📍 Wake Forest, North Carolina • 1 Store • 12 Nearby • 2026
Cook Out Wake Forest NC — Location, Hours & Prices (2026)
Wake Forest has one Cook Out, at 11690 Northpark Dr just off Capital Blvd (US-1) and the NC-98 Bypass. Another 12 stores sit within about 20 miles in North Raleigh, Louisburg, Knightdale, Creedmoor, Garner, Durham and Cary.
One Wake Forest store on Northpark Dr. Most Cook Outs open 10:30 AM–3 AM, 4 AM Fri–Sat. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99.
This guide covers the Cook Out in Wake Forest, NC, on Northpark Dr off Capital Blvd, plus the closest stores in North Raleigh, Louisburg and the rest of the Triangle. You’ll also find hours, tray prices, road directions and tips for late-night trips from the seminary, Heritage and Wakefield. Store addresses come from the Cook Out store locator (October 2026).
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), Town of Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in Wake Forest?
Wake Forest has one Cook Out: 11690 Northpark Dr, Wake Forest, NC 27587, just off Capital Blvd (US-1) near the NC-98 Bypass interchange. It is the only Cook Out inside the town, according to the Cook Out store locator (October 2026).
Older lists you may find online show two Wake Forest stores on Capital Blvd and N White St. Those addresses do not appear in Cook Out’s current locator, so this guide lists only the Northpark Dr restaurant. The store sits on the south side of town, about 2 miles from the center of Wake Forest, so it is a quick run from Heritage, Wakefield, downtown and the US-1 shopping strip.
If you are coming from the other direction, the next-closest Cook Out restaurants are in North Raleigh on Strickland Rd (about 9.7 miles away) and on Falls of Neuse Rd (about 9.8 miles). To the northeast, the Louisburg store on Golden Leaf Dr (about 13.4 miles) is handy for Youngsville and Franklin County. Like most Cook Out locations, the Wake Forest store usually opens at 10:30 AM and serves late into the night, typically until about 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store, so check before a very late drive.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cook Out stores in Wake Forest | 1 (11690 Northpark Dr) |
| Nearest store outside town | Raleigh – Strickland Rd, about 9.7 mi |
| Open Cook Out stores in North Carolina | 144 (October 2026) |
| Coming soon nearby | Zebulon, 1206 N Arendell Ave |
| Typical hours | 10:30 AM to about 3 AM (4 AM Fri–Sat) |
Where Is the Cook Out in Wake Forest, and What Are the Closest Others?
The Wake Forest Cook Out is at 11690 Northpark Dr, and 12 more Cook Out stores sit within about 20 miles in North Raleigh, Knightdale, Louisburg, Creedmoor, Garner, Durham and 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 Wake Forest, so the actual drive is a little longer.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Wake Forest | 1 | Wake Forest | US-1 Capital Blvd • NC-98 Bypass • I-540 |
| Nearby Cook Out locations | 12 | Raleigh, Knightdale, Louisburg, Creedmoor, Garner, Durham, Cary | US-1 • I-540 • US-401 • I-85 • I-440 |
1. Inside Wake Forest — 1 Cook Out location
Wake Forest’s only Cook Out is on Northpark Dr, a short street of offices and businesses next to the Capital Blvd and NC-98 Bypass interchange. That puts it on the main north–south road through town. Drivers from downtown and the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary campus usually take S Main St or White St to Capital Blvd. Drivers from the west side can use the NC-98 Bypass from Durham Rd.
Cook Out Wake Forest
11690 Northpark Dr, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Off Capital Blvd (US-1) at the NC-98 Bypass, south Wake Forest
2. Nearby Cook Out locations — 12 Cook Out locations
These 12 stores are 9.7 to 20 miles from Wake Forest. The two North Raleigh stores on Strickland Rd and Falls of Neuse Rd are the usual backups for Wakefield and Falls Lake residents. Louisburg covers Franklin County to the northeast, and Creedmoor covers Granville County to the northwest. Knightdale is the easiest pick from Rolesville and east Wake County.
Cook Out Raleigh – Strickland Rd
9500 Strickland Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615
9.7 mi; Strickland Rd in North Raleigh, west of Falls of Neuse
Cook Out Raleigh – Falls of Neuse Rd
6505 Falls Of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
9.8 mi; Falls of Neuse Rd in North Raleigh, inside I-540
Cook Out Raleigh – Capital Blvd
3244 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604
11.6 mi; straight down Capital Blvd (US-1) from Wake Forest
Cook Out Knightdale
1151 North Smithfield Rd, Knightdale, NC 27545
12.7 mi; on N Smithfield Rd in Knightdale, east of Raleigh
Cook Out Louisburg
21 Golden Leaf Dr, Louisburg, NC 27549
13.4 mi; Golden Leaf Dr in Louisburg, the Franklin County seat
Cook Out Raleigh – New Bern Ave
1201 New Bern Ave, Raleigh, NC 27610
15.2 mi; New Bern Ave, just east of downtown Raleigh
Cook Out Creedmoor
2538 Telecom Dr, Creedmoor, NC 27522
16.4 mi; Telecom Dr in Creedmoor, southern Granville County
Cook Out Raleigh – Western Blvd
3930 Western Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27606
17.0 mi; Western Blvd in west Raleigh, the NC State-side store
Cook Out Garner
4001 Jones Sausage Rd, Garner, NC 27529
17.8 mi; Jones Sausage Rd in Garner, south of Raleigh
Cook Out Durham – S Miami Blvd
1540 S. Miami Blvd, Durham, NC 27703
18.5 mi; S Miami Blvd in southeast Durham, near RTP
Cook Out Raleigh – S Wilmington St
3222 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
18.6 mi; S Wilmington St in south Raleigh
Cook Out Cary – Walnut St
1607 Walnut St., Cary, NC 27511
20.0 mi; Walnut St in Cary
Which Cook Out Is Closest to My Part of Wake Forest?
For almost every Wake Forest neighborhood, the Northpark Dr store off Capital Blvd is the closest Cook Out. The exceptions are the far southwest edge near Falls Lake and Wakefield, where the North Raleigh stores can be just as fast, and the Franklin County side of town toward Youngsville, where Louisburg can be a good backup.
| If you are in… | Closest Cook Out | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Wake Forest / seminary area | Wake Forest – Northpark Dr | S Main St or White St south to Capital Blvd |
| Heritage (west side) | Wake Forest – Northpark Dr | Local roads to the NC-98 Bypass, then east to US-1 |
| Wakefield / Falls of Neuse corridor | Wake Forest or Raleigh – Falls of Neuse Rd | Capital Blvd north, or Falls of Neuse Rd south |
| Rolesville | Wake Forest – Northpark Dr or Knightdale | US-401 to Wake Forest, or south toward Knightdale |
| Youngsville | Wake Forest – Northpark Dr | US-1 south |
| Franklinton / Louisburg | Louisburg | US-401 or NC-56 into Louisburg |
| Creedmoor / Butner side of Falls Lake | Creedmoor | NC-50 or NC-98 west |
Traffic matters more than distance on Capital Blvd. At rush hour, the stretch between I-540 and the NC-98 Bypass can back up, so a Wakefield driver heading home from Raleigh may find the Falls of Neuse Rd store easier. Late at night, Capital Blvd is wide open, and the Northpark Dr store is usually a few minutes from anywhere in town.
How Do I Get to the Wake Forest Cook Out From US-1, I-540 or NC-98?
Take Capital Blvd (US-1) to the NC-98 Bypass interchange on the south side of Wake Forest. Northpark Dr is right beside that junction. From Raleigh, follow US-1 north past I-540. From Youngsville or Franklinton, take US-1 south.
- US-1 / Capital Blvd: the main road through Wake Forest and a straight shot north from Raleigh’s Capital Blvd Cook Out. The Northpark Dr store is a short turn off the highway.
- NC-98 Bypass: loops around the south and west of town between Durham Rd and US-1. It is the easiest route from Heritage and the other west-side neighborhoods.
- I-540 (Northern Wake Expressway): crosses Capital Blvd south of Wake Forest. Drivers from Durham, RTP or the airport can take I-540 east to US-1 north.
- US-401: connects Rolesville to Wake Forest’s east side and continues north to Louisburg, where the Golden Leaf Dr Cook Out sits.
- Falls of Neuse Rd: runs southwest from Wake Forest past Falls Lake Dam and Wakefield into North Raleigh, passing the Falls of Neuse Rd Cook Out on the way.
Road trippers on US-1 can treat Wake Forest as their last easy Cook Out stop north of Raleigh. The next Cook Out up US-1 is in Henderson, near I-85. The Louisburg store is the better choice if you are heading toward Franklin County or Lake Gaston on back roads.
Why Is There Only One Cook Out in Wake Forest?
Wake Forest is a fast-growing town that counted more than 47,000 residents in the 2020 census, but most of its fast-food business is spread along a single corridor: Capital Blvd. One Cook Out at the US-1 and NC-98 Bypass junction can reach most of town in a few minutes, and North Raleigh’s stores cover the southern edge.
The town: Wake Forest is in northern Wake County, with a slice in Franklin County. It takes its name from the old Wake Forest College, which started here in 1834 and moved to Winston-Salem in 1956. The original campus is now home to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, beside the historic downtown.
The growth: Over the past few decades, Wake Forest has filled in with subdivisions such as Heritage and Wakefield, plus shopping centers along Capital Blvd. That pattern is why the town’s only Cook Out sits on US-1 rather than downtown.
The wider network: Cook Out was founded in 1989 in Greensboro by Morris Reaves and has grown to 144 open stores across North Carolina as of October 2026. Wake County alone has several, from the Raleigh stores on Capital Blvd, Strickland Rd, Falls of Neuse Rd, New Bern Ave, Western Blvd and S Wilmington St to Garner, Knightdale and Cary.
Coming soon: Cook Out’s locator lists a Zebulon store at 1206 N Arendell Ave as coming soon, about 14 miles southeast of Wake Forest. It is not open yet, so it is not in the directory above.
We have not found a reliable public record of the exact opening date for the Northpark Dr store, so this guide does not give one. If you know it from a local news report, the store itself is the best source.
Is There a Cook Out Near the Seminary, the High Schools or WakeMed North?
Yes. The Northpark Dr Cook Out is the closest late-night burger stop for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest’s high schools and the hospitals near Wakefield. It is a short drive from each, and it usually stays open well past midnight.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary The seminary campus is beside downtown Wake Forest. Students can reach the Northpark Dr store by heading south on Main St or White St to Capital Blvd, usually a drive of about 5 to 10 minutes.
Wake Forest and Heritage High Schools After Friday night football, families from both schools head to Capital Blvd for food. Cook Out’s walk-up window and drive-thru move big groups faster than a sit-down place.
Wakefield medical offices and WakeMed North Night-shift workers at the medical offices around Wakefield and WakeMed North Hospital on Falls of Neuse Rd can choose between the Wake Forest store and the Falls of Neuse Rd store in North Raleigh.
Louisburg College Students in Louisburg have their own Cook Out on Golden Leaf Dr, about 13 miles northeast of Wake Forest.
NC State University From Raleigh’s campus, the Western Blvd Cook Out is the obvious choice. Wake Forest is a 30-minute drive north on Capital Blvd.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area After a day at Falls Lake beaches or boat ramps, the Wake Forest store is a convenient stop on the way back to US-1.
What Time Does the Wake Forest Cook Out Close?
Most Cook Out restaurants, including those around Wake Forest, open at 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store and can change on holidays or during staffing shortages, so check the Cook Out store locator or call before a very late trip.
Late-night tip: After midnight, most Cook Out stores serve through the drive-thru only, and some may close the walk-up window. Expect a line after high school games, church youth events and weekend nights out.
| Day | Typical open | Typical close |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday–Thursday | 10:30 AM | about 3:00 AM |
| Friday–Saturday | 10:30 AM | about 4:00 AM |
| Major holidays | Varies | May close early or stay closed |
These are Cook Out’s typical chain-wide hours, not hours confirmed for each store. The Wake Forest store and the North Raleigh stores generally follow this pattern, but individual stores can adjust their hours. See our Cook Out hours guide for holiday notes.
What Should I Order at Cook Out in Wake Forest, and How Much Does It Cost?
The Cookout Tray is the best value: an entree, two sides and a drink for about $7.39 to $7.99 in the Raleigh area. Pair it with a milkshake (about $3.99) from a list of 40+ flavors, and you have a full late-night meal for around $12.
The menu at Northpark Dr is the standard Cook Out menu: char-grilled burgers, North Carolina-style chopped barbecue, hot dogs, chicken strips, quesadillas and a long list of sides, including hushpuppies, onion rings, Cajun fries, chili cheese fries and coleslaw.
- Cookout Tray: about $7.39–$7.99 (entree + 2 sides + drink)
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, 40+ flavors
- Big Double burger: one of the most popular tray entrees
- Cheerwine: the classic North Carolina cherry soda, on the drink menu
Prices vary slightly by store and change over time, so treat these as estimates. Cook Out accepts cash and cards. The full menu is in our Cook Out menu guide, and tray combinations are in the tray menu guide. Shake fans should look at the milkshake menu before ordering, since the flavor list is long.
Ordering at the Wake Forest store: The store uses a drive-thru and a walk-up window, like most Cook Out locations, so there is no dining room to wait in. Have your full order ready before you reach the speaker, especially for a large group order after a ball game. Ask for extra napkins if you are getting a Cook Out Style burger.
How Does Cook Out Compare to Other Late-Night Food in Wake Forest?
Cook Out’s biggest advantage in Wake Forest is the combination of price and late hours. Very few places along Capital Blvd serve a full tray meal at 2 AM for under $8.
Wake Forest’s best-known local lunch spot is Shorty’s Famous Hot Dogs on S White St downtown, a long-running hot dog counter. Shorty’s is the place for a downtown lunch. Cook Out is the place for late nights and large groups. On Capital Blvd, the competition is the usual national chains: burger drive-thrus, chicken places, and Southern biscuit and fried chicken chains. Most of them close much earlier than Cook Out.
| Factor | Cook Out Wake Forest | Typical alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Late hours | Open until about 3–4 AM | Most chains close around midnight or earlier |
| Price for a full meal | About $7.39–$7.99 tray with 2 sides and a drink | Combo meals usually cost more |
| Menu range | Burgers, barbecue, hot dogs, chicken, quesadillas, 40+ shakes | Narrower menus at most chains |
| Dining room | Drive-thru and walk-up only | Many chains have indoor seating |
If you want North Carolina barbecue, Cook Out’s chopped barbecue tray is a quick, cheap version of the eastern NC style. For a full barbecue plate with all the sides, you will need to try one of the dedicated barbecue restaurants around the Triangle.
What Other Cook Out Guides Are Near Wake Forest?
The closest Cook Out guide to Wake Forest is Raleigh, which has six stores within about 20 miles of town. These guides cover the rest of the Triangle and the US-1 corridor north.
Cook Out Raleigh Every Raleigh store, including Strickland Rd, Falls of Neuse Rd and Capital Blvd, the three closest to Wake Forest.
Cook Out Durham Durham stores, including S Miami Blvd near RTP.
Cook Out Garner The Jones Sausage Rd store south of Raleigh.
Cook Out Cary Western Wake County, including the Walnut St store.
Cook Out Henderson The next Cook Out north up US-1 near I-85.
Cook Out Oxford Granville County stores along I-85.
Cook Out North Carolina All 144 open North Carolina stores, grouped by region.
Cook Out Locations Finder Search every Cook Out by city or state.
Cook Out Wake Forest FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Wake Forest, NC?
Wake Forest has one Cook Out, at 11690 Northpark Dr, Wake Forest, NC 27587, according to the Cook Out store locator in October 2026. It sits just off Capital Blvd (US-1) at the NC-98 Bypass on the south side of town. Older online lists that show stores on Capital Blvd and N White St in Wake Forest are out of date.
What time does the Wake Forest Cook Out close?
Like most Cook Out stores, the Northpark Dr location typically opens at 10:30 AM and closes around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store and on holidays, and late-night service is usually drive-thru only. Call ahead or check the locator before a very late trip.
What is the closest Cook Out to Wake Forest besides Northpark Dr?
The next-closest stores are in North Raleigh: 9500 Strickland Rd (about 9.7 miles away) and 6505 Falls of Neuse Rd (about 9.8 miles). The Raleigh store at 3244 Capital Blvd is about 11.6 miles south, and Louisburg’s store at 21 Golden Leaf Dr is about 13.4 miles northeast.
Is there a Cook Out in Rolesville or Youngsville?
No. Cook Out’s locator lists no store in Rolesville or Youngsville. Youngsville drivers usually take US-1 south to the Wake Forest store at 11690 Northpark Dr. Rolesville drivers can use US-401 into Wake Forest or head south to the Knightdale store at 1151 N Smithfield Rd, about 12.7 miles from Wake Forest.
Is a new Cook Out opening near Wake Forest?
Cook Out’s store locator lists a Zebulon location at 1206 N Arendell Ave as coming soon. It is about 14 miles southeast of Wake Forest in eastern Wake County. No opening date has been announced, so keep using the Northpark Dr or Knightdale stores until the locator shows Zebulon as open.
How much is a Cookout Tray in Wake Forest?
A Cookout Tray in the Raleigh and Wake Forest area costs about $7.39 to $7.99. It includes one entree, such as a burger, barbecue sandwich or chicken strips, plus two sides and a drink. A Jr. Tray starts around $5.29, and milkshakes are about $3.99. Prices vary slightly by store.
Does the Wake Forest Cook Out have indoor seating?
Like most Cook Out restaurants, the Northpark Dr store is built around a double drive-thru and a walk-up window and does not have a traditional dining room. If you want to eat on the spot, you can park and eat in your car, or take your order to a nearby park or back home.
Which Cook Out is closest to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary?
The Wake Forest store at 11690 Northpark Dr is the closest Cook Out to the seminary campus beside downtown Wake Forest. Take S Main St or White St south to Capital Blvd (US-1) and continue to the NC-98 Bypass interchange. The drive is usually about 5 to 10 minutes.
Find the Closest Cook Out to Wake Forest
The Northpark Dr store off Capital Blvd is the Wake Forest go-to. If you are closer to Wakefield or Falls Lake, check the North Raleigh stores in the directory.