When I say there’s a magic kingdom in the Southeastern United States, I’m not talking about Disneyland. Instead, I envision a different kind of fantasy wonderland, one where you can order corn dogs and milkshakes as sides for your hamburger while spending under $10 for the whole shebang. But just like Disneyland, the place I’m picturing is real.
When content creator Ellis Flurry (@ellisflurry) shared a clip declaring that a new-to-me fast food chain is the “most innovative restaurant of all time,” I paused for a second. But it was Flurry’s explanation that this restaurant “asks a simple question: What if an entrée could be a side?” that sparked my internet deep dive into the world of Cook Out.
Regional chain Cook Out offers unexpected combinations of fast food items — like a burger with a chicken wrap as your side — and prices that blow national competitors out of the water. As one commenter notes on Flurry’s reel, “Cook Out is one of the few places left where you can eat like a king for like $10.”
Since opening its first location in North Carolina in 1989, Cook Out has expanded to include over 250 restaurants across 10 states in the Southeast, with plans to open its first Florida locations soon. The chain was founded by Morris Reaves — whose son Jeremy is the current CEO — and it remains privately owned today.
You won’t find indoor seating at most Cook Out locations; instead, its restaurants are usually outfitted with two separate drive-thru lanes and a walk-up window. While the dual drive-thru system is already distinctive, it’s not the most exciting thing you’ll see there.
The menu structure is what really sets this regional favorite apart. Cook Out is known for its “trays,” a signature combo deal that starts with choosing your preferred burger, barbecued pork (by itself or as a sandwich), chicken strips, two hot dogs, two quesadillas with chicken or beef, or one of several other entrée options.
That’s just the start. Next, you’ll pick two sides. These could include a bacon wrap, chicken nuggets, a chicken wrap, an entire corn dog, fries, hush puppies, onion rings, and more. You can select two different sides or decide to “double up,” a decision that will get you two orders of your favorite side. This means you could have two corn dogs — my dream — or an entrée-sized portion of french fries, as Flurry points out.
Of course, your tray also includes a drink. You could choose a standard large fountain drink or a “huge tea,” but why settle for those when you could have a Coke or Cheerwine float made with vanilla soft serve instead, at no extra cost? The latter will give you an extra taste of North Carolina flavor; Cheerwine is a non-alcoholic, cherry-flavored soft drink that’s been made in the state since 1917.
Prices for a regular tray may vary between locations, but they’ll typically run between $6 to $8. (I’ve often seen prices like $6.39 and $7.99 quoted for the combo.)
As a point of comparison, if I ordered a Quarter Pounder meal (the same size burger you’ll get at Cook Out) from my nearest McDonald’s in New York City, it would cost $12.79, and that only includes one side of french fries. The exact cost will vary depending on location, but you’ll likely see a Quarter Pounder meal fall between $10.49 and $12.29 at most locations.
No matter which way you slice it, that’s a better deal for more food — and more options — at Cook Out. And if you have an extra $1.60 or so while there, you can swap your drink for one of the chain’s most famous items, a selection from its long list of milkshake flavors.
