📍 Boone, NC • Watauga County • Appalachian State University 2026
Cook Out Boone NC — 2 Locations, Hours & Addresses (2026)
Two Cook Out restaurants in Boone NC — Winklers Creek Rd (US-321) and Bamboo Rd adjacent to App State University. NC High Country at 3,266 ft. Open until 3 AM weeknights and 4 AM weekends.
Home to Appalachian State University (21,000+ students). Highest-elevation Cook Out in NC at 3,266 ft. Watauga County. Serves High Country’s 57,000+ residents. Cookout Tray $7.99.
This page covers both Cook Out locations in Boone NC with verified addresses, hours, and neighborhood context. Boone is the seat of Watauga County and home to Appalachian State University — the highest-elevation Cook Out market in NC at 3,266 ft.
Last verified: August 2026 | Source: Yelp business listings August 2026, Watauga County records, ASU enrollment data
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in Boone NC?
Boone has 2 confirmed Cook Out locations as of 2026, both in Watauga County. Boone (pop. ~20,000, swelling to 40,000+ during the academic year) is the seat of Watauga County and home to Appalachian State University (ASU, 21,000+ students) — the dominant institution of the NC High Country at 3,266 ft elevation. Boone is the highest-elevation Cook Out market in North Carolina and the primary commercial center for the six-county High Country region. Both locations are on the US-321 / King Street commercial corridor — the main artery through Boone connecting to Blowing Rock (5 mi south) and Johnson City, TN (45 mi north).
All Cook Out Boone NC Locations: Addresses, Hours and Neighborhoods
Both Boone Cook Out locations are on the US-321 / US-421 / King Street corridor — the one primary commercial road through the Blue Ridge city that serves both ASU students and High Country travelers. Drive-thru only at both. Expect high-volume traffic on football game weekends, spring and fall Leaf Season, and summer tourist season.
1. King Street South — Downtown Boone Approach — 130 Winklers Creek Rd, Boone, NC 28607
Hours (Yelp verified): Monday through Thursday and Sunday 10:30 AM – 3:00 AM • Friday and Saturday 10:30 AM – 4:00 AM
130 Winklers Creek Rd (US-321) serves south Boone on the approach from Lenoir and Hickory via US-321. ZIP 28607, Watauga County. Drive-thru only. This location is the first Cook Out travelers encounter when arriving in Boone from the south on US-321 — making it the natural entry-point stop for visitors from Charlotte (100 mi south via US-321) and Hickory (45 mi south). Also serves the south Boone residential neighborhoods and the Watauga Medical Center corridor (Boone’s primary hospital, 0.5 mi north).
Boone experiences dramatic seasonal population swings: the permanent population of ~20,000 surges to 40,000+ when ASU is in session and to 60,000+ during fall Leaf Season peak weekends in October. Both Cook Out locations operate extended hours year-round to serve this highly variable demand.
2. Bamboo Road — App State Campus Corridor — 878 Bamboo Rd, Boone, NC 28607
Hours (Yelp verified): Monday through Thursday and Sunday 10:30 AM – 3:00 AM • Friday and Saturday 10:30 AM – 4:00 AM
878 Bamboo Rd serves the Appalachian State University campus corridor — the eastern approach to ASU’s main academic quad and student housing. ZIP 28607. Drive-thru only. This is the primary Cook Out for ASU’s 21,000+ Mountaineer students and is positioned in the heart of the on-campus and student-apartment zone on the US-421 / Bamboo Rd corridor. On ASU football game days (App State consistently competes in the Sun Belt and has won multiple conference championships), this location sees some of the highest single-day volumes of any Cook Out in western NC.
See Cook Out Lenoir (30 mi south on US-321) for the nearest neighboring Cook Out market heading toward Hickory and I-40.
What Neighborhoods Does Boone’s Cook Out Network Cover?
Boone’s two Cook Out locations serve the full High Country market — Watauga County and the surrounding mountain communities, with ASU’s 21,000+ students as the primary driver of year-round demand.
Winklers Creek Rd / South Boone and US-321 approach corridor: The Winklers Creek location covers south Boone, the US-321 southern approach from Lenoir and the Piedmont, the Watauga Medical Center area, and the residential neighborhoods south of ASU’s campus. First Cook Out encountered by travelers arriving from the south — captures entry-traffic from both Charlotte-area visitors and Boone residents returning from the Piedmont.
Bamboo Rd / ASU campus and student housing corridor: The Bamboo Rd location serves the heart of the ASU campus area — including the Mountaineer apartments, Rivers Street student housing, and the high-density student residential zone on Bamboo and Dale St. This is the #1 late-night destination for ASU students after evening events, intramural sports, and weekend social activities.
High Country regional coverage — Watauga County and beyond: Watauga County (pop. ~57,000) and the surrounding High Country region — including Avery County (Newland, Banner Elk), Ashe County (West Jefferson), and Wilkes County (Wilkesboro) — all depend on Boone’s Cook Out locations as their nearest access point. The High Country has zero other Cook Out locations.
Boone’s position at 3,266 ft makes it the highest Cook Out market in NC — a distinction that comes with dramatic weather seasonality and some of the most loyal Cook Out customers in the state. ASU Mountaineers who grew up in the NC Piedmont and Charlotte suburbs arrive at Boone expecting Cook Out and, finding two locations within 2 miles, make it a campus staple. Appalachian State’s football success (multiple Sun Belt championships, iconic 2007 upset of Michigan) and the App State brand have given Boone a national visibility that drives tourist traffic year-round.
What Time Does Cook Out Close in Boone NC?
Both Boone Cook Out locations stay open later than nearly any other restaurant in the High Country. ASU students studying late, mountain visitors returning from evening overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Boone’s substantial service industry workforce all use Cook Out as the after-midnight dining option of choice.
Both Boone Cook Out locations close at 3:00 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4:00 AM on Friday and Saturday. Both open at 10:30 AM daily. Hours verified Yelp August 2026. During ASU game weekends, expect significantly elevated demand at both locations, particularly at the Bamboo Rd location near campus.
| Day | Opens | Closes | Both Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday–Thursday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM | Winklers Creek Rd & Bamboo Rd |
| Friday | 10:30 AM | 4:00 AM | Extended hours |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM | 4:00 AM | Extended hours — peak ASU game nights |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM | Winklers Creek Rd & Bamboo Rd |
What to Order at Cook Out Boone
ASU Mountaineers have elevated the Cookout Tray ($7.99) to near-mythic status on the Boone campus. For the full App State Cook Out experience, order the Tray with a double-burger main and a Banana Pudding milkshake — the undisputed #1 order at the Bamboo Rd location per Yelp 2025–2026. Mountain visitors lean on the NC BBQ Pork Sandwich ($4.99) as a taste of NC’s Piedmont foodways in the high mountains.
Boone regulars order: Cookout Tray ($7.99 — the App State standard) • Banana Pudding milkshake (ASU Yelp #1) • NC BBQ Pork Sandwich ($4.99) • Huge Hamburger ½lb • Cajun Fries • PB Fudge milkshake. The Banana Pudding and PB Fudge milkshakes are the top two at both Boone locations — year-round across all four High Country seasons.
Cook Out Boone NC FAQs
How many Cook Out locations are in Boone NC?
Boone has 2 Cook Out locations: 130 Winklers Creek Rd (ZIP 28607) on the US-321 south approach and 878 Bamboo Rd (ZIP 28607) adjacent to the ASU campus. Both Watauga County, NC.
What time does Cook Out Boone NC close?
Both Boone Cook Out locations close at 3:00 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4:00 AM on Friday and Saturday. Both open at 10:30 AM daily. Hours confirmed Yelp August 2026.
Is there a Cook Out near Appalachian State University?
Yes. The Cook Out at 878 Bamboo Rd is adjacent to the ASU campus on the Bamboo Rd / US-421 student corridor. It is the primary Cook Out for ASU’s 21,000+ Mountaineers and sees its highest volume on game days and weekend late nights during the academic year.
What are the Cook Out Boone NC addresses?
130 Winklers Creek Rd, Boone NC 28607 (US-321 south approach) and 878 Bamboo Rd, Boone NC 28607 (ASU campus corridor). Both Watauga County, NC.
Is Cook Out Boone NC the highest-elevation Cook Out?
Yes. Boone’s Cook Out locations are at approximately 3,266 ft elevation — making them the highest-elevation Cook Out restaurants in North Carolina and among the highest in the entire Cook Out footprint of 11 states. The Bamboo Rd location’s mountain-cold late-night milkshake culture is a genuine High Country tradition.
Confirm Address & Hours at Cook Out Boone
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