Cook Out Restaurant Review »
The Cook Out is an interesting beast because no one can seem to figure out where they're based. I've heard reports that they are out of Greensboro (NC), but they don't seem to have a web site at this writing, and it just doesn't seem to be anything that anyone can verify.
Nonetheless, the company is doing something right. Their down-home style, the original hamburgers "cooked outdoors style", the 36 "creamery" premium milkshakes and the retro styling of the building has kept the double drive-thru near our house hopping since they opened nearly six months ago.
My only complaint is that the milkshakes are more like a soft-serve sundae. Nothing wrong with that, mind you, it just makes it hard to drink through the straw. The flavor is stll quite good, you understand. It's just better eaten with a spoon.
As to the food, it's good. I'm not a huge fan of burgers, so it's tough to judge, but I've been happy enough with what I've had to eat, and the family seems to be okay with what they have had as well. Not earth-shattering, but not bad either. Probably worth checking out the next time you're driving by one.
Comments (63)
I love Cook Out but my only complaint is that they don't have a takeout menu. It's impossible to read the drive up board and order quickly.
Posted by Jack Stevenson on April 20, 2006 1:51 PM
Just wanted to let you know... in Raleigh, off 540 on Hwy 70, across from the Angus Barn, is a small strip mall with an office called "Cookout Headquarters". I think that's the main office. Ever since they discontinued my favorite shake (ChocoChunk), I think about storming in there and demanding it's return. :)
Posted by Grace on April 23, 2006 6:55 PM
Good point, Jack. I've had that thought before and I often use the walk-up window. There's just far too much pressure to try and figure out what you want.
Grace, I didn't have the chance to try the ChocoChunk. But I'll keep my eyes peeled for it. Of course, I'm not sure if I'd notice it on that menu, but still...
Posted by Chad Everett on April 27, 2006 12:31 PM
Cookout corporate headquarters are at 5505-D Adams Farm Ln in Greensboro. They may be reached by telephone at 336-547-0011.
Posted by Anonymous on May 3, 2006 4:28 PM
I love the cook out and so does my family. The shakes are the bomb!! :) I also love the cheddar stlye grilled chicken sandwich.
But most of all I love the price. It isn't even fast food. It is real food, a real chicken breast.
BUT I WILL NEVER GO TO THE ONE ON ALBERMARLE ROAD AGAIN THE SERVICE IS ALWAYS TERRIBLE ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR ORDER. SUGAR CREEK IS MY FAVORITE.
I live on Davidson and there are two closer locations to my house. But I always go to Sugar Creek it is a longer drive but my food is right everytime and the service is GREAT!!! :)
Posted by Cassandra on July 2, 2006 9:30 PM
Thanks, Cassandra - good tip. We'll have to check out the one on Sugar Creek!
Posted by Chad Everett on July 5, 2006 9:04 AM
I first discovered this place in Fayetteville, NC when I moved South of the Mason-Dixon from PA. I now live in Raleigh and was pleased to find several here. I thought it was a one-off deal. The burgers are juicy and grease laden, exactly what would come off my backyard grill. Definitely not what you want to be scarfing down daily, but they're absolutely delicious and perfect for the price.
Posted by Jason on July 21, 2006 9:36 PM
Dittoes to the guy who can't find the headquarters of this burger bonanza business. I want to open one on fast food row in Fayetteville, but to whom do I write the check? Another curious thing is when I order a HAMburger, they ALWAYS ask me if I want cheese on it. I say "No, I would have said CHEESEburger if that were the case"...in a polite way of course.
Posted by craig on July 26, 2006 8:57 PM
Just an FYI....Cook-out is a Florida based company.
Posted by That Girl on July 28, 2006 6:44 PM
Anyone know whether there are any locations in Georgia/Atlanta? Thanks!
Posted by tolar on July 30, 2006 11:49 PM
I don't see any evidence anywhere that says that Cook-Out is Florida based.
Posted by J-ME on August 7, 2006 6:46 PM
Cook Out began several years ago in Greensboro NC. They have no locations outside of NC. Their main office remains in Greensboro. Interesting that you would post "no one can seem to figure out where they're based". Just ask an employee of the restaurant. Surely they look at their paychecks and know where they come from. Anyway, Cook Out has the best burgers around, but they need to give referrals to local cardiologists with every meal. Nothing healthy there, but it sure is good on the way down!
Posted by Tim Flowers on August 12, 2006 12:24 PM
Cook Out is based in Greensboro, NC not in Florida. I have contacted them about franchising, but sadly they do not. They own all of the restaurants. In the event that they ever decide to do so, I will be one of the first to sign up. You can't beat them for the price or the taste of burgers/dogs cooked over an open flame just as you would at home.
Posted by MP on August 12, 2006 6:21 PM
They're based in Greensboro NC my husband actually been there.
Posted by Chris on August 14, 2006 7:40 AM
A highschool friend of mine applied for a manager position a few years back. The 23 year old owner asked him to be his procurer instead. He's now the HR director.
Posted by Eric on August 21, 2006 11:26 PM
This place is the bomb! I eat there sometimes two times a day. We have one in Burlington and the lines at 3am are out in the street.
I get the same thing everytime I go....Hugeburger Cheddar Style, Bacon Cheddar Dog, Onion Rings, and an Oreo Mint shake...$9.37.
I've tried just about everything on their menu and have NEVER been dissapointed.
Posted by Pusha T on August 27, 2006 7:34 PM
Chicken sandwich tray with hush puppies and fries, with that Oreo shake... mmmm... Cook Out is definitely one of NC's treasures.
Posted by cyntific on August 29, 2006 3:19 PM
I don't know what is happening with their milkshakes but it sure has turned me off. The last time there I ordered a peanut fudge shake. It had no taste and I found a hard brown spot in the bottom of the cup. I should have taken it back but decided not to go back myself.
Posted by James P. Utley, Jr. on September 2, 2006 10:48 PM
Cook Out is great and has a variety. The only thing is my order is wrong and I think I was over-charged. I called 2 different numbers and they both were disconnected. What is the correct phone number? I dialed 704-569-0473 and 568-1202 which was in the phone book and receipt.
Posted by lesh on September 3, 2006 1:36 PM
They don't have one in my hometown of Lumberton, NC but every Tuesday night after bowling in Fayetteville we go to it!
Posted by Craig on October 12, 2006 12:00 AM
Actually, our checks in Boone indeed come from Florida. However, Cook Out began in Greensboro, NC thanks to an employee that had been working at Wendy's but wasn't satisfied with the way things were done, so he opened Cook Out.
The only reason our checks come from Florida is outsourcing, though. I'm sure the main office isn't "officey" enough to have an accountant that can do 20ish stores worth of paychecks, so outsourcing is the better option.
In any case, thanks for the article, Cassandra, I'm glad you like Cook Out's food!
Posted by Wes (Cook Out Boone Employee) on October 15, 2006 7:52 AM
I LOVE COOKOUT... YOU CAN SOMETIMES JUST TASTE THE BURGER AND MILKSHAKE AS YOU THINK ABOUT IT.... OMG I WANT SOME NOW!
Posted by Me on December 27, 2006 1:56 AM
Ok, so I am a manager at Cook Out.
Our home office is in Daytona Beach, Florida. Our HR office is in greensboro, simply because no one wants to fly to NC just to do an interview.
Our Owners are Jeremy and Morris Reaves. Jeremy lives in North Carolina. Morris lives in Florida with his wife Kathy who is the office manager. Some stores are better than others, because you have managers that care and others that don't.
As for locations... as of today there are 39 all over NC... Keep looking in your area, we have 8 new stores going up in the next few months. Sunset and Sharon Amity in Charlotte opened a few months ago, and we have Lincolnton, Gastonia (2), and several more in the Charlotte area.
Want one in your area? Write it on a paper with your name and phone number and address the letter to Jeremy Reaves and give to any manager at any location. Jeremy would love your comments.
Posted by mitzi on February 22, 2007 9:29 PM
LOVE Cook Out! Whenever family visits from out-of-state they have to get their "cook-out fix". Would love Cook Out to have a website with nutrition info posted - I probably don't want to know, but need to!!!
Posted by Melissa on March 2, 2007 6:21 AM
I live in Asheville, NC. Where is the closest Cook Out restaurant, and can I ever hope to see one in Asheville?
Posted by Carlene Spreeman on March 8, 2007 1:21 PM
There is a brand new empty Sonic building in Biscoe, NC. with a children's playground. I would love to see Cook-Out set up there. Sonic was in business there for only about a year. My opinion as to why it shut down is because the prices were too high for food that wasn't that good. Biscoe is a small, but rapidly growing little town and I believe Cook-Out would do great there. There is no competition to worry about as far as the milkshakes go. I mean look at how many flavors Cookout offers. Behind the shutdown Sonic is a Walmart, McDonalds, Cato, Radio Shack, Movie Gallery, Shoe Show, and Subway. And then there is a Hardee's about a mile from there. And that is about it for Biscoe. So it's not much competition, and yet at the same time, there is enough other stuff to keep it in business for a small town of Biscoe. The Walmart there is doing great and the other businesses are also. So I think Cookout would too. The location and size of the recently closed Sonic would be perfect for Cookout. I really hope Cookout considers that and hope they come to town. We love Cookout!
Posted by Carrie Monroe on March 8, 2007 2:34 PM
Mitzi...i have been trying to contact anyone at either the Daytona or Greensboro office for over a month now. No one will return my calls. Albeit it is for a business proposal.....but I think I should be able to get someone on the phone.
Is there anyone at the Greensboro office below the owners that I may be able to get a hold of? Just looking for a name....
Posted by matt on March 14, 2007 11:04 AM
cookout needs to build in wilmington, NC. They would do so well with all of the college students just because it has the best food in the world. How could I get in touch with the head honchos so they build one here?!
Posted by Amanda on March 15, 2007 11:41 PM
please if you ever desire to begin franchising outside of
NC please let me know. my family love the spot.cant wait to hear from you.just think about the royalites.
Posted by stacey on March 31, 2007 6:40 PM
I also live in Asheville, NC and would like to know where the closest Cook Out is located and if one might be opening here.
Posted by Cheryl on April 1, 2007 9:33 AM
I'm in High Point. We have a Cookout on Main Street here. Every once in a while I go to Cookout and I do not get good food. Tonight the hamburger is pink. The cheese fries had barely any cheese on it. The thing I don't like... There is no way to call Cookout. Try finding a phone number... they aren't listed. The fact that they don't have a website makes me think they don't want to hear from the public. I'm not that crazy about Cookout because of the lack of contact... If you are hiding from someone there has to be a reason..
Posted by Cindy on April 17, 2007 7:16 PM
I live in Greensboro, NC, and I just wanted to put in a good word for our Cook Out here, on Battleground Ave., because it's great. The food is invariably delicious and the service is fast - even when the line of cars is backed out into the street, which it often is. If anyone's ever in the area I recommend the Oreo Mint milkshake. :-)
Posted by meg on May 15, 2007 8:55 PM
The cookout will start franchising eventually and they will dominate whichever market it enters! The food was very good.. probably unhealthy, but delicious.
Posted by Perrin Mobley on June 25, 2007 1:33 PM
FL did have a Cook Out, but it was in a poor area so it had to be closed. Wilmington lot was recently purchased and is near UNC-W, but keep in mind it is roughly a 2 year process to get a store up and running from the date the land is bought. All large cities in NC will have a Cook Out, Asheville, Lumberton, etc, but they must wait their turn. A company that grows too fast can lose control, it must grow at a steady rate. If there is a Cook Out just one city over then it's a good chance your city is on the list coming up soon. The "list" always changes so no point in even posting it... next major college town coming up... GREENVILLE
Posted by None on September 20, 2007 7:35 PM
I am a current student at East Carolina University. I used to live in Raleigh, NC before i came to college here, and went to all of the time. A Cookout would be perfect here because all of the students are looking for really cheap, but delicious fast food! I am going to send a letter to Jeremy Reaves to open a location over here because there will be tons of business.
Posted by Drew on October 28, 2007 9:20 PM
Welp... I found the 'cook out office' on kestermill road in winston-salem, called it. Gentleman there gave me a phone number, and said it was corporate office, located in Archdale, NC.
336-431-1094
called it, it works, unlike the three numbers listed previously here that were "disconnected"
This whole cookout thing is like an enigma, it has everyone confused.
I left a message on the corporate voicemail stating that they should make a website so that everyone can easily find information they need without all the confusion.
I just plainly want a list of locations so I can plan to have a cookout to eat at when I go to Roanoke Rapids.
They don't even list them on maps.google.com under the businesses.
Bizarre.
Hopefully tomorrow when I call the corporate number again during regular business hours, I'll get a solid answer.
Posted by Chase Watson on November 18, 2007 12:20 AM
They ARE originally a Florda based operation but they're main office is now in Greensboro.
Posted by Jen on November 21, 2007 10:48 PM
Just to set a couple of small facts straight:
Cook-Out did not begin in Florida. Morris Reaves might live there or in Texas, as I've heard conflicting stories, but he opened the first Cook-out on Randleman Rd in Greensboro. The Headquarters (if it can really be called such) is still in Greensboro, toward Sedgefield.
Posted by FDC on November 27, 2007 1:46 PM
Almost as frustrating as the enigma surrounding headquarters location are the inconsistent menus from place to place. I want brownie in my milkshakes and can only get it at the one next to NC State. The lady off Sugar Creek in Charlotte laughed at me when I asked. Unfortunately this renders cookouts elsewhere in the state useless. Does anyone else live near one that offers brownie? Also I know they are NC based, but I wonder where they get their menu influence from, "Chili Cheese Dogs" (i.e. chili, cheese, onions, but no hot dog, all in a hot dog bun) are absolutely a Cincinnati thing.(rarely found outside the region actually)
Posted by Danny on December 14, 2007 3:40 AM
I am very pleased with the taste and variety of food at The Cook Out. I am from Greenville, NC. The only problem we have here is that traffic in Greenville can be extremely heavy all over the city and even with the double drive through and walk up window they are really causing major issues with cars backing up traffic on Memorial Drive trying to get onto the property. With the popularity of this restaurant we probably need at least 3 to 4 more of The Cook Outs through out the city, with one near the East Carolina University campus areas. Just food for thought!
Posted by Jerome on December 18, 2007 11:22 PM
"Chili Cheese Dogs" (i.e. chili, cheese, onions, but no hot dog, all in a hot dog bun) are absolutely a Cincinnati thing.(rarely found outside the region actually)
Danny, I'm NC born and bred...lived here my entire 41 years and grew up eating Chili Cheese Dogs. Most people I know from around NC also grew up either eating them or at least knowing people who did. Not sure about their relationship to Cincinnati, but they are definitely also a product of NC if not the entire South.
Posted by KM on December 31, 2007 1:15 PM
We (co-workers and I) generally eat at one of the CookOuts here in Raleigh a couple times per week... the food has always been good but we would love it if we could get a MENU of some sort....
Posted by Sharon on January 17, 2008 1:39 PM
I was a former GM with COOKOUT when they only had 3 stores
I came up with the Cheddar Style Burger .
Have not worked for Cookout in awhile but still talk with Jeremy from time to time
Greensboro is the Home Office but last we talked , he was moving it to Archdale
Cookout is a great company to work for and the Reaves are great owners .
If you've never ate at Cookout ,your missing one of Lifes true Pleasures.
Posted by Ed on February 3, 2008 3:18 AM
I agree with KM about the chili cheese dogs being a product of NC. I'm 54 years old, born in Greensboro, and grew up eating chili cheese dogs--no hot dog--just a hot dog bun, chili, onions and cheese. My parents, also born and raised in Greensboro, grew up eating them this way too.
Posted by MS on February 10, 2008 5:28 PM
I love cookout the most. No one makes a fresher tasting burger, and all those fresh veggies floor me.
Posted by Phil Jawney on February 27, 2008 11:11 PM
Danny, the brownie milkshake is also my favorite, but I have only ever seen it at the Western Blvd.-Raleigh location (near N.C. State Univ). Indeed, I was also laughed at by an employee at the Walnut St.-Cary location when I inquired about the brownie milkshake. Fortunately, those 2 locations are close enough to each other (about 3 exits down the highway apart) that I left the drive-thru attendant in Cary laughing while I drove away and went to the Western Blvd. location. I have also been to several other locations in Raleigh and haven't found another with the brownie milkshake, but I think the food menu is more consistent from location to location.
I'm not a big burger & fries eater, but Cook Out is WAAAY better than any fast food burger. I, too, would love to see a merging of the best of both worlds - wonderful, old-fashioned hamburgers and milkshakes with some modern technology in the way of a website with menus, locations, and contact information.
Posted by Julie on March 3, 2008 1:50 PM
Please open a Cook Out in Reidsville NC 27320 or if that can't be how about Eden NC
Posted by Linda on March 7, 2008 8:53 PM
There's a nice sit inside -drive around combo location in Lincolnton right off Hwy 321 just west of the Hwy 27-150 exit. Plenty of time to peruse the menu inside amidst all of the race paraphenalia adorning the walls. They also just opened a new one in Conover just east of Hickory. As a matter of fact, my wife and daughter are picking up dinner there right now!
Posted by Dave on March 17, 2008 8:21 PM
Charlotte Business Journal - by Ashley M. Gibson
Friday, September 2, 2005
Cook Out, a family-owned, drive-through restaurant, opened last week on Freedom Drive -- the first of a handful slated to sizzle in Charlotte.
"We're excited to be a part of Charlotte and all the growth that is going on here," says Jeremy Reaves, who co-owns the business with his father, Morris Reaves.
Freedom Drive caught their attention because of a large crowd of people coming in and out of the Aldi grocery store there. A vacant lot was available next door.
The family bought the land from Aldi, designed a drive-through and walk-up eatery and began construction earlier this summer, pouring more than $1 million into the project.
The two like the Queen City so much that the family is moving Cook Out's headquarters here as well.
The new HQ will be on Sugar Creek Road.
The company has 30 restaurants sprinkled across North Carolina, including Cook Outs in Burlington and Thomasville. Cook Out offers customers flame-cooked burgers and hot dogs, milkshakes, corn dogs, seasoned fries and barbecue items all for under $3 each.
Morris Reaves and his mother, Jane, founded the business in 1990. At the beginning of this year, Morris and Jeremy searched the Charlotte area for a prime location.
Posted by DC on March 19, 2008 8:23 PM
About the chili cheese dogs: I was born and raised in Cincinnati, but also have lived here in NC for the past 6 years. Cincinnati is famous for their BEANLESS chili spiced with cinnamon...it's more like a sauce than a chili, really, because the meat is so finely chopped. OMG, it's amazing. Go to your nearby grocery and buy a pack of frozen Skyline chili, put it on a bun with some mild cheddar, some onions...MMMMm. Anyway, so even though they have the chili cheese dogs here, they don't have it with CINCINNATI chili on it :-).
Also, I'm very excited to hear that they bought some space for a Cook Out in Wilmington because I miss it!!!!
PS It would be great to know the nutritional facts...that's how I found this website to begin with, searching Google for them.
Posted by Emily on March 27, 2008 2:02 AM
Wikipedia says that as of this month, the chain has been sold to Barack Obama...does not sound true...maybe someone from the restaurant will want to correct that article. Or let us know if the chain has been sold and to whom....thanks!!
Posted by Elizabeth on May 6, 2008 8:36 PM
Hi Elizabeth -
If you read the latest revision to Wikipedia, you'll see that it also goes on to talk about "praise be to Allah" and other nonsense - obviously vandalism for whatever reason, and I'm pretty sure that Mr. Obama has no interest in the chain at this point. If you check the edits to the page, it's undergone many changes. At one point, it even linked here, but that was some time ago!
Posted by Chad Everett on May 7, 2008 8:04 AM
The family that owns this NC chain lives in Trinty NC....in my neighborhood so it's not gossip
Posted by parker on May 12, 2008 9:12 PM
Actually Cookout has always been owned by the same family that lives in Greensboro and Daytona Beach Florida but they do have an office in the Trinity/Archdale area at exit 111, and a main office at Adams Farm Greensboro.
Posted by Amy on May 13, 2008 7:38 PM
My wife and I were frequent customers of cookout when we lived in NC. We've frequented High Point, 3 Greensboro locations, Archdale, and 2 in Raleigh. However, we moved to MD in 2004 and the ONE THING we miss more than anything is Cookout. It's like a drug and if Jeremy Reaves ever opened one in Waldorf, MD they could be a major success! My wife and I pay people to pick up 2 huge Chedder Styles when we have visitors from NC. Actually, we are both very fit, but cookout... Someone with the power, please read this!!!
Posted by Cedric on June 18, 2008 2:02 PM
I live in Lincolnton NC, and we have a very nice indoor sit down restaurant. Also the food at this location is great. We have ate at other cookout restaurants and it was not as good. However, I would like to find out where to find nutrition info.
Posted by Anthony on June 20, 2008 12:07 PM
I Got The Information!!! Now will they give me a franchise to take up North
Okay - we are Hooked on the Cook Out! We moved to NC about 2 years ago, and the Cook Out has provided many meals. We now have to reloacte back to the North. I did find out where the Corporate office is located and the local office here is NC. The company is out of Florida (per the Managers at 3 locations, (I had to call all to confirm my findings), or is that what they are trained to say). The local officeis in Archdale, and the phone number is..Drum Roll Please..336-431-10??, Did U think I was going to tell it to you? If I tell You, I'll have to ..... Gotta go get a burger, with extra grilled onions, and mayo.
Posted by Mrs. C on June 21, 2008 10:35 AM
NO ONE MENTIONED THE GREAT BBQ THEY HAVE. TAKE IT AND HUSH PUPPIES OVER THE HAMBURGER AND HOT DOG ANY DAY.
Posted by BBQ QUEEN on July 10, 2008 10:48 PM
>I don't know what is happening with their milkshakes but it sure has turned >me off. The last time there I ordered a peanut fudge shake. It had no taste >and I found a hard brown spot in the bottom of the cup. I should have taken >it back but decided not to go back myself.
>Posted by James P. Utley, Jr. on September 2, 2006 10:48 PM
The thing is that most of the milkshakes are made by taking the flavoring ingredient and literally blending it into the milkshake. So when you order that cheesecake milkshake? Yeah, they shove a slice of cheesecake in the blender with the milkshake. In your case the peanut fudge somehow didn't get blended.
Also, my favorite is buying the cookout tray trifecta of meat. Cheddar Style Burger with a side of chicken nuggets and a corn dog. Of course a milkshake goes with that.
Posted by Ron on July 19, 2008 12:48 AM
Hi,
Currently I reside in Durham, NC where there are currently two locations. We need another Cookout near HWY 54-54. I am sure the business would have cars wrapped around the corner every day.
Posted by G. Hall on July 24, 2008 5:43 PM
I just saw in our paper we are getting a Cook Out here! I can't wait to see how great the food really is!! Hurry up and get here!!
Posted by Timothy Story on July 25, 2008 1:44 AM
THE MAIN OFFICE IS NOT AT 5505-D ADAMS FARM LN. I sent them a request and the letter was returned as undeliverable. I was so upset.
Posted by Doris on July 31, 2008 11:54 AM
I absolutley love Cook Out shakes. I've been raving to my boyfriend, whose never been. I want to take him, but there are none around here where we live. ]:
I tell everyone that they should change the Checkers in town into a Cook Out.
Posted by Meg on August 2, 2008 9:12 PM