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    Cook Out

    3.5 (83 reviews)
    InexpensiveBurgers, Fast Food, Hot Dogs
    Closed 10:30 am - 5:00 AM (Next day)

    Cook Out Photos

    Business Info

    COOK OUT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Cook Out

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    Angelique G.

    I have always loved the staff at this location and often complimented them to management, but the last two times I have gone (during the day), the food has been down right NASTY. I ordered the cheddar grilled chicken, Cajun fries and the quesadilla. I could not even bite through my chicken sandwich because the chicken was so dry it looked like it had been dehydrated!! The bun was so soggy it looked like it was soaked in grease. The fries were not fully cooked and soggy as all get out and WAY TOO MUCH seasoning. Theeeeen I'm like it's cool I have a quesadilla to eat at least, but NOPE. Same dehydrated dry as the Sahara desert chicken and the tortilla was wet like it sat in water. Heck even my cheerwine was watered down like the machine is runnin out. Staff is rushing, they are young and need guidance at window to be polite and slow their role so they stop messing up the food and wasting people's hard earned money. This will be my last time going to cookout during this shift because it's gawd awful. Order number: 1221 at 6:39pm on Sep 3rd Cashier: Maria

    Chicken tenders meal with a side corn dog and fries. $5.00
    Aimee N.

    My freaking charbroiled chicken breast sandwich was bomb! I the tomato was so fresh and the chicken itself tasted like an actual BBQ. The building itself is really hard to find if you are not looking.

    a person holding a cup of food
    Morgan M.

    Cars are lined up down the road and there's always a wait no matter what time of day but it is so worth it. Got hush puppies which were good and so reasonably priced. However, the real star of the show was the shakes. Ordered a banana pudding and chocolate chip cheesecake and they were so delicious. Can't wait to go back for my late night shake craving.

    a tray of french fries and a sandwich

    Go here pretty often not bad all the time but they skimp. Got fries and cheese bites and this was all they gave me

    Melissa B.

    Confession: Having lived in NC for a year and a half now (or so), this weekend was the first time that the bf and I ever had Cook Out. I realize this is some sort of Carolinian blasphemy, but I'm hoping that this positive review spares us from any lashings we might otherwise have been due. Both T and I went for their "Tray" -- for $4.25 you get your choice of sandwich or dog, two sides and a fountain beverage (or a shake if you add $.99 to the deal). I went for a 1/4 lb cheeseburger with grilled onions, sides of onion rings and a corn dog (because Tom had never had one and I demanded that he try it). (Sidebar: Where else can one get a corndog as a SIDE?! Crazy Southerners!!) Tom got a double burger "steak style", so it had lettuce, tomato, grilled onions and A1 as well as cheese. His sides were fries (skin-on... yay!) and a cup of chili. And we both got Diet Cokes... we recognize the irony in that, but hey, we're used to the taste, ya know?! Anyhow, the found the burgers to be juicy and enjoyable -- the sides, hot and fresh. We're not really "fast food people", and were happy that the burgers tasted more like something we'd have at a friend's BBQ than like something that would come from the flat top at PT McFunster's. We'll certainly be back (probably after many hours of cardio) and plan to indulge in a shake next time.

    Erin L.

    Last week, I was visited Wilmington with my family... we spent our time laying by the pool and going out to dinner each night. Well, one night we wanted to do something a little more low key. We had driven by Cookout many times during our trip and decided to give it a try after reading good reviews. And I am so happy we did! The burger was exactly what I had been craving - freshly grilled to perfection. While the service was fast, this does not taste like your typical fast food burger. The toppings were also fresh and they even offer melted cheddar to top your burger with (which I am actually really annoyed I did not get!) You can't beat the prices! For under $5.00 you can get a burger, 2 sides, and a drink. The only con was, and this may be my fault for not asking, but they did not include ketchup or mustard in our to-go bag! What am I supposed to dip my fries in???

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Chances of getting the order correct are slim. Ten trips over the last 2 years... 2 of those times the order was correct.

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Good burger, good fries, good hush puppies. Hit the spot, and under $5.

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    16 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Delicious burgers, cheap, good fries, cheerwine. YUM!

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    16 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    It was just okay. Nothing special. The burger was kinda dry and the bacon was not crispy! The onion rings could use more flavor!

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    12 years ago

    This location is the very first Cook Out I tried and I have to say they have made me a lifelong fan! So much delicious food for so little.

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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    14 years ago

    I tried this place when they came to town and i'm hooked. You get a good burger,fast and cheap.

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Just terrible. Even for the price! Cold fries and my burger was burnt. Way to ruin my lunch.

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    13 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    12 years ago

    Best burgers on a budget in Wilmington. Quesadilla was ok. Hot dogs and chicken were good too. I will be returning frequently.

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    13 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Unlike other fast food burgers, Cookout has a backyard grill flavor, very good. Nice atmosphere for fast food. Recommend.

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    11 years ago

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    8 years ago

    it's cookout, how could you hate on cookout? sure it's busy like all the time but it's good cheap food and god their milkshakes are bomb.

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    14 years ago

    Cheap and delish. BBQ tray with fries hits the spot. Pick a cheeseburger/ chicken sandwich and two side with a drink for under 5 dollars!

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    Merritt's Burger House

    Merritt's Burger House

    4.0
    (46 reviews)
    3.7 mi
    $

    We tried this drive-in on a Saturday and enjoyed the old school feel. Our waitress was so sweet and…read morecalled us hon/sweetie and was quick. You could tell the staff were working hard. It was fun just hanging out in the car and the nostalgic vibe. Since it's a burger house, we ordered burgers, fries, a vanilla milkshake and a bottled soda. It was around $21. It is cash only! The burger was just okay and could've used a bit more flavor. The fries were good and my son loved the milkshake. Next time I might try a hot dog since that seems like another popular item. Overall, the food isn't amazing, but the experience and nostalgic atmosphere made it worth the visit.

    OK, this is the quickest turnaround for a review I've ever provided. I actually just left Merritt's…read moreBurger house not even five minutes ago. A little bit of a backstory - every month or two I crave a good chili, slaw, and ketchup hotdog (I know, not quite Carolina style) - and I'm determined to find one as good as the place in my hometown in Charleston. So far, I've never been close. Until today. And I've been on this mission for about 10 years. After hearing from a bunch of Wilmington locals that this is the place I should try, I was finally able to go today. They are open I believe from 10 to 4 Monday through Saturday. Cash only. You drive up to a parking spot. Park. Roll down your window. And wait for the people to come take your order. I believe I came at one of the busiest times ever - I think every single parking spot was full. But the lady saw that I pulled in and she was over to take my order as soon as reasonably possible. I only had a $20 bill so I was worried about how much I could order. Oh my gosh! What a silly concern. I was able to get two hotdogs the way I like it with chili, slaw, and ketchup, I also ordered a plain hotdog for my dog, and she rang it up just as a wiener that has no bun. Perfect. She told me that I would still have money left over with my $20 bill to get fries and even a drink. I ordered a Diet Coke and I was surprised that it came out in a beautiful wonderful bottle! Delicious! And the fries are crinkle cut fries! You won't even believe me when I tell you that that entire order was $11.75. I was amazed! It probably took about 10 minutes to receive my food. But it's a nice day and I was just chilling in the car until it was ready. Not a bad weight when we have our phones, music on the radio, and especially if you were in the car with some friends or family members like many people were today. I've already eaten one hotdog and it is absolutely delicious. The slaw is finely chopped and sweet. It adds such a nice touch to the hot dog. And the chili is actually on point. Also finely ground. The hotdogs are that bright red style that is common around eastern North Carolina. I know that is some people's preference, but I will say that the look has always scared me and I've actually stayed away from a lot of places that serve the style of hot dog. Well, that was foolish. This thing was so good. Probably the best hotdog so far that I have had in the state of North Carolina, and believe me, I have tried hotdogs across the state and surrounding ones. So happy I found you, Merrits burger house! I will definitely be back! And thank you to my amazing waitress today.

    Photos
    Outside building
    Outside building
    Took the food home. Burger, fries, and bottle of Diet Coke. (There were more fries but I ate them.)
    Took the food home. Burger, fries, and bottle of Diet Coke. (There were more fries but I ate them.)
    Merritt's Burger House

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    Cook Out - burgers - Updated July 2026

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