📍 Lexington, Kentucky • 1 Store • 12 in Kentucky • 2026
Cook Out Lexington KY — 855 S Broadway Location, Hours & Menu (2026)
Lexington has one Cook Out: 855 South Broadway, on US 27/68 between downtown and Virginia Avenue, a few minutes west of the University of Kentucky campus. The next-closest stores are in Winchester, Frankfort and Richmond.
Open since 2014. Most Cook Outs serve 10:30 AM to about 3 AM, 4 AM Fri–Sat. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99.
This guide covers the only Cook Out in Lexington-Fayette County: where it sits on South Broadway, how to reach it from I-75, I-64, New Circle Road and the UK campus, what it costs, how late it stays open, and which Bluegrass towns have the next-closest stores. Addresses come from Cook Out’s store locator as checked in October 2026.
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), Ace Weekly, Louisville Courier Journal, Spectrum News 1, iExit
Is There a Cook Out in Lexington, Kentucky?
Yes. Lexington has exactly one Cook Out, at 855 S Broadway, Lexington, KY 40504. It sits on South Broadway (US 27/68) in the South Broadway Park area, about three-quarters of a mile from Rupp Arena and the edge of UK’s campus. It is a drive-thru and walk-up style store, built for late-night runs rather than sit-down meals.
If you live on the far north, east or south side of the county, it is still the closest Cook Out to you: every other Kentucky location is in another town. Winchester (about 16 miles east), Frankfort (about 23 miles west) and Richmond (about 23 miles south) are the nearest alternatives, each right off an interstate exit.
Kentucky had 12 open Cook Out restaurants on the company locator in October 2026, spread from Morehead and Mount Sterling in the east to Murray in the far west. Louisville, despite years of headlines about a planned store on Preston Highway, did not have an open Cook Out on the locator when this guide was checked.
Where Is Cook Out in Lexington, and What Are the Nearest Other Stores?
The Lexington store and the three closest out-of-town stores are listed below with one-tap Google Maps directions. All four addresses are taken from the Cook Out store locator (October 2026). Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Lexington; driving takes roughly 20 to 35 minutes to each out-of-town store.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Lexington | 1 | Lexington | South Broadway (US 27/68) • I-75/I-64 exit 113 • New Circle Rd |
| Nearby Cook Out locations (within 25 miles) | 3 | Winchester, Frankfort, Richmond | I-64 east & west • I-75 south |
1. Inside Lexington — 1 Cook Out location
The store is on the west side of the UK area, where South Broadway runs between downtown and the Red Mile and Harrodsburg Road corridor. It is the go-to Cook Out for UK students, Chandler Hospital staff coming off late shifts, and anyone leaving a game or concert at Rupp Arena.
Cook Out Lexington
855 S Broadway, Lexington, KY 40504
On South Broadway (US 27/68) between downtown and Virginia Ave, west of UK
2. Nearby Cook Out locations (within 25 miles) — 3 Cook Out locations
Each of these stores sits within a mile of an interstate exit, which makes them handy on road trips out of the Bluegrass. Winchester is about 16 miles east on I-64, Frankfort about 23 miles west on I-64, and Richmond about 23 miles south on I-75.
Cook Out Winchester
100 Hospital Dr, Winchester, KY 40391
About 16 mi east; Hospital Dr, 0.3 mi from I-64 exit 94
Cook Out Frankfort
1234 US Highway 127 S, Frankfort, KY 40601
About 23 mi west; US 127, roughly a mile north of I-64 exit 53B
Cook Out Richmond
120 Eastern Bypass, Richmond, KY 40475
About 23 mi south; Eastern Bypass at I-75 exit 87, near EKU
Which Cook Out Is Closest to My Part of Lexington?
For nearly all of Fayette County, the closest Cook Out is 855 S Broadway. Only people on the outer edges of the county, or already headed out of town on an interstate, will find Winchester, Frankfort or Richmond quicker.
| If you are in… | Closest Cook Out | How to get there |
|---|---|---|
| UK campus, Chevy Chase, South Hill, Aylesford | 855 S Broadway | West on Virginia Ave or through downtown to South Broadway |
| Downtown, Distillery District, Transylvania University | 855 S Broadway | South on Broadway from Main St, about 1.5 miles |
| Beaumont, Palomar, Harrodsburg Road | 855 S Broadway | Harrodsburg Rd (US 68) inbound into South Broadway |
| Hamburg, Andover, Winchester Road | 855 S Broadway, or Winchester if heading east | New Circle Rd to Broadway, or I-64 east to exit 94 |
| Masterson Station, Georgetown Road, Hamburg I-75 exits | 855 S Broadway | New Circle Rd or I-75/I-64 exit 113 to Broadway south |
| Hartland, Tates Creek, Brannon Crossing | 855 S Broadway, or Richmond if heading south | Man o’ War Blvd to Harrodsburg Rd, or I-75 south to exit 87 |
| Keeneland, Blue Grass Airport, Versailles Road | 855 S Broadway (about 5 miles) | Versailles Rd east toward downtown, then south on Broadway |
| Georgetown, Versailles, Midway | Lexington or Frankfort | Frankfort is quicker if you are already on I-64 west |
Tip: if you are already on I-75 heading south to Berea, Somerset or Knoxville, skip the trip into town and use the Richmond store at exit 87. Heading east to Morehead or Ashland, Winchester at exit 94 is right on the way.
When Did Cook Out Open in Lexington?
Cook Out opened its South Broadway store in late summer 2014. Ace Weekly reported the opening in its September 4, 2014 issue, noting that the restaurant took over a well-known Lexington restaurant site on South Broadway.
Before Cook Out: The South Broadway property was long associated with Stanley Demos’ Coach House, a fine-dining name many longtime Lexingtonians still remember, and most recently a restaurant called Casanova, according to Ace Weekly.
2014: Cook Out opens on South Broadway, bringing the North Carolina chain’s trays, Big Doubles and 40-plus milkshake flavors to the UK side of town.
2024: The Louisville Courier Journal counts 12 Cook Out restaurants operating in Kentucky, with Lexington listed at 855 S Broadway, and reports a planned first Louisville store on Preston Highway.
December 31, 2025: Tolly-Ho, the late-night UK diner that opened in 1971, closes its Foreman Avenue location off Broadway, per Spectrum News 1. That leaves fewer after-midnight options near campus, and Cook Out on South Broadway is one of the few still serving into the early morning.
October 2026: Cook Out’s locator still lists one Lexington store and 12 open stores statewide.
Cook Out itself was founded in 1989 in Greensboro, North Carolina, by Morris Reaves. Kentucky is one of its more established markets outside the Carolinas, with stores mostly in college towns and along I-64 and I-75.
How Do I Get to Cook Out on South Broadway from I-75 or I-64?
From I-75/I-64, take exit 113 (US 27/US 68, Paris Pike/North Broadway) and follow Broadway south straight through downtown; the store is on South Broadway roughly a mile past Main Street. Allow 10 to 15 minutes from the interstate depending on downtown lights.
- From New Circle Road (KY 4): exit onto Harrodsburg Road (US 68) and head inbound toward downtown. Harrodsburg Road leads straight into South Broadway on the way in.
- From UK central campus: Virginia Avenue (US 27) runs west to South Broadway; the store is just north of that corner area.
- From Blue Grass Airport or Keeneland: take Versailles Road (US 60) east toward downtown, then turn south onto Broadway. It is about 5 miles.
- From Rupp Arena or the Central Bank Center: it is under a mile; head south on Broadway.
- From Kroger Field: about 1.3 miles; use Virginia Avenue west toward Broadway after games, when Nicholasville Road jams up.
Out-of-town stores are simpler: Winchester is 0.3 mile from I-64 exit 94 (KY 1958/Van Meter Road), Frankfort is about a mile north of I-64 exit 53B on US 127, and Richmond is 0.2 mile from I-75 exit 87 (KY 876, the Eastern Bypass). Mount Sterling, 30 miles out, sits almost on top of I-64 exit 110 (US 460/KY 11).
Is There a Cook Out Near the University of Kentucky?
Yes. The South Broadway store is the Cook Out closest to UK, under a mile from Rupp Arena and Chandler Hospital and about 1.3 miles from Kroger Field. Several other Central Kentucky campuses also have a Cook Out nearby.
University of Kentucky More than 30,000 students and a hospital that runs around the clock. South Broadway is the quick late-night run from north campus residence halls, the Gatton Student Center area and the Chandler Hospital complex on South Limestone.
Transylvania University & BCTC Transy is downtown on North Broadway, so the store is a straight shot south. Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s Cooper Drive campus by Kroger Field is a short drive across the UK area.
Eastern Kentucky University Richmond’s Cook Out on the Eastern Bypass at I-75 exit 87 serves EKU. The Eastern Progress student paper has listed it among its favorite off-campus eats.
Kentucky State University In Frankfort, the Cook Out on US 127 South is the closest store for KSU students and state government workers.
Hospitals UK Chandler Hospital, Baptist Health Lexington on Nicholasville Road and CHI Saint Joseph on Harrodsburg Road all have staff leaving shifts late; South Broadway is a short drive from each. Winchester’s store sits on Hospital Drive by Clark Regional Medical Center.
Events Basketball nights at Rupp Arena, football Saturdays at Kroger Field and race meets at Keeneland and the Red Mile all push crowds toward South Broadway after the final horn or race.
What Time Does Cook Out Close in Lexington?
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 can change on holidays, during severe weather or when staffing is short, so check Google Maps or call before a long late-night drive.
| Day | Typical Cook Out hours | Lexington note |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday–Thursday | 10:30 AM – about 3:00 AM | Busiest after UK night classes and Rupp Arena events |
| Friday–Saturday | 10:30 AM – about 4:00 AM | Drive-thru lines peak after bars close downtown |
| Game days | Usual hours | Expect a post-game rush from Kroger Field and Rupp Arena |
| Major holidays | Often shortened or closed | Thanksgiving and Christmas Day hours vary by store |
Because the store is mainly drive-thru and walk-up, plan to eat in the car or take the food home. For a full breakdown of company-wide hours and holiday patterns, see our Cook Out hours guide.
What Should I Order at Cook Out in Lexington, and What Does It Cost?
The best value is the Cookout Tray: one entree, two sides and a drink for about $7.39 to $7.99. Lexington prices follow Cook Out’s regional menu, though exact prices can vary a little by store and change over time.
- Cookout Tray: about $7.39–$7.99
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, 40+ flavors
- Big Double burger, chargrilled hot dogs, BBQ, chicken strips, spicy chicken and quesadillas
- Sides include fries, onion rings, hush puppies, chili cheese fries and bacon wraps
- Cheerwine and sweet tea on the drink menu
Cook Out accepts cash and cards. Payment app and delivery availability can vary, so if you plan to order through an app, check that the Lexington store shows up before you rely on it. More detail lives in our tray menu guide, milkshake menu, drinks menu and secret menu pages.
How Does Cook Out Compare With Lexington’s Late-Night Favorites?
Cook Out wins on late hours and value: a full tray costs about what many chains charge for a burger alone, and it serves well past midnight. Where it loses is atmosphere; there is usually no dining room, so it is a car meal.
- Tolly-Ho: the 24-hour-style UK diner, open since 1971, closed its Foreman Avenue location on December 31, 2025. Its regulars were exactly the crowd that now heads to South Broadway after midnight.
- Fazoli’s: founded in Lexington and still headquartered here, but it is a pasta-and-breadsticks dinner stop that closes far earlier than Cook Out.
- National burger chains: several near campus run late drive-thrus, but none match a tray with two sides and a drink at Cook Out’s price, or 40-plus shake flavors.
- Kentucky barbecue and diners: better for a sit-down meal, but almost all close by 9 or 10 PM.
Cook Out’s chopped barbecue and Cheerwine are pure North Carolina, which is part of the novelty for Kentucky customers. Ale-8-One fans should know that Kentucky’s own Winchester-bottled soda is a separate local tradition; check the drink board rather than assuming it is on the fountain.
Where Are Other Cook Outs Near Lexington and Across Kentucky?
Kentucky’s 12 Cook Out stores are clustered in Central and Southern Kentucky. Besides Lexington, Winchester, Frankfort and Richmond, the locator lists Mount Sterling (706 Northview Dr), Morehead (275 Stone St, near Morehead State), Somerset (2561 S Hwy 27), Williamsburg (510 KY-92), Campbellsville (615 East Broadway St), Columbia (1001 Jamestown St), Bowling Green (730 Campbell Ln, near WKU) and Murray (205 N 12th St, near Murray State).
Heading south on I-75 Richmond is first, then Williamsburg near the Tennessee line. Keep going and our Knoxville guide and Tennessee guide pick up the trail.
Heading to Nashville Bowling Green is the Kentucky stop on I-65; then see our Nashville guide.
Heading east to Virginia Winchester, Mount Sterling and Morehead line I-64. For Virginia stores, use our Virginia guide.
Anywhere else Use the Cook Out locations finder or the full locations list.
Cook Out Lexington KY FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Lexington, KY?
Lexington has one Cook Out, at 855 S Broadway, Lexington, KY 40504, on US 27/68 between downtown and Virginia Avenue. There is no second store elsewhere in Fayette County. The nearest other locations are 100 Hospital Dr in Winchester, 1234 US Highway 127 S in Frankfort and 120 Eastern Bypass in Richmond, per Cook Out’s locator in October 2026.
What time does the Lexington Cook Out close?
Most Cook Outs, including Lexington’s typically, close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and around 4 AM Friday and Saturday, opening at 10:30 AM. Hours vary by store and can change on holidays or during bad weather, so check Google Maps or call the South Broadway store before a very late drive.
Is the Lexington Cook Out close to UK?
Yes. 855 S Broadway is about three-quarters of a mile from Rupp Arena and UK Chandler Hospital and about 1.3 miles from Kroger Field, measured in a straight line. From central campus, take Virginia Avenue west to South Broadway. It is the closest Cook Out to the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University.
When did Cook Out open in Lexington?
Cook Out opened its South Broadway store in late summer 2014; Ace Weekly covered the opening in its September 4, 2014 issue. The restaurant took over a South Broadway property that had been Stanley Demos’ Coach House and, most recently before Cook Out, a restaurant called Casanova.
Is there a Cook Out in Louisville?
Not on Cook Out’s locator as of October 2026. The Louisville Courier Journal reported in 2024 that Cook Out planned a first Louisville store at a former Rally’s on Preston Highway, but no Louisville location was listed as open. From Louisville, the closest store is Frankfort at 1234 US Highway 127 S, off I-64 exit 53B.
How much is a Cookout Tray in Lexington?
A Cookout Tray, with one entree, two sides and a drink, runs about $7.39 to $7.99, and a Jr. Tray starts around $5.29. Milkshakes are about $3.99 with more than 40 flavors. Prices can differ slightly by store and change over time, so treat these as close estimates for South Broadway.
Does the Lexington Cook Out have indoor seating?
Most Cook Out restaurants are drive-thru and walk-up only, without a full dining room, and the South Broadway store is set up the same way for quick orders. Plan to eat in your car or take food home. The walk-up window is useful for UK students on foot from nearby campus housing.
Which Cook Out is closest if I’m driving I-75 or I-64 past Lexington?
On I-75 south, use Richmond at exit 87 (120 Eastern Bypass), 0.2 mile off the ramp. On I-64 east, Winchester is 0.3 mile from exit 94 (100 Hospital Dr). On I-64 west, Frankfort is about a mile north of exit 53B on US 127. All three save the drive into downtown Lexington.
Head to Cook Out on South Broadway
Lexington’s only Cook Out is at 855 S Broadway, open late most nights. Tap for directions, or check the nearest store if you are already on the interstate.