📍 New Bern, North Carolina • 1 Store • Craven County • 2026
Cook Out New Bern NC — Address, Hours & Nearby Stores (2026)
New Bern has one Cook Out: 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, on the city’s main retail corridor about two miles west of downtown. The only other store within 30 miles is in Havelock, about 15 miles southeast near MCAS Cherry Point.
Most Cook Outs open 10:30 AM and close about 3 AM (4 AM Fri–Sat); hours vary by store. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99. No new store is listed as coming soon within 30 miles.
This guide covers the Cook Out in New Bern, North Carolina, and the nearest store in Havelock, each with an address, a local landmark and a Google Maps directions button. It also explains how late the New Bern store usually stays open, what a tray costs, how to reach it from US-70 and US-17, and which stores to use on the way to the Crystal Coast, Kinston or Jacksonville.
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), City of New Bern, Craven County
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in New Bern, NC?
New Bern has one open Cook Out as of October 2026, according to Cook Out’s store locator: 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, New Bern, NC 28562. It is on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, New Bern’s main shopping corridor, about two miles west of the historic downtown.
Older listings that show two New Bern stores on MLK Blvd, at 2504 and 3514, do not match the current locator. The only New Bern address Cook Out lists is 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd.
The only other Cook Out within 30 miles is in Havelock, at 534 US Hwy 70 West, about 15 miles southeast. Morehead City, Jacksonville and Kinston each have stores, but all are roughly 30–35 miles from New Bern.
- New Bern store: 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, ZIP 28562.
- Next closest: 534 US Hwy 70 West, Havelock.
- Coming soon: no new store is listed within 30 miles of New Bern.
Where Is the Cook Out in New Bern, and What Is Nearby?
The New Bern Cook Out is at 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, and the Havelock store on US-70 is the only other one within 30 miles. Addresses come from Cook Out’s store locator (October 2026). Each card has a Google Maps directions button; distances are approximate straight-line miles from downtown New Bern.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook Out in New Bern | 1 | New Bern | Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd • US-70 • US-17 |
| Nearby Cook Out Locations (within 30 miles) | 1 | Havelock | US-70 East • NC-101 • Croatan National Forest |
1. Cook Out in New Bern — 1 Cook Out location
New Bern’s only Cook Out is on Dr. M.L. King Jr. Boulevard, the commercial road that also holds New Bern Mall (3134 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd), grocery stores and most of the city’s chain restaurants. It serves New Bern, Trent Woods, River Bend, James City, Bridgeton and the rest of central Craven County.
Cook Out New Bern
2500 Dr ML King Blvd, New Bern, NC 28562
On Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, about 2 mi west of downtown New Bern
2. Nearby Cook Out Locations (within 30 miles) — 1 Cook Out location
Southeast of New Bern, US-70 runs through the Croatan National Forest to Havelock, the city that surrounds MCAS Cherry Point. Havelock’s Cook Out is the next stop for anyone heading toward Morehead City and the Crystal Coast.
Cook Out Havelock
534 US Hwy 70 West, Havelock, NC 28532
About 15 mi southeast on US-70 in Havelock, home of MCAS Cherry Point
Which Cook Out Is Closest to Me Around New Bern?
Anywhere in New Bern and most of Craven County, 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd is your closest Cook Out. In Havelock, at Cherry Point or in southern Craven County, the Havelock store on US-70 is closer. Use the table to pick the right one.
| If you are in or near… | Closest Cook Out | Approx. distance |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown New Bern (Middle St, Tryon Palace) | 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, New Bern | About 2 mi west |
| New Bern Mall | 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, New Bern | Same corridor |
| CarolinaEast Medical Center | 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, New Bern | A short drive |
| Trent Woods or River Bend | 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, New Bern | A few miles |
| James City (across the Trent River) | 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, New Bern | Across the river into town |
| Bridgeton (across the Neuse River) | 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, New Bern | Across the Neuse via US-17 |
| Vanceboro | 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, New Bern | South on US-17 |
| Havelock or MCAS Cherry Point | 534 US Hwy 70 West, Havelock | In town |
| Morehead City or Atlantic Beach | 4127 Arendell St, Morehead City | About 31 mi from New Bern |
| Trenton or Pollocksville | 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, New Bern | Drive into New Bern |
Distances are approximate. Drive times on US-70 rise sharply on summer weekends, when beach traffic heads to the Crystal Coast.
Why Does New Bern Have Only One Cook Out?
New Bern is a city of about 31,000 people, and one Cook Out on its busiest retail corridor covers the city, with Havelock’s store handling the Cherry Point side of Craven County. Cook Out tends to place stores on high-traffic roads, and Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd is New Bern’s main one.
1710: Swiss and German settlers led by Christoph von Graffenried founded New Bern where the Neuse and Trent rivers meet, naming it after Bern, Switzerland. The city later served as North Carolina’s colonial capital, and today’s reconstructed Tryon Palace marks that era.
1893: Pharmacist Caleb Bradham created the drink later named Pepsi-Cola in his downtown New Bern pharmacy. The Birthplace of Pepsi store on Middle Street is a popular stop for visitors.
2018: Hurricane Florence pushed storm surge up the Neuse River and flooded parts of New Bern, one of the worst storms in the city’s modern history.
Today: New Bern is the Craven County seat and the main shopping hub between Kinston and the coast, which keeps the MLK Blvd corridor busy.
Cook Out was founded in 1989 in Greensboro by Morris Reaves and has grown to 144 open stores in North Carolina, according to its locator in October 2026. We have not found a reliable public record of the exact opening date of the New Bern store, so we do not list one here.
Is the New Bern Cook Out on the Way to the Beach?
Mostly yes. New Bern sits on US-70, the main road from Raleigh and Kinston to Morehead City and the Crystal Coast, and the Cook Out is a short detour onto Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd. If you would rather not leave US-70, the Havelock store is directly on the highway about 15 miles farther east.
| Coming from… | Main road | Best Cook Out stop |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, Goldsboro or Kinston | US-70 East | New Bern (MLK Blvd), then Havelock |
| Greenville or Washington | US-17 South / NC-43 | New Bern (MLK Blvd) |
| Jacksonville or Camp Lejeune | US-17 North | Jacksonville stores first, then New Bern |
| Morehead City or Beaufort | US-70 West | Morehead City, then Havelock |
| Oriental or Pamlico County | NC-55 West | New Bern (MLK Blvd) |
- US-70: connects New Bern with Kinston and Goldsboro to the west and Havelock and Morehead City to the east.
- US-17: runs north toward Vanceboro and Washington and south toward Jacksonville and Wilmington.
- Bridges: New Bern sits where the Neuse and Trent rivers meet, so check bridge routes when you are coming from James City or Bridgeton.
Is There a Cook Out Near MCAS Cherry Point?
Yes. The Havelock Cook Out at 534 US Hwy 70 West is the closest to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point; the New Bern store at 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd is about 15 miles farther northwest.
MCAS Cherry Point The Marine Corps air station is in Havelock. Marines and families usually use the Havelock Cook Out on US-70, which is much closer than New Bern.
Craven Community College The college’s main campus is in New Bern, with another campus in Havelock. The MLK Blvd Cook Out is the nearest store for New Bern evening classes.
CarolinaEast Medical Center New Bern’s regional hospital draws night-shift staff and visitors from across eastern North Carolina; the Cook Out is a short drive away.
Downtown visitors Guests at Tryon Palace, the Birthplace of Pepsi and the riverfront can reach the Cook Out in a few minutes by car.
For anyone without a car, delivery apps may cover the New Bern and Havelock stores, but availability and prices vary. See our Cook Out delivery guide.
What Time Does the Cook Out in New Bern Close?
Most Cook Out stores open at 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM Sunday–Thursday and 4 AM Friday–Saturday. Hours vary by store, so check the New Bern store’s current hours before a late-night 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 | Often shorter or closed on major holidays |
Late hours are the main reason New Bern locals, hospital staff and Marines choose Cook Out. When most of MLK Blvd has closed, the drive-thru is often still running. Lobby or walk-up service can close earlier than the drive-thru, and coastal stores may close early ahead of hurricanes and tropical storms. Our Cook Out hours guide covers holiday and late-night patterns.
What Should I Order at Cook Out in New Bern, and How Much Does It Cost?
The Cookout Tray is the best value at about $7.39–$7.99: one entrée, two sides and a drink. Swap the drink for one of 40+ milkshake flavors for a small upcharge.
- Cookout Tray (entrée + 2 sides + drink): about $7.39–$7.99
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, with 40+ flavors
- Sides include fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, slaw, chili, cheese bites and more
Popular tray entrées include the Big Double burger, the NC barbecue sandwich, chicken strips, spicy chicken, the Cook Out-style hot dog and the quesadilla. Heading to the beach? Order shakes last so they are still cold when you hit US-70.
Cash and cards are accepted. Prices vary slightly by store and change over time. Browse the full Cook Out menu, our tray menu, drinks menu and milkshake menu guides.
How Does Cook Out Compare to Other Food in New Bern?
Cook Out’s edge in New Bern is price and late hours: a full tray costs less than most chain combos on MLK Blvd, and the drive-thru usually stays open long after downtown’s restaurants close. For seafood or a sit-down dinner on the river, downtown is the better choice.
| If you want… | Cook Out | Typical New Bern alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Food after midnight | Yes, usually until 3–4 AM | Few local kitchens open that late |
| A full meal under $10 | Tray with entrée, 2 sides, drink | National-chain combos often cost more |
| Seafood | Not a focus of the menu | Downtown and riverfront seafood restaurants |
| Breakfast | Not served | Biscuit chains and diners around town |
| A sit-down dinner | Drive-thru and walk-up | Downtown restaurants near the Neuse and Trent rivers |
| A soda with local history | Cheerwine, sweet tea and fountain drinks | The Birthplace of Pepsi store on Middle Street |
Cook Out’s chopped-pork barbecue sandwich leans toward the vinegar style common in eastern North Carolina, which suits Craven County tastes. It is still fast food, so for a full barbecue plate a dedicated barbecue restaurant is the better choice.
Where Can I Find More Cook Out Guides Near New Bern?
Use these guides for nearby cities in eastern North Carolina. Each lists every store with addresses and directions.
Kinston 4050 W Vernon Ave, about 35 miles west on US-70.
Jacksonville Western Blvd and Marine Blvd stores near Camp Lejeune, south on US-17.
Greenville Stores near East Carolina University, north via NC-43 or US-17.
Goldsboro Wayne County stores near Seymour Johnson AFB, west on US-70.
Wilmington Port City stores, south via US-17.
North Carolina All 144 open North Carolina stores by region.
Prefer to search by ZIP code? Try the Cook Out locations finder.
Cook Out New Bern FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in New Bern, NC?
New Bern has one Cook Out, at 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, New Bern, NC 28562, according to Cook Out’s store locator in October 2026. Older listings showing two MLK Blvd stores, at 2504 and 3514, are out of date. The nearest other store is 534 US Hwy 70 West in Havelock.
Where exactly is the New Bern Cook Out?
It is at 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd, on the city’s main retail corridor about two miles west of downtown New Bern. The same boulevard is home to New Bern Mall at 3134 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd. Use the directions button in the directory above to navigate straight to the drive-thru.
What time does Cook Out in New Bern close?
Most Cook Out stores typically close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4 AM Friday and Saturday, opening at 10:30 AM. Hours vary by store and can change on holidays or ahead of coastal storms, so check the New Bern store’s current hours before a late drive to 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd.
Is there a Cook Out near MCAS Cherry Point?
Yes. The closest store to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point is 534 US Hwy 70 West in Havelock, the city that surrounds the base. The New Bern store at 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd is about 15 miles northwest of Havelock and is the next option.
Is there a Cook Out on the way from New Bern to the beach?
Yes. Heading east on US-70 toward Morehead City and Atlantic Beach, you pass the Havelock Cook Out at 534 US Hwy 70 West, about 15 miles from New Bern. Morehead City also has a store at 4127 Arendell St, about 31 miles from New Bern.
How far is the next Cook Out from New Bern toward Kinston or Jacksonville?
Kinston’s store at 4050 W Vernon Ave is about 35 miles west on US-70. Jacksonville’s closest store, 421 Western Blvd, is about 30 miles south via US-17. Both cities have their own guides with every local address and directions.
How much is a Cookout Tray in New Bern?
A Cookout Tray, with one entrée, two sides and a drink, costs about $7.39 to $7.99 at most stores, including New Bern. A Jr. Tray starts around $5.29 and milkshakes are about $3.99. Prices vary slightly by store and change over time, so check the menu board at 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd.
Is a new Cook Out coming to New Bern?
Not as of October 2026. Cook Out’s store locator shows no coming-soon locations within 30 miles of New Bern. For now, 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd is the only New Bern store, with Havelock as the nearest alternative and Morehead City, Jacksonville and Kinston a bit farther.
Find the Cook Out in New Bern
New Bern’s Cook Out is at 2500 Dr. M.L. King Jr. Blvd. Tap the directions button in the directory and check hours before a late-night run.