The cookout tray price is the first thing most people check before pulling up to the window. In 2026, a Regular Tray costs about $7.39 and a Jr. Tray costs about $6.39.
Each tray includes one main item, two sides and a drink. That is a full meal for under eight dollars at most Cook Out locations in the Southeast.
This guide covers every menu option, calorie count, milkshake upgrade and money-saving tip. Use it to plan your order before your next visit.
Prices below are typical figures and vary by location. Always confirm the final number on the menu board. Last updated: November 2026.
👉 Also Read: Cookout Milkshakes Menu
Complete Cookout Tray Price Guide and Menu for 2026
This guide is organized so you can jump straight to what you need. Start with prices, then move to menus, combos, nutrition and ordering tips.
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What Is a Cookout Tray and Why Is the Cookout Tray Price So Popular?
A Cook Out Tray is a combo meal built from one main, two sides and one drink at a single fixed price. You choose every piece yourself.
Cook Out opened in 1989 in Greensboro, North Carolina. The tray became its signature deal and is still one of the best values in Southern fast food.
The cookout tray price stays low because the menu is simple and the kitchen is efficient. Students, families and late-night drivers order it every day.
You can mix burgers, BBQ, chicken, hot dogs or quesadillas with fries, hushpuppies, onion rings and more. Fans have counted well over 150,000 possible builds.
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| Tray Part | How Many | Choices |
|---|---|---|
| Main item | 1 | Burger, BBQ, chicken, hot dogs, quesadillas |
| Sides | 2 (or double up) | Fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, wraps, slaw |
| Drink | 1 | Sweet tea, soda, float, water |
| Optional upgrade | 1 | Milkshake for +$1.00 to +$1.60 |
Current Cookout Tray Price in 2026: Regular and Jr. Tray
The typical cookout tray price is $7.39 for the Regular Tray and $6.39 for the Jr. Tray. Some stores charge a little more or less.
Across North Carolina and neighboring states, most menu boards show a full tray between $6.29 and $7.99.
| Tray | Typical Price | Common Range | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Tray | $7.39 | $6.29 – $7.99 | 1 full-size main, 2 sides, 1 drink |
| Jr. Tray | $6.39 | $5.49 – $6.49 | 1 smaller main, 2 sides, 1 drink |
| Regular Tray + regular milkshake | $8.39 | $7.29 – $8.99 | Drink swapped for a classic shake |
| Regular Tray + fancy milkshake | $8.99 | $7.89 – $9.59 | Drink swapped for a candy or cobbler shake |
| Jr. Tray + fancy milkshake | $7.99 | $7.09 – $8.09 | Smaller main with a premium shake |
Prices change by franchise owner and state. Treat these numbers as a close guide, not a receipt.
The price does not change based on which main you pick. A Big Double Burger tray and a chicken strip tray usually cost the same.
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Cookout Tray Price After Tax
Tax is added at checkout, so your final cookout tray price after tax is slightly higher. At a 7% rate, a Regular Tray comes to about $7.91.
| Order | Base Price | Tax (7%) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Tray | $7.39 | $0.52 | $7.91 |
| Jr. Tray | $6.39 | $0.45 | $6.84 |
| Regular Tray + regular shake | $8.39 | $0.59 | $8.98 |
| Regular Tray + fancy shake | $8.99 | $0.63 | $9.62 |
Sales tax differs by state and city. Expect roughly $7.80 to $8.70 for a Regular Tray after tax across the Southeast.
Drive-thru prices match the board. Delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub usually add fees and markups.
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Cookout Tray Price by State and Location
Cook Out is mostly owned by one family, but local costs still shape the cookout tray price. Rent, wages and state tax all play a part.
North Carolina is home base with roughly 150 restaurants. Prices there are often the lowest on the map.
| Area | Estimated Regular Tray | Estimated Jr. Tray |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $6.29 – $7.39 | $5.49 – $6.39 |
| South Carolina | $6.99 – $7.39 | $5.99 – $6.39 |
| Georgia and Tennessee | $7.39 – $7.99 | $6.39 – $6.49 |
| Virginia and Kentucky | $7.39 – $7.99 | $6.39 – $6.49 |
| Newer markets (Florida) | $7.39 – $7.99 | $6.39 – $6.49 |
These ranges are estimates from public menu boards. Check the board at your own store before you order.
Regular Tray Menu and Cookout Tray Price Options
The Regular Tray starts at $7.39 and gives you full-size portions. Pick one main, two sides and one drink from the lists below.
Regular Tray Main Items (Pick 1)
| Main Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Big Double Burger | 311 – 330 |
| Regular 1/4 lb. Burger | 330 |
| Regular Chicken | 380 |
| Cajun Chicken | 380 |
| Spicy Chicken | 450 |
| BBQ Char-Grilled Chicken | 380 |
| 3 Chicken Strips or Sandwich | 660 |
| Regular Barbecue | 370 |
| 2 Hot Dogs | 520 |
| 2 Quesadillas (Chicken or Beef) | 440 – 520 |
Regular Tray Sides (Pick 2 or Double Up)
| Side | Calories |
|---|---|
| Regular Fries | 350 |
| Cajun Fries | 350 |
| Hushpuppies | 300 |
| Onion Rings | 130 |
| Bacon Wrap | 420 |
| Chicken Wrap | 520 |
| White Cheddar Cheese Bites | 190 |
| Chicken Nuggets | 150 |
| Corn Dog | 220 |
| Quesadilla | 260 |
| Walking Taco | 370 |
| Okra | 228 |
| Coleslaw or Chili | 100 – 170 |
Regular Tray Drinks (Pick 1)
| Drink | Calories | Extra Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Large Drink (Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke) | 0 – 290 | Included |
| Huge Sweet Tea | 330 – 390 | Included |
| Dasani Water (20 oz.) | 0 | Included |
| Cheerwine or Coke Float | 380 | Included |
| Regular Milkshake | 510 – 900 | +$1.00 |
| Fancy Milkshake | 510 – 900 | +$1.60 |
Jr. Tray Menu and the Jr. Cookout Tray Price
The Jr. Tray is the smaller option and the lowest cookout tray price on the board. It costs about $6.39 and still includes two sides and a drink.
Sides and drinks are identical to the Regular Tray. Only the main item gets smaller.
Jr. Tray Main Items (Pick 1)
| Jr. Main Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Small Burger | 240 – 245 |
| 2 Chicken Strips | 440 |
| 2 Corn Dogs | 440 |
| BLT Sandwich | 392 – 400 |
| 1 Hot Dog | 260 |
| 1 Quesadilla (Chicken or Beef) | 220 – 260 |
Does the Jr. Tray come with sides? Yes, always two. You can also double up on one side.
Kids, light eaters and anyone watching calories usually pick this tray.
Regular vs Jr. Tray: Which Cookout Tray Price Is Better Value?
The cookout tray price gap between the two sizes is only about one dollar. For that dollar, the Regular Tray gives you a noticeably bigger main.
| Feature | Regular Tray | Jr. Tray |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $7.39 | $6.39 |
| Main item | Full size | Smaller portion |
| Example main | 2 hot dogs, Big Double, 3 strips | 1 hot dog, small burger, 2 strips |
| Sides | 2 or double up | 2 or double up |
| Milkshake upgrade | +$1.00 to +$1.60 | +$1.00 to +$1.60 |
| Typical calories | 800 – 1,500 | 600 – 1,000 |
| Best for | Big appetites | Kids and lighter meals |
If you are hungry, choose the Regular Tray. If you want something quick, the Jr. Tray is the smarter buy.
Cookout Tray Price With a Milkshake Upgrade
Swapping your drink for a milkshake adds $1.00 for a regular flavor or $1.60 for a fancy flavor. That raises the cookout tray price to about $8.39 or $8.99.
A shake bought alone costs about $3.99. The tray upgrade saves you more than half.
Cook Out serves 40+ milkshake flavors, hand-spun and around 31 to 35 ounces each.
Popular Milkshake Flavors and Calories
| Milkshake Flavor | Size | Calories | Alone Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oreo | 33 oz. | 802 | $3.99 |
| Banana Pudding | 34.7 oz. | 781 | $3.99 |
| Peanut Butter Fudge | 33.2 oz. | 765 | $3.99 |
| Reese’s Cup | 33.4 oz. | 894 | $3.99 |
| Oreo Mint | 33 oz. | 853 | $3.99 |
| Peach Cobbler | 34.5 oz. | 790 | $3.99 |
| Snickers | 32.4 oz. | 720 | $3.99 |
| M&M | 32.6 oz. | 755 | $3.99 |
| Strawberry | 32.8 oz. | 610 | $3.99 |
| Cheesecake | 32.6 oz. | 600 | $3.99 |
| Vanilla | 32.9 oz. | 555 | $3.99 |
Half-and-Half Mixes and Seasonal Shakes
You can mix any two flavors at no extra charge. Banana Pineapple and Peanut Butter Fudge with Strawberry are popular pairings.
Fresh Watermelon shows up in July and August. Fresh Eggnog arrives in December.
Cookout Tray Price vs Ordering Items Separately
The best proof of value is simple math. Buy the same items one by one and the cookout tray price looks even better.
| Item Bought Separately | Price |
|---|---|
| 3 Chicken Strips | $4.99 |
| Regular Fries | $2.39 |
| Hushpuppies | $1.99 |
| Large Drink | $2.39 |
| Total bought separately | $11.76 |
| Same food as a Regular Tray | $7.39 |
| You save | $4.37 |
Other chains often charge $8.99 to $11.99 for a combo with just one side and a drink. Cook Out gives you two sides.
Brands like Five Guys or Shake Shack win on premium quality. For volume and variety per dollar, the tray is hard to beat.
Best Cookout Tray Combinations for the Cookout Tray Price
Every combo below costs the same base cookout tray price of $7.39. Add $1.00 to $1.60 if you swap in a shake.
| Combo Name | Main | Sides | Drink | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Timer Classic | Big Double, Cook Out Style | Cajun Fries + Hushpuppies | Sweet Tea | New customers |
| Southern BBQ | Regular Barbecue | Hushpuppies + Onion Rings | Cheerwine | BBQ fans |
| Protein Play | BBQ Char-Grilled Chicken | Cajun Fries + Corn Dog | Water | More protein |
| Meat Lover | Big Double | Nuggets + Corn Dog | Large Coke | Big appetites |
| Spicy Route | Spicy Chicken | Cajun Fries + Walking Taco | Cheerwine Float | Heat lovers |
| Strip Basket | 3 Chicken Strips | Fries + Hushpuppies | Sweet Tea | Crispy cravings |
| Shake Finish | Any main | Any two sides | Oreo Shake (+$1.60) | Dessert fans |
| Light Tray | Regular Chicken | Slaw + Chili | Dasani Water | Fewer calories |
The Side Trick Most People Miss
Wraps, quesadillas, corn dogs and cheese bites all count as sides. A burger tray with a chicken wrap and a quesadilla gives you three hot items for one price.
Burger Styles and Your Cookout Tray Price
Burger style does not change the cookout tray price in most stores. Ask for any style and see if the register adds a small charge.
| Burger Style | Toppings |
|---|---|
| Cook Out Style | Homemade chili, slaw, mustard, onion |
| Cheddar Style | Cheddar, bacon, grilled onion, mayo |
| Steak Style | A1 sauce, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato |
| Out West Style | BBQ sauce, bacon, cheese, onion |
| House Style | Classic house toppings |
| Nacho Chili Style | Chili, nacho cheese |
Burger Sizes and Extra Topping Costs
| Item | Calories | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small Burger (1/8 lb.) | 245 | $2.99 |
| Regular Burger (1/4 lb.) | 328 | $3.49 |
| Big Double Burger | 311 | $3.99 |
| Huge Burger (1/2 lb.) | 516 | $3.49 – $5.49 |
| Grilled Bacon | 60 | $0.95 |
| Cheese Slice | 70 | $0.50 |
| Homemade Chili | 70 | $0.65 |
| Homemade Slaw | 40 | $0.50 |
| Cook Out Sauce | 25 | $0.50 |
Cookout Tray Price and Calories: Nutrition Facts
Low cost does not mean low calories. A Regular Tray usually lands between 800 and 1,500 calories depending on your picks.
Cook Out publishes an official nutrition PDF on its website. The numbers here follow that guide, but confirm in-store if you have allergies.
| Sample Tray | Build | Approx. Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Double | Big Double + Fries + Hushpuppies + Huge Sweet Tea | 1,290 |
| Strip Basket | 3 Strips + Fries + Hushpuppies + Large Coke | 1,600 |
| BBQ Light | Barbecue + Onion Rings x2 + Diet Coke | 630 |
| Lean Chicken | Regular Chicken + Slaw + Chili + Water | 650 |
| Jr. Lightest | Small Burger + Onion Rings x2 + Diet Coke | 500 |
A milkshake upgrade adds roughly 510 to 900 calories. That is the biggest swing in any tray.
Healthy and Low-Calorie Options at the Cookout Tray Price
You can eat lighter without paying more than the standard cookout tray price. Start with a char-grilled chicken main.
Pair it with coleslaw and chili, then choose Dasani water or Diet Coke. That build stays near 650 calories.
Onion rings are only 130 calories as a tray side, which is lower than fries. Skip cheese and mayo to trim more.
Cook Out has no separate vegetarian menu. Cheese quesadillas, fries, okra and onion rings work well for meat-free trays.
Tips and Hacks to Save on the Cookout Tray Price
Cook Out has no app, no loyalty program and rarely any coupons. The savings are built into the menu, so use these tray hacks.
| Tray Hack | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Double up a favorite side | Two orders of hushpuppies or Cajun fries cost nothing extra |
| Use wraps as sides | A $1.99 wrap becomes free inside the tray |
| Pick a quesadilla side | Adds a hot item without raising the price |
| Choose the shake upgrade | Saves about $2 compared to buying a shake alone |
| Order a half-and-half shake | Two flavors, no extra charge |
| Ask for Cook Out Sauce | Cheap dip for fries and strips |
| Skip delivery apps | Drive-thru avoids markups of 10 to 25 percent |
Visit between 2 and 5 PM for shorter lines. Late-night orders also move fast at the drive-thru.
How to Order a Tray and Lock In the Cookout Tray Price
Say “Regular Tray” or “Jr. Tray” first. Then name your main, your two sides and your drink.
Most locations have two drive-thru lanes and a walk-up window. Some newer stores also have indoor seating.
| Ordering Method | Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-thru | Yes | Two lanes at most stores |
| Walk-up window | Yes | Usually open late |
| Delivery apps | Select stores | Higher prices and fees |
| Official app | No | No loyalty or promo codes |
| Typical hours | 10:30 AM – 3 AM | Later on Friday and Saturday |
Conclusion: Is the Cookout Tray Price Worth It?
Yes. The cookout tray price of about $7.39 buys a main, two sides and a drink that cost far more separately.
Choose the Regular Tray for a big meal or the Jr. Tray for a lighter one. Add a milkshake if you want dessert.
Prices are unofficial and vary by store. Check your local menu board before you order.
Cookout Tray Price FAQs
How much is a Cookout tray in 2026?
A Regular Tray is about $7.39 and a Jr. Tray is about $6.39. Prices vary by location.
What is included in a Cookout tray?
Every tray includes one main, two sides and one drink. You can double up on a side.
How much is a Cookout tray with a milkshake?
A milkshake upgrade costs $1.00 or $1.60 extra. That makes the tray about $8.39 to $8.99.
Does the Cookout Jr. Tray come with sides?
Yes, it includes two sides and a drink. Only the main item is smaller.
Does Cookout offer discounts on trays?
Rarely. The tray itself is the discount, and delivery apps sometimes run first-order deals.
I am M Hasnain, a digital content writer with over 2 years of experience creating informative online content. I am the founder and lead author of Menuzexa, where I share helpful articles about menus, restaurant guides, food prices, and dining tips. My goal is to provide accurate, well-researched, and easy-to-understand information that helps readers quickly find the details they need.
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