📍 Pittsboro, NC • Chatham County • Nearest Stores • 2026
Cook Out near Pittsboro NC: Closest Locations, Routes & Hours (2026)
There is no open Cook Out inside Pittsboro. The closest restaurants are in Chapel Hill on S. Elliott Rd (about 17 miles north up US 15-501) and Sanford on S. Horner Blvd (about 18 miles south), with Apex on E. Williams St about 19 miles east via US 64.
A Siler City store at 1513 E 11th St is listed as coming soon. Most Cook Outs serve 10:30 AM to 3–4 AM. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99.
This guide is for anyone in Pittsboro, Fearrington, Chatham Park or the Jordan Lake area who wants a Cook Out tray tonight. Pittsboro does not have its own Cook Out, so we list the nearest open stores, the fastest roads to each one, what late-night drivers should expect, and the menu and prices. Store addresses come from Cook Out’s store locator as checked in October 2026; distances are straight-line miles from downtown Pittsboro.
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), NCDOT route maps, Town of Pittsboro
Is There a Cook Out in Pittsboro, NC?
No. As of October 2026, Cook Out’s store locator lists no open restaurant in Pittsboro or anywhere else in Chatham County. The closest open stores are 450 S Elliott Rd in Chapel Hill (about 17 miles north) and 1906 S. Horner Blvd in Sanford (about 18 miles south). Apex, at 1001 E Williams St, is about 19 miles east.
Relief is coming for Chatham County. Cook Out’s locator lists a Siler City store at 1513 E 11th Street, Siler City, NC 27344, as coming soon. It is roughly 15 miles west of downtown Pittsboro by straight line, and the drive is a simple trip out US 64. The locator gives no opening date, so check it before you drive. See our Cook Out Siler City guide for updates on that store.
Which store you should pick depends on which side of Pittsboro you live on and where you are headed:
- North Pittsboro, Fearrington, Briar Chapel, or heading to Chapel Hill: go to Chapel Hill. It is a straight run up US 15-501.
- South Pittsboro, Moncure, or heading toward Sanford and US 1: go to Sanford via US 15-501 south.
- Chatham Park, the US 64 corridor east of town, or commuting to Apex, Cary or Raleigh: go to Apex via US 64 east across Jordan Lake.
Where Are the Closest Cook Out Locations to Pittsboro?
Nine open Cook Out restaurants are within about 25 miles of downtown Pittsboro. They are grouped below by the direction you would drive. Every address comes from the Cook Out store locator (October 2026), and each card has a one-tap Google Maps directions button. Mileage is straight-line distance from the Chatham County Courthouse circle; road miles are usually a few more.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closest: Chapel Hill and Sanford | 2 | Chapel Hill, Sanford | US 15-501 north • US 15-501 south |
| East via US 64: Apex, Cary and Fuquay-Varina | 3 | Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina | US 64 • NC 55 • US 1 |
| Northeast: Durham and RTP | 4 | Durham | US 15-501 • NC 751 • I-40 |
| North via NC 87: Mebane | 1 | Mebane | NC 87 • I-40/85 |
1. Closest: Chapel Hill and Sanford — 2 Cook Out locations
These two stores sit at opposite ends of the same highway. US 15-501 runs through Pittsboro, north to Chapel Hill, where it becomes Fordham Boulevard, and south to Sanford. Chapel Hill is about 17 miles away and Sanford is about 18, so choose by direction rather than distance.
Cook Out Chapel Hill
450 S Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
About 17 mi north; Elliott Rd just off Fordham Blvd (US 15-501)
Cook Out Sanford
1906 S. Horner Blvd., Sanford, NC 27330
About 18 mi south; S. Horner Blvd in Sanford, Lee County
2. East via US 64: Apex, Cary and Fuquay-Varina — 3 Cook Out locations
US 64 leaves Pittsboro heading east, crosses Jordan Lake and reaches Apex in about 25 minutes. That makes the Apex store the easy pick for Chatham Park residents and anyone commuting toward Wake County. Cary and Fuquay-Varina are a little farther along.
Cook Out Apex
1001 E Williams St., Apex, NC 27502
About 19 mi east; E. Williams St (NC 55) in Apex
Cook Out Cary
1607 Walnut St., Cary, NC 27511
About 24 mi east; Walnut St near Crossroads Plaza and US 1/64
Cook Out Fuquay-Varina
1433 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
About 25 mi southeast; N. Main St on Fuquay-Varina’s north side
3. Northeast: Durham and RTP — 4 Cook Out locations
Durham has several Cook Outs. The two closest to Pittsboro are on Allendown Drive near Research Triangle Park and on Shannon Road in southwest Durham, both just over 20 miles away. They are handy if you work in RTP or at Duke.
Cook Out Durham – Allendown Dr (RTP)
2103 Allendown Drive, Durham, NC 27713
About 20 mi northeast; Allendown Dr in south Durham, near RTP
Cook Out Durham – Shannon Rd
3119 Shannon Rd, Durham, NC 27707
About 21 mi northeast; Shannon Rd near US 15-501 in southwest Durham
Cook Out Durham – Hillsborough Rd
3624 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, NC 27707
About 25 mi north; on Hillsborough Rd in west Durham
Cook Out Durham – S. Miami Blvd
1540 S. Miami Blvd, Durham, NC 27703
About 25 mi northeast; S. Miami Blvd in east Durham
4. North via NC 87: Mebane — 1 Cook Out location
NC 87 runs north from Pittsboro toward Alamance County. Mebane is about 25 miles away and best for drivers already headed up to I-40/85.
Cook Out Mebane
1255 Mebane Oaks Rd, Mebane, NC 27302
About 25 mi north; Mebane Oaks Rd near I-40/85 exit 154 and Tanger Outlets
Which Cook Out Is Closest to My Part of Chatham County?
For most of Pittsboro, the answer is Chapel Hill if you are north of downtown, Sanford if you are south, and Apex if you are near US 64 east. The table below matches common Chatham County starting points with the most practical store. Drive times are typical off-peak estimates, not guarantees.
| If you are in… | Most practical Cook Out | Main route | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Pittsboro (courthouse circle) | Chapel Hill, 450 S Elliott Rd | US 15-501 north | 25–30 min |
| Fearrington Village / Briar Chapel | Chapel Hill, 450 S Elliott Rd | US 15-501 north | 15–20 min |
| Chatham Park / Mosaic area | Apex, 1001 E Williams St | US 64 east | 25 min |
| Jordan Lake (US 64 crossing) | Apex, 1001 E Williams St | US 64 east | 15–20 min |
| Moncure / south Chatham | Sanford, 1906 S. Horner Blvd | US 1 south | 20–25 min |
| Siler City | Asheboro, 544 E. Dixie Dr, or Sanford | US 64 west / US 421 south | about 30 min |
| Bynum / Haw River north of town | Chapel Hill, 450 S Elliott Rd | US 15-501 north | 20–25 min |
Once the Siler City store opens, western Chatham, from Bonlee to Siler City itself, will have a store close by. Downtown Pittsboro will gain another option about 20 minutes away on US 64 west.
What Is the Best Route From Pittsboro to Each Cook Out?
Pittsboro sits where US 15-501 and US 64 cross, so every nearby Cook Out is one highway away. Here is how each drive works.
To Chapel Hill (450 S Elliott Rd)
Take US 15-501 north out of downtown past Fearrington Village and Briar Chapel. Near Chapel Hill the highway becomes Fordham Boulevard, the bypass along the east side of town. S. Elliott Rd is just off Fordham, so you do not have to drive through downtown Chapel Hill or Franklin Street. This is the most-used route from Pittsboro and the easiest one late at night. The road is four lanes almost all the way.
To Sanford (1906 S. Horner Blvd)
Head south on US 15-501 toward Lee County. The road crosses the Deep River before reaching Sanford, and the store is on the south side of town on Horner Boulevard, Sanford’s main commercial road. It suits Moncure, the US 1 corridor and anyone already headed toward Fort Bragg or Fayetteville.
To Apex (1001 E Williams St)
Take US 64 east from the Pittsboro bypass. It crosses Jordan Lake on a long causeway and reaches Apex, where E. Williams St is NC 55. US 64 is a fast divided highway, so this is a good choice if you live in Chatham Park or on the east side of town.
To Durham and RTP
Follow US 15-501 north through Chapel Hill. It continues as a freeway toward Durham, and the Shannon Rd store is near US 15-501 in southwest Durham. For the Allendown Dr store near RTP, NC 751 past Jordan Lake’s north end or I-40 east are the usual choices.
Tip: On UNC home football and basketball game days, Fordham Blvd and US 15-501 near Chapel Hill back up badly. Sanford or Apex can be faster then.
Where Can Pittsboro Residents Get Food After Midnight?
A Cook Out drive-thru is one of the few places near Pittsboro that serves food at 1 or 2 AM; most Chatham County restaurants close by 10 PM. Night-shift workers, UNC students commuting home and Jordan Lake campers end up driving to Chapel Hill, Sanford or Apex.
UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC Hospitals Students and hospital staff heading back to Chatham after a late shift pass the Chapel Hill store on Fordham Blvd before reaching US 15-501 south. It is the most natural late-night stop for Pittsboro commuters.
Central Carolina Community College CCCC has a Chatham County campus in Pittsboro and its main campus in Sanford, so students who split time between the two can stop at the Sanford store on S. Horner Blvd.
Jordan Lake Campers and boaters at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area are closest to Apex when they come off US 64 east. It is also the closest stop for supply runs on the east side of the lake.
Chatham Park and Mosaic The growing neighborhoods along US 64 east of downtown are about 25 minutes from the Apex store. Many residents there already commute toward Wake County.
What Time Do the Cook Outs Near Pittsboro Close?
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, and some lobbies or drive-thrus close early for staffing or weather, so check the Cook Out locator or call before a long late-night drive from Pittsboro.
| Day | Typical opening | Typical closing |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday–Thursday | 10:30 AM | about 3:00 AM |
| Friday–Saturday | 10:30 AM | about 4:00 AM |
| Major holidays | Varies | Many stores close on Thanksgiving and Christmas |
Most stores near Pittsboro are drive-thru and walk-up only with no indoor dining room, so plan to eat in the car or take your tray home. A 25-minute drive back to Pittsboro is about the limit for hot fries; milkshakes travel better.
What Does Cook Out Cost Near Pittsboro in 2026?
The signature Cookout Tray, an entree with two sides and a drink, costs about $7.39 to $7.99 at stores around the Triangle. That makes it one of the cheapest full meals you can buy within a half-hour of Pittsboro. Prices vary a little by store.
- Cookout Tray: about $7.39–$7.99
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, with 40+ flavors
- Sides: fries, onion rings, hush puppies, chili, slaw, corn dog, quesadilla, bacon wrap, chicken wrap and more
- Drinks: soft drinks, sweet tea, Cheerwine and Cheerwine floats
Long drives from Pittsboro make these ordering habits worthwhile:
- Order for the household. Since the trip is 25–30 minutes each way, most Pittsboro regulars bring back several trays at once.
- Pick sides that travel. Hush puppies, onion rings and quesadillas hold up better than fries on the drive home.
- Pay any way. Cash and cards are both accepted.
For the full menu, see our Cook Out menu, tray guide and milkshake flavors.
How Does Cook Out Fit Into Pittsboro’s Food Scene?
Pittsboro’s own dining is mostly small, independent and closed by mid-evening. Cook Out fills a different need: a cheap, late-night drive-thru meal. Downtown, around the courthouse circle, there are local cafes, breweries and Southern restaurants that are worth an evening. The fast-food choices in town are mostly along the US 15-501 and US 64 corridors.
Cook Out’s draws for Chatham County residents are value and hours. A full tray costs about what a single combo meal costs at most national chains, and the drive-thru stays open long after town closes. The trade-off is the drive. Until the Siler City store opens, every Cook Out run from Pittsboro is a 15- to 30-minute trip each way.
Chatham County is one of the faster-growing parts of the Triangle. Large developments such as Chatham Park are bringing thousands of new residents to the Pittsboro area. Cook Out has not announced a Pittsboro store; the Siler City location is the only Chatham County store on its locator. We will update this guide if that changes.
Which Other Cook Out Guides Cover the Pittsboro Area?
The neighboring city guides below cover each store near Pittsboro in more detail, with local landmarks and routes.
Chapel Hill The closest open store for most of Pittsboro, on S. Elliott Rd. Cook Out Chapel Hill guide.
Sanford The southern option on S. Horner Blvd in Lee County. Cook Out Sanford guide.
Apex The US 64 east option on E. Williams St. Cook Out Apex guide.
Siler City The coming-soon Chatham County store on E 11th St. Cook Out Siler City guide.
Durham Stores near RTP, Duke and across the Bull City. Cook Out Durham guide.
Statewide Every open store in the state, region by region. Cook Out North Carolina guide.
Cook Out Pittsboro FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
Is there a Cook Out in Pittsboro, NC?
No. Cook Out’s store locator, checked in October 2026, lists no open restaurant in Pittsboro. The closest stores are 450 S Elliott Rd in Chapel Hill, about 17 miles north on US 15-501, and 1906 S. Horner Blvd in Sanford, about 18 miles south. The Apex store at 1001 E Williams St is about 19 miles east on US 64.
What is the closest Cook Out to Pittsboro?
By straight-line distance, the closest open store is Chapel Hill at 450 S Elliott Rd, about 17 miles from downtown Pittsboro. Sanford, at 1906 S. Horner Blvd, is nearly as close at about 18 miles. Drivers north of downtown usually choose Chapel Hill, while those south of town or near Moncure usually find Sanford quicker.
Is Cook Out coming to Chatham County?
Yes. Cook Out’s locator lists a store at 1513 E 11th Street in Siler City, NC 27344, as coming soon. It is about 15 miles west of Pittsboro by straight line, reached via US 64 west. The locator gives no opening date, so check it before driving out. No store has been announced for Pittsboro itself.
How do I get from Pittsboro to the Chapel Hill Cook Out?
Take US 15-501 north from Pittsboro past Fearrington Village and Briar Chapel. Near Chapel Hill the highway becomes Fordham Boulevard, and S. Elliott Rd is just off it, so you avoid downtown Chapel Hill. The 450 S Elliott Rd store is usually 25 to 30 minutes from the Pittsboro courthouse circle off-peak.
Which Cook Out is closest to Chatham Park and Jordan Lake?
For Chatham Park and the US 64 corridor east of downtown, the Apex store at 1001 E Williams St (NC 55) is usually the quickest. US 64 east crosses Jordan Lake and reaches Apex in about 25 minutes from Pittsboro. The Cary store at 1607 Walnut St is a few miles farther along.
How late are the Cook Outs near Pittsboro open?
Most Cook Out restaurants open at 10:30 AM and close about 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store and can change on holidays or for staffing, so confirm on Cook Out’s locator before a late drive from Pittsboro to Chapel Hill, Sanford or Apex.
How much is a Cookout Tray near Pittsboro?
A Cookout Tray, with an entree, two sides and a drink, costs about $7.39 to $7.99 at Triangle-area stores in 2026. The 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 accepted.
Find the Closest Cook Out to Pittsboro
Chapel Hill and Sanford are each about 17–18 miles away, and Apex is close behind. Check the store cards for one-tap directions.