📍 Cary, North Carolina • 1 Store in Cary • 2 Serving Cary • 14 Within 17 Miles • 2026
Cook Out Cary NC — Walnut St Location, Hours & Nearby Stores (2026)
Cary has one Cook Out inside town limits, at 1607 Walnut St in east Cary. The second store most Cary residents use is 3930 Western Blvd, just over the line in west Raleigh, and Apex’s East Williams St store is about 6 miles away.
Most Cook Outs open 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM (4 AM Fri–Sat), not midnight. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99. Hours vary by store.
This guide covers the Cook Out on Walnut St in Cary, the Western Blvd store on the Cary–Raleigh edge, and the 12 other Cook Outs within about 17 miles in Apex, Raleigh, Durham, Garner, Fuquay-Varina and Knightdale. Addresses come from Cook Out’s own store locator, with one-tap directions, the closest store to each Cary neighborhood, typical late-night hours and what to order.
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), Town of Cary, News & Observer
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in Cary, NC?
There is 1 Cook Out inside the Town of Cary: 1607 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511. A second store, 3930 Western Blvd in Raleigh (27606), sits about 5 miles from central Cary on the west Raleigh side and is the other Cook Out most Cary residents use, according to the Cook Out store locator in October 2026.
Walnut St is about 2.5 miles from downtown Cary, in the east Cary retail corridor. Western Blvd is about 4.9 miles away, between the I-440 Beltline and NC State. For west Cary, the Apex store at 1001 E Williams St (about 5.9 miles) is often the quicker drive, especially from Kildaire Farm Rd south, Holly Springs Rd and the NC-55 side.
Some older pages claim the Cary store closes at midnight. Most Cook Outs in North Carolina, including the Triangle stores, are open until about 3 AM on weeknights and 4 AM on Friday and Saturday, though hours vary by store. Older lists also mention Raleigh addresses on Glenwood Ave and 3021 Western Blvd that the current locator does not show; this guide uses only locator addresses.
- East Cary, Walnut St, Crossroads, Maynard Rd: 1607 Walnut St
- North Cary near NC State and I-40/I-440: 3930 Western Blvd, Raleigh
- West and south Cary, Apex line: 1001 E Williams St, Apex
- Morrisville and RTP: 2103 Allendown Dr, Durham, or Walnut St
Every Cook Out Near Cary: Addresses & Directions
Below are the two Cook Outs that serve Cary directly plus the 12 nearest stores beyond them, all within about 17 miles of downtown Cary. Addresses come from the Cook Out store locator (October 2026); tap any card for Google Maps directions. Distances are straight-line miles from the center of Cary, so real drives run longer.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary & the Cary–Raleigh line | 2 | Cary, Raleigh | Walnut St • US-1/64 • Western Blvd • I-40/I-440 |
| Apex & Fuquay-Varina | 2 | Apex, Fuquay-Varina | NC-55 • US-1 • US-401 |
| Raleigh | 5 | Raleigh | I-440 • US-70/401 • New Bern Ave • Capital Blvd |
| Durham & RTP | 3 | Durham | I-40 • NC-147 • NC-55 |
| Garner & Knightdale | 2 | Garner, Knightdale | I-40 • I-87/US-64 |
1. Cary & the Cary–Raleigh line — 2 Cook Out locations
Cary’s own Cook Out is on Walnut St, the busy commercial road through east Cary that also passes the former Cary Towne Center site. The Western Blvd store is in Raleigh, not Cary, but it is the closest Cook Out for north Cary drivers heading toward NC State, Meredith College or the I-440 Beltline.
Cook Out Cary – Walnut St
1607 Walnut St., Cary, NC 27511
Cary’s only in-town store, on Walnut St in east Cary’s retail corridor
Cook Out Raleigh – Western Blvd
3930 Western Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27606
4.9 mi; west Raleigh, between the I-440 Beltline and NC State
2. Apex & Fuquay-Varina — 2 Cook Out locations
South and west of Cary, NC-55 links Apex, Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina. Apex is the nearest Cook Out to much of west and south Cary.
Cook Out Apex
1001 E Williams St., Apex, NC 27502
5.9 mi; on East Williams St (NC-55) in Apex
Cook Out Fuquay-Varina
1433 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
13.6 mi; on North Main Street in Fuquay-Varina
3. Raleigh — 5 Cook Out locations
Five more Raleigh stores sit 8 to 11 miles from Cary, from south Raleigh to the north Raleigh suburbs. They are useful if you work downtown or in north Raleigh.
Cook Out Raleigh – S Wilmington St
3222 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
8.1 mi; south Raleigh on S Wilmington St (US-70/401)
Cook Out Raleigh – New Bern Ave
1201 New Bern Ave, Raleigh, NC 27610
8.9 mi; east of downtown, a drive-thru open more than two decades
Cook Out Raleigh – Strickland Rd
9500 Strickland Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615
10.4 mi; on Strickland Rd in north Raleigh
Cook Out Raleigh – Falls of Neuse Rd
6505 Falls Of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
10.5 mi; on Falls of Neuse Rd in north Raleigh
Cook Out Raleigh – Capital Blvd
3244 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604
11.0 mi; north Raleigh on Capital Blvd (US-1)
4. Durham & RTP — 3 Cook Out locations
Three Durham stores are 10 to 16 miles from Cary. Allendown Dr is the closest one for Morrisville and Research Triangle Park commuters.
Cook Out Durham – Allendown Dr (RTP)
2103 Allendown Drive, Durham, NC 27713
10.0 mi; south Durham near Research Triangle Park
Cook Out Durham – Miami Blvd
1540 S. Miami Blvd, Durham, NC 27703
11.6 mi; on South Miami Blvd in east Durham, north of RTP
Cook Out Durham – Shannon Rd
3119 Shannon Rd, Durham, NC 27707
15.6 mi; on Shannon Rd in southwest Durham
5. Garner & Knightdale — 2 Cook Out locations
Two eastern Wake stores round out the list, each 12 to 17 miles from Cary along I-40 and the eastern Beltline.
Cook Out Garner – Jones Sausage Rd
4001 Jones Sausage Rd, Garner, NC 27529
12.1 mi; on Jones Sausage Rd near I-40 exit 303
Cook Out Knightdale
1151 North Smithfield Rd, Knightdale, NC 27545
16.4 mi; on North Smithfield Rd in Knightdale, eastern Wake County
Which Cook Out Is Closest to Me in Cary?
East and central Cary should use 1607 Walnut St; north Cary near I-40 and NC State is closer to 3930 Western Blvd; west and south Cary are often closer to Apex. Morrisville and RTP drivers can choose between Walnut St and Durham’s Allendown Dr store.
| If you are in… | Closest Cook Out | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Cary, Downtown Cary Park, Academy St | Walnut St | Walnut St southeast from downtown |
| East Cary, Maynard Rd, Crossroads | Walnut St | Walnut St or US-1/64 |
| Kildaire Farm Rd, WakeMed Cary Hospital | Walnut St | Kildaire Farm Rd to Walnut St |
| North Cary, Weston Pkwy, SAS campus | Western Blvd, Raleigh | I-40 east to I-440, then Western Blvd |
| Preston, Carpenter, Morrisville | Allendown Dr (RTP) or Walnut St | NC-540/NC-55 to Durham, or I-40 to US-1/64 |
| West Cary, Green Level, Amberly | Apex, E Williams St | NC-55 south |
| South Cary, Lochmere, Regency, Koka Booth Amphitheatre | Walnut St or Apex | US-1/64 north to Walnut St, or south to Apex |
| NC State, Meredith College, Hillsborough St | Western Blvd, Raleigh | Western Blvd west |
| Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina | Apex or Fuquay-Varina | NC-55 |
Straight-line distances from downtown Cary are 2.5 miles to Walnut St, 4.9 to Western Blvd, 5.9 to Apex, 8.1 to south Raleigh and 10.0 to Durham’s Allendown Dr. Traffic on I-40, US-1/64 and Walnut St at rush hour can stretch even short trips, so pick the store on your side of the jam.
How Did Cook Out Become Part of the Cary Area?
Cook Out is a North Carolina chain, founded in Greensboro in 1989, and it has served the Triangle for decades, with Raleigh’s New Bern Ave drive-thru open more than 20 years. Cook Out does not publish opening dates for individual stores, so this timeline sticks to documented facts.
1989: Morris Reaves opens the first Cook Out in Greensboro. The chain grows across the Triad and Triangle.
2001: Cook Out buys the lot next to its New Bern Ave drive-thru in Raleigh for $310,000, according to the News & Observer, showing the chain was already well established in Wake County.
2010s–2020s: Cary grows past 170,000 residents to become one of North Carolina’s largest municipalities. Cook Out serves the town from Walnut St, with Western Blvd and Apex on its edges.
2024: The News & Observer reports on a second Cook Out-owned building beside the New Bern Ave store with a dining room and Roo’s Chicken signs, a sign of the company testing new concepts in Raleigh.
2025: Plans are filed for a new Cook Out at 1206 N Arendell Ave in Zebulon, eastern Wake County, now listed as coming soon on the locator.
October 2026: The Cook Out store locator lists 1607 Walnut St as Cary’s only in-town store and 144 open Cook Outs in North Carolina.
Cary is a family-heavy suburb with a large tech workforce at SAS, in Research Triangle Park and across the Triangle. Many of its restaurants close by 10 PM, so a late Cook Out tray or milkshake from Walnut St or Western Blvd is one of the few hot-meal options after the shows at Koka Booth Amphitheatre or a night match at WakeMed Soccer Park.
How Do I Get to Cook Out From I-40, I-440 and US-1/64 in Cary?
For the Cary store, use US-1/64 and Walnut St; for the Western Blvd store, take I-40 to the I-440 Beltline and exit for Western Blvd. From NC-540 or NC-55 in west Cary, the Apex store on East Williams St is usually the faster target.
- US-1/64: The freeway through east and south Cary. Walnut St crosses it in east Cary, which makes the Walnut St Cook Out an easy stop for drivers coming from Apex, Holly Springs or Raleigh.
- Walnut St: Runs from downtown Cary southeast through the town’s main retail strip. The Cook Out is in the 1600 block.
- I-40: Runs along Cary’s north side between Raleigh and RTP. Exit at Harrison Ave for north Cary or continue to I-440 for the Western Blvd store.
- I-440 (Raleigh Beltline): Its Western Blvd interchange is the quickest way to the 3930 Western Blvd Cook Out from Cary or downtown Raleigh.
- NC-55: The west Cary and Apex spine, running from Morrisville and RTP south to Apex and Holly Springs. Apex’s store sits on this road as East Williams St.
- NC-540 (Triangle Expressway): The toll road around west Cary and Morrisville. Exit at NC-55 for Apex or continue north toward RTP and Durham’s Allendown Dr store.
Both Cary-area stores are built for drive-thru and walk-up service. Like most Cook Outs, they have no indoor dining room, so plan to eat in the car, at home or at a Cary park.
Is There a Cook Out Near NC State, WakeMed Cary or SAS?
Yes. The Western Blvd store in west Raleigh is the closest Cook Out to NC State and Meredith College, while Walnut St is closest to WakeMed Cary Hospital. Both are open late, which suits students, nurses and the tech crowd working long hours.
NC State University The Western Blvd store sits on the road that forms the south edge of NC State’s main campus, a short drive west of the Bell Tower area. It is the go-to late-night tray for Wolfpack students.
Meredith College Meredith’s campus on Hillsborough St near the I-440 Beltline is a few minutes from the Western Blvd store.
WakeMed Cary Hospital The hospital on Kildaire Farm Rd runs around the clock. Walnut St is the closest Cook Out for staff coming off late shifts.
SAS and north Cary offices The SAS campus and the offices around Weston Pkwy and I-40 are closest to Western Blvd or Walnut St, depending on traffic.
Research Triangle Park RTP workers living in Cary can stop at Durham’s Allendown Dr store on the way out of the park or wait for Walnut St closer to home.
Wake Tech Wake Tech’s main campus is on US-401 south of Raleigh. Students there are closer to the south Raleigh, Garner and Fuquay-Varina stores than to Cary.
What Time Does Cook Out Close in Cary?
Most Cook Out restaurants open at 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and around 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store and can change on holidays, during bad weather or when a store is short-staffed, so check the store locator or call ahead before a very late run.
| Day | Typical hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday–Thursday | 10:30 AM – about 3:00 AM | Drive-thru is the main way to order late |
| Friday–Saturday | 10:30 AM – about 4:00 AM | Lines are longest after midnight |
| Major holidays | Varies | Some stores close or shorten hours |
Despite what some older websites say, Cook Out in the Triangle is usually a 3 AM or 4 AM drive-thru, not a midnight one. In Cary, where many restaurants close by 10 PM, the Walnut St and Western Blvd stores are among the few places serving a full burger, barbecue or chicken tray after midnight. Most Cook Outs have no dining room, so ordering after dark is through the drive-thru or walk-up window.
See the full Cook Out hours guide for holiday notes and how hours differ by state.
Cook Out Cary Menu and Prices (2026)
The Cookout Tray is the best value at about $7.39 to $7.99: one entree, two sides and a drink. Cary-area stores use the same core menu as other North Carolina Cook Outs, though exact prices can differ a little by store.
Cook Out’s menu is built around char-grilled burgers, North Carolina-style chopped barbecue, hot dogs, chicken and more than 40 milkshake flavors. Nearly every entree can be turned into a tray, and the tray is where the value is.
- Cookout Tray (entree + 2 sides + drink): about $7.39–$7.99
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, 40+ flavors
- Popular tray entrees: Big Double burger, BBQ plate, chicken strips, spicy chicken sandwich, Cajun chicken wrap, quesadilla
- Popular sides: fries, onion rings, hush puppies, cheese bites, chicken nuggets, BBQ, slaw, chili, a corn dog
- Drinks: soft drinks, Cheerwine, sweet tea, Cheerwine floats
Cash and cards are accepted. Prices above are typical across North Carolina stores in 2026 and can differ slightly by location. For the full list, see the Cook Out menu, the tray menu, the milkshake menu, the drinks menu and the secret menu.
Ordering tips for Cary families: Read big orders as separate trays, have sides decided before the speaker, and ask for extra sauces up front. Jr. Trays are a good fit for kids. For a dessert-only run after a soccer game, milkshake flavors like banana pudding, cheesecake and peach cobbler move quickly through the drive-thru.
How Does Cook Out Compare to Cary and Raleigh Favorites?
Cook Out wins on late-night hours and value; local institutions like Char-Grill and Ashworth Drugs win on nostalgia. Many Cary families treat Cook Out as the quick weeknight or post-game option and save the classics for weekends.
| Option | What it is known for | How Cook Out compares |
|---|---|---|
| Char-Grill (Raleigh, since 1959) | Char-grilled burgers ordered on paper slips, starting on Hillsborough St | Similar char-grilled style; Cook Out adds trays, BBQ and 40-plus shakes and stays open much later |
| Ashworth Drugs (downtown Cary) | An old-fashioned drugstore soda fountain known for hot dogs | Cook Out’s hot dogs come “Cook Out Style” with chili and slaw, at drive-thru speed |
| Bojangles and Biscuitville | North Carolina chicken and biscuits, strong at breakfast | Cook Out skips breakfast but serves until 3–4 AM |
| National chains on Walnut St and Kildaire Farm Rd | Value menus and drive-thrus | A Cookout Tray includes two sides and a drink for about the price of a single combo |
Cary’s food scene leans toward sit-down restaurants and shopping-center chains, so Cook Out stands out for its range: a single order can cover burgers, barbecue, chicken strips, quesadillas and milkshakes for the whole car.
More Cook Out Guides Near Cary
The closest Cook Out guide to Cary is Apex, about 6 miles southwest on NC-55 or US-1. These pages cover the rest of the Triangle.
Cook Out Apex The East Williams St store on NC-55.
Cook Out Raleigh Western Blvd and every other Raleigh store.
Cook Out Durham Allendown Dr near RTP, Miami Blvd and Shannon Rd.
Cook Out Fuquay-Varina The North Main Street store in southern Wake.
Cook Out Garner Jones Sausage Rd and Bratton Dr.
Cook Out Chapel Hill Stores near UNC, west on I-40.
Cook Out Wake Forest North of Raleigh on US-1.
Cook Out North Carolina All 144 open North Carolina stores by region.
Cook Out Cary NC FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Cary, NC?
One inside town limits: 1607 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511, in east Cary. The other store many Cary residents use is 3930 Western Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27606, about 5 miles from downtown Cary near NC State. Apex’s store at 1001 E Williams St is about 6 miles away, per the Cook Out store locator in October 2026.
Does the Cary Cook Out close at midnight?
Usually not. Most Cook Outs in North Carolina open at 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and around 4 AM Friday and Saturday. Hours at 1607 Walnut St can vary by day, on holidays or when short-staffed, so check the store locator or call ahead if you are planning a run after midnight.
Which Cook Out is closest to NC State from Cary?
The Western Blvd store at 3930 Western Blvd, Raleigh, is the closest to NC State’s main campus and Meredith College. From Cary, take I-40 east to the I-440 Beltline and exit at Western Blvd, or drive in on Western Blvd from the Cary side.
Is there a Cook Out in Morrisville?
No. The Cook Out store locator lists no Morrisville store as of October 2026. Morrisville residents usually drive to 1607 Walnut St in Cary or 2103 Allendown Dr in Durham near Research Triangle Park, depending on which side of town they live on and where they are heading.
What is the closest Cook Out to west Cary and Green Level?
For west Cary, Green Level and Amberly, the Apex store at 1001 E Williams St (NC-55) is often closer than Walnut St. Take NC-55 south into Apex. If you are already near US-1/64 or downtown Cary, the Walnut St store at 1607 Walnut St is the better choice.
Does the Cary Cook Out have indoor seating?
Plan on drive-thru or walk-up ordering. Like most Cook Outs, the stores at 1607 Walnut St and 3930 Western Blvd are built for takeout without an indoor dining room. Many families take trays to a Cary park or home.
How much is a Cookout Tray in Cary?
A Cookout Tray, with one entree, two sides and a drink, costs about $7.39 to $7.99 at North Carolina stores in 2026. A Jr. Tray starts around $5.29 and milkshakes are about $3.99 with more than 40 flavors. Prices at 1607 Walnut St may differ slightly, so check the menu board.
Which Cook Out is closest to WakeMed Cary Hospital?
The Walnut St store at 1607 Walnut St is the closest Cook Out to WakeMed Cary Hospital on Kildaire Farm Rd, a short cross-town drive. It is open late on most nights, which makes it a common stop for nurses and staff coming off evening shifts.
Find the Closest Cook Out in Cary
Use 1607 Walnut St for east and central Cary, 3930 Western Blvd near NC State and I-440, and Apex for west Cary. Hours vary by store, so check before a very late run.