📍 Kinston, North Carolina • 1 Store • Lenoir County • 2026
Cook Out Kinston NC — 4050 W Vernon Ave, Hours & Menu (2026)
Kinston has one Cook Out, at 4050 W. Vernon Ave. on the west-side shopping strip, about 3.5 miles from downtown. It is the only Cook Out in Lenoir County; the next-closest stores are in Goldsboro and Winterville, about 22 miles away.
One store in Kinston: 4050 W Vernon Ave, 28504. Most Cook Outs open 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM (4 AM Fri–Sat); hours vary by store. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99.
This guide covers the Cook Out in Kinston, North Carolina: the exact West Vernon Avenue address, how to get there from US-70, US-258 and NC-11, typical late-night hours, tray prices and what to order. It also lists the closest stores in Goldsboro, Winterville and Greenville, using Cook Out’s own store locator (October 2026).
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), U.S. Census 2020, Kinston and Lenoir County references
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in Kinston, NC?
Kinston has one Cook Out, at 4050 W. Vernon Ave., Kinston, NC 28504. It is on the west side of the city along the West Vernon Avenue retail corridor, across the road from the Walmart Supercenter, and it is the only Cook Out in Lenoir County.
Older guides listed two Kinston stores at 2801 and 2401 W. Vernon Ave. Cook Out’s own locator does not list either address; the single open Kinston store is at 4050 W. Vernon Ave.
The next-closest Cook Outs are about 22 miles away: Goldsboro’s store on North Berkeley Boulevard to the west, and Winterville’s store on South Memorial Drive to the north. Two Greenville stores are 26–27 miles away.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| How many Cook Outs are in Kinston? | 1 — 4050 W. Vernon Ave. |
| Closest store outside Kinston? | Goldsboro, 432 N. Berkeley Blvd. (about 22 mi) |
| Typical hours | 10:30 AM to about 3 AM; about 4 AM Fri–Sat (varies by store) |
| Indoor dining? | Drive-thru and walk-up ordering, like most Cook Outs |
| Tray price | About $7.39–$7.99 for entree + 2 sides + drink |
Where Is Every Cook Out Near Kinston?
One store is in Kinston; the other four below are the closest open Cook Outs, all 22–27 miles away in Wayne and Pitt counties. Addresses come from the Cook Out store locator (October 2026), and each card has a Google Maps directions button.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Kinston | 1 | Kinston | W Vernon Ave • US-70 • US-258 • NC-11 |
| West: Goldsboro (Wayne County) | 1 | Goldsboro | US-70 • Berkeley Blvd |
| North: Winterville & Greenville (Pitt County) | 3 | Winterville, Greenville | NC-11 • Memorial Dr • E 10th St |
1. Inside Kinston — 1 Cook Out location
West Vernon Avenue is Kinston’s main west-side shopping corridor, lined with big-box stores and chain restaurants between downtown and the US-70 corridor. The Cook Out sits on that strip, so it is easy to reach for drivers coming off US-70 from Goldsboro or La Grange.
Cook Out Kinston
4050 W Vernon Ave., Kinston, NC 28504
On West Vernon Avenue’s west-side retail strip, across from Walmart Supercenter
2. West: Goldsboro (Wayne County) — 1 Cook Out location
Goldsboro is straight west on US-70 through La Grange. Its Cook Out is on North Berkeley Boulevard, the corridor that serves Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Cook Out Goldsboro
432 N. Berkley Blvd., Goldsboro, NC 27534
On North Berkeley Boulevard near Seymour Johnson AFB, about 22 miles west
3. North: Winterville & Greenville (Pitt County) — 3 Cook Out locations
NC-11 runs north from Kinston to Winterville and Greenville, where it becomes Memorial Drive. Winterville’s store is the first one you reach; Greenville’s two stores serve East Carolina University and the city’s west and east sides.
Cook Out Winterville
4145 S Memorial Dr, Winterville, NC 28590
On South Memorial Drive (NC-11) in Winterville, about 22 miles north
Cook Out Greenville – Memorial Dr
711 S. Memorial Drive, Greenville, NC 27834
On South Memorial Drive (NC-11) in Greenville, about 26 miles
Cook Out Greenville – E 10th St
3209 East 10th Street, Greenville, NC 27858
On East 10th Street, east of East Carolina University, about 27 miles
Which Cook Out Is Closest to Me Around Kinston?
For all of Kinston and nearly all of Lenoir County, the West Vernon Avenue store is the closest Cook Out. Only drivers well into Wayne or Pitt County will find Goldsboro or Winterville closer.
| If you are in… | Closest Cook Out | Typical route |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Kinston / Queen Street | Kinston, 4050 W. Vernon Ave. | West on Vernon Avenue, about 3.5 miles |
| UNC Lenoir Health Care area (NC-11) | Kinston, 4050 W. Vernon Ave. | Cross town to West Vernon Avenue |
| Lenoir Community College | Kinston, 4050 W. Vernon Ave. | Short drive on the west side |
| La Grange / western Lenoir County | Kinston, 4050 W. Vernon Ave. | East on US-70 |
| Pink Hill / Deep Run (south) | Kinston, 4050 W. Vernon Ave. | North on local highways into Kinston |
| Global TransPark area | Kinston, 4050 W. Vernon Ave. | Across Kinston to West Vernon Avenue |
| Ayden / Winterville | Winterville, 4145 S. Memorial Dr. | NC-11 north |
| Goldsboro / Seymour Johnson AFB | Goldsboro, 432 N. Berkeley Blvd. | US-70 west |
Distances in this guide are straight-line miles from downtown Kinston, as reported by the store locator, so drive distance will be a little longer.
Why Is There Only One Cook Out in Kinston?
Kinston is a mid-size eastern North Carolina city — 19,900 people at the 2020 census — and one west-side store covers the market. With the next Cook Outs more than 20 miles away, the West Vernon Avenue drive-thru serves all of Lenoir County.
1989: Cook Out opens its first restaurant in Greensboro. Founder Morris Reaves built it around charbroiled burgers, barbecue, trays and thick milkshakes.
Expansion east: The chain spread down I-40 and US-70 into eastern North Carolina, adding stores in Goldsboro, Greenville, Winterville and Kinston.
October 2026: Cook Out’s locator lists the 4050 W. Vernon Ave. store as Kinston’s only open location — one of 144 open Cook Outs in North Carolina.
Coming soon to the south: A Richlands store at 8119 Richlands Hwy. is listed as coming soon per Cook Out’s locator, about 25 miles south of Kinston in Onslow County.
We have not found a reliable public record of the Kinston store’s opening date, so this guide does not give one. If an older guide lists two Kinston stores, treat it as outdated.
How Do I Get to the Kinston Cook Out From US-70?
Kinston’s Cook Out is on West Vernon Avenue on the west side of the city, close to the US-70 corridor; from US-70, head into town on West Vernon Avenue and look for it across from Walmart. From downtown, drive west on Vernon Avenue for about 3.5 miles.
- US-70: Kinston’s main east–west highway, linking Goldsboro and Raleigh to the west with New Bern and the coast to the east.
- NC-11: The main route north to Ayden, Winterville and Greenville. UNC Lenoir Health Care is near NC-11 in Kinston.
- US-258: Runs north toward Snow Hill and south toward Richlands and Jacksonville.
- NC-58: Heads south from Kinston toward Trenton and the coast.
- NC-55 and NC-148: Additional state routes serving Kinston and Lenoir County.
For travelers on US-70 headed to or from the Crystal Coast, the West Vernon Avenue store is the last Cook Out until New Bern to the east and Goldsboro to the west, so it is a natural fuel-and-food stop.
What Is Near the Cook Out in Kinston?
Kinston is the Lenoir County seat on the Neuse River, known for its Civil War history, a nationally known downtown food scene, minor league baseball at Grainger Stadium and the Global TransPark. These are the places that send late-night customers to West Vernon Avenue.
Lenoir Community College The county’s community college is in Kinston, and students and evening-class crowds are a big part of the late-night trade.
UNC Lenoir Health Care The nonprofit hospital near NC-11 serves Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties. Overnight staff often rely on drive-thrus open into the early morning.
North Carolina Global TransPark The aerospace and industrial park at Kinston’s airport employs shift workers across the region.
Grainger Stadium The historic ballpark hosts the Down East Bird Dawgs of the Frontier League, after decades of minor league baseball including the Kinston Indians.
CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center Downtown displays the remains of the Confederate ironclad CSS Neuse, scuttled in the Neuse River in 1865.
Downtown Kinston Chef & the Farmer, the James Beard Award–recognized restaurant of Vivian Howard and Ben Knight, put Kinston’s food scene on the map through the PBS series A Chef’s Life.
Founded as “Kingston” in 1762 and renamed Kinston in 1784, the city was once a major tobacco and cotton market. Flooding from Hurricanes Fran (1996) and Floyd (1999) hit neighborhoods along the Neuse hard.
What Time Does Cook Out Close in Kinston?
Most Cook Out restaurants open at 10:30 AM and stay open until about 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and about 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store, so check the Kinston store’s current hours on Cook Out’s locator or call before a very late trip.
| Day | Typical Cook Out hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday–Thursday | 10:30 AM – about 3:00 AM | Varies by store |
| Friday–Saturday | 10:30 AM – about 4:00 AM | Varies by store |
| Holidays and storms | Often reduced or closed | Call ahead during hurricane season |
Kinston’s late-night options are limited, and the next Cook Out is more than 20 miles away, so the West Vernon Avenue drive-thru stays busy after ballgames, hospital shift changes and weekend nights out downtown.
The restaurant runs on drive-thru and walk-up service rather than a dining room. Plan to eat in the car or take your order home.
What Should I Order at Cook Out in Kinston, and What Does It Cost?
The best value is the Cookout Tray: an entree, two sides and a drink for about $7.39–$7.99. Prices vary slightly by store; the Kinston menu follows the standard Cook Out menu.
- Cookout Tray (entree + 2 sides + drink): about $7.39–$7.99
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, with 40+ flavors
- Tray entrees: burgers, BBQ sandwich or plate, chicken strips, wraps, hot dogs, quesadillas
- Sides: fries, onion rings, hushpuppies, slaw, chili, corn dogs, bacon wraps
- Drinks: soft drinks, sweet tea, Cheerwine, lemonade
Cook Out accepts cash and cards at most stores. See the full tray menu, burger menu, milkshake flavors and secret menu. Check the nutrition guide or allergen menu before ordering for someone with dietary needs.
How Does Cook Out Compare With Kinston’s Local Favorites?
Cook Out competes in Kinston on price and hours, not on cooking style: a full tray for under $8, served long after downtown kitchens close. For eastern North Carolina whole-hog barbecue or a chef-driven dinner, locals still head to independent restaurants.
| Option | Best for | How Cook Out compares |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern-style barbecue restaurants | Whole-hog chopped pork with vinegar sauce | Cook Out’s BBQ is a quick, budget version; pair it with slaw and hushpuppies |
| Downtown dining (Chef & the Farmer and others) | Sit-down dinners, date nights | A different category; Cook Out is the late-night and budget option |
| National burger and chicken chains on Vernon Ave | Familiar fast food | Cook Out’s tray adds two sides and a drink for similar money |
| Mother Earth Brewing and downtown bars | Evenings out | Cook Out is the classic 1 AM stop afterward |
Milkshakes are where Cook Out stands alone. Forty-plus flavors, from banana pudding to peach cobbler and Cheerwine floats, cost about what a single plain shake does elsewhere.
Where Are Other Cook Out Guides Near Kinston?
The closest city guides are Goldsboro (about 22 miles west) and Greenville (about 22–27 miles north, including Winterville). A Richlands store at 8119 Richlands Hwy. is coming soon per Cook Out’s locator, which will give southern Lenoir and Jones County drivers another option.
Goldsboro One store on North Berkeley Boulevard near Seymour Johnson AFB. Cook Out Goldsboro guide
Greenville Stores on Memorial Drive and East 10th Street, plus Winterville. Cook Out Greenville guide
New Bern East on US-70 toward the coast. Cook Out New Bern guide
Jacksonville South on US-258 in Onslow County. Cook Out Jacksonville guide
Wilson North of Kinston in Wilson County. Cook Out Wilson guide
All of North Carolina Every open store in the state by region. Cook Out North Carolina guide or the locations finder
Cook Out Kinston FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Kinston, NC?
Kinston has one Cook Out, at 4050 W. Vernon Ave., Kinston, NC 28504, according to Cook Out’s store locator in October 2026. It is on the west-side retail strip across from Walmart and is the only Cook Out in Lenoir County. The nearest others are in Goldsboro and Winterville, about 22 miles away.
Are there two Cook Outs on West Vernon Avenue in Kinston?
No. Some older guides listed stores at 2801 and 2401 W. Vernon Ave., but Cook Out’s own locator lists only one Kinston restaurant, at 4050 W. Vernon Ave. Use that address in your GPS to avoid driving to the wrong spot.
What time does Cook Out in Kinston close?
Most Cook Out restaurants open at 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and around 4 AM Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store, on holidays and during storms, so check the 4050 W. Vernon Ave. store’s current hours on Cook Out’s locator before a late-night trip.
What is the closest Cook Out to Kinston besides the one in town?
Goldsboro’s store at 432 N. Berkeley Blvd. is about 22 miles west on US-70, and Winterville’s store at 4145 S. Memorial Dr. is about 22 miles north on NC-11. Greenville’s stores at 711 S. Memorial Dr. and 3209 E. 10th St. are 26–27 miles away.
Is a Cook Out coming to Richlands near Kinston?
Yes. Cook Out’s locator lists a Richlands store at 8119 Richlands Hwy. as coming soon. It is about 25 miles south of Kinston in Onslow County, reached via US-258. Until it opens, Kinston’s 4050 W. Vernon Ave. store remains the closest option for most of southern Lenoir County.
Does the Kinston Cook Out have indoor seating?
Like most Cook Out restaurants, the Kinston store is built around drive-thru and walk-up ordering rather than an indoor dining room. Plan to eat in your car or take food home. Cook Out accepts both cash and cards at most locations.
How much is a Cookout Tray in Kinston?
A Cookout Tray — one entree, two sides and a drink — typically costs about $7.39 to $7.99, depending on the store. A Jr. Tray starts around $5.29, and milkshakes are about $3.99 with more than 40 flavors. Upgrading the tray drink to a shake costs a little extra.
Is the Kinston Cook Out a good stop on US-70 to the coast?
Yes. The 4050 W. Vernon Ave. store is on Kinston’s west side near the US-70 corridor, making it an easy stop between Goldsboro and New Bern. Heading east toward the Crystal Coast, it is the last Cook Out until New Bern.
Get Directions to Cook Out Kinston
Lenoir County’s only Cook Out is at 4050 W. Vernon Ave. on Kinston’s west side. Check its current hours, then use the directions button in the store directory.