📍 Columbus, Georgia • 1 Store • Next Nearest ~30 mi • 2026
Cook Out Columbus GA — Manchester Expy Location, Menu, Prices & Hours (2026)
Columbus has one Cook Out, at 3189 Manchester Expy beside Peachtree Mall, about two-thirds of a mile east of I-185 exit 7. There is no Cook Out in Phenix City; the next-closest stores are in Auburn, Alabama, about 30 miles away, and LaGrange, about 38 miles north.
1 store in Columbus; none in Phenix City. Most open 10:30 AM–3 AM, 4 AM Fri–Sat. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99.
This guide covers the Columbus Cook Out on Manchester Expressway, next to Peachtree Mall, plus the two nearest stores in Auburn and LaGrange. Addresses come from the Cook Out store locator (October 2026). You will also find routes from Fort Benning, Columbus State University, Uptown and Phenix City, late-night hours, menu prices with calories, and how Cook Out stacks up against Columbus institutions like the scrambled dog.
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), iExit, Columbus State University, U.S. Army, Wikipedia, WTVM
Is There a Cook Out in Columbus, Georgia?
Yes. Columbus has one Cook Out, at 3189 Manchester Expy, Columbus, GA 31909. It sits on the Peachtree Mall stretch of Manchester Expressway, about 0.6 miles east of I-185 exit 7, according to the Cook Out store locator (October 2026). It is the only Cook Out in Columbus and Muscogee County.
Across the Chattahoochee River, Phenix City and Russell County, Alabama, have no Cook Out, so the Manchester Expressway store serves the whole Columbus–Phenix City area, including Fort Benning. The next-closest Cook Outs are on Opelika Rd in Auburn, Alabama (about 30 miles straight-line) and on Commerce Ave in LaGrange (about 38 miles). The locator shows no coming-soon stores within 30 miles of Columbus as of October 2026.
- Address: 3189 Manchester Expy, Columbus, GA 31909
- Interstate access: I-185 exit 7 (US-27 Alt / GA-85, Manchester Expy), then east about 0.6 miles
- Typical hours: 10:30 AM to about 3 AM Sunday–Thursday and 4 AM Friday–Saturday (hours vary by store)
- Next nearest: Auburn – Opelika Rd, then LaGrange – Commerce Ave
Where Are the Cook Out Locations Near Columbus, GA?
The Columbus store is listed first, followed by the two nearest Cook Outs outside Muscogee County with straight-line distances from Columbus. Addresses come from the Cook Out store locator (October 2026); tap Directions to open Google Maps. To search other cities and states, use the Cook Out finder map.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Columbus | 1 | Columbus | I-185 • Manchester Expy • Gentian Blvd • University Ave |
| Nearby Cook Out locations (30+ miles) | 2 | Auburn, LaGrange | US-280 • I-85 • I-185 • US-27 |
1. Inside Columbus — 1 Cook Out location
The Columbus Cook Out is in the city’s main north-side retail corridor, where Manchester Expressway crosses I-185. Peachtree Mall, a string of chain restaurants and several hotels line the road within a mile of the store, and Columbus State University’s main campus on University Avenue is close by.
Cook Out Columbus – Manchester Expy
3189 Manchester Expy, Columbus, GA 31909
Beside Peachtree Mall, about 0.6 mi east of I-185 exit 7
2. Nearby Cook Out locations (30+ miles) — 2 Cook Out locations
No other Cook Out is within 30 miles of Columbus. Auburn is the closest alternative and is in Alabama, while LaGrange is a straight shot up I-185. Either trip takes roughly 40 minutes or more, so most Columbus diners will stick with Manchester Expressway.
Cook Out Auburn – Opelika Rd
1601 Opelika Rd., Auburn, AL 36830
30.4 mi; on Opelika Rd in Auburn, Alabama, home of Auburn University
Cook Out LaGrange – Commerce Ave
126 Commerce Ave, LaGrange, GA 30241
37.6 mi; on Commerce Ave in LaGrange, Troup County, via I-185 north
Which Cook Out Is Closest to Me Around Columbus?
For all of Columbus, Fort Benning and Phenix City, the closest Cook Out is 3189 Manchester Expy. Only on the outer edges of the region, toward Opelika and Auburn or north toward LaGrange, does another store become closer.
| If you are in or near… | Closest Cook Out | Typical route |
|---|---|---|
| Peachtree Mall, Columbus State University, north Columbus | Columbus (3189 Manchester Expy) | Manchester Expy, Gentian Blvd or University Ave |
| Uptown Columbus, RiverWalk, CSU RiverPark campus | Columbus (3189 Manchester Expy) | Veterans Pkwy or 2nd Ave north, then east on Manchester Expy |
| Fort Benning, Victory Drive, south Columbus | Columbus (3189 Manchester Expy) | I-185 north to exit 7, then east |
| Phenix City and Russell County, AL | Columbus (3189 Manchester Expy) | Cross the Chattahoochee into Columbus, then I-185 north to exit 7 |
| Midtown, Wynnton, Lakebottom | Columbus (3189 Manchester Expy) | Macon Rd or Veterans Pkwy north, then Manchester Expy |
| Midland, Fortson, north Muscogee and Harris County | Columbus (3189 Manchester Expy) | Manchester Expy or I-185 south to exit 7 |
| Opelika, Auburn, Smiths Station | Auburn – Opelika Rd (most) | US-280 or I-85 in Lee County, AL |
| Hamilton, Pine Mountain, LaGrange | LaGrange – Commerce Ave for the north end | I-185 north or US-27 |
Distances in the directory are straight lines. From most of Columbus, the Manchester Expressway store is a 10- to 25-minute drive depending on where you start and the time of day; from the Fort Benning area, allow extra time for gate traffic at shift changes.
How Do I Get to the Columbus Cook Out From I-185?
Take I-185 to exit 7, the Manchester Expressway interchange (signed US-27 Alt / GA-85), and head east. The Cook Out at 3189 Manchester Expy is about 0.6 miles from the interchange on the left, by the Peachtree Mall entrances.
- I-185 from the north (LaGrange, I-85): I-185 runs from I-85 near LaGrange south into Columbus. Exit at 7 and turn left toward Peachtree Mall.
- I-185 from the south (Fort Benning, Victory Drive): Head north on I-185 through Columbus, take exit 7 and turn right onto Manchester Expressway eastbound.
- Manchester Expressway: The expressway is north Columbus’s main east–west commercial road. West of I-185 it passes St. Francis-Emory Healthcare at 2122 Manchester Expy and a long row of restaurants and gas stations; east of the interstate you reach the mall area and the Cook Out.
- Gentian Blvd and University Ave: These run along the mall and Columbus State University side of the corridor, useful for coming from campus without using the busiest part of the expressway.
- Veterans Pkwy: The main road north from Uptown. Follow it north and turn east on Manchester Expressway to cross I-185.
- From Phenix City: Cross the Chattahoochee River into Columbus, then work north to I-185 or Veterans Pkwy and on to Manchester Expressway.
Manchester Expressway is busy at lunch and on weekends with mall and restaurant traffic. Late at night, when the mall and most neighbors are closed, the drive-thru is usually much quicker.
What Is Near the Columbus Cook Out on Manchester Expressway?
The Cook Out sits in the Peachtree Mall retail area, one of Columbus’s main shopping districts. Nearby you will find mall anchors, sit-down chains, other fast-food drive-thrus and a cluster of hotels around I-185 exit 7.
Peachtree MallColumbus’s enclosed mall opened in 1975 and is anchored by Dillard’s, Macy’s and JCPenney. Its food court tenants share the 3131 Manchester Expy address, just down the road from the Cook Out.
Columbus State UniversityCSU’s 132-acre main campus at 4225 University Avenue is a short drive from the store, making Cook Out an easy late-night run for students and residence halls.
Hotels at exit 7La Quinta by Wyndham Columbus State University (2919 Warm Springs Rd), Super 8, Fairfield and TownePlace Suites on Armour Rd and the Courtyard on Courtyard Way are all within about a mile.
St. Francis-Emory HealthcareThe hospital at 2122 Manchester Expy is on the same road, west of I-185, so night-shift staff and visitors have a straight drive east to the Cook Out.
Restaurant neighborsSapo’s Mexican Cocina, Krystal, Ruby Tuesday and the mall’s Chick-fil-A are all on the Manchester Expressway strip near the store.
Uptown and the RiverWalkUptown Columbus, home to CSU’s RiverPark campus, the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts and the Chattahoochee RiverWalk, is a 15- to 20-minute drive south.
Is There a Cook Out Near Fort Benning?
There is no Cook Out on post. The closest is the Manchester Expressway store in north Columbus, reached by taking I-185 north to exit 7. From the main post area, plan on roughly 20 to 30 minutes depending on your gate and traffic.
The installation’s name has changed twice in recent years. It was renamed Fort Moore in 2023, and on March 3, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum restoring the name Fort Benning, this time honoring Corporal Fred G. Benning, who received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in France during World War I. Fort Benning is the current name.
Soldiers and familiesFor trainees’ family visits, graduation weekends and off-duty runs, a Cook Out tray is one of the cheapest full meals in town, and the drive-thru stays open well past most of Columbus.
Columbus State UniversityMain campus students are the closest of any college to the store. RiverPark campus students in Uptown face a longer drive north.
Phenix CityPhenix City has no Cook Out, so Alabama-side residents cross the river to Columbus. Auburn’s store is farther for most of Russell County.
Hospital shiftsSt. Francis-Emory Healthcare on Manchester Expy is closest; staff from hospitals closer to Uptown can head north on Veterans Pkwy.
What Time Does Cook Out Close in Columbus, GA?
Most Cook Out stores open at 10:30 AM and close at about 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store, so check the Columbus listing on Google Maps or call before a late-night trip.
| Day | Typical opening | Typical closing |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 10:30 AM | about 3:00 AM |
| Monday–Thursday | 10:30 AM | about 3:00 AM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM | about 4:00 AM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM | about 4:00 AM |
These are chain-wide norms, not a guarantee for 3189 Manchester Expy on a given night; staffing, weather and holidays can change them. For holiday patterns and details, see Cook Out’s hours by day. Columbus is on Eastern Time; if you are driving to the Auburn store, remember that Alabama is officially on Central Time, so check that store’s hours in local time.
Most Cook Outs are drive-thru and walk-up only, without indoor dining rooms, so plan to eat in the car or take your food back to post, campus or home.
What’s on the Cook Out Columbus Menu, and How Much Does It Cost?
The Columbus store serves Cook Out’s standard menu, built around the Cookout Tray: one entree, two sides and a drink for about $7.39–$7.99. A Jr. Tray starts around $5.29 and milkshakes are about $3.99. These are typical prices and vary by store, so the menu board on Manchester Expressway is the final word.
- Cookout Tray (entree + 2 sides + drink): about $7.39–$7.99
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes (40+ flavors): about $3.99
- Payment: cash and cards accepted
| Item | Calories (Cook Out nutrition guide) |
|---|---|
| Regular Hamburger (1/4 lb) | 328 |
| “Cook Out Style” toppings (add-on) | 123 |
| Cook Out Style Hot Dog | 383 |
| Chicken Quesadilla | 449 |
| BBQ Sandwich (regular) | 368 |
| Hushpuppies (tray side) | 300 |
| Onion Rings (tray side) | 128 |
| Sweet Tea (regular, 16 oz) | 236 |
| Peach Cobbler Milkshake | 790 |
| Hershey’s Chocolate Milkshake | 620 |
The full menu covers charbroiled burgers, barbecue, chicken sandwiches, strips and wraps, hot dogs and quesadillas, plus sides like fries, onion rings, hush puppies, chili and slaw. See the Cook Out tray menu and milkshake menu for every option.
- Barracks and dorm runs: Trays are the simplest way to feed a group. Settle every order before reaching the speaker so the line keeps moving.
- Peach country shake: Peach and peach cobbler shakes are a natural fit in Georgia; availability of seasonal flavors can vary.
- Check the bag: On busy mall weekends, confirm sides and sauces before pulling back onto Manchester Expressway.
How Does Cook Out Compare to Columbus Local Favorites?
Cook Out is the cheap, fast, open-late option. Columbus’s own food traditions, especially the scrambled dog, offer something you cannot get anywhere else, but they keep daytime hours; Cook Out wins on price for a full meal and on late-night availability.
| Option | Where | Known for | Versus Cook Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dinglewood Pharmacy | Wynnton Rd | Opened in 1918; famous for the scrambled dog since the 1950s | A Columbus institution; Cook Out’s chili-topped hot dogs are a late-night cousin |
| Scrambled dog spots | Around Columbus | Chopped hot dog on a bun buried in chili, pickles, onions and oyster crackers | Uniquely local; Cook Out’s “Cook Out Style” dog is the chain’s chili-and-slaw version |
| World Famous Hot Dogs | 2616 Hamilton Rd | Local hot dog stand | Neighborhood favorite; Cook Out stays open later |
| Clearview Barbecue | 4222 River Rd | Local barbecue | Sit-down Southern barbecue; Cook Out offers a BBQ sandwich or plate in the drive-thru |
| Ezell’s Catfish Cabin | 4001 Warm Springs Rd | Fried catfish and hush puppies | Classic fish plate; Cook Out has hush puppies as a tray side |
| Chain drive-thrus on Manchester Expy | Steps from Cook Out | Krystal, Chick-fil-A and others | Compare closing times; Cook Out’s typical 3–4 AM close is later than most |
Cook Out’s edge is the combination of a full tray for under $8, 40-plus milkshake flavors and a drive-thru that usually runs past 3 AM.
Where Are More Cook Out Guides Near Columbus?
The Cook Out Georgia guide lists all 46 open Georgia stores, including LaGrange and the metro Atlanta locations up I-185 and I-85.
GeorgiaEvery open Georgia Cook Out in one directory. Cook Out Georgia stores
AtlantaThe biggest Georgia cluster, about 100 miles northeast via I-185 and I-85. Cook Out Atlanta guide
TallahasseeHeading south toward Florida? Cook Out Tallahassee guide
Cook Out Columbus GA FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Columbus, GA?
Columbus has one Cook Out, at 3189 Manchester Expy, Columbus, GA 31909, according to the Cook Out store locator (October 2026). It is beside Peachtree Mall, about 0.6 miles east of I-185 exit 7. The next-closest stores are 1601 Opelika Rd in Auburn, Alabama, about 30 miles away, and 126 Commerce Ave in LaGrange, about 38 miles away.
What exit is Cook Out off I-185 in Columbus?
Use I-185 exit 7, the Manchester Expressway interchange (US-27 Alt / GA-85), and head east. The Cook Out at 3189 Manchester Expy is about 0.6 miles from the ramp on the left, near Peachtree Mall. Coming from Fort Benning, take I-185 north; from LaGrange and I-85, take I-185 south.
Is there a Cook Out in Phenix City, Alabama?
No. The Cook Out store locator lists no store in Phenix City or Russell County as of October 2026. Phenix City residents use the Columbus store at 3189 Manchester Expy across the Chattahoochee River. The nearest Alabama Cook Out is at 1601 Opelika Rd in Auburn, about 30 miles from Columbus.
Is there a Cook Out near Fort Benning?
The closest is 3189 Manchester Expy in north Columbus. From the post, take I-185 north to exit 7 and turn east; allow roughly 20 to 30 minutes depending on gate and traffic. The installation was called Fort Moore from 2023 until March 2025, when its name was restored to Fort Benning in honor of Cpl. Fred G. Benning.
Is the Columbus Cook Out close to Columbus State University?
Yes. CSU’s main campus at 4225 University Avenue is a short drive from the Cook Out at 3189 Manchester Expy, using University Ave or Gentian Blvd around Peachtree Mall. Students at the RiverPark campus in Uptown have a longer trip north via Veterans Pkwy or 2nd Ave.
What time does the Columbus, GA Cook Out close?
Most Cook Outs open at 10:30 AM and close at about 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4 AM Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store and can change for holidays or staffing, so check the 3189 Manchester Expy listing on Google Maps or call before a very late trip.
How much is a Cook Out Tray in Columbus?
A Cookout Tray, with one entree, two sides and a drink, typically costs about $7.39–$7.99, a Jr. Tray starts around $5.29 and milkshakes are about $3.99, with more than 40 flavors. Prices vary by store and change over time, so the menu board at 3189 Manchester Expy is the final word.
Does the Columbus Cook Out have indoor seating?
Plan on drive-thru or walk-up service. Most Cook Out restaurants do not have indoor dining rooms, so expect to eat in your car or take food to go. The walk-up window can close earlier than the drive-thru late at night, making the drive-thru the safer bet after midnight.
Find the Cook Out in Columbus, GA
The only Cook Out in Columbus is at 3189 Manchester Expy by Peachtree Mall, off I-185 exit 7. Check hours before a late run; the next store is about 30 miles away.