📍 Charlottesville, Virginia • 1 Store • Near UVA • 2026
Cook Out Charlottesville VA — 1254 Emmet St N Location & Hours (2026)
Charlottesville has one Cook Out, at 1254 Emmet St N on US-29 just north of Barracks Road Shopping Center, a short drive from UVA’s Grounds. The next closest store is in Waynesboro, about 23 miles west over Afton Mountain.
One store in Charlottesville, in a former Long John Silver’s. Most Cook Outs open 10:30 AM–3 AM, 4 AM Fri–Sat. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99.
This guide covers Charlottesville’s only Cook Out at 1254 Emmet St N, along with the nearest backup store in Waynesboro. You’ll find directions from UVA, the Downtown Mall, Pantops and I-64, how late the store usually stays open, what a tray costs in 2026, and how it compares to Charlottesville favorites like the White Spot.
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), The Hook, The Cavalier Daily
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in Charlottesville?
Charlottesville has one Cook Out, at 1254 Emmet St N, Charlottesville, VA 22903, according to Cook Out’s store locator (October 2026). It’s on US-29 just north of Barracks Road Shopping Center, near the US-250 Bypass, about 2 miles from the center of the city.
There is no second Charlottesville store. You won’t find a Cook Out on Richmond Road, at Pantops, downtown or on the Corner. If you’re in eastern Albemarle County, the Emmet St store is still the closest. The next closest Cook Out is 1432 W Main St in Waynesboro, about 23 miles west on I-64 over Afton Mountain.
- Address: 1254 Emmet St N, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Closest to: UVA’s North Grounds, John Paul Jones Arena, Barracks Road Shopping Center
- Typical hours: 10:30 AM to about 3 AM, and about 4 AM on Friday and Saturday
- Format: Drive-thru and walk-up window, the standard Cook Out setup
Virginia has 42 open Cook Outs in all. Charlottesville’s is the only one along US-29 between Madison Heights, across the James River from Lynchburg, and Northern Virginia.
Where Is the Cook Out in Charlottesville?
The Charlottesville store is on Emmet St N, which is US-29 Business through the city’s north side. The nearest backup is in Waynesboro. Addresses come from Cook Out’s store locator (October 2026), and each card has a Google Maps directions button. No new stores near Charlottesville are listed as coming soon.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Charlottesville | 1 | Charlottesville | US-29 (Emmet St N) • US-250 Bypass • I-64 exit 118 |
| Nearby Cook Out Locations | 1 | Waynesboro | I-64 • US-250 • Afton Mountain |
1. Inside Charlottesville — 1 Cook Out location
The store is on the Emmet Street commercial strip between Barracks Road Shopping Center and Hydraulic Rd, close to where the US-250 Bypass crosses US-29. UVA’s North Grounds and John Paul Jones Arena are just to the southwest. The Corner, Central Grounds and the Downtown Mall are a few minutes south by car.
Cook Out Charlottesville
1254 Emmet St N, Charlottesville, VA 22903
On Emmet St N (US-29) just north of Barracks Road Shopping Center
2. Nearby Cook Out Locations — 1 Cook Out location
Only one other Cook Out is within about 25 miles. Waynesboro is about 23 miles west, across Afton Mountain at Rockfish Gap. It’s the fallback if the Emmet St store is closed or you’re already heading toward the Shenandoah Valley.
Cook Out Waynesboro
1432 W Main St, Waynesboro, VA 22980
On West Main St (US-250) in Waynesboro, about 23 mi west via I-64
How Do I Get to Cook Out From My Part of Charlottesville?
For nearly everyone in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, the answer is Emmet St N. The table shows the simplest route from each area. Drive times are for light late-night traffic. Expect longer at rush hour and on UVA game days.
| If you are in or near… | Closest Cook Out | Route | Drive time |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Corner, Central Grounds, UVA Hospital | 1254 Emmet St N | Emmet St north past Scott Stadium area and Barracks Rd | 5–10 min |
| North Grounds, John Paul Jones Arena | 1254 Emmet St N | Massie Rd to Emmet St N | About 5 min |
| Downtown Mall, Belmont | 1254 Emmet St N | Preston Ave and Barracks Rd, or the US-250 Bypass west | 10–15 min |
| Pantops, Rivanna, Martha Jefferson Hospital | 1254 Emmet St N | US-250 Bypass west | About 15 min |
| Fifth Street, Fontaine Ave, I-64 | 1254 Emmet St N | US-29/250 Bypass north from I-64 exit 118 | About 10 min |
| Rio Rd, Fashion Square, Forest Lakes | 1254 Emmet St N | US-29 south | 10–15 min |
| Crozet, Ivy | 1254 Emmet St N or 1432 W Main St, Waynesboro | US-250 east, or I-64 west over Afton | 15–25 min |
| Waynesboro, Fishersville, Afton | 1432 W Main St, Waynesboro | US-250 or I-64 | Local |
Coming from Crozet, the two stores are about the same distance in opposite directions. Emmet St usually wins after dark because I-64 over Afton Mountain can be foggy.
When Did Cook Out Come to Charlottesville?
Cook Out came to Charlottesville by converting a longtime Long John Silver’s at 1254 Emmet St into a Cook Out. That was in the early 2010s, soon after the chain’s first Richmond stores opened. Local alt-weekly The Hook covered the purchase and conversion.
1989: Morris Reaves opens the first Cook Out in Greensboro, North Carolina.
December 2010: Cook Out opens its first Richmond-area store, on Eastridge Rd in Henrico, according to Richmond BizSense.
The Charlottesville purchase: The Hook reported that Cook-Out Charlottesville Inc. paid $1.3 million in October for the roughly 1.3-acre property at 1254 Emmet Street. The site had been a Long John Silver’s for many years, until it closed at the end of the year. The city’s zoning administrator said the company had approval for its trademark red roof, and he saw no municipal obstacles to the conversion.
Early 2010s: Cook Out spreads through western and central Virginia, opening in Blacksburg and Radford in late 2011, Lynchburg in March 2012 and Harrisonburg soon after (Wikipedia).
October 2026: Emmet St N remains Charlottesville’s only Cook Out, one of 42 open stores in Virginia.
The Hook’s article doesn’t give the store’s exact opening day, so we don’t list one. If you remember the old Long John Silver’s on Emmet, Cook Out’s red-roofed building is on the same lot.
How Do I Get to the Charlottesville Cook Out From I-64 or US-29?
From I-64, take exit 118 for US-29 north/US-250 and follow the bypass to Emmet St N. The store is about a 10-minute drive from the interstate. If you’re on US-29 heading through town, the store is right on your route.
| Coming from | Route | Time |
|---|---|---|
| I-64 (from Richmond or Staunton) | Exit 118 to the US-29/250 Bypass north, then Emmet St N | About 10 min |
| US-29 northbound (from Lynchburg) | Stay on US-29 into the Emmet St corridor | On the route |
| US-29 southbound (from Culpeper, Northern Virginia) | Past Rio Rd and Hydraulic Rd on Emmet St N | On the route |
| US-250 from Pantops | US-250 Bypass west to the US-29 interchange | About 15 min |
| I-64 westbound toward the Valley | Waynesboro, 1432 W Main St, after Afton Mountain | About 30 min from Charlottesville |
Road-trippers on US-29 between Lynchburg and Northern Virginia take note: the Emmet St store is the only Cook Out right on the highway between Madison Heights and Northern Virginia. On I-64, the next stores east are in the Richmond area, about an hour away.
Is There a Cook Out Near UVA?
Yes. The Emmet St N store is the closest Cook Out to the University of Virginia. It’s next to North Grounds and John Paul Jones Arena, and a short drive up US-29 from the Corner and Central Grounds. Students often take an Uber or drive over after midnight.
UVA Central Grounds & the Corner Head north on Emmet St past the athletics area, then past Barracks Road Shopping Center. Virginia bars stop serving at 2 AM, while Cook Out usually stays open until 3 AM on weeknights and 4 AM on weekends.
North Grounds (Law, Darden) Law and Darden students are closest of all. The store is only a few minutes from Massie Rd via Emmet St N.
John Paul Jones Arena After a basketball game or concert at JPJ, Emmet St N is the nearest Cook Out. Expect a drive-thru line right after events let out.
UVA Medical Center Night-shift staff at UVA Health’s main hospital can take Jefferson Park Ave and Emmet St north, usually about 10 minutes at night.
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital Staff at Pantops take the US-250 Bypass west to US-29. It takes about 15 minutes, and Cook Out is one of the few hot-food options open late.
Piedmont Virginia Community College PVCC students south of town can take the US-29/250 Bypass north to Emmet St N.
Football Saturdays at Scott Stadium and big JPJ events back up Emmet St. If you’re coming from the south, use the US-250 Bypass instead of the Emmet St corridor through Grounds.
What Time Does Cook Out Close in Charlottesville?
Like most Cook Outs, the Charlottesville store typically opens at 10:30 AM and closes around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and around 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store and on holidays, so check before a late drive.
| 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 | Varies |
Cook Out stores are built around the drive-thru and a walk-up window, and most have little or no indoor seating. Late at night, many serve the drive-thru only. Lines peak at lunch, at dinner and between about midnight and 2:30 AM on weekends during the UVA semester. Summer and winter breaks are noticeably quieter.
Because the next store is 23 miles away, it’s worth checking hours before a late run on a holiday. The Cook Out hours guide covers holiday schedules.
Cook Out Charlottesville Menu and Prices (2026)
A Cookout Tray (an entrée, two sides and a drink) costs about $7.39 to $7.99 in Charlottesville, and a Jr. Tray starts at about $5.29. Milkshakes are about $3.99, with more than 40 flavors.
- Cookout Tray: about $7.39–$7.99
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, with 40+ flavors
- Drinks: soft drinks, sweet tea and Cheerwine
Tray entrées include burgers, the BBQ plate, chicken strips, spicy chicken, hot dogs, quesadillas and wraps. Sides include fries, onion rings, hushpuppies, chicken nuggets, chili, slaw and corn dogs. Most stores take cash and cards, and prices vary a little by location.
Ordering for a dorm hall or study group? Write the order down before you get to the speaker: entrée, two sides, then drink, for each person. For more detail, see the tray menu, milkshake menu, drinks menu and onion rings guide.
How Does Cook Out Compare to Charlottesville Favorites?
Cook Out wins on price and late hours. Charlottesville’s own institutions win on tradition. Here’s how the Emmet St store stacks up against places locals already know.
| Local favorite | Where | Known for | Distance from Cook Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| The White Spot | University Ave on the Corner | The Gus Burger, a burger topped with a fried egg; a longtime UVA late-night spot | About 5–10 min north on Emmet St |
| Bodo’s Bagels | Several Charlottesville locations, including Emmet St | Bagel sandwiches; lines out the door in the morning | Same US-29 corridor |
| Barracks Road chains | Barracks Road Shopping Center | Sit-down and fast casual, mostly closed by late evening | Just south of the store |
| Wawa & Sheetz | Around Charlottesville and Albemarle | 24-hour made-to-order food | Varies |
The Gus Burger at the White Spot and Cook Out’s Big Double “Cook Out Style” are both classic messy late-night burgers. The difference is that a Cook Out tray adds two sides and a drink for under $8, and you can get a 40-flavor milkshake menu at 3 AM. Bodo’s covers breakfast and lunch, so between the two, students are covered all day.
Where Can I Find More Cook Out Guides Near Charlottesville?
Harrisonburg is about an hour northwest, and Richmond is about an hour east on I-64. Both have their own guides.
Cook Out Harrisonburg 1688 E Market St by I-81 exit 247, near JMU, with Staunton and Waynesboro nearby.
Cook Out Richmond W Broad St, S Laburnum Ave and Midlothian Tpke, plus 6 suburban stores.
Cook Out Roanoke Two Roanoke stores, plus Salem, down I-81.
Cook Out Blacksburg The Virginia Tech store on S Main St.
Cook Out Virginia All 42 open Virginia stores, grouped by region.
Cook Out Locations Finder Find a guide for any state.
Cook Out Charlottesville FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Charlottesville?
There is one: 1254 Emmet St N, Charlottesville, VA 22903, on US-29 just north of Barracks Road Shopping Center. Cook Out’s locator (October 2026) lists no second Charlottesville store, and none on Richmond Road or at Pantops. The next closest Cook Out is in Waynesboro at 1432 W Main St, about 23 miles west on I-64.
Which Cook Out is closest to UVA?
1254 Emmet St N is the closest, and the only one in Charlottesville. It’s near North Grounds and John Paul Jones Arena, and about 5 to 10 minutes by car from the Corner and Central Grounds at night. Drive north on Emmet St past Barracks Road Shopping Center, or use the US-250 Bypass to US-29.
What time does the Charlottesville Cook Out close?
Like most Cook Outs, the Emmet St N store typically opens at 10:30 AM and closes around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and around 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary on holidays and sometimes by store. Late at night it’s usually drive-thru only, so check before you go.
Is there a Cook Out on Richmond Road or at Pantops?
No. Cook Out’s store locator lists no store on Richmond Road (US-250 East) or anywhere in Pantops as of October 2026. From Pantops, take the US-250 Bypass west to the US-29 interchange and go north on Emmet St N to number 1254. It’s about a 15-minute drive.
What was the Charlottesville Cook Out before?
It was a Long John Silver’s for many years. The Hook reported that Cook-Out Charlottesville Inc. paid $1.3 million for the roughly 1.3-acre property at 1254 Emmet Street after the seafood restaurant closed. Charlottesville’s zoning administrator said Cook Out had approval for its red roof, with no municipal obstacles to the conversion.
Where is the next closest Cook Out to Charlottesville?
Waynesboro, at 1432 W Main St, is about 23 miles west on I-64 over Afton Mountain. Staunton (109 George M Cochran Pkwy, near I-81 exit 222) and Harrisonburg (1688 E Market St) are next in the Shenandoah Valley. Heading east, the closest stores are in the Richmond area, about an hour away.
How much is a Cook Out tray in Charlottesville?
A Cookout Tray (an entrée, two sides and a drink) costs about $7.39 to $7.99 at the Emmet St N store, and a Jr. Tray starts at about $5.29. Milkshakes are about $3.99, with more than 40 flavors. Prices can change a little over time, and the store takes cash and cards.
Head to Cook Out on Emmet St N
Tap Directions on the store card, and check hours before a late-night run, especially on holidays and UVA breaks.