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    Cook Out

    2.7 (40 reviews)
    InexpensiveBurgers, Fast Food, Hot Dogs
    Open 10:30 am - 4:00 AM (Next day)

    Cook Out Photos

    COOK OUT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for kids

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    milkshake
    Halle B.

    Look man, you have a lot of cookout options around this area. Walnut St/Cary is fine, but tiny and their fries aren't always the best. Western BLVD? The line is always ridiculous, you get stuck, and their food isn't always great. But man. Wilmington St. cookout? It can't be beat. They consistently serve good food, make accommodations if you need it (we have allergies to peanuts and they are so good about cleaning the milkshake machine when we mention it), their fries are fresh and quesadillas are always so good. Today, she did my milkshake sooo right I was about moved to tears. I love y'all wilmington st. cookout!! (My cashier was Angela on 3/2!)

    Janet R.

    The food is not bad here most of the time and they do a good job st getting my orders right for the most part. But the staff is RUDE. 97% of my visits are unpleasant or mediocre at best. Every time I come to this location I feel uncomfortable and like the staff doesnt want to be there or help the customers. Last time we came in, the woman at the drive thru window forgot to give us our chicken wrap in our tray so we went back through the line to get it and she looked at us several times through the closed window and just ignored us for at least a minute before coming up and (rudely) asking what we wanted. She wouldn't give my receipt back to her after she asked for it (for proof?) because of "company policy".... I love cook out, though. I recommend driving the extra 5 minutes to the location on Western Blvd or literally any other location besides this one!

    Can i get a few more onion rings.
    Denise G.

    Just Awful!!! Went for a late night meal about 11:00. They were not to crowded. I thought my timing was great because they are usually slammed at this time. So I ordered...double burger tray with double fries and quesadilla with onion rings and hush puppies. What could go wrong???? Should I have more than three onion rings? Oh but they made up for it with extra crispy hush puppies. How can you mess up a burger and fries? Put a twist tie in it. Yes the kind you find on bread. Yes ma'am I need a refund.

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

    The food was fine but they messed up our order and we had to go back to get it corrected.

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    6 years ago

    My husband got your barbecue plate twice this week. He said your plate was very good, service was great and the price was very reasonable

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    11 years ago

    They have nice milkshakes, but the food is too greasy for me to stomach. It's very heavy.

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    Ask the Community - Cook Out

    Review Highlights - Cook Out

    Wash it down with a Cheerwine or a fantastic milkshake (but don't do it daily.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    The Roast Grill Hot Weiners - Two hot dogs with mustard. Glass Bottled Sodas. Chili and slaw on the side.

    The Roast Grill Hot Weiners

    4.2(186 reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $

    I visited the Roast Grill in January after years of looking down on the building from my former…read moreGannett Fleming office at One Glenwood and wondering what was inside this little Raleigh institution. The Roast Grill feels less like a restaurant and more like a preserved piece of mid-20th-century Americana hidden in plain sight along West Street. The narrow counter, wood-paneled walls, neon beer signs, Coca-Cola memorabilia, handwritten notices, old photographs, Hurricanes tributes, and decades of accumulated objects create an atmosphere that simply cannot be manufactured today. The place reminded me a little of Chicago's famous Billy Goat Tavern--especially the feeling of discovering something authentic tucked beneath an increasingly overbuilt urban streetscape. I ordered two hot dogs all the way with mustard, onions, chili, and slaw--absolutely NO ketchup, of course--along with a Coke in a glass bottle. The chili is legendary and reportedly takes up to three days to prepare. Whether that is folklore or fact, it certainly gives the hot dogs a flavor unlike almost anywhere else in Raleigh. One of my favorite details was the mounted goat wearing a red hat beneath the neon beer signs. It somehow fits perfectly within the visual layering and quirky personality of the interior. Even the traditions remain intact. At the end of the meal, every customer receives a Tootsie Roll. Places like the Roast Grill are becoming increasingly rare. It is not just a hot dog stand--it is a living piece of Raleigh history. If interested, you can view my post in "The Architecture of..." Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Tu51FPtB/

    I have always wanted to try The Roast. I had my opportunity today. Very nice waitress. Really tight…read morequarters and lots of trinkets on the shelves near the cook area. The hot dog nor the chili were for me. My dog had an almost burnt flavor and the chili had an overly liquidity density without a lot of flavor. I loved the glass bottle cokes. Very reasonably priced but remember it is cash only. Cheers to the longevity and history of this place. It just wasn't for me.

    Photos
    The Roast Grill Hot Weiners - The back wall and door to the kitchen are equally interesting. It is no-holds-barred visual layering.

    The back wall and door to the kitchen are equally interesting. It is no-holds-barred visual layering.

    The Roast Grill Hot Weiners - 2 mustard, chili, & onions

    2 mustard, chili, & onions

    The Roast Grill Hot Weiners - Coke in the bottle, cool

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    Coke in the bottle, cool

    Cloos' Coney Island - Bacon Cheeseburger

    Cloos' Coney Island

    4.1(232 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    A friend suggested that I try Cloos', and what great advice that turned out to be. Cloos' brings…read morethe feel of Northern short-order stands, grills, and diners to the NC State area. I had lunch there on Thursday--and liked it so much that I went back again on Friday. Two days in a row. One word of caution: this is a true short-order grill. Everything is freshly made to order, and they are often very busy. You will not get your food as quickly as you would at a fast-food place like McDonald's or Wendy's. If you are in a big hurry, head west on Western Boulevard to McDonald's, Bojangles, Wendy's, or Cook Out--all places I patronize--but they are not the same type of venue. Cloos' Coney Island is a hot dog and classic American comfort food restaurant that has been operating in Raleigh since 1988, with strong ties to the NC State student community and local residents. According to their own signage and social pages, they proudly market themselves as "An Original Detroit Hot Dog Stand, Est. 1988." The restaurant is decorated like a classic diner or luncheonette. White tile gives a clean, bright feel, paired with black checkerboard accents. The décor is reminiscent of original White Castle, White Diamond, and Waffle House locations. There's even a Sopranos-themed pinball machine. Seating includes a lunch counter with round revolving stools and 1950s-style dinette tables and chairs. On Thursday, I ordered a Coney Dog and French fries. With the exception of the Chicago Dog, their hot dogs are 90 percent beef, with the remainder pork products. The Coney Dog is their specialty, served on a steamed bun with chili, mustard, and onions--try it; you'll love it. The fries are excellent--thin, string-style fries like McDonald's used to make years ago. My friend had the Chicago Dog, a Vienna all-beef frank customized with Carolina flair, adding slaw atop their Coney Dog toppings. They have a soda fountain with Coke products, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and both sweet and unsweet tea. As a fun detail, there's a Coca-Cola CLASSIC sign near the fountain--perfectly fitting for a place established in the late '80s. Because they offer both tea and lemonade, they list Arnold Palmers (sweet or unsweet) on the menu. They also offer bottled water and a selection of domestic and premium bottled beers. On Friday, I went alone, sat at the counter, and ordered the Philly Cheesesteak--listed on their menu as one of their signature items, and now I know why. I chose steak with green peppers and onions and added mushrooms for a small extra charge. I don't care for mustard (a Midwest thing) or mayonnaise (a Southern thing) on my cheesesteaks. When I worked in Philadelphia and ate at Pat's and the street carts, I always had ketchup on the bun. At Cloos', I dipped both my cheesesteak and fries into genuine Heinz ketchup from glass bottles--outstanding. I liked the fries so much the day before that I ordered another small order. Growing up in New Jersey, a root beer with a cheesesteak just felt right--even though I rarely drink soda. Some pairings are simply meant to be. The staff are great--nice, patient, and constantly engaging with customers. There's an ongoing conversation about everything, and you can tell they genuinely enjoy their work, their coworkers, and their customers. If you're expecting service with a deep Southern accent, this might not be the place--but the warmth and authenticity more than make up for it. Needless to say, I plan to go back. Two five-star experiences, back-to-back.

    This spot has been open since 1988, and I've been coming, off and on, since the early 90's. This…read morearea, close to part of the NC State campus is home to several venerable hot dog "stands" - Roast Grill (opened in 1940), Char-Grill (opened in 1959), and Snoopy's (opened in 1978). Went to all 4 on this trip! Like the other 3, this spot is showing its age and the service tends to be a bit out of the "fast food" range, but they still put out some solid burgers, hot dogs, and FFs. My favorites are the Chicago Dog, the Carolina Cheeseburger, the Kraut Dog, and their Fries! I also like that you can get a beer.

    Photos
    Cloos' Coney Island - Inside - Behind the counter

    Inside - Behind the counter

    Cloos' Coney Island - Cheese fries

    Cheese fries

    Cloos' Coney Island - Great staff!

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    Great staff!

    Jim's Ole Time

    Jim's Ole Time

    4.5(25 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $

    Great taste, but too messy. Loved the flavors, but the toppings kept falling off. Still, one of the…read morebetter hot dogs I've had!

    if one is as into seeking great hot dogs as I am, one goes where ever the trail leads - even to the…read morefront of a Lowe's Home Improvements store in Cary, and this trip was definitely worthwhile.. There Jim Rivers has been setting up his steel hot dog stand for nearly 14 years now, and is there almost everyday beginning at 11:30 - he misses some days because he also sets up at the North Carolina State Fair each year. He steams his weiners - Red Hots (neon red Southern weiner)for $1,50, Nathans All Beef for $2.00, Jalapeno (with the pepper already in the weiner) for $2.50, and a Sausage dog, also for $2.50. His toppings(whatever you want at no additional charge) include mustard, ketchup (ugh!), chili, onions, slaw, mayo (double ugh!), cheese, sauerraut, red onion (foo foo), and relish (we get visitors from the far north). The Red Hot is your basic Southern Chili dog with a weiner of questionable parentage, chile, onions and/or slaw, on a nice, soft bun. This is a very good hot dog. The chili is not home made since the All Knowing, All Seeing Wake County government has decided that only brick and mortar restaurants can prepare such items in their duly and regularly inspected kitchens - this apparently is true even if the rating is not particularly good. Jim uses Patterson's Grand Slam All Beef Chili, which is available in 5 pound tubs or #10 cans. This is very good commercially prepared chili, right up there with Matinee brand used by Allen & Son in Chapel Hill. The Nathan's All Beef hot dog with chili, mustard, and Jim's slaw is an outstanding slaw dog - one of the best I've tried, and I've tried more than a few. The quality of the weiner reals comes thru, and is very well showcased by the soft bun, tasty chili, and not too sweet mayo based slaw. On my next visit, I'll try the Jalapeno dog and the Sausage dog instead of the All Beef - well, probably in addition too it. Jim is friendly and personable, the service is quick, the pricing reasonable - there is no seating available, but sitting in an airconditioned auto munching several dogs ain't at all bad.

    Photos
    Jim's Ole Time - Jim's Truck and Trailer in the lot. Nice advertising.

    Jim's Truck and Trailer in the lot. Nice advertising.

    Jim's Ole Time - Red dog with mustard , chili and onion.

    Red dog with mustard , chili and onion.

    Jim's Ole Time

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    Cook Out - burgers - Updated May 2026

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