Searching for the cook out menu NC? You're on home turf. Cook Out was founded in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1989 by Morris Reaves, is headquartered in Thomasville, and still runs 130+ NC stores — roughly 4 in 10 of all Cook Outs. From Charlotte, Raleigh and Durham to Winston-Salem, Asheville, Wilmington and Fayetteville, North Carolina boards commonly show the chain's benchmark 2026 prices: Regular Tray $7.39 · Jr. Tray $6.39 · every shake $3.99. This is also the spiritual home of the Eastern-NC chopped pork BBQ sandwich (368 cal) and the Cheerwine-and-sweet-tea tray ritual. Most NC stores run 10:30 AM – 3:00/3:30 AM (later Friday–Saturday) and are drive-thru + walk-up window only.
Find a Cook Out in NC (Official Site) ↗ Cook Out near me (Google Maps) ↗
🕒 Typical Cook Out hours: 10:30 AM – 3:00/3:30 AM. Hours vary by store — confirm before a late-night run.
Cook Out Menu Prices in NC (2026)
Typical 2026 board prices — click any row for full nutrition. The full 102-item menu lives on the category pages.
| Popular item | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Cook Out Tray | $7.39 | Varies |
| Junior Cook Out Tray | $6.39 | Varies |
| Big Double Burger | $3.99 | 311 cal |
| Chopped Pork BBQ Sandwich | $4.99 | 368 cal |
| Chicken Strips (3 pc) | $4.29 | 660 cal |
| Cook Out Style Hot Dog | $2.99 | 383 cal |
| Cajun Fries | $2.39 | 347 cal |
| Hushpuppies (Side) | $1.99 | 300 cal |
| Oreo Milkshake | $3.99 | 802 cal |
| Huge Fresh-Brewed Sweet Tea | $2.39 | 330 cal |
See everything → Cook Out menu with prices 2026 · Tray menu & builder · 46 shakes · Calories table · Download menu PDF
Best Orders in NC
#1The Carolina Original — BBQ Tray
Chopped pork BBQ sandwich (368) + hushpuppies + Cajun fries + Huge Sweet Tea. The order NC invented. BBQ menu →
#2The Triad Classic — Big Double Tray + Cheerwine
Big Double (311) + fries (347) + onion rings (128) + Cheerwine. Salisbury-born soda meets Greensboro-born tray. Build it →
#3The College-Town Nightcap — Oreo Shake Run
A 32 oz Oreo shake at 2 AM is an NC rite of passage in Raleigh, Durham, Greenville and Boone. All 46 shakes →
🏠Founded in Greensboro (1989)
Morris Reaves opened the first Cook Out on Randleman Road, Greensboro. The chain is still privately owned by the Reaves family and HQ'd in Thomasville, NC.
💲NC Prices Set the Benchmark
Dated NC boards are the reference for this whole guide: Regular Tray $7.39, Jr. Tray $6.39, shakes $3.99. Sales tax varies by county.
🍖BBQ Country Rules
Eastern-style vinegar-kissed chopped pork with slaw and Texas Pete. Lexington-style fans: the tray lets you add red slaw vibes with extra hushpuppies instead.
FAQs
How much is a Cook Out tray in NC?
Expect the Regular Tray around $7.39 and the Jr. Tray around $6.39 before tax in 2026 — Cook Out is company-owned (no franchises), so prices stay steadier than most chains, but always confirm on the board at your NC store.
What time does Cook Out close in NC?
Most NC Cook Outs close at 3:00–3:30 AM (up to 4:00 AM Friday–Saturday) and open at 10:30 AM. College-town stores often run the latest — confirm your store on the official locator.
Is the Cook Out menu the same in NC as everywhere else?
Yes — the same trays, char-grilled burgers, Carolina chopped BBQ, hot dogs, chicken and 46 shakes ($3.99) chainwide. Only prices, hours and seasonal shakes (Fresh Watermelon, Eggnog) can vary by store.
Where was the first Cook Out in NC?
Greensboro — the chain was founded there in 1989 by Morris Reaves. North Carolina remains its biggest state with 130+ stores and its Thomasville headquarters.