📍 Rocky Mount, North Carolina • 1 Store in Town • 3 More Within 17 Miles • 2026
Cook Out Rocky Mount NC — Location, Hours & Menu (2026)
Rocky Mount has one Cook Out: 1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd. on US-301, next to Golden East Crossing mall. The next closest stores are in Nashville, Tarboro and Wilson, all within about 17 miles.
Most Cook Outs open 10:30 AM and serve until about 3 AM, 4 AM Fri–Sat. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99.
This guide covers the Cook Out on North Wesleyan Boulevard in Rocky Mount and the three closest backups in Nashville, Tarboro and Wilson. It also has directions from each part of town, late-night hours, prices and ordering tips for first-timers and regulars.
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), Rocky Mount Telegram, Golden East Crossing records
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in Rocky Mount, NC?
There is one Cook Out in Rocky Mount: 1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27801, on US-301 beside Golden East Crossing mall. That is the only Rocky Mount address on Cook Out’s store locator as of October 2026, and no second Rocky Mount store is listed as coming soon.
If the Wesleyan Boulevard line is wrapped around the building, three other stores are close. Nashville, the Nash County seat, is about 10.6 miles west. Tarboro, the Edgecombe County seat, is about 14.1 miles east. Wilson is about 16.8 miles southwest on Raleigh Road Parkway.
Older pages online list three Rocky Mount Cook Outs on Benvenue Road, Sunset Avenue and US-64 Alternate. Those addresses do not appear on Cook Out’s own locator, so this guide leaves them out. The single Wesleyan Boulevard store serves both the Nash County and Edgecombe County sides of the city.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Rocky Mount stores | 1 (1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd.) |
| Stores within 17 miles | 4 (Rocky Mount, Nashville, Tarboro, Wilson) |
| Coming soon nearby | None listed within 30 miles |
| Open Cook Outs in North Carolina | 144 |
| Typical hours | 10:30 AM to about 3 AM; about 4 AM Fri–Sat |
Where Is the Cook Out in Rocky Mount, and What Is Nearby?
Rocky Mount’s only Cook Out is on North Wesleyan Boulevard (US-301), and the nearest alternatives are in Nashville, Tarboro and Wilson. Addresses come from the Cook Out store locator, October 2026. Tap a Directions button to open the store in Google Maps.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Rocky Mount | 1 | Rocky Mount | US-301 (Wesleyan Blvd) • US-64 • I-95 |
| Nearby Cook Out locations | 3 | Nashville, Tarboro, Wilson | US-64 • US-301 • I-95 • US-264 |
1. Inside Rocky Mount — 1 Cook Out location
The Rocky Mount store sits on the US-301 commercial strip on the city’s north side, next to Golden East Crossing, the regional mall that opened in 1986 at 1100 N. Wesleyan Blvd. US-301 runs north toward Battleboro and south toward Wilson, and US-64 crosses the city east to west. The store is about 2.4 miles from downtown.
Cook Out Rocky Mount
1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27801
On US-301 next to Golden East Crossing mall, north side of town
2. Nearby Cook Out locations — 3 Cook Out locations
These three stores are all within about 17 miles of downtown Rocky Mount. Nashville is about 10.6 miles west on the way toward Raleigh. Tarboro is about 14.1 miles east toward Greenville. Wilson is about 16.8 miles southwest.
Cook Out Nashville
102 E Evans Dr., Nashville, NC 27856
About 10.6 miles west in Nashville, the Nash County seat
Cook Out Tarboro
104 River Oaks Dr, Tarboro, NC 27886
About 14.1 miles east on River Oaks Drive, near Walmart
Cook Out Wilson
2925 Raleigh Rd Parkway, Wilson, NC 27896
About 16.8 miles southwest on Raleigh Road Parkway
Which Cook Out Is Closest to Me in the Rocky Mount Area?
Most of Rocky Mount is closest to the Wesleyan Boulevard store. Western Nash County is closer to Nashville, and eastern Edgecombe County is closer to Tarboro. Use this table as a starting point. Traffic on US-301 and around the mall can change which store is fastest at dinner time.
| If you are in… | Closest Cook Out | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown, Rocky Mount Mills, Amtrak station | 1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd. | Head west to US-301 (Wesleyan Blvd.), then north |
| North Rocky Mount, NC Wesleyan University | 1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd. | South on Wesleyan Blvd. (US-301) |
| Battleboro and the I-95 north side | 1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd. | US-301 south |
| West side near I-95 and Sunset Ave. | 1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd. | Sunset Ave. east to US-301, then north |
| Edgecombe County side of Rocky Mount | 1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd. | Cross town to US-301 |
| Nashville, Red Oak, Nash Community College | 102 E. Evans Dr., Nashville | Local roads in Nashville or US-64 |
| Tarboro, Princeville, Pinetops | 104 River Oaks Dr., Tarboro | US-64 or local roads to Tarboro |
| Elm City, Sharpsburg, Wilson | 2925 Raleigh Rd. Pkwy., Wilson | US-301 south into Wilson |
Sharpsburg and Elm City sit roughly between Rocky Mount and Wilson on US-301. Check your map app before leaving, since either the Wesleyan Boulevard or the Wilson store can be closer depending on which side of town you start from.
What Is the Cook Out Market Like in Rocky Mount?
Rocky Mount is a two-county city on US-301, US-64 and I-95, and its one Cook Out pulls customers from all of Nash and Edgecombe counties. Cook Out does not publish opening dates for individual stores, so this section sticks to what is on the record.
1989: Cook Out opens its first restaurant in Greensboro, founded by Morris Reaves. The chain grows across North Carolina before expanding to other states.
Before 2020: Rocky Mount already had its Cook Out. In May 2020 the Rocky Mount Telegram reported that Cook Out planned a store in Tarboro on River Oaks Drive, across the parking lot from Walmart. The paper noted it would save Tarboro residents late-night drives to Rocky Mount for shakes.
Today: The Cook Out store locator lists one Rocky Mount store on N. Wesleyan Blvd., with Tarboro, Nashville and Wilson stores forming a ring around the city. North Carolina has 144 open Cook Outs as of October 2026.
Rocky Mount has deep fast-food roots. Hardee’s grew up in eastern North Carolina, and Boddie-Noell Enterprises, one of the largest Hardee’s franchisees, is based in Rocky Mount. Cook Out competes here on late-night hours and the low price of its tray, not on brand history.
The city straddles the Nash–Edgecombe county line and the railroad that runs through downtown. That split shapes the drive to Cook Out. Edgecombe-side residents cross town to reach US-301, while Nash-side neighborhoods along Sunset Avenue and Wesleyan Boulevard have a short trip.
Is There a Cook Out Near I-95 or US-64 in Rocky Mount?
Yes. The Rocky Mount store is on US-301 a few minutes from both I-95 and US-64, which makes it a practical stop for travelers. I-95 runs along the west side of the city, and US-64 runs east to west between Raleigh and the coast.
| Road | Where it runs | Cook Out tip |
|---|---|---|
| I-95 | West side of Rocky Mount | Exit toward Rocky Mount and follow signs for US-301 / Wesleyan Blvd. |
| US-64 | East–west between Raleigh and Tarboro | Exit toward US-301 north; Nashville and Tarboro stores are also near US-64 |
| US-301 (Wesleyan Blvd.) | North–south through town | The store is on this road beside Golden East Crossing |
| US-264 / I-587 | Wilson toward Greenville | Use the Wilson store on Raleigh Road Parkway |
I-95 drivers between Virginia and South Carolina can use Rocky Mount as a reliable late-night stop. The store is a short drive from the interstate, and the US-301 strip has gas stations and hotels close by. Drivers heading from Raleigh toward the coast on US-64 also pass close to the Nashville and Tarboro stores, which bracket Rocky Mount on the west and east.
If you are coming from Wilson on US-301 or I-95, the Wilson store on Raleigh Road Parkway may be easier to reach before you get to Rocky Mount.
Is There a Cook Out Near NC Wesleyan or Nash Community College?
NC Wesleyan University is on the same road as Rocky Mount’s Cook Out: North Wesleyan Boulevard (US-301), a short drive south of campus. Nash Community College students on the Nashville side often find the Nashville store just as convenient.
North Carolina Wesleyan UniversityThe campus is on the north end of Wesleyan Boulevard. Students can follow US-301 south to the Cook Out by Golden East Crossing for a late-night tray or shake.
Nash Community CollegeThe college is on the west side of the Rocky Mount area toward Nashville. Depending on where you live, the Nashville store on E. Evans Dr. or the Wesleyan Blvd. store is closest.
Edgecombe Community CollegeEdgecombe Community College has campuses in Rocky Mount and Tarboro. Rocky Mount campus students use Wesleyan Blvd.; Tarboro students have the River Oaks Dr. store.
UNC Health NashNight-shift hospital workers and visitors can reach the Wesleyan Blvd. store across Nash County’s side of town, since it serves late after most kitchens close.
Late-night demand also comes from downtown events. The Rocky Mount Event Center and Rocky Mount Mills, a restored cotton mill on the Tar River with breweries and restaurants, draw crowds into the evening. The drive from downtown to Wesleyan Blvd. is about 2.4 miles.
What Time Does Cook Out Close in Rocky Mount?
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, so check the store’s Google Maps listing or call before a very late drive, especially on holidays.
| 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 | Some stores close early or close for the day |
Most Cook Outs are drive-thru and walk-up only, with no indoor dining room. Plan to eat in the car or take your food home. The late close is why many people in Nash and Edgecombe counties go to Cook Out after a shift, a game or a night out downtown.
Lines peak at lunch, around dinner and after 10 PM on weekends. If the Wesleyan Blvd. line backs up onto the parking lot, Nashville and Tarboro are 15 to 20 minutes away and often quieter.
What Should I Order at Cook Out in Rocky Mount, and How Much Does It Cost?
The Cookout Tray is the best value on the menu: an entree, two sides and a drink for about $7.39–$7.99. Prices vary slightly by store and change over time, so treat the numbers below as a guide.
- Cookout Tray: about $7.39–$7.99 (entree + 2 sides + drink)
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, 40+ flavors
- Cheerwine: the Salisbury-made cherry soda on the fountain
- Payment: cash and cards accepted
Tray entrees include burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips, barbecue sandwiches, chicken sandwiches and quesadillas. Sides include fries, onion rings, hush puppies, chili, slaw, corn dogs and chicken nuggets. Many regulars use one side as a second entree.
For a full breakdown see the Cook Out tray menu, the milkshake menu and the full Cook Out menu. If you are counting calories, the calorie calculator helps you build a lighter tray.
How Does Cook Out Compare to Rocky Mount’s Local Favorites?
Cook Out wins on price and late hours. Rocky Mount’s barbecue spots win on eastern North Carolina whole-hog tradition. Many locals use both, barbecue for lunch and Cook Out after 10 PM.
Rocky Mount is in the heart of eastern North Carolina barbecue country, where chopped pork comes with a vinegar-and-pepper sauce. Gardner’s Barbecue is a long-running Rocky Mount name, and Parker’s Barbecue in Wilson is another regional institution. Cook Out’s barbecue sandwich and tray are a quick, cheap version, but they are a different food from a pit-cooked plate.
| Option | Known for | Late-night | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook Out | Burgers, trays, 40+ shakes | Until about 3–4 AM | Tray about $7.39–$7.99 |
| Eastern NC barbecue spots | Chopped pork, slaw, hush puppies | Mostly lunch and early dinner | Higher per plate |
| National drive-thru chains on US-301 | Burgers, chicken, breakfast | Varies; many close earlier | Combos usually cost more |
The milkshake menu is the clearest difference. Few other drive-thrus in Nash or Edgecombe County offer 40-plus flavors, and you can get one as your tray drink.
Where Are Other Cook Out Guides Near Rocky Mount?
The closest city guides are Wilson to the southwest and Greenville to the southeast. Raleigh, Goldsboro and Henderson are farther out. Each guide lists every store in its area with directions.
Wilson, NCAbout 17 miles southwest. The Raleigh Road Parkway store is Rocky Mount’s closest backup to the south.
Greenville, NCEast toward East Carolina University. Good for trips on US-264.
Raleigh, NCWest on US-64. Several stores across the capital.
Goldsboro, NCSouth of Wilson, near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Henderson, NCNorth on I-85, toward the Virginia line.
All North CarolinaAll 144 open North Carolina stores, grouped by region.
Use the Cook Out locations finder to plan a longer drive, or check Cook Out hours before a late trip.
Cook Out Rocky Mount FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Rocky Mount, NC?
There is one Cook Out in Rocky Mount as of October 2026: 1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27801, on US-301 next to Golden East Crossing mall. Cook Out’s store locator lists no second Rocky Mount store and no coming-soon store within 30 miles. Older lists showing Benvenue Road or Sunset Avenue stores do not match the locator.
What is the closest Cook Out to Rocky Mount besides Wesleyan Blvd.?
The Nashville store at 102 E. Evans Dr., Nashville, NC 27856, is the closest alternative, about 10.6 miles west of downtown Rocky Mount. Next are Tarboro at 104 River Oaks Dr. (about 14.1 miles east) and Wilson at 2925 Raleigh Rd. Pkwy. (about 16.8 miles southwest).
What time does the Rocky Mount Cook Out close?
Most Cook Out restaurants, including those in eastern North Carolina, close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and around 4 AM on Friday and Saturday, after opening at 10:30 AM. Hours vary by store and can change on holidays, so check the Wesleyan Blvd. store’s Google Maps listing before a very late trip.
Does the Rocky Mount Cook Out have indoor seating?
Most Cook Out restaurants are drive-thru and walk-up only, with no indoor dining room, and the Rocky Mount store follows the chain’s usual setup. Plan to eat in your car or take your food home. The parking lots along US-301 near Golden East Crossing make it easy to pull over and eat.
Is the Rocky Mount Cook Out near I-95?
Yes, it is a short drive. I-95 runs along the west side of Rocky Mount, and the store at 1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd. is on US-301 across town. Exit toward Rocky Mount and follow US-301 to Golden East Crossing. Drivers on US-64 can also use the Nashville or Tarboro stores, which are close to that highway.
How much is a Cookout Tray in Rocky Mount?
A Cookout Tray costs about $7.39–$7.99 and includes one entree, two sides and a drink. A Jr. Tray starts around $5.29, and milkshakes are about $3.99 with more than 40 flavors. Prices vary slightly by store, and cash and cards are both accepted at the Wesleyan Blvd. drive-thru.
Is there a Cook Out near NC Wesleyan University?
Yes. North Carolina Wesleyan University is on North Wesleyan Boulevard, the same road as Rocky Mount’s Cook Out at 1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd. Students follow US-301 south toward Golden East Crossing. It is the closest Cook Out to campus and stays open late most nights.
Is there a Cook Out in Tarboro or Nashville, NC?
Yes, both towns have one. Tarboro’s Cook Out is at 104 River Oaks Dr., Tarboro, NC 27886, near Walmart. Nashville’s is at 102 E. Evans Dr., Nashville, NC 27856. Both are on Cook Out’s store locator as of October 2026 and serve as backups when the Rocky Mount line is long.
Find the Cook Out on Wesleyan Blvd.
Rocky Mount’s Cook Out is at 1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd. on US-301. Check hours before a late run, and keep Nashville, Tarboro and Wilson in mind as backups.