📍 Hickory, North Carolina • 2 Stores • Catawba County • 2026
Cook Out Hickory NC — 2 Locations, Addresses & Hours (2026)
Hickory has 2 Cook Out restaurants: 1710 N. Center Street on the north side of town and 1935 US Highway 70 SE in the Valley Hills Mall shopping area. A third Catawba County store is in Conover, about 8 miles east.
Most Cook Outs open 10:30 AM and close about 3 AM (4 AM Fri–Sat). Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99. No new Hickory-area store is listed as coming soon.
This guide lists both Cook Out restaurants in Hickory and the seven nearest stores across the Catawba Valley and foothills, each with its address and a Google Maps directions button. It also shows which store is closest to each part of Hickory, how to reach them from I-40, US-321 and US-70, how late they stay open and what a tray costs.
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), Valley Hills Mall, Catawba Valley Community College, Lenoir-Rhyne University, NCDOT
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in Hickory, NC?
Hickory has 2 open Cook Out restaurants as of October 2026, according to Cook Out’s store locator: 1710 N. Center Street (ZIP 28601) and 1935 US Highway 70 SE (ZIP 28602). Counting Conover’s store at 460 E. Conover Blvd, Catawba County has 3.
The two Hickory stores split the city neatly. North Center Street serves downtown, Lenoir-Rhyne University, the hospitals and north Hickory toward Lake Hickory. The US-70 SE store sits on the commercial corridor south of downtown near Valley Hills Mall and Catawba Valley Community College, a few minutes from I-40.
Earlier versions of this page listed three Hickory stores at 1126 N Center St, 828 N Center St and 400 Lenoir Rhyne Blvd SE. None of those addresses is on Cook Out’s current locator, so they have been removed. Use the two addresses below.
- North Hickory: 1710 N. Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601.
- Southeast Hickory: 1935 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602.
- Also in Catawba County: 460 E. Conover Blvd, Conover, NC 28613.
- Coming soon: none listed within 30 miles of Hickory.
Where Are the Cook Out Locations in Hickory?
Both Hickory stores are listed first, followed by the seven closest stores in Conover, Caldwell, Lincoln, Burke, Catawba and Iredell counties. Addresses come from Cook Out’s store locator (October 2026). Distances are approximate straight-line miles from central Hickory.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook Out in Hickory | 2 | Hickory | N. Center St (NC-127) • US-70 SE • I-40 • US-321 |
| Nearby Cook Out Locations in the Catawba Valley & Foothills | 7 | Conover, Lenoir, Lincolnton, Morganton, Sherrills Ford, Statesville, Denver | I-40 • US-321 • US-70 • NC-16 • NC-150 |
1. Cook Out in Hickory — 2 Cook Out locations
North Center Street is NC-127, the main road from downtown Hickory north toward Lake Hickory. US Highway 70 SE runs parallel to I-40 on the city’s southeast side and is Hickory’s big retail corridor, with Valley Hills Mall, Catawba Valley Community College and the Hickory Furniture Mart along it.
Cook Out Hickory – N. Center St
1710 N. Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601
On North Center St (NC-127), about 1.5 mi north of downtown
Cook Out Hickory – US-70 SE
1935 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602
On US-70 SE near Valley Hills Mall and Catawba Valley Community College
2. Nearby Cook Out Locations in the Catawba Valley & Foothills — 7 Cook Out locations
Conover is the closest store outside Hickory, just east along I-40 and US-70. US-321 leads north to Lenoir and south to Lincolnton, I-40 west reaches Morganton, and NC-150 and NC-16 run toward Lake Norman and Denver.
Cook Out Conover
460 E. Conover Blvd, Conover, NC 28613
About 8 mi east, on East Conover Blvd in Catawba County
Cook Out Lenoir
510 Blowing Rock Blvd, Lenoir, NC 28645
About 17 mi north via US-321, on Blowing Rock Blvd
Cook Out Lincolnton
1437 E. Main Street, Lincolnton, NC 28093
About 18 mi south via US-321, on East Main St
Cook Out Morganton
1000 Burkemont Rd, Morganton, NC 28655
About 20 mi west via I-40, on Burkemont Ave
Cook Out Sherrills Ford
7930 Bradley Long Dr, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
About 22 mi southeast, on Lake Norman’s west side
Cook Out Statesville
181 Turnersburg Hwy., Statesville, NC 28625
About 27 mi east, on Turnersburg Hwy in Statesville
Cook Out Denver
7519 Hwy 73, Denver, NC 28037
About 28 mi southeast, on NC-73 in eastern Lincoln County
Which Hickory Cook Out Is Closest to Me?
North of downtown, use 1710 N. Center Street; south of downtown and along I-40, use 1935 US Highway 70 SE. East of Hickory, Conover’s store is usually quicker than either.
| If you are in or near… | Closest Cook Out | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Hickory / Union Square | 1710 N. Center St | North on Center St (NC-127) |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University | 1710 N. Center St | Short drive to Center St |
| Frye Regional Medical Center | 1710 N. Center St | North on Center St |
| Lake Hickory / north Hickory | 1710 N. Center St | South on NC-127 |
| Valley Hills Mall / Catawba Valley Blvd | 1935 US-70 SE | Same corridor |
| Catawba Valley Community College | 1935 US-70 SE | West on US-70 SE |
| Catawba Valley Medical Center | 1935 US-70 SE | Short drive to US-70 SE |
| Longview / west Hickory | Either store | US-70 or I-40 east, or Center St |
| Mountain View / southwest Hickory (NC-127 south) | 1935 US-70 SE | North toward I-40 and US-70 |
| Conover / Newton | 460 E. Conover Blvd | Local roads in Conover |
| Granite Falls / Sawmills | 1710 N. Center St or Lenoir | US-321 south, or north to Lenoir |
| Maiden / Lincolnton | Lincolnton store | US-321 south |
Distances are approximate and based on store coordinates from Cook Out’s locator. Both Hickory stores sit on busy commercial roads, so expect lines at the drive-thru around dinner and after high school and college games.
Is There a Cook Out Off I-40 in Hickory?
Yes. The 1935 US Highway 70 SE store is the closest Hickory Cook Out to I-40, a short drive north of the interstate on the US-70 retail strip near Valley Hills Mall. The N. Center Street store is farther from I-40 but closer for drivers on US-321 and NC-127 north of downtown.
Hickory sits where I-40 and US-321 cross. I-40 runs east to Statesville, Winston-Salem and the Triad and west to Morganton and Asheville. US-321 runs north to Lenoir, Blowing Rock and Boone and south to Lincolnton, Gastonia and I-85. US-70 parallels I-40 through Hickory, Conover and Newton, and NC-127 (Center Street) runs north from downtown toward Lake Hickory.
Coming from each direction
- I-40 westbound (from Statesville, Winston-Salem): Conover’s store comes first; in Hickory, exit for US-70 SE and Valley Hills Mall.
- I-40 eastbound (from Asheville, Morganton): Morganton’s Burkemont Ave store is the last one before Hickory; then use the Valley Hills Mall area exits for the US-70 SE store.
- US-321 southbound (from Boone, Blowing Rock, Lenoir): Lenoir’s Blowing Rock Blvd store is on the way; in Hickory the N. Center Street store is the nearer of the two.
- US-321 northbound (from Gastonia, Lincolnton): Lincolnton’s East Main St store is the stop before Hickory.
For mountain trips, Hickory is the last larger Cook Out market before US-321 climbs toward the High Country. See the Boone guide for the stores at the top of the hill.
What Is the Cook Out Market Like in Hickory and Catawba County?
Hickory is the hub of a three-store Catawba County market: two stores in Hickory and one in Conover. Hickory is the county’s largest city, with about 43,000 residents, though the county seat is Newton.
1989: Morris Reaves opens the first Cook Out in Greensboro. The chain spreads west along I-40 into the foothills.
Today: Cook Out’s locator lists 144 open North Carolina stores as of October 2026. In Catawba County they are 1710 N. Center Street and 1935 US Highway 70 SE in Hickory and 460 E. Conover Blvd in Conover.
Coming soon: no new store is listed within 30 miles of Hickory.
We have not found a reliable public record of when either Hickory store opened, so no dates are given here. The layout of the market is easy to read, though: one store anchors the north side of the city on NC-127, one anchors the I-40/US-70 shopping corridor, and Conover covers the eastern end of the county.
Hickory’s economy mixes furniture, manufacturing, healthcare and retail. That brings shift workers, hospital staff, students at Lenoir-Rhyne and CVCC, shoppers at Valley Hills Mall and furniture buyers visiting the Hickory Furniture Mart, many of whom end up at a Cook Out window after other kitchens close.
Is There a Cook Out Near Lenoir-Rhyne University or CVCC?
Yes. Lenoir-Rhyne University is closest to the 1710 N. Center Street store, and Catawba Valley Community College is closest to 1935 US Highway 70 SE. Both stores typically stay open until about 3 AM, 4 AM on weekends.
Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityLR’s campus is in northeast Hickory near downtown. The N. Center Street store is the quickest Cook Out run for students after games, practices or late study sessions.
Catawba Valley Community CollegeCVCC’s main campus is on US-70 SE, the same corridor as the Valley Hills Mall-area Cook Out, so it is a short drive between classes.
Frye Regional Medical CenterFrye sits on North Center Street near downtown. Night-shift staff and visitors can reach the N. Center Street store quickly.
Catawba Valley Medical CenterThe county’s other hospital is on Hickory’s southeast side, closer to the US-70 SE store.
Hickory CrawdadsThe Crawdads play minor-league baseball at L.P. Frans Stadium. After a night game, either Hickory store works depending on which way you are driving home.
Valley Hills MallHickory’s regional mall, open since 1978, sits on US-70 SE near the Cook Out, so a shopping trip and a milkshake are easy to combine.
What Time Does Cook Out Close in Hickory?
Most Cook Out stores open at 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and around 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours can differ between the N. Center Street and US-70 SE stores and can change on holidays, so check Google Maps before a late drive.
Typical schedule: 10:30 AM open every day, about 3 AM close Sun–Thu, about 4 AM close Fri–Sat. Ordering is by drive-thru or walk-up window; most Cook Outs have no indoor dining room.
| Day | Typical open | Typical close |
|---|---|---|
| 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 typical chain hours, not posted hours for a specific Hickory store. On Thanksgiving, Christmas and other major holidays, expect shorter hours or a closure. If one Hickory store has a long line or has closed early, the other is only about 4 miles away, and Conover is about 8 miles from downtown.
What Should I Order at Cook Out Hickory, and How Much Does It Cost?
Start with the Cookout Tray, about $7.39–$7.99 for an entree, two sides and a drink. Both Hickory stores use the standard North Carolina Cook Out menu, though prices can vary slightly between locations.
Choose a main such as a burger, barbecue sandwich, chicken sandwich, hot dogs, chicken strips, quesadilla or wrap. Add two sides from options like fries, onion rings, hush puppies, chili, slaw, cheese bites or a corn dog. Swap the drink for a milkshake for a small extra charge.
- Cookout Tray: about $7.39–$7.99
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, 40+ flavors
- Payment: cash and cards accepted
For a family or team order, ordering trays keeps everyone’s meal and drink together. See the tray menu, the burger menu, the milkshake menu and the full Cook Out menu for every option.
How Does Cook Out Compare to Other Fast Food in Hickory?
Cook Out wins in Hickory on late hours and price per meal; local barbecue and sit-down restaurants win on atmosphere and slow-smoked meat. Most other fast-food chains on US-70 and Center Street close well before Cook Out does.
| Need | Cook Out Hickory | Typical alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Food after midnight | Open until about 3–4 AM | Most chains close earlier |
| Cheap full meal | Tray with 2 sides + drink | Combos usually cost more |
| Barbecue | Chopped pork sandwich on the tray | Local barbecue restaurants, mostly daytime hours |
| Dessert | 40+ shake flavors | Ice cream shops with earlier hours |
| Dine-in | Usually no dining room | Downtown Hickory and mall-area restaurants |
The Catawba Valley sits in western Piedmont barbecue country, where chopped pork with a vinegar-and-tomato sauce is the norm, and Cook Out’s barbecue sandwich is a fast-food version of that style. For a sit-down dinner, downtown Hickory and the US-70 corridor have plenty of options; for something quick and cheap late at night, the two Cook Outs are the usual pick.
Where Are the Other Cook Out Guides Near Hickory?
The closest Cook Out guides to Hickory are Lenoir, Morganton and Statesville. Each lists its own stores, roads and closest-store table.
LenoirCaldwell County’s store on Blowing Rock Blvd, about 17 miles north on US-321.
MorgantonBurke County’s Burkemont Ave store, about 20 miles west on I-40.
StatesvilleIredell County stores, about 27 miles east on I-40.
MooresvilleLake Norman’s east side, about 29 miles southeast.
BooneHigh Country stores up US-321 past Blowing Rock.
GastoniaGaston County stores at the south end of US-321.
AshevilleTunnel Rd and Patton Ave stores, about 75 miles west on I-40.
North Carolina guideAll 144 open North Carolina stores by region.
To search any other town, use the Cook Out locations finder.
Cook Out Hickory FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Hickory, NC?
Hickory has 2 Cook Outs as of October 2026, per Cook Out’s store locator: 1710 N. Center Street (28601) and 1935 US Highway 70 SE (28602). Conover’s store at 460 E. Conover Blvd makes 3 in Catawba County. Older addresses such as 1126 N Center St, 828 N Center St and 400 Lenoir Rhyne Blvd SE are not on the current locator.
Which Hickory Cook Out is closest to I-40?
The 1935 US Highway 70 SE store is closest to I-40. It is on the US-70 retail corridor near Valley Hills Mall and Catawba Valley Community College, a short drive north of the interstate. The N. Center Street store is better for drivers on US-321 or NC-127 north of downtown.
Which Cook Out is closest to Lenoir-Rhyne University?
The 1710 N. Center Street store is closest to Lenoir-Rhyne University and downtown Hickory. Take Center Street (NC-127) north from downtown. The US-70 SE store is the better choice for CVCC students and anyone near Valley Hills Mall or Catawba Valley Medical Center.
What time does Cook Out close in Hickory?
Most Cook Outs open at 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and around 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. The two Hickory stores can differ, and holiday hours are shorter, so check each store’s Google Maps listing before heading out late.
Is there a Cook Out in Newton or Conover?
Conover has one at 460 E. Conover Blvd, about 8 miles east of downtown Hickory. Newton, the Catawba County seat, does not have its own Cook Out on the current locator; Conover is the nearest store for most of Newton.
Is a new Cook Out coming to Hickory?
No. As of October 2026, Cook Out’s locator lists no coming-soon stores within 30 miles of Hickory. The Hickory area is served by the two Hickory stores, Conover, and nearby stores in Lenoir, Lincolnton, Morganton, Sherrills Ford, Statesville and Denver.
How much is a Cookout Tray in Hickory?
A Cookout Tray costs about $7.39 to $7.99 for an entree, two sides and a drink. A Jr. Tray starts around $5.29, and milkshakes are about $3.99 with more than 40 flavors. Prices vary slightly by store; cash and cards are accepted at both Hickory locations.
What is the closest Cook Out to Granite Falls or Lake Hickory?
From Lake Hickory and north Hickory, the 1710 N. Center Street store is the nearest. From Granite Falls and Sawmills, it is usually a toss-up between N. Center Street and the Lenoir store at 510 Blowing Rock Blvd, depending on which way you are heading on US-321.
Find the Closest Cook Out in Hickory
Use the directory above for directions to N. Center Street or US-70 SE, or check the North Carolina guide for every store in the state.