The Cookshack — Restaurant in Live Oak

Not sure how long this place has been around. Seems like they just popped up out of nowhere recently but my oh my is this place going places. My girlfriend and I went in for lunch on a whim having never been before. Upon entering we were immediately welcomed and met with smiles from the two employees working the register/orders. They were all smiles and very helpful on the menu. The menu is not very extensive but let me tell you what they do they do right. Diamond the one who took our order was very professional and accommodating. I ordered the chicken sandwich at a heat level of "Texas Hot". I also had two sides: the Texas caviar and Mac and cheese. My girlfriend ordered the chicken with waffles and a side of sweet potato waffle fries. Our food was brought out promptly and made to order. I enjoy spicy foods but having never eaten here before I wish I would have ordered my chicken at the mild or moderate level. The Texas Hot level was just enough spicy for me to finish but almost to the point of too hot to taste the food. The chicken itself however was marinated perfectly and perfectly fried to crispy but still extremely juicy on the inside. The Texas caviar side was a good palette cleanser and added freshness but could have used more flavor. The Mac and cheese was good but I think I got served a crusty corner of cheese already overheated so I didn't finish it. My girlfriend's chicken was just as good and the waffle fries while thin compared to other places were extremely flavorful and crispy. Her waffles looked fluffy and delicious and fresh to which she described them as such. It seems the employees working the register were also assigned as minimal servers and bussers. Diamond and her coworker were hustling bussing tables, working the register and attending to any needs the patrons had. I went up to order 3 extra sauces and was fully prepared to pay the 0.39 cents for each but Diamond was nice enough to hand them to me complimentary. I even saw a manager hustling bussing tables and backing up her crew all with smiles and checking in with the patrons. The atmosphere and cleanliness were terrific and will DEFINITELY be returning more. Overall I gave it 4 stars because the two sides I ordered weren't what I expected or maybe not up to par with other recent reviews I read. Shoutout to Diamond overall for her attitude and hustle and making us feel welcome from the start. They really have a good thing going...

New place let's try it. Was greeted by a nice cashier who assisted me with the menu. I asked for the chicken and ribs combo and she replied by letting me know how good it is. I asked what comes in it. Two chicken strips and ribs i looked at the price and i thought strips and ribs 17.00 hmm. She then asked what side would i like. I was curious so I asked what are dragon fries. She explained and I was sold. My brain was still repeating 17.00 wow. My wife ordered a chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries. I then quickly calculated 30.00 on my head. The food arrived in a quicker than average time for BBQ. So my thoughts were oh great. Hmm. There were at least 5 ribs on the plate, I great portion of fries and two good size strips on toast. I split the strip on half and found the breading on them to be fresh and of quality. High quality! I bit into the fall of the bone meat on the ribs. Immediately I thought, sometimes I drive 30 minutes to an hour to get BBQ, but here I had it in my backyard. I tasted the fries. Crispy. My wife ate her sandwich and wow was her comment. She ate the sweet potato fries and her reply was oh man. Like majic i instantly forgot the cost and new that their quality and staff were worth the cost. I spoke to a weber on the history of the business and she explained with a sense of but in to the restraint. I then asked what kind of dessert they had and she let me know that they had ice cream sandwiches. I've never had that side from DQ and she said let me let you try a piece. Ok I said. She bright it to me and dangit, they even make their own sandwiches. I Indialantic new that I had to nave more so I ordered a whole dessert. It was a great compliment to the food I ordered. My wife and I eat out at least 6 tons a week and the average cost of the meals for two is 30 to 40. At times I've left those feeling cheated. This visit was the exception. In conclusion the meals were a 10 and i will come back this weekend to try a beer with ribs and strips. This has been a great investment of my dollars. Amazing job cookshack. Your...

After meeting my parents for dinner to exchange Christmas gifts, I decided to give this place a try. When I walked in, it was confusing where you placed your order. There was a place where you could order drinks and pick up to go orders, or you could go to the line in the back. The young lady working the to go orders took my order. The big things on the menu is chicken or ribs. Is this a rib place? Is this a chicken place? I think this place is trying to figure out its identity. I opened to go for chicken tacos. They did ask what heat level I wanted. I had been through this rodeo before at another chicken joint. I decided not to go bold and get real spicy. I opted for Dragon Fries and an ice cream cookie. I go to sit down and put my number on this homemade metal hanger. A few minutes later, I was brought my food. The ice cream sandwich was missing. When I inquired about it, she went back and brought it to me.

The chicken was flavorful, with the right amount of spice. I am usually not a big fan of coleslaw, but it had good texture and was not over powering with sweet or sour. The Dragon fries were nothing more than season fries and some sort of concoction a spicy thousand island dipping sauce. I was hoping for something a little different. Maybe some cheese, bacon and jalapeños with creamy cilantro ranch?

I had finished my meal and the young lady who took my order at the to go counter asked, "Did I give you a receipt?" "Yes.", I replied. She proceeds to tell me the young lady who brought me my food with stars in her eyebrows accused her of giving me a free ice cream sandwich. Really? Come on. That seemed a tad bit petty. They could have checked the system and seen I had ordered one, or I would have been happy to show her my receipt.

Overall, this place was really good. The food was fantastic. I would suggest they figure out what direction they want to go with chicken or ribs. I will definitely be back. This place is a nice addition to the growing restaurant population of the...