Cook Out menu explained in one line: always order the tray (1 main + 2 sides + drink, $7.39), always upgrade the drink to a shake (+$1.00–$1.60), and remember wraps & quesadillas count as sides. Below: the best Cook Out menu items ranked by regulars — build any of them in the tray builder.
#1The Classic — Big Double Tray + Oreo Shake
Big Double (311) + Cajun fries (347) + hushpuppies (300) + Oreo shake (802). The definitive first-timer order — see all shakes →
#2The Carolina — BBQ Tray Cook Out Style
BBQ sandwich (368) + slaw + fries + Huge Tea. Eastern-NC chopped pork with Texas Pete — BBQ menu →
#3The Crispy — 3 Strips Tray + Peach Cobbler Shake
Strips (660) + onion rings (128) + cheese bites (150) + Peach Cobbler shake (790). Crunch lovers only — chicken menu →
#4The Dog Double — 2 Cook Out Style Dogs Tray
Two loaded dogs (766) + Cajun fries + corn dog side + Cheerwine. Maximum food, minimum dollars — hot dogs →
#5The Wrap Hack — Quesadilla Tray + Ranch Wrap Sides
2 chicken quesadillas (898) + ranch wrap (522) + bacon ranch wrap (419). Four tortillas, one tray. Legendary — wraps →
#6The Lightweight — Grilled Chicken Mini Tray
Char-grilled chicken (377) + onion rings (128) + chili (164) + unsweet tea (0). Proof the tray can be light — nutrition →
#7The Shake Flight Mentality — Cajun Chicken + Banana Pudding
Cajun chicken sandwich (377) + fries + slaw + Banana Pudding shake (781). Sweet heat meets Southern dessert — shakes →
#8The Kids Win — Jr. Tray, Corn Dog Edition
Corn dog (220) + nuggets side (144) + fries (347) + Hi-C. The cook out menu for kids, solved — full kids guide →
#9The Cheeseburger Deluxe — Cheddar Style Tray
Cheddar Style burger (561) + onion rings + hushpuppies + Huge Tea. Bacon + cheddar + grilled onions — burgers →
#10The Nightcap — Cheerwine Float + Cheese Bites
Cheerwine Float (401) + full cheese bites (299). The 2 AM drive-thru order — drinks →
More Ideas
🏆Top 5 Shakes, Ranked
- 1. Oreo (802) — the undisputed king
- 2. Banana Pudding (781) — cult classic
- 3. Peanut Butter Fudge (765) — top-5 chainwide
- 4. Peach Cobbler (790) — dessert squared
- 5. Reese's Cup (894) — richest of them all
💲Cheapest Full Meals
- Jr. Tray $6.39 — cheapest complete meal
- Corn dog + fries — under $4.50 DIY
- Cheese quesadilla $2.29 — cheapest hot item
- Any shake $3.99 — 32 oz of happiness
🥗Low-Calorie Builds
- Small burger tray ≈ 540 cal with rings + chili + unsweet tea
- Grilled chicken tray ≈ 670 cal with rings + chili + unsweet tea
- Fresh Banana shake (538) — lightest shake
- Full data: nutrition table
🏡 Planning a Backyard Cookout Instead?
Same words, different event. If your search for cookout menu ideas meant a party at home, use our backyard planners — full menus, shopping lists and estimated calories: Summer Cookout Menu · Memorial Day Cookout Menu · Labor Day Cookout Menu Ideas. Or feed the yard with $7.39 trays and skip the dishes entirely.
FAQs
What is the best thing to order at Cook Out?
The Big Double tray with Cajun fries, hushpuppies and an Oreo shake (~$8.99) — the most-ordered combo chainwide. BBQ trays and 3-strip trays round out the top 3.
What makes the Cook Out menu unique?
Three things: the tray (a full meal under $8), 46 hand-spun $3.99 shakes, and real Carolina BBQ at drive-thru prices — all served till 3:30 AM.
What should kids order at Cook Out?
The Jr. Tray ($6.39): corn dog, nuggets or small burger + 2 sides + drink. Simple, cheap, huge portions for little appetites.