The Cookout Tray: Price, Options & How to Build Yours (2026)
The Cookout Tray is the single best deal on the Cook Out menu and arguably the best value meal in American fast food. For $5–$7, you get a main item, two real sides, and a regular drink — a combo that would cost two to three dollars more at most competing chains. Below: every main you can pick, every side option, and how regulars actually order it.
Tray Pricing
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard Cookout Tray (any main + 2 sides + drink) | $5–$7 |
| Drink upgrade to milkshake | +$1.80–$2.00 |
| Double Up (replace 2 sides with small entrée) | +$1.00–$1.50 |
| Cheese on burger | +$0.40 |
All Cookout Tray Main Options
Any of the following counts as a Tray main at the same $5–$7 base:
- Hamburger (Regular)
- Barbecue (Regular)
- Hot Dogs (2 pc.)
- Big Double Burger
- Quesadilla (Chicken or Beef)
- Chicken (Regular)
- Cajun Chicken
- Spicy Chicken
- BBQ Char-Grilled Chicken
- Chicken Strips (3 pc.)
All Side Options for Your Tray
| Side | À la carte price |
|---|---|
| Hushpuppies (12 pc.) | $1.00–$1.75 |
| French Fries (Regular) | $1.00–$1.75 |
| French Fries (Large) | $1.75–$2.50 |
| Cook Out Fries with Cheese | $1.25–$2.00 |
| Cook Out Fries with Chili | $1.50–$2.25 |
| Cook Out Fries with Cheese & Chili | $1.75–$2.75 |
| Onion Rings | $1.75–$2.75 |
Choosing two sides is included in the base Tray price — you only pay à la carte if you order extra.
Most Popular Tray Combinations
- Cook Out Style Big Double Burger + Fries + Hushpuppies + Sweet Tea — the regional default.
- Cajun Chicken + Cook Out Fries w/ Cheese + Onion Rings + Coke — the spicy build.
- BBQ Plate + Hushpuppies + Fries + Sweet Tea — Carolina-style.
- Chicken Strips (3 pc.) + Fries + Corn Dog + Lemonade — kid-friendly.
- Big Double Burger + Onion Rings + Hushpuppies + Oreo Mint Shake (upgrade) — the indulgent tray.
- Quesadilla + Fries + Chicken Nuggets + Unsweet Tea — the snack tray.
How to Order the Cookout Tray (Step-by-Step)
- Pull up to the speaker. Cook Out menu boards don't display all options — know what you want before you order.
- Say "I want a Tray with [main]."
- List your two sides.
- Name your drink. Add "make it a milkshake" if upgrading, and specify the flavor.
- Confirm the total — base $5–$7 plus any upgrades.
Is the Cookout Tray Worth It?
Yes — and it's not particularly close. Ordering the same items à la carte typically runs $6.50–$8.00: a Big Double Burger at $2.99, two sides at $1.00 each, plus a $1.79 large fountain drink lands at about $6.78 before tax. The Tray bundles all of it for $5–$7. Across competing fast food chains, the equivalent combo (burger + fries + drink, often without the second side) typically runs $7.50–$9.00. The Tray is structurally one of the best value meals in US fast food in 2026.
Related: Full menu · Sides menu · Drinks · Burgers