📍 Tallahassee, Florida • 1 Open Store • 1 Coming Soon • 2026
Cook Out Tallahassee FL — 1942 N Monroe St, Hours & Directions (2026)
Tallahassee has one open Cook Out, at 1942 N Monroe St in a former Hardee’s building on US-27, with a second store at 1828 W Tennessee St listed as coming soon on Cook Out’s locator.
Opened November 11, 2025 after a November 10 preview night. Most Cook Outs open 10:30 AM and close 3 AM, 4 AM Fri–Sat. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99.
This guide covers the Cook Out in Tallahassee: the open North Monroe Street store, the West Tennessee Street location Cook Out lists as coming soon, how to get there from FSU, FAMU and TCC, late-night hours, and what to order. Addresses come straight from Cook Out’s own store locator.
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), WTXL ABC 27, WCTV
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in Tallahassee?
Tallahassee has one open Cook Out, at 1942 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303. A second store at 1828 W Tennessee St (32304) appears on Cook Out’s store locator as coming soon, so for now every late-night tray in the capital comes out of the North Monroe drive-thru.
The North Monroe store sits on US-27 in Midtown-north Tallahassee, a little north of Lake Ella and roughly two miles south of I-10 exit 199. It took over the old Hardee’s building, held a preview night on Monday, November 10, 2025, and began regular service the next day, according to WTXL ABC 27.
There is no other Cook Out anywhere in the Big Bend. The nearest open store outside the city is in Valdosta, Georgia, about 80–85 miles away by road, so if you are driving in from Thomasville, Quincy, Crawfordville or Monticello, North Monroe is the only stop that makes sense.
Florida as a whole has five open Cook Out restaurants as of October 2026: Tallahassee, Pensacola, Jacksonville, Tampa and Temple Terrace. Tallahassee’s store is the only one between the Panhandle store in Pensacola and the Jacksonville store on Beach Boulevard.
Where Is the Cook Out in Tallahassee? Address & Directions
The only open Cook Out in Tallahassee is 1942 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303, per the Cook Out store locator (October 2026). Tap the button below for Google Maps directions.
1. Inside Tallahassee — 1 Cook Out location
North Monroe Street is US-27, the main north–south road from downtown and the Capitol to I-10. The store is on the stretch between Lake Ella and the interstate, so it is a straight shot from downtown, Midtown and the north side, and an easy hop off I-10 for travelers between Pensacola and Jacksonville.
Cook Out Tallahassee
1942 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303
Former Hardee’s on US-27, north of Lake Ella, about 2 miles south of I-10 exit 199
Is a Second Cook Out Coming to Tallahassee?
Yes. Cook Out’s locator lists 1828 W Tennessee St, Tallahassee, FL 32304 as coming soon. It is not open yet, and Cook Out has not published an opening date, so do not drive there expecting food until the locator shows it as open.
West Tennessee Street is US-90, the busy corridor along the north edge of Florida State University’s campus. The coming-soon address sits northwest of FSU’s main campus, which would put a Cook Out within a short drive of the residence halls, Collegetown and the student apartments off Tennessee Street and Ocala Road.
Once it opens, Tallahassee will have one store on the US-27 north side (N Monroe St) and one on the US-90 west side (W Tennessee St), about two miles apart. Until then, students on the west side of town usually take Tennessee Street east to Monroe and turn north.
We will move the Tennessee Street store into the directory above once Cook Out lists it as open. Nothing about its hours, layout or drive-thru lanes has been announced, so we have not guessed.
When Did Cook Out Open in Tallahassee?
Cook Out opened on North Monroe Street on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, after a 5–8 PM preview night on November 10. It was the city’s first Cook Out and came three and a half years after Tallahassee won a public Cook Out poll.
April 2022 — Tallahassee wins the poll: Cook Out ran a 24-hour Twitter poll asking where to go next. Almost 65,000 votes came in, and Tallahassee edged Louisville, Kentucky, 46.3% to 45.4%, with the Outer Banks and Ocean City, Maryland far behind, WTXL reported. At the time the closest Cook Out was in Valdosta, about an hour and a half away.
September 2025 — signs go up on North Monroe: WCTV reported Cook Out signage on a building on North Monroe Street, confirming the first Tallahassee store.
November 10, 2025 — preview night: The store opened from 5 to 8 PM for a soft opening in the former Hardee’s building.
November 11, 2025 — regular service begins: Full operations started the next day, per WTXL ABC 27.
October 2026 — second site listed: Cook Out’s locator shows 1828 W Tennessee St as coming soon, alongside four other open Florida stores in Pensacola, Jacksonville, Tampa and Temple Terrace.
Cook Out itself dates to 1989, when Morris Reaves opened the first store in Greensboro, North Carolina. The chain grew through the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia for decades before crossing into Florida in 2025.
How Far Is Cook Out From My Part of Tallahassee?
From most of central Tallahassee the North Monroe Cook Out is a 5–15 minute drive; distances below are approximate road miles to 1942 N Monroe St. Traffic on Monroe, Tennessee and Capital Circle can stretch those times on game days and at rush hour.
| If you are in… | Approx. distance | Easiest route |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Ella / Midtown | Under 1–2 mi | North on N Monroe St |
| Downtown & the Florida State Capitol | About 2 mi | North on N Monroe St (US-27) |
| FSU main campus | About 2 mi | Tennessee St east to Monroe, then north |
| Collegetown / Gaines St | About 2.5 mi | Monroe St north from downtown |
| FAMU | About 3–4 mi | Adams or Monroe St north through downtown |
| Tallahassee Community College | About 4 mi | Tennessee St (US-90) east, then N Monroe north |
| I-10 travelers | About 2 mi | Exit 199 (US-27), south on N Monroe |
| Killearn / NE Tallahassee | About 6–8 mi | Thomasville Rd or I-10 to exit 199 |
| Southside / Apalachee Pkwy | About 4–6 mi | Monroe St north through downtown |
If you are coming from the west side near TCC or the West Tennessee corridor, keep an eye on the locator: the coming-soon Tennessee Street store will be the closer choice once it opens.
Is There a Cook Out Off I-10 in Tallahassee?
Yes. Take I-10 exit 199 (US-27 / North Monroe Street) and head south about two miles to 1942 N Monroe St. It is the only Cook Out on I-10 between Pensacola and Jacksonville, which makes it a natural late-night stop on a Panhandle drive.
| Driving from… | Nearest other Cook Out | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| West on I-10 (Pensacola) | 1735 E Nine Mile Rd, Pensacola | About 195 miles west; open since summer 2025 |
| East on I-10 (Jacksonville) | 14016 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville | About 170 miles east |
| North on US-221 / I-75 (Georgia) | 990 N St Augustine Rd, Valdosta, GA | About 80–85 miles; the closest store outside Tallahassee |
| North on US-319 (Thomasville, Tifton) | 1401 US 82, Tifton, GA | Roughly 100+ miles |
| South on I-75 (Tampa Bay) | 16215 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa and 5501 E Fowler Ave, Temple Terrace | About 250 miles |
Thomasville, Quincy, Havana, Crawfordville, Wakulla and Monticello have no Cook Out of their own. For anyone in Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla or Jefferson counties, North Monroe is the closest tray by a wide margin.
Is There a Cook Out Near FSU and FAMU?
The North Monroe Cook Out is about two miles from FSU’s main campus and three to four miles from FAMU, so it is the go-to 2 AM tray for both schools. Tallahassee’s student population is a big reason the city won Cook Out’s 2022 poll.
Florida State University Head east on Tennessee St (US-90) to Monroe, then north. After a night game at Doak Campbell Stadium, expect a long drive-thru line, so leave a few minutes early or wait out the first rush.
Florida A&M University From the FAMU hill, go north through downtown on Adams or Monroe St. The trip runs roughly 10–15 minutes, longer after events at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Tallahassee Community College TCC is on the west side off Appleyard Dr; Tennessee St east to Monroe is the simplest route. The coming-soon W Tennessee St store would cut this trip down.
Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare The main TMH campus on Magnolia Dr and Miccosukee Rd is under two miles away, handy for night-shift nurses and staff.
Florida State Capitol & state offices Downtown is about two miles south on Monroe St, so legislative-session late nights are a quick drive.
Lake Ella & Midtown The closest neighborhoods to the store; grab a shake and walk the Lake Ella loop.
What Time Does Cook Out Close in Tallahassee?
Cook Out stores typically open at 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM Sunday–Thursday and 4 AM Friday–Saturday. Hours vary by store and can change, especially on holidays, so check the Cook Out locator or Google Maps before a late drive.
| Day | Typical open | Typical close |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday–Thursday | 10:30 AM | About 3:00 AM |
| Friday–Saturday | 10:30 AM | About 4:00 AM |
| Holidays | Varies | Varies; some stores close early |
At its opening, WTXL listed the North Monroe store’s hours as 10 AM to 3 AM, so it is worth confirming the opening time if you want an early lunch. Cook Out is a drive-thru and walk-up operation; most stores are built around the drive-thru rather than indoor dining, so plan to eat in the car or take it home.
Busiest times are weekday lunch, the hour after FSU home games, and the 11 PM–2 AM student rush on Thursday through Saturday nights. Mid-afternoon is usually the quickest time to get through the line.
What Should I Order at Cook Out in Tallahassee?
Start with a Cookout Tray: one entrée, two sides and a drink for about $7.39–$7.99. The menu is the same as in North Carolina, so Tallahassee gets the full lineup of burgers, North Carolina-style barbecue, hot dogs, chicken and 40+ milkshake flavors.
Trays are the value play. Pick an entrée such as a Big Double burger, a barbecue plate, a chicken wrap or two hot dogs, then two sides like fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, Cajun fries or chicken nuggets.
- Cookout Tray: about $7.39–$7.99
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, 40+ flavors
- Cheerwine and Cheerwine floats available
- Cash and cards accepted
Prices vary slightly by store. For full lists, see the Cookout Tray menu, the milkshake menu, the sides menu and the main Cook Out menu. Off-menu ideas live on our secret menu page.
How Does Cook Out Compare to Other Late-Night Food in Tallahassee?
Cook Out’s edge in Tallahassee is price and late hours: a full tray with two sides and a drink costs about what a single combo costs at most national chains, and the drive-thru runs past 3 AM.
| Option | Where it wins | Where Cook Out wins |
|---|---|---|
| Whataburger | Made-to-order burgers, 24-hour stores | Cheaper tray, more sides, 40+ shakes |
| Chick-fil-A | Chicken sandwiches, service speed | Open late and on Sundays |
| Raising Cane’s | Chicken fingers, simple menu | Burgers, barbecue and hot dogs on one menu |
| McDonald’s / Wendy’s | Breakfast, many locations | Bigger tray value, hushpuppies, Cheerwine |
| Local spots like Momo’s Pizza | Big slices near campus | Lower price for a full meal |
For first-time visitors from outside the Carolinas, the parts that stand out are the hushpuppies and Cajun fries as tray sides, the chopped barbecue, Cheerwine on the fountain, and shakes made in flavors like banana pudding and peanut butter fudge.
Where Are the Other Cook Out Guides Near Tallahassee?
The closest Cook Out guides to Tallahassee are Pensacola on the Panhandle and Atlanta to the north. Use the locations finder for every state.
Pensacola: One store on E Nine Mile Rd near I-10 in the Pensacola guide.
Atlanta: In-town and metro stores in the Atlanta guide.
Georgia: All Georgia stores, including Valdosta and Tifton, in the Georgia guide.
Hours: Typical open and close times in our Cook Out hours guide.
All locations: Search every state in the Cook Out locations finder.
Nutrition: Calories and allergens in the nutrition guide.
Cook Out Tallahassee FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Tallahassee?
One is open: 1942 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32303. A second store at 1828 W Tennessee St (32304) is listed as coming soon on Cook Out’s store locator but has no announced opening date. Until it opens, the North Monroe drive-thru is the only Cook Out in Tallahassee and the only one in the Big Bend.
When did the Tallahassee Cook Out open?
The North Monroe Street store held a preview night from 5 to 8 PM on Monday, November 10, 2025, and began regular service on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, according to WTXL ABC 27. It moved into the former Hardee’s building, about three and a half years after Tallahassee won Cook Out’s 2022 Twitter poll.
Is the Cook Out on Tennessee Street open?
Not yet. As of October 2026, Cook Out’s locator lists 1828 W Tennessee St as coming soon. No opening date has been announced. When it opens, it will sit on US-90 northwest of FSU’s campus, about two miles from the North Monroe store. Check the locator before you go.
How far is Cook Out from FSU?
The North Monroe store is about two miles from FSU’s main campus. Take Tennessee St (US-90) east to Monroe St, then turn north; expect 5–10 minutes outside of game-day traffic. The coming-soon W Tennessee St store will be closer to campus once it opens.
Is there a Cook Out near FAMU?
The nearest open store to FAMU is 1942 N Monroe St, about three to four miles north through downtown via Adams or Monroe Street. The drive usually takes 10–15 minutes. There is no Cook Out on the south side of Tallahassee.
What time does Cook Out in Tallahassee close?
Cook Out stores typically close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4 AM on Friday and Saturday, opening at 10:30 AM. Hours vary by store and on holidays, so confirm the North Monroe store’s hours on the Cook Out locator or Google Maps before a late-night trip.
Where is the nearest Cook Out to Tallahassee outside the city?
The closest open store outside Tallahassee is 990 N St Augustine Rd in Valdosta, Georgia, about 80–85 miles away. In Florida, the nearest others are 1735 E Nine Mile Rd in Pensacola, about 195 miles west on I-10, and 14016 Beach Blvd in Jacksonville, about 170 miles east.
How much is a Cookout Tray in Tallahassee?
A Cookout Tray, one entrée with two sides and a drink, runs about $7.39–$7.99, and a Jr. Tray starts around $5.29. Milkshakes are about $3.99, and you can swap a tray drink for a shake for a small upcharge. Prices can vary a little by store.
Get Directions to Cook Out Tallahassee
North Monroe Street is the one open store in town; tap for Google Maps directions and check the hours before a late run.