Cook Out — Restaurant in Durham

I’ve been looking forward to visiting Cookout my entire life. Im visiting North Carolina with my buddies and they hyped this place up. After anxiously waiting to try Cookout for the first time, on my fifth day here, I finally made it to Cookout. I was both excited and a little nervous walking in for the first time. The first thing I noticed was about ten people lined up to order, thinking this is going to take forever. I made my way to the tables still glistening from being freshly wiped down. I hesitantly grabbed a seat and pulled up their long, slightly intimidating menu online to get ready for this experience.

After about five minutes, I decided to join the line—only to see everyone in front of me already walking out with their food. I was shocked how fast the line moved! I ordered the full Cookout experience: a cookout-style burger, a fat corn dog, zesty cajun fries, and a thick butter nut milkshake packed with actual nuts and banana bits.

As I walked back to my seat, I heard my number called but accidentally ignored it at first because there was no way my order could be ready that fast. But sure enough, it was.

First up: the fries. A little limp, but just crispy and seasoned enough to make for a solid fry-time. Then the burger. Actually, let’s talk about unwrapping the burger—Cookout packed it perfectly so that as I unwrapped it, the burger was upright and ready to eat. No upside-down mess like every other fast-food spot. I was skeptical about the cookout-style with slaw and chili, but it was unbelievably good. And the corn dog. Thick.

My experience doesnt end there. My friend accidentally tipped over his soda (size large), filled to the brim, and it hit the table—without spilling. The lid stayed on. I don’t even know how that’s possible. Between the speed, the food, and spill-proof drinks, Cookout might be the best fast food restaurant Ive ever been to. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, some good Christian worship songs started playing. My experience at Cookout just got better and better. Cookout truly is a little slice of...

What happened ? Been awhile since I ate here but today it wasn’t close to as good as it was in the past. Got a cookout style burger tray and the burger was just about inedible. Pattys were super thin and so overcooked they might as well have been made out of charcoal briquettes . Tough and flavorless. Sad because this burger was my go to and it was juicy and tasty before. Whats up cookout not only was it a dissatisfying experience but it also cost almost 2 bucks more than before. 3/21/23: Thought I'd give them another try just because--MISTAKE !! actually worse than the last time-the only flavor I could taste from the out west style burger was the grease from the soppy bun-couldn't eat it-made me gag. Fries and "white cheese bites" (lol-hollow batter with a thin white liner of "cheese") . Absolutely inedible not "food". The cheerwine float was decent but doesn't salvage an otherwise disgusting "meal". Never going back. 8/10/23: Ok, in a moment of weakness I ordered the double burger tray (with rings/slaw) because I went there ONLY for a shake (because they have always done those very well for the $) and that smell got to me. I had to do it and guess what ? -the burger was 100% improved (it was very tasty/fresh/not greasy and not all flattened out) the rings were great as was the slaw (which they have always done well too) . I will amend the review to 4/5 stars and maybe 5/5 next time if everything is still up to par. Nice surprise and improvement-hope they...

I literally order the same thing every time I visit this cookout. I work weird hours and it’s the only place open when I get off work. I CONTINUALLY struggle to get what I order... I always order a HUGE drink and always get a large.. not that big of a deal, however, this particular night, I ordered my usual. “Quesadilla tray” with two quesadillas as my sides, and a huge cheer wine. As I pulled up to the window I immediately saw the worker holding a large cheerwine. I let that go, because I love the quesadillas, when I get home, I have 2 quesadillas and a bunch of fries I didn’t order. I decided enough was enough and drove ALL the way back. I was greeted with being told I had to pay to get the food I had originally ordered because it wasn’t on the original ticket... it’s not my fault that they can’t clearly hear what is being ordered.... I order the same thing every day... no one apologized until I pointed out the fact I had to drive all the way back there to correct THEIR mistake. Still had to pay extra for what I ordered and was offered a “Upsize of cheer wine” for my trouble. This is after I paid double the price of a quesadilla without being part of a tray just to simply get what I went there to get. I will never go back to this cookout. Terrible quality control/customer service. Definitely worth the drive to the other locations... this location clearly has no regard for their loyal...