When Cook Out first opened in Charlottesville about five years ago, the lines at the To Go windows were longer than those at John Paul Jones Arena for a Rolling Stones Concert. The lines have since subsided but Cook Out remains one of the most popular fast food options in Virginia. Our close friends and in-laws, Charlotte and Dick Forester from Richmond, are big time fans of Cook Out. It’s their first option for meals on any given road trip. They like the food, but they adore the milkshakes – the specialty at Cook Out.
Cook Out offers over 40 flavors of shakes. Fresh Banana is one of the most popular while others go for the rich, goodness of Peach Cobbler or Caramel Fudge or Snickers or many of the other creamy delicacies.
Cook Out opened their first restaurant in High Point, NC in 1989. They now have over 250 stores in 9 southern states.
I have eaten at Cook Out and their burgers are very good. Their hot dogs are okay, nothing special and their North Carolina-style barbeque is good, but not in the class of, say, Lexington Barbeque. Their fries, I thought, were very good. Another favorite at Cook Out are Chicken Sandwiches including Regular, Cajun, Spicy and BBQ. Cook Out has an extensive menu with many good selections, but it all comes down to their shakes. After all, how can you beat a delicious, icy cold Orange Push-Up Milkshake?