: Early afternoon and late evening usually offer quicker service
Note that these insider tips help with customizing orders:
- Request a clean spinner for your shake if desired
- Ask for shakes made with the thinner side if you prefer that consistency
- Combine BBQ tray with sandwich slaw on the side for a plate-style experience
You can substitute items for extra slaw, fries, or hushpuppies on BBQ plates. This flexibility helps create your perfect meal while keeping Cookout’s great value.
Conclusion
We really dug into Cookout’s menu and found that mixing local favorites with smart customization gives you the best experience. The tray system is an amazing deal, especially if you know some insider tricks. You can upgrade your sides to grilled cheese or add Cajun seasoning without paying extra.
The Big Double Burger remains a crowd favorite, but each region has its own must-try specialties. Southern locations shine with their Carolina-style BBQ. East Coast spots put their own regional spin on classic items.
Their milkshake menu is impressive. Instead of going with simple flavors, you can create custom combinations. Try mixing banana pudding with walnuts or ask for any shake “cobbler style” with Nilla wafers. These unique combinations make every visit different.
Late evening visits usually mean shorter wait times and fresher food. You’ll keep coming back to Cookout because they serve quality food at great prices, whether you stick to classic tray combinations or try something from the secret menu.
FAQs
Q1. What are the most popular items to order at Cookout?
The Big Double Burger is the #1 most ordered item, followed by Chicken Strips. Other popular choices include the Carolina-style BBQ sandwich and various milkshake flavors like Banana Pudding, Oreo, and Reese’s Cup.
Q2. How does Cookout’s tray system work?
Cookout’s tray system includes one main entrée, two sides, and a beverage. Customers can choose from over 54,000 possible combinations, with options to customize their tray. Prices typically range from $5.99 to $7.99, depending on the location.
Q3. Are there any secret menu items at Cookout?
Yes, Cookout has several secret menu items. Some examples include the Cheese Dog Special (two slices of cheese, chili, slaw, onion in a hot dog bun), Loaded Fries (fries with melted cheese and bacon), and the Mexi Dog (hot dog with cheddar, chili, Texas Pete, diced onion).
Q4. What are some insider tips for ordering at Cookout?
Some insider tips include: asking for Cajun seasoning on any side at no extra charge, replacing standard sides with a grilled cheese sandwich, and requesting shakes to be made “cobbler style” with Nilla wafers. You can also mix multiple shake flavors in a single order for unique combinations.
Q5. Does Cookout offer seasonal menu items?
Yes, Cookout offers seasonal milkshake flavors throughout the year. Some examples include Fresh Watermelon (available July-August), Pumpkin Pie (available in October), and Fresh Eggnog (available in December). These limited-time specialties complement their year-round menu offerings.
