Cook Out — Restaurant in Harrisonburg

Went to get some food for myself and the family. The food came out correct but there were drinks missing as well as plasticware, and I didn't realize it til I was back on the highway. So I came back, got back in line, and waited over 30 minutes to ask for my items at the speaker. They said sure, we have them, come on around. Well, right before it was my turn to pull up, the white SUV in front of me pulled off, and three people walked up to the window. I couldn't tell what they were doing but when I heard them place an order, I was confused and becoming angry because I had already waited so long and this was my second time through the line. One of the three people at the window turned and said "we are truckers and they told us to order here so you can just cut it with the attitude". After they ordered, they proceeded to wait at the window, meaning no cars can drive up to get orders they already placed. At one point I tried getting the attention of the staff inside but wasn't able to -- though the truckers found it very amusing. I have no problem with accommodating truckers in this way but there's no reason they should be standing at the window waiting, when others, who have already been waiting a very long time and are already frustrated, could be proceeding...

Cook Out is my favorite fast-food BBQ chain. They are the only ones in the areas that I frequent which offer a true North Carolina style BBQ sandwich. Not just pulled pork with a vinegar sauce poured over it, but true chopped pork in the sauce with traditional fine-cut coleslaw and a dash of Texas Pete. The best deal here is a BBQ tray that comes with the sandwich (or your choice of other entree like a burger, etc.), two sides, and a drink for a really decent price cheaper than any other fast-food combo meal from the national chains. Food is always fresh and tasty, can't say enough good things about them.

Unfortunately this location has more than its fair share of issues. Almost every visit over the last year has resulted in an incorrect order. One time I even got a chicken sandwich instead of the BBQ.... how does that happen!? Also, prior to the pandemic when the dining area was open, the bathrooms always seemed like they hadn't been cleaned for several days. Not a good thing when you are stopping in after several hours on I-81 and are looking for a clean place to relieve yourself. All that said, service has at least been fast and courteous despite the inaccuracies. And they open up early at 1030am which makes it easier to time an early morning stop during...

I was in lane 1 with one vehicle in front of me. ( this was approximately 2:30 pm, so it wasn't what I would consider to be "the lunch rush"). I waited for at Least 15 minutes just to order my food. The vehicle in front of me was at the intercom when I pulled in so I don't know how long they had been there. Once I FINALLY ordered and pulled forward, I waited for another 15-20 minutes before the people in front of me got their food. And once they got it, apparently there had been some mistakes because they handed food back to the cashier, then it was another 5-8 minutes before they got the rest of their order and moved on. The whole time I was in lane 1, 6 vehicles in lane 2 had ordered, received their food and was on their way. I don't know what the problem inside was, but I do know that if I hadn't been stuck between vehicles, I would have taken my business elsewhere. This was the Harrisonburg, VA location. While stuck in line, I watched about 12 vehicles go through the Taco Bell drive thru ( beside Cook Out) and I lost count of the number of vehicles that went through Chickfale across the street. Very poor service at Cook Out today. Thank goodness I wasn't on lunch break with a certain time to go...