Cook Out for Kids:
Best Items to Order
for Picky Eaters

Cook Out is one of the most family-friendly fast food stops in the South, and kids absolutely love it. The Jr. Tray is the perfect starting point for younger eaters, with options like corn dogs, small burgers, hot dogs, and chicken strips, all coming with two sides and a drink for around $6.49.

Throw in one of the 40 plus milkshake flavors and you have a meal kids will actually get excited about. For more fun ideas, parents can check out sippline for inspiration. For more fun ideas to elevate your cookout, check out marathibdaywishes.com. For more creative ideas, check out tsclistens for inspiration and tips. For additional fun ideas, check out cuantos litros tiene un galon for creative kid friendly recipes.

This guide covers every kid-friendly option at Cookout kids menu, with current prices, calorie counts, and honest recommendations from families who have been ordering here for years.

Best Cookout kids menu items

Items

Price

Calories

Why Kids Love

Hushpuppies

$1.99

260 cal

Soft inside, mild flavor, easy to eat

Regular Fries

$1.99

340 cal

Universal crowd pleaser

Corn on Cob

$2.49

150 cal

Light and fun to eat

Corn Dog

$1.99

280 cal

Cheese makes it more appealing

Small Cheeseburger

$2.29

300 cal

Cheese makes it more appealing

Small Burger (plain)

$2.49

260 cal

Standard burger, small portion

Plain Hot Dog

$1.99

260 cal

Simple, familiar, no strong flavors

Best Kids Meal Combinations at Cook Out

The Classic Kids Combo
Plain hot dog or small burger, regular fries, and a strawberry or vanilla milkshake. Simple ingredients most kids already know and like. Total cost around $8 to $9 which is less than most official kids meals at other chains.
The Finger Food Combo
Corn dog, hushpuppies and a chocolate milkshake. Everything can be eaten by hand which makes it good for younger kids still working on using utensils at the table. Total cost around $7 to $8.
The Picky Eater Combo
Plain small burger with nothing on it, regular fries and a large lemonade or sprite. No sauces, no strong flavors, nothing touching anything else. This is the safest combination for kids who do not like mixed flavors or unfamiliar ingredients.
The Treat Combo
Junior tray with a small burger and two mild sides, upgraded drink to an Oreo milkshake. The milkshake upgrade turns a simple tray into a genuinely exciting meal for a child. Total cost around $8 to $9 with the milkshake upgrade.

Cook Out tip: The milkshake upgrade on any tray adds around $1.50 to $2.00 to the price. For kids who are excited by the 40 plus flavor options, letting them pick their own milkshake flavor is a reliable way to make the meal feel special.

Items to Avoid Ordering for Young Kids

• Cookout Style anything: The chili, slaw, mustard and onion topping combination is too complex and strong for most young kids. Order plain and let kids add ketchup themselves.
• Cajun Fries: The Cajun spice level is noticeable. Most kids under 8 will find them too spicy. Stick to regular fries for younger kids.
• BBQ Sandwich: The vinegar-based Carolina BBQ sauce is tangy and strong. Good for adults, often too sharp for young kids who prefer milder flavors.
• Walking Taco: Has a spiced taco-style beef with chili elements that can be too strong for picky younger eaters.

Ordering Tips
for Families
at Cook Out

A few things learned from visiting Cook Out with kids that make the whole experience smoother:

• Decide on the entree before you reach t
•  
• he window. The menu board is large and has a lot going on. Kids can spend a long time reading it. Pick the main item in advance and let them choose their two sides once you are ordering.
• The drive-through is the main way to order at most Cook Out locations. A few have walk-up windows. There is usually no indoor seating, so plan to eat in the car or take it home.
• Cook Out stays open late, often until 3 or 4 AM and sometimes 24 hours. If you are doing a late-night family road trip, it is one of the few good fast food options still running.
• Ask about the milkshake upgrade at the window. Swapping the drink for a milkshake for an extra dollar or so is the single best upgrade on the menu, especially for kids.
• Hushpuppies cool down quickly. Eat them first while they are hot. That is when they are at their best.
• If you have a picky eater, the quesadilla and corn dogs are the two safest bets. Both are mild, familiar and rarely rejected.

Allergen Information for Kids

Cook Out publishes a full allergen menu that covers common allergens across all menu items. If your child has a food allergy, it is worth checking the allergen guide before you visit. The most relevant things to know for the kids-friendly items are:

• The hushpuppies contain gluten and are fried in shared oil.
• Chicken strips and corn dogs are also fried and share oil with other items.
• The milkshakes are dairy-based and made on shared equipment that may come into contact with nuts, Oreos, and other allergens depending on the flavor.
• The char-grilled items like burgers and chicken are cooked on a separate grill from the fried items.

For a full breakdown of every allergen across every item, the Cook Out allergen menu is available on this site and is updated whenever the menu changes.

Cookout kids Menu,
Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cook Out have a kids menu?

No. Cook Out does not have an official kids menu. However, the small burger, plain hot dog, corn dog, hushpuppies and milkshakes all work very well for younger eaters and are priced affordably.

What is the best milkshake for kids at Cook Out?

Strawberry, Vanilla, Hershey’s Chocolate, and Oreo are the most popular choices with younger kids. If you want something unique to Cook Out, Banana Pudding is worth trying. And if you are visiting in summer, the Fresh Watermelon shake is a must.

Can kids eat at Cook Out?

Absolutely. Cook Out is a very popular family stop across the Southeast. The food is fresh, the menu has plenty of mild and familiar options, and the prices make feeding a whole family very manageable. Most locations are drive-through only, so it is ideal for families eating on the go.

What sides are best for kids at Cook Out?

French fries, chicken nuggets, hushpuppies, mac and cheese, and white cheddar cheese bites are all strong choices for kids. Hushpuppies in particular are something kids tend to love and ask for on every visit.

Can kids get a milkshake with the Jr. Tray?

At most locations you can upgrade the large drink to a regular milkshake for an additional $1.00 to $1.60. This is not available everywhere, so ask at the window when you order.

No. Cook Out does not have an official kids menu. However, the small burger, plain hot dog, corn dog, hushpuppies and milkshakes all work very well for younger eaters and are priced affordably.

Strawberry, Vanilla, Hershey’s Chocolate, and Oreo are the most popular choices with younger kids. If you want something unique to Cook Out, Banana Pudding is worth trying. And if you are visiting in summer, the Fresh Watermelon shake is a must.

Absolutely. Cook Out is a very popular family stop across the Southeast. The food is fresh, the menu has plenty of mild and familiar options, and the prices make feeding a whole family very manageable. Most locations are drive-through only, so it is ideal for families eating on the go.

French fries, chicken nuggets, hushpuppies, mac and cheese, and white cheddar cheese bites are all strong choices for kids. Hushpuppies in particular are something kids tend to love and ask for on every visit.

At most locations you can upgrade the large drink to a regular milkshake for an additional $1.00 to $1.60. This is not available everywhere, so ask at the window when you order.