Cookout Menu Winston-Salem NC 2026: Full Menu with Prices, Trays, Milkshakes & Best Items
Cookout Menu Winston-Salem is a go-to favorite for locals. Ask any Winston-Salem resident where they’re headed after a Wake Forest game, a shift at Novant Health, or a Friday night out on Trade Street, and there’s a very good chance the answer is the same: Cookout. The legendary North Carolina-born chain has planted deep roots in the Camel City, with multiple locations running drive-thru windows well into the early hours of the morning — exactly when Winston-Salem residents seem to need it most.
Cookout isn’t just fast food in Winston-Salem. It’s a community ritual. It’s the $8 tray that somehow fills you up better than a $15 sit-down meal somewhere else. It’s the Banana Pudding milkshake that people drive across town for at midnight. It’s hushpuppies and char-grilled burgers and Cajun Fries in a cardboard tray that feels like the best deal in any ZIP code.
This 2026 guide is your complete, hyperlocal resource for everything Cookout in Winston-Salem. Whether you’re a longtime regular or a first-timer who just passed that glowing sign on Peters Creek Parkway and finally decided to pull in, here’s everything you need to know:
- The full 2026 Cookout menu with current Winston-Salem prices
- A deep dive into the Cookout Tray — the best-value meal in town
- All 40+ milkshake flavors ranked and described
- Winston-Salem locations, hours, and drive-thru tips
- Nutrition info, ordering hacks, customer reviews, and a 12-question FAQ
History & Background: Cookout’s North Carolina Roots
Cookout was founded in Greensboro, NC in 1989 — which makes it genuinely, proudly a North Carolina original. What started as a single char-grilled burger operation has grown into one of the most beloved regional chains in the American Southeast, with hundreds of locations across more than 10 states. But the heart of Cookout has always been in the Piedmont Triad.
Winston-Salem sits squarely in that Piedmont tradition. As a city with a powerful working-class identity, a strong university and hospital workforce, and a food culture that values substance over flash, Winston-Salem turned out to be exactly the kind of place where Cookout thrives. Residents here don’t need white tablecloths — they need quality food, reasonable prices, and a drive-thru that’s open past midnight. Cookout delivers all three, every night of the week.
For a full picture of what the chain offers across NC, the complete Cookout menu guide is a great starting point. But this article is built specifically for Winston-Salem.
Cookout Tray Options – The Best Value Meal in Winston-Salem
If you’ve never been to Cookout, the Cookout Tray is the single most important concept to understand. It’s the reason regulars look at you with a mixture of pity and excitement when you say you’ve never been — because the Tray is genuinely one of the best-value meals available anywhere in Winston-Salem fast food.
What’s in a Cookout Tray?
Every Cookout Tray includes three components:
- Your main entrée — choose from burgers, chicken breast, chicken strips, BBQ, hot dogs, and more
- Two sides — pick from 15+ options including fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, fried okra, nuggets, and more
- A large drink (22 oz.) — or upgrade to a milkshake for a small upcharge
The result is a full, filling meal that typically costs $6.49 – $9.49, depending on your entrée. Nothing else in Winston-Salem’s fast-food landscape competes with this on a price-per-calorie-of-satisfaction basis.
💡 Winston-Salem Tip: Upgrade your large drink to a milkshake for roughly $1.00–$1.50 more. Every regular does it. You should too.
Cookout Tray Price Guide 2026
| Tray Entrée | Approx. Price (Winston-Salem) |
|---|---|
| Regular Burger Tray | $6.99 – $7.49 |
| Big Double Burger Tray | $7.99 – $8.49 |
| Huge Burger Tray | $8.99 – $9.49 |
| Chicken Breast Tray | $7.99 – $8.49 |
| Chicken Strip Club Tray | $8.49 – $9.49 |
| BBQ Plate Tray | $7.99 – $8.49 |
| Hot Dog Tray | $6.49 – $6.99 |
Prices are approximate 2026 estimates. Confirm at your Winston-Salem location.
Your 15+ Side Options
This is where the Tray gets genuinely fun. Your two sides are chosen from:
- Fries (regular)
- Cajun Fries ⭐ local favorite
- Cheese Fries
- Chili Fries
- Chili Cheese Fries
- Jalapeño Cheese Fries
- Onion Rings
- Hushpuppies ⭐ essential Winston-Salem order
- Fried Okra
- Chicken Nuggets (5 pc.)
- Cheese Dog
- Corn Dog
- White Cheddar Cheese Bites
- Walking Taco
Burgers & Styles at Cookout Winston-Salem
The char-grilled burger is the soul of Cookout’s menu — and it’s what separates this chain from every flat-top fast-food operation in Winston-Salem. These burgers are cooked over an open flame, which means you actually taste the difference.
For the full breakdown, check the Cookout burgers menu. Here’s the Winston-Salem quick guide:
Burger Sizes
Cookout offers burgers in three sizes: Regular, Big Double (two patties), and Huge (triple patty). Each size is available in the same variety of styles.
Burger Styles & Prices
| Burger Style | What’s On It | Approx. Price (Regular) |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Style | Ketchup, mustard, onion, pickle | $3.49 – $3.99 |
| House Style | Mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle | $3.99 – $4.49 |
| Cookout Style | Mustard, chili, slaw, onion, pickle | $3.99 – $4.49 |
| Cheddar Style | Cheddar sauce, bacon, slaw, pickle | $4.49 – $4.99 |
| Steak Style | A1 sauce, grilled onions, slaw | $4.49 – $4.99 |
| Out West Style | BBQ sauce, bacon, cheddar | $4.49 – $4.99 |
| Nacho Chili Style | Nacho cheese, chili, jalapeño | $4.49 – $4.99 |
| Big Double Burger | Double patty, any style | $4.99 – $5.49 |
| Huge Burger | Triple patty, any style | $5.99 – $6.49 |
Winston-Salem regulars’ pick: The Cookout Style is the signature move — char-grilled beef with homemade chili, slaw, mustard, and onion. It’s messy, it’s bold, and it’s exactly what this chain built its reputation on.
Chicken, BBQ, Hot Dogs, Wraps & Quesadillas
Cookout’s menu runs much deeper than burgers. The Cookout chicken menu covers all of these in detail, but here’s your Winston-Salem-focused summary.
Grilled Chicken Breast (6 Styles)
All chicken breasts are hand-seasoned and grilled — not fried. Choose your style:
| Style | Description | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Original | Classic seasoning, lettuce, tomato, mayo | $4.49 |
| Barbecue | Tangy BBQ sauce | $4.49 |
| Cajun | Cajun rub, pepper jack, lettuce | $4.79 |
| Cheddar | Cheddar sauce, bacon | $4.79 |
| Club | Bacon, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, mayo | $4.99 |
| Homemade | Slaw, tomato, mayo | $4.49 |
Chicken Strips
- Chicken Strip Snack (3 strips) — ~$3.49–$3.99
- Chicken Strip Club (6 strips, tray eligible) — ~$7.49–$8.49
BBQ
- BBQ Sandwich — slow-cooked pulled pork, tangy sauce — ~$3.49–$3.99
- BBQ Plate — larger pulled pork serving — ~$5.49–$5.99
Char-Grilled Hot Dogs
Like the burgers, Cookout’s hot dogs are flame-grilled for real snap and smokiness:
- Plain Hot Dog — ~$1.99
- Chili Dog — ~$2.49
- Cheese Dog — ~$2.49
- Cook Out Style Dog (chili, slaw, onion) — ~$2.99
- Bacon Cheddar Dog — ~$3.29
- Mexi Dog (nacho cheese, jalapeño) — ~$2.99
Wraps & Quesadillas
For the full Cookout sandwiches and wraps lineup:
Wraps (~$3.99–$4.49): Ranch · Bacon Ranch · Honey Mustard · Cajun · Cajun Ranch
Quesadillas (~$2.99–$4.49): Cheese · Chicken · Cheeseburger
Fish & Other Sandwiches
- Fish Sandwich — ~$3.49
- BLT Sandwich — ~$3.49
- Spicy Chicken Sandwich — ~$3.99 (underrated gem)
Sides & Extras at Cookout Winston-Salem
For the complete Cookout sides menu, every option is listed with descriptions. Here’s what Winston-Salem customers order most:
The Star Sides
Hushpuppies are not optional. These golden, crispy-outside, fluffy-inside cornmeal spheres are one of the most beloved items on the entire menu — and an honest tribute to the Southern cooking tradition Winston-Salem has always cherished. At roughly $1.49 à la carte (or free as a tray side), they are an absurd deal.
Cajun Fries are the other non-negotiable. Seasoned with a peppery, assertive Cajun blend that makes standard fast-food fries taste boring by comparison. If you leave Winston-Salem without ordering these, something went wrong.
Fried Okra speaks directly to Winston-Salem’s Piedmont Southern roots. Breaded and fried just right — not mushy, not overdone. This is the side that makes NC transplants from other states stare in happy disbelief.
Full Sides Price Table
| Side | Approx. À La Carte Price |
|---|---|
| Regular Fries | $1.49 – $1.99 |
| Large Fries | $2.49 – $2.99 |
| Cajun Fries | $1.99 – $2.49 |
| Cheese Fries | $2.29 – $2.79 |
| Chili Cheese Fries | $2.79 – $3.29 |
| Jalapeño Cheese Fries | $2.49 – $2.99 |
| Hushpuppies | $1.49 – $1.99 |
| Onion Rings | $1.99 – $2.49 |
| Fried Okra | $1.49 – $1.99 |
| Chicken Nuggets (5 pc.) | $2.49 – $2.99 |
| White Cheddar Cheese Bites | $1.99 – $2.49 |
| Walking Taco | $2.49 – $2.99 |
| Corn Dog | $1.49 – $1.99 |
40+ Milkshakes at Cookout Winston-Salem – The Full List
This section is the reason half the people reading this article end up in a Cookout drive-thru within 48 hours. Cookout’s milkshake menu — over 40 hand-spun flavors for typically $2.49–$3.49 — is the most extravagant, unreasonable, joyful thing in Winston-Salem fast food. Nothing else comes close.
For the full breakdown, explore the Cookout milkshakes menu guide. Here’s everything you need to know:
Top 10 Milkshakes in Winston-Salem (Ranked by Popularity)
| Rank | Flavor | Why It’s Great | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Banana Pudding | Rich, creamy, tastes exactly like the Southern dessert | ~$3.29 |
| 2 | Oreo | Thick, classic cookies-and-cream | ~$3.29 |
| 3 | Cheesecake | Tangy, sweet, totally indulgent | ~$3.29 |
| 4 | Peanut Butter Fudge | Deep, rich — incredible with a burger | ~$3.49 |
| 5 | Peach Cobbler | Fruity, sweet, purely Southern | ~$3.29 |
| 6 | Reese’s Cup | Chocolate + peanut butter perfection | ~$3.49 |
| 7 | Chocolate Cherry | Bold base, bright cherry swirl | ~$3.29 |
| 8 | Caramel Fudge | Buttery, sweet, pairs with anything | ~$3.29 |
| 9 | Strawberry | Clean, fresh, the classic pick | ~$2.99 |
| 10 | Oreo Mint | Cool, chocolatey, secretly elite | ~$3.29 |
All 40+ Flavors by Category
Fruit Flavors: Strawberry · Fresh Banana · Blueberry · Peach · Pineapple · Cherry · Banana Berry · Banana Pineapple · Fresh Watermelon (summer seasonal)
Chocolate & Candy: Double Chocolate · Chocolate Cherry · Chocolate Chip · Chocolate Malt · Chocolate Nut · Hershey’s Chocolate · M&M · Snickers · Reese’s Cup · Heath Toffee
Peanut Butter Variations: Fresh Peanut Butter · Peanut Butter Fudge · Peanut Butter Banana · Banana Nut · Banana Fudge
Cream & Caramel: Vanilla · Cheesecake · Caramel · Caramel Fudge · Banana Pudding · Walnut
Coffee & Mint: Mocha · Cappuccino · Chocolate Chip Mint · Oreo Mint
Seasonal Flavors: 🍉 Fresh Watermelon (July–August) · 🎄 Eggnog (December) · Peppermint (winter) · Orange Push-Up · Peach Cobbler
Winston-Salem Milkshake Tips
- Don’t skip the Banana Pudding on your first visit. It is the defining Cookout milkshake experience.
- Ask about seasonal flavors — Fresh Watermelon in summer sells out fast at Winston-Salem locations, especially on hot nights.
- Blend two flavors — many Winston-Salem locations will combine flavors on request. Popular local mashups: Banana Pudding + Strawberry, Peanut Butter Fudge + Chocolate, Cheesecake + Blueberry.
- Upgrade your tray drink to a milkshake for $1–$1.50 more. Never skip this.
Drinks, Floats & Desserts
Beyond milkshakes, Cookout offers a solid drinks and desserts menu:
Fountain Drinks: Pepsi products, sweet tea, lemonade, Cheerwine (the NC-born cherry soda that belongs at a Cookout the way soy sauce belongs at a sushi restaurant)
Floats: Vanilla ice cream floats with your choice of fountain drink — ~$2.99–$3.49
Cheesecakes: Individual cheesecake slices in flavors including Plain, Strawberry, Blueberry, Cherry, and Caramel — ~$1.99–$2.49. These are a genuinely underrated dessert at Cookout.
Cookout Locations in Winston-Salem NC – Hours & Drive-Thru Tips
Winston-Salem is well-served by Cookout, with locations spread across the city to cover commuters, students, and late-night crowds. For a current, searchable Cookout locations directory, the full map is available online. Below are the primary Winston-Salem area locations:
Winston-Salem Cookout Locations 2026
1. Cookout – Peters Creek Parkway
- Address: 3370 Peters Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27127
- Hours: Sun–Thu 10 AM – 3 AM | Fri–Sat 10 AM – 4 AM
- Notes: One of the busiest and most consistently praised locations in Winston-Salem. Drive-thru can get long on weekend nights — worth the wait.
2. Cookout – Kester Mill Road
- Address: 1520 Kester Mill Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
- Hours: Sun–Thu 10:30 AM – 3 AM | Fri–Sat 10:30 AM – 4 AM
- Notes: Convenient for residents in the western parts of the city. Tends to have faster lines than Peters Creek during peak hours.
3. Cookout – Akron Drive
- Address: 4210 Akron Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27105
- Hours: Sun–Thu 10 AM – 3 AM | Fri–Sat 10 AM – 4 AM
- Notes: Serves North Winston-Salem well; popular with the after-work crowd.
4. Cookout – Reynolda Road
- Address: 3305 Reynolda Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
- Hours: Sun–Thu 10 AM – 3 AM | Fri–Sat 10 AM – 4 AM
- Notes: Close to Wake Forest University; heavily used by students, especially late-night. Expect longer wait times Thursday–Saturday after 10 PM.
⚠️ Hours Note: Cookout hours can shift seasonally and around holidays. Always confirm via the Cookout hours page or call ahead. All Winston-Salem locations are drive-thru only — no indoor seating at any location.
Drive-Thru Tips for Winston-Salem
- Weeknight sweet spot: Monday–Wednesday between 8–10 PM is the golden window — fast service, full menu, no lines.
- Weekend late-night: Friday and Saturday after 11 PM can mean 15–25 minute waits at Peters Creek and Reynolda Road locations. Have your order ready before you pull up.
- Reynolda Road near Wake Forest: Expect heavier traffic during the academic year (August–May) and on game days.
- Mobile/delivery: Check DoorDash or Uber Eats for Winston-Salem Cookout availability. See the Cookout delivery guide for help ordering.
[Image suggestion: “Cookout Drive-Thru Peters Creek Parkway Winston-Salem NC” — alt text: “Cookout drive-thru Winston-Salem Peters Creek Pkwy”]
How to Order Smart & Best Value Tips for Winston-Salem Customers
The Golden Rules
- Always order the Tray. Unless you’re just grabbing a milkshake, the Tray is almost always the best-value option. You get an entrée, two sides, and a drink for under $9. Ordering à la carte almost never makes financial sense.
- Upgrade your drink to a shake. For $1–$1.50, you’re going from a fountain drink to a hand-spun milkshake. This is one of the best dollar-for-dollar upgrades in Winston-Salem fast food.
- Pick Hushpuppies + Cajun Fries as your two sides. This is the Winston-Salem default. Crispy, peppery fries and fluffy, golden hushpuppies. You’re welcome.
- Know your order before you pull up. The drive-thru menu is comprehensive. Studying it in advance (like you’re doing right now) means you won’t hold up the line on a busy Saturday night.
Best Combos for Winston-Salem Customers
| Combo | What You Get | Approx. Total |
|---|---|---|
| The Piedmont Classic | Cookout Style Burger Tray + Banana Pudding Shake | ~$8.49 |
| The Student Special | Hot Dog Tray + any 2 sides + Cheerwine | ~$6.49 |
| The Spicy Night Out | Cajun Chicken Tray + Cajun Fries + Jalapeño Cheese Fries | ~$8.99 |
| The BBQ Run | BBQ Plate Tray + Hushpuppies + Sweet Tea | ~$8.49 |
| The Midnight Feed | Huge Burger + Chili Cheese Fries + Oreo Shake | ~$11.99 |
Money-Saving Tricks
- The Hot Dog Tray is the cheapest full tray at $6.49–$6.99 and is still enormously filling with two sides.
- Cheeseburger Quesadilla is one of the cheapest à la carte items and surprisingly satisfying.
- Sharing a Huge Burger between two people is a legitimate strategy for budget-conscious visits.
- Check your delivery app — Cookout occasionally runs promotions through third-party apps.
Nutrition, Customization & Dietary Options
Cookout doesn’t publish a full in-store nutritional panel, but estimates from nutritional databases offer reasonable approximations. For a full breakdown, see the Cookout nutrition and calorie guide.
Calorie Estimates – Key Items
| Item | Approx. Calories |
|---|---|
| Regular Burger (no style) | 350–420 cal |
| Cookout Style Burger | 520–600 cal |
| Big Double Burger | 650–750 cal |
| Grilled Chicken Breast (Original) | 400–480 cal |
| Spicy Chicken Sandwich | 450–530 cal |
| Cajun Fries | 300–380 cal |
| Hushpuppies | 200–280 cal |
| Onion Rings | 280–350 cal |
| BBQ Sandwich | 380–450 cal |
| Milkshake (avg., 12 oz.) | 600–900 cal |
Lighter Options
- Grilled Chicken Breast (Original Style) is one of the lowest-calorie full entrées
- Hushpuppies and fried okra are lighter side options than chili cheese fries
- Strawberry or Fresh Banana milkshakes tend to run fewer calories than candy-based flavors
- BLT Sandwich is a lighter sandwich choice
Customization Notes
Cookout is reasonably accommodating of simple customizations. You can:
- Request no slaw, no mustard, no chili, etc. on any burger
- Ask for extra toppings (may cost slightly more)
- Request Cajun seasoning on burgers or chicken
- Blend milkshake flavors at most locations
Customer Reviews & Real Experiences in Winston-Salem
Cookout’s Winston-Salem locations consistently score in the 4.1–4.4 out of 5 star range on major review platforms. Here’s a representative picture of what customers are actually saying:
What Winston-Salem customers love:
- “Peters Creek is the best late-night food option in the city. I don’t know what I’d do without it.” — frequent customer, Peters Creek Pkwy location
- “The milkshakes alone are worth the drive. 40+ flavors for under $3.50? In 2026? Absolutely absurd value.” — Reynolda Road regular
- “My family of four eats full meals here for under $35. That doesn’t happen anywhere else in Winston-Salem.” — parent of two
- “Hushpuppies and a Cookout Style Burger after a Wake Forest game is a tradition I will not give up.” — WFU student
Common criticisms:
- Drive-thru lines on Friday/Saturday nights can stretch 20–30 minutes at popular locations
- No indoor seating anywhere — inconvenient in bad weather
- Menu board can be overwhelming for first-timers (tip: study the menu before you go)
- Limited vegetarian options beyond sides and quesadillas
Overall: Winston-Salem customers are enthusiastically loyal. The complaints are almost entirely about wait times during peak hours — which is really just a symptom of how popular the chain has become here.
Cookout vs. Other Winston-Salem Fast Food
How does Cookout stack up against the other major players in Winston-Salem?
| Category | Cookout | McDonald’s | Wendy’s | Chick-fil-A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Full Meal Cost | $7–$10 | $10–$14 | $10–$14 | $11–$15 |
| Char-Grilled Burgers | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Milkshake Variety | 40+ flavors | 4–5 flavors | 5–6 flavors | None |
| Late-Night Hours | Until 3–4 AM | Varies | Varies | Closes 10 PM |
| Drive-Thru Only | Yes | No | No | No |
| Locally Founded | ✅ NC (1989) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
The conclusion is fairly clear: if you want value, variety, late-night access, and a genuine char-grilled burger, Cookout wins in Winston-Salem. If you need indoor seating or are specifically craving a chicken sandwich ecosystem, the others have their place.
For readers who also frequent the Triad area, see how the menus compare at Cookout Greensboro and across other NC cities.
Conclusion: Winston-Salem’s Favorite Drive-Thru in 2026
Over three decades after Cookout first fired up its char-grill in nearby Greensboro, the chain has made itself indispensable to Winston-Salem. It’s the after-game tradition. The midnight hunger solution. The place where $8.49 somehow becomes the best meal you ate all week.
Whether you’re pulling into Peters Creek Pkwy for a Cookout Style Burger Tray after work, hitting Reynolda Road after a Wake Forest game, or tracking down a Banana Pudding milkshake at 1 AM because you absolutely need one right now — Cookout delivers every single time. No frills, no fuss, just char-grilled food and a milkshake menu that makes every other fast-food chain look unimaginative.
Greensboro may have given birth to Cookout, but Winston-Salem adopted it with the same fierce local pride. And honestly? It was meant to live here too.
Cook Out Locations in Winston-Salem, NC
Winston-Salem is one of the original markets for Cook Out, and the chain has a strong presence here with multiple convenient locations. Most spots offer double drive-thrus and stay open late (typically until 3:00 AM), making them perfect for late-night runs. Here are all the current Cook Out locations in Winston-Salem:
| # | Address | Zip Code | Area / Landmark | Notes | Google Maps Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3103 Peters Creek Pkwy | 27127 | Peters Creek Parkway | Very popular, high traffic | View on Google Maps |
| 2 | 4505 Kester Mill Rd | 27103 | Kester Mill Road | Drive-thru only | View on Google Maps |
| 3 | 339 Akron Dr | 27105 | Akron Drive / North Winston-Salem | Busy north side location | View on Google Maps |
| 4 | 2897 Reynolda Rd | 27106 | Reynolda Road | Near shopping & residential | View on Google Maps |
FAQs About Cookout Menu Winston-Salem
Jenny Jon
I’m a food lover who genuinely enjoys trying out different menu items at Cookout. On this website, I share my personal experiences after visiting Cookout locations myself. I try the milkshakes, burgers, fries, combos, and other items firsthand, then write honest reviews with my best suggestions about the taste, portion size, and value. If you want real, straightforward advice from someone who has actually tried the Cookout menu personally, you’re in the right place!
