Cook-Out

I have been to Cook-​out a few times and finally getting around to giving it a review. The name certainly conjures up great memories of family cookouts with burgers and hot dogs and to me that sets a pretty high bar.
I find Cookout overall disappointing. I have to say it is best enjoyed late at night and that is supported by a typical long drive through line starting at around 11pm. Giving a nod for late night food is hardly an endorsement for a high quality product and certainly not worthy of meeting the family cookout standard, or at least the ones that I fondly remember. I would say that Cook-​out strives to be in the casual fast food category which has some very stiff competition.
First off the hot dog is way below average — I say don’t bother — it is a throw away menu item. A thin dog that does not meet the standard of any good dog I have had at a stadium or hot dog vendor — if I was giving a review strictly on the hot dog it would be a 1!
Second a good burger needs a sturdy and tasty bun — this one is neither as evidenced by many of the review pics including my own. I have great memories from LA of a fast food burger with chili from Tommy’s World Famous which I think is a good comparison. With that in mind I ordered my burger cookout style which adds homemade chili, slaw, mustard and onion. The burger tasted slightly of a cookout style burger but much more like I am really hungry late at night burger.
I have not had the Milkshakes here and maybe I would raise my review a point if I did but I kinda doubt it. This is below average fast food and shame on them. there are so many great examples of really good fast food /​casual fast food. The place is unexciting as well — along with the service. The price is average for this fair coming in at just over $ 5 with no drink or fries.
I won’t be hurrying back to Cookout that is for sure unless I pass it late at night and just have to have an okay burger!

Cheap food, not that great quality. Burgers are the only thing I’m mildly impressed with. Everything else seems frozen and prepackaged, but since it’s cheap, what else can you really expect? Milkshakes aren’t my favorite either, it’s just soft serve with different ingredients/​syrups. Takes forever to get through the drive through and they have often messed up my order.

A college kid fav I think. It is very good if you are looking for lots for little. And the only place open late. The food was ok, greasy but good. Service was not great. We had little choice but the young guys with us loved it!

Excellent, cheap, handmade food. Authentic burgers. Amazing milkshakes. They never disappoint.

Despite the mixed reviews, I wanted to give this place a shot as Google reviews were generally positive. Mistake!
If you want a good burger, go next door to Pal’s. It’s faster, tastier, and bigger! Charbroiled or not my burger (a double!!!) was small and generally lacking in flavor and juiciness. It reminded me of cafeteria burgers from my undergrad days. The veggies were thin, the patties dry, and the bun was flavorless. The fries weren’t so hot (literally and figuratively) and the slaw was bland. I can’t speak to the other options but I won’t be coming back to find out. If you can’t put a little pride into what amounts to the single most popular sandwich in the country I figure you can’t be bothered with anything else on the menu either.

1 hair on cup 2 hairs n food. Returned 7 miles for a refund after being disgusted, jus t to gwt a refund and not so much as an apology, acted like i did somthing wrong cause we didnt want to eat a strangers hair.

It was alright. It was a little slow getting my food. I expected a little better quality.

Great burgers and fries. Exceptional milkshakes. Speedy service. Friendly staff. The dining area needed attention. Booths needed wiping throughout the room. Please kill the awful Christian music in the dining room. We get it. You’re Christians. Many of your customers are not.

Good food at a good price. The combos are truly the best deal in Johnson City. I have tried many of the items. The BBQ was terrible. The burger was dry that I had. The hot dogs were pretty good and the sweet tea was amazing. Everything else I have had was pretty good. It is the best fast food option in the area. The best part is that if they do mess up on and order, they will fix it and get it right.

Great late night menu. affordable fried food, the bomb-​diggity milkshakes, and a pretty fast drive-​thru even when it looks packed.
I mean who doesn’t like Cookout?
This is America at its efficient best and deep fried worst. Tasty, greasy, and quick.
The hushpuppies are awesome, y’all
It’s almost always busy here, and you’ll see why.
Also, this fits:

The shakes are indeed pretty darn good. The food is mediocre at best but is plentiful.

Good cheddar bacon burger
Real good cajun fries
Really really good shakes (banana+pineapple and cherry+cheesecake)
Lousy hot dogs (saltiness is unreal)

My experience was not pleasant at all. To begin with, the cashier was not friendly, had awful customer service skills and had really bad hygiene. My meal was completely screwed up, and the food that I did receive was way below par. I got some kind of wrap with a pathetic, tiny piece of chicken and a tiny piece of lettuce in it. I am not satisfied. I’m all for local restaurants, but this establishment was terrible with no standards nor consistency. Save your hard-​earned money. If you’re craving late night food, even Waffle House would probably satisfy you. Or eat their food to soak up the alcohol after your favorite pub closes. This place is not worth it.

Great place for a late night snack or shake. Super low prices too. Usually a line if going late.

I love the cheddar style burger, it rivals some of the non-​fast food restaurants. The only complaint is the Mr. Pibb. For the last month it has been nasty, doesn’t taste anything like Mr. Pibb, the sweetness and taste is gone… Please fix it :)

I like independent food places, and independent fast food is ever better. On a stretch of West State of Franklin that is also home to another Local Favorite PALS we have Cook-​Out.
Cook-​Out has a massive menu which offers everything from Burgers to Quesadillas. Somethings on the menu are really pretty fantastic like the Milkshakes which are thick, and have tons of combos that are a steal at right around 2.50. to just average (I’m looking at you BBQ)
Cook-​Out has some pretty good burgers that really do taste like they were cooked on a grill instead of on a flat top (Not there is anything wrong with a flat top grill). The best deal is the tray deal. You can chose between a wide range of «main courses» like the Double Burger, or Chicken, or Chicken Fingers. Then you choose two sides, like amazing hush puppies, corn dogs, quesadillas (What as a side? awesome), fries or onion rings. Then top it off with a Tea, Drink, Float or upgrade to a shake for just a buck more. I’m pretty confident you are unlikely to find this much food for less.
Lets just say if there were more of these, I would be fatter.

Great local independent fast food place. My wife and I got cheeseburgers which were pretty good. They tasted like they were actually cooked on a grill. My wife got a Snickers milkshake and loved it and I got the chocolate cobbler milkshake. It was quite possibly the best milkshake I have ever had. Go here now if you are in Johnson City.

Okay… TONS of milkshake combos?! YES PLEASE! This is a great late night joint close to ETSU that offers greasy spoon food (although you can get a grilled chicken sandwich if you’re watching your waistline) and really thick flavored milkshakes! The prices are good and they really nice (college kids I’m sure) staff. I would recommend this place for any out of towners (local restaurants are great!) and locals alike.

The menu is a little hit-​and-​miss in the sense that the burgers and fries are quite good while the hot dogs are only okay. Having said that, the things that are good are –really– good; I’ve had burgers that were only a notch below Five Guys. With drive-​thru open late into the night, its become one of my favorite third-​shift-​friendly spots.