Cook Out — Restaurant in Raleigh

My body no longer tolerates fast food and somehow, Cookout is so good that I'll convince myself to get one of their famous Cook Out Trays. Compared to all other fast food chains, the quality and price is top notch by a wide margin. No other place in the area can you get a quick, filling meal for $5. The national fast food chains have consistently raised prices ($8 for an inferior combo at Wendy's, which I consider a distant second) and lowered quality (so much filler and so much soy in their beef products), but Cook Out has been the same for the entire decade I've been eating there.

Ordering from their huge menu can be tricky, but if you know any Cook Out veterans, ask them how to get the most out of your money. For example, depending on how much food you need to adequately fill up, the sides you choose for your tray can almost double your meal for the same price as some sides like onion rings are a measly 5 little rings but the chicken wrap sides are the same as the ones that cost 2.39 on the menu and you could get two of them. They stock Ken's brand condiments, which will perfectly flavor any dip-able items.

I rate them a 4 of 5 because although their food is a definite 5 among it's competitors, the service can be lacking. With the insane volume of customers they serve any given weekend night, you can expect up to a 25 minute drive through time if you go during their late night peaks. They do their best to keep things moving, but often you can wind up with your order not exactly as you wanted or with items and modifications entirely missing. As long as you check your food before you pull off and they will correct any mistakes quickly. They hire a large amount of young people with an impressively high turnover rate due to the establishment being one of the most difficult places to work for minimum wage. This leads to occasionally having to deal with notably rude and incompetent employees who are usually at their wits end dealing with an almost never-ending horde of drunks. Luckily for them, none of their competitors come close to selling an equivalent product for the same price, and it's well worth the occasional...

I've been coming to this cookout religiously as long as I remember. It has been engrained in my biography. I've been in the RDU area for 20+ years and can't go without hitting up cookout @ western, especially for those late late night cravings. For every time we need a budget bite regardless of how late, this is the go to, no brainer.

Astonishingly, after all the hundreds of times I've been here, this is my first time writing a review for this remarkable establishment.

We went on a late Wednesday night, around 1 AM and there was no line. The staff were patient with our order as this time around I wanted to try something I hadn't before: the EVERYTHING burger.

I ordered a big double burger tray with every topping (minus bacon). Yes, I mean even all the extra toppings. And doubled up on chili cheese fries for the side. For the drink, can never go wrong with a huge tea (light ice).

We also got a beef hot dog tray with ketchup, mustard, grilled onions and jalapenos, with Cajun fries and slaw for the side and huge tea again.

Also got a side of the onion rings.

The food was absolutely mind blowing. Sometimes it can be a hit-or-miss, especially during the busy rush hours but this time they didn't miss.

The burger, albeit loaded with every topping, was neatly assembled. The grilled jalapenos provided insane smoky/spicy flavor. The slaw and chili on the burger smacked! All the food was beyond our expectations.

Just look at the pictures y'all.

All in all, if you're craving a delicious meal on a budget, this is the spot you can never go wrong with. Needless to say, will be back over...

While they were back up to the street after 20 mins of waiting in line i finally make it to the order board. Sit there patiently waiting another 15 mins watching the other line clear 4 other cars first and still doesnt attempt to greet my van or even check in to let me know to hold on. (The line is still out to the street and still growing) i wait 5 more mins as another car goes through and i try to get someones attention over the speakerbox to no avail. So i pull forward and express my issue of not having been able to put an order in so i will put in in at the pay window. I understand you are busy but now you have a customer who has been sitting in your drive through for over 30 mins and still has not placed an order. And now everyone behind me has to pay for it as well. I finally place my order with her. After every item ordered she just assumed i was done. She didnt try to even confirm she heard my order. I wait another 10 mins for my food to come out. Just to open my bag to only half of my order. At this point i had not sat in line for fast food 50 minutes. FIFTY MINUTES!! To only get 1/2 of my order. And so of course i knock on the window and let her know i have not gotten my entire order. And have to wait another 5 minutes to collect the rest of my order.

This isnt the first time ive spent an entire hour waiting on food here. But it definitely is the last.

Go to a sitdown restaurant. You will have better service and can order, eat and be home by the time you would get a chance...