📍 Knoxville, Tennessee • 4 City Stores • 8 Within 25 Miles • 2026
Cook Out Knoxville TN — 4 Locations, Addresses & Hours (2026)
Cook Out has 4 restaurants in Knoxville — on The Strip at UT, on Kingston Pike in West Knoxville, at the Cedar Bluff exit and in Turkey Creek — plus nearby stores in Powell, Maryville, Lenoir City and Pigeon Forge.
4 Knoxville stores, 4 more within 25 miles. Most open 10:30 AM–3 AM, 4 AM Fri–Sat. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99.
This guide lists every Cook Out in Knoxville with its exact address, the closest stores in Powell, Maryville, Lenoir City and Pigeon Forge, which one is nearest your neighborhood, typical late-night hours and what a tray costs in 2026. Addresses come from the Cook Out store locator (October 2026).
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), Farragut Press, The Tennessean
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in Knoxville?
Knoxville has 4 Cook Out restaurants: 2135 Cumberland Ave (37916) on The Strip at the University of Tennessee, 6920 Kingston Pike (37919) in West Knoxville, 321 Cedar Bluff Rd (37923) at I-40/75 exit 378, and 11113 Parkside Dr. (37934) in Turkey Creek.
Four more stores sit within about 25 miles: Powell (435 E Emory Rd), Maryville (1305 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy), Lenoir City (401 US Highway 321 N) and Pigeon Forge (3984 Parkway). That gives Knox County and its neighbors eight Cook Outs in all.
Tennessee had 40 open Cook Out restaurants in October 2026, and the Knoxville area is one of the densest clusters in the state.
Where Is Every Cook Out in Knoxville? Addresses & Directions
Every store below has a Google Maps directions button. The first group carries a Knoxville address; the second covers the nearest stores in neighboring towns. Addresses are from the Cook Out store locator, October 2026.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Knoxville | 4 | Knoxville | Cumberland Ave • Kingston Pike • I-40/75 • Parkside Dr |
| Nearby Cook Out locations | 4 | Powell, Maryville, Lenoir City, Pigeon Forge | I-75 • US-321 • US-129 • US-441 (Parkway) |
1. Inside Knoxville — 4 Cook Out locations
Knoxville’s four stores run in a line from campus out to the Farragut edge, following Cumberland Ave and Kingston Pike and then the I-40/75 corridor. The Strip store serves UT and Fort Sanders, Kingston Pike serves Bearden and West Hills, Cedar Bluff serves the busy exit 378 retail area, and Turkey Creek serves the far west side.
Cook Out Knoxville – Cumberland Ave
2135 Cumberland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916
On The Strip beside the UT Knoxville campus and Fort Sanders
Cook Out Knoxville – Kingston Pike
6920 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
On Kingston Pike in West Knoxville, between Bearden and West Hills
Cook Out Knoxville – Cedar Bluff Rd
321 Cedar Bluff Rd, Knoxville, TN 37923
About 0.3 miles north of I-40/75 exit 378 (Cedar Bluff Rd)
Cook Out Knoxville – Turkey Creek
11113 Parkside Dr., Knoxville, TN 37934
On Parkside Dr in Turkey Creek, near Tennova Turkey Creek Medical Center
2. Nearby Cook Out locations — 4 Cook Out locations
North Knox County, Blount County, Loudon County and Sevier County each have a store of their own. Powell is about 8 miles from downtown, Maryville about 15, Lenoir City about 22 and Pigeon Forge about 25.
Cook Out Powell
435 E Emory Rd, Powell, TN 37849
Right off I-75 exit 112 (Emory Rd); about 8 miles north
Cook Out Maryville
1305 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37801
On W Lamar Alexander Pkwy (US-321), west Maryville; about 15 miles
Cook Out Lenoir City
401 Us Highway 321 N, Lenoir City, TN 37771
On US-321 north of downtown Lenoir City toward I-75; about 22 miles
Cook Out Pigeon Forge
3984 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
On the Parkway (US-441) in south Pigeon Forge; about 25 miles
Which Knoxville Cook Out Is Closest to Me?
Downtown and campus go to Cumberland Ave, the west side goes to Kingston Pike or Cedar Bluff, and Farragut goes to Turkey Creek. North and South Knoxville are better served by Powell and Maryville respectively.
| If you are in… | Closest Cook Out | Route |
|---|---|---|
| UT campus, Fort Sanders, The Strip | 2135 Cumberland Ave | Walk or drive Cumberland Ave |
| Downtown, Market Square, Old City | 2135 Cumberland Ave | Cumberland Ave west from downtown |
| Sequoyah Hills, Bearden, Westwood | 6920 Kingston Pike | Kingston Pike west |
| West Hills, West Town Mall area | 6920 Kingston Pike | Kingston Pike or I-40 exit 380 |
| Cedar Bluff, Hardin Valley, Karns | 321 Cedar Bluff Rd | I-40/75 exit 378 or Cedar Bluff Rd south |
| Farragut, Turkey Creek, Concord | 11113 Parkside Dr. | Parkside Dr or Kingston Pike |
| Fountain City, Halls, Powell | 435 E Emory Rd, Powell | I-75 north to exit 112 |
| South Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville | 1305 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville | Alcoa Hwy (US-129) south |
| Lenoir City, Loudon, Tellico Village | 401 US Highway 321 N, Lenoir City | I-75 or US-321 |
| Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg | 3984 Parkway, Pigeon Forge | US-441 (the Parkway) |
Times on I-40/75 west of downtown swing widely at rush hour and on UT game days, so check live directions.
How Did Cook Out Grow in Knoxville and East Tennessee?
Cook Out began in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1989 and entered Tennessee in 2010 in Johnson City, according to The Tennessean. East Tennessee, just over the mountains from North Carolina, was the chain’s first foothold in the state, and Knoxville grew into its biggest cluster in the region.
1989: Morris Reaves opens the first Cook Out on Randleman Road in Greensboro, NC. The company is still privately owned.
2010: Cook Out’s first Tennessee store opens in Johnson City, about 100 miles northeast of Knoxville via I-40 and I-81.
July 14, 2021: The Turkey Creek store at 11113 Parkside Dr. opens after a soft opening the day before, as reported by the Farragut Press.
Today: Knoxville has 4 stores, with Powell, Maryville, Lenoir City and Pigeon Forge around it. Tennessee counted 40 open stores in October 2026.
We have not found reliable public opening dates for the Cumberland Ave, Kingston Pike or Cedar Bluff stores, so we do not list them.
Which Interstates Lead to Knoxville’s Cook Out Stores?
Three of the eight area stores are interstate stops: Cedar Bluff at I-40/75 exit 378, Powell at I-75 exit 112 and Lenoir City on US-321 near I-75. The Strip store is a short drive off I-40 through downtown.
- I-40/75 westbound or eastbound: exit 378 (Cedar Bluff Rd) puts you about 0.3 miles from the 321 Cedar Bluff Rd store. Turkey Creek is reached from the Lovell Rd or Campbell Station Rd exits farther west.
- I-75 north toward Kentucky: the Powell store is about 0.1 miles from exit 112 (Emory Rd / TN-131), the last Knoxville-area Cook Out before Jellico.
- I-75 south toward Chattanooga: Lenoir City’s store is on US-321 north of downtown, near the Lenoir City interchange, before the long run to Chattanooga.
- I-40 east toward Asheville: there is no Cook Out on I-40 east of downtown in Knox County, so eat on The Strip or plan a Smokies detour to Pigeon Forge.
- Alcoa Hwy (US-129): the airport road; McGhee Tyson travelers usually find Maryville or Cumberland Ave the easiest stop.
The stretch of Kingston Pike through the old town of West Knoxville took the Cumberland Avenue name in 1889, so the Strip, Kingston Pike and Turkey Creek stores all line up along one historic road heading west.
Is There a Cook Out Near the University of Tennessee?
Yes — the 2135 Cumberland Ave store sits on The Strip, right beside UT Knoxville’s campus, so it is the go-to late-night stop for students, Fort Sanders residents and fans leaving Neyland Stadium.
University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleMost dorms and Fort Sanders apartments are a walk from the Cumberland Ave store. On game days the 100,000-plus crowd at Neyland Stadium makes the drive-thru slow; the walk-up window is usually faster.
Fort Sanders Regional Medical CenterThe hospital sits in the Fort Sanders neighborhood just north of The Strip, making Cumberland Ave the closest late meal after a night shift.
UT Medical CenterAcross the river on Alcoa Hwy; Cumberland Ave is the closest Cook Out by way of the Alcoa Hwy bridge.
Parkwest and the Cedar Bluff areaParkwest Medical Center is just off Cedar Bluff Rd, a few minutes from the 321 Cedar Bluff Rd store.
Pellissippi State (Hardin Valley)The main campus in Hardin Valley is closest to Cedar Bluff or Turkey Creek via Pellissippi Pkwy.
Maryville CollegeStudents in Blount County use the Maryville store on W Lamar Alexander Pkwy.
What Time Does Cook Out Close in Knoxville?
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 vary by store and can change for holidays, weather or staffing, so check before a late drive.
| Day | Typical opening | Typical closing |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday–Thursday | 10:30 AM | About 3:00 AM |
| Friday–Saturday | 10:30 AM | About 4:00 AM |
| UT home game days | 10:30 AM | Normal close, but expect long lines near campus |
| Major holidays | Varies | Often shortened or closed |
Ordering is by double drive-thru and walk-up window; most Knoxville-area stores have no indoor dining room. We do not publish per-store hours because no single reliable list exists. See the Cook Out hours guide for holiday details.
What Does Cook Out Cost in Knoxville (2026)?
A Cookout Tray — one entrée, two sides and a drink — costs about $7.39–$7.99 in 2026, and a Jr. Tray starts around $5.29. Prices can vary slightly by store.
Pick a burger, chicken sandwich, chicken strips, barbecue, hot dog or quesadilla, then two sides such as fries, onion rings, hushpuppies, cheese bites or a corn dog. Trade the drink for a milkshake for a small upcharge.
- Cookout Tray: about $7.39–$7.99
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, 40+ flavors
- Drinks: soft drinks, sweet tea and Cheerwine
- Payment: cash and cards accepted
More detail: the full Cook Out menu, tray menu, milkshake menu, onion rings and drinks menu.
How Does Cook Out Compare to Knoxville Favorites?
Cook Out is Knoxville’s cheapest full late-night meal, while local spots win on character. Use it when you want a burger, two sides and a shake for under $10 after most kitchens close.
| Option | What it is known for | When Cook Out makes more sense |
|---|---|---|
| Litton’s (Fountain City) | Classic Knoxville burgers and desserts in a sit-down setting | Late at night or when you want a tray for about $8 |
| Petro’s Chili & Chips | Knoxville-born chili-and-chips dish from the 1982 World’s Fair era | When you want a full meal with a shake, late |
| Krystal | Chattanooga-born small square burgers | When you want bigger burgers and two sides per tray |
| Waffle House | 24-hour breakfast | When you want burgers and shakes instead of eggs |
| Weigel’s | Knoxville-based convenience stores with hot food | When you want a cooked-to-order meal |
For Strip regulars, Cook Out has become part of the after-game and after-class routine alongside the many restaurants on Cumberland Ave.
Where Are More Cook Out Guides Near Knoxville?
Our Tennessee guide lists all 40 open stores in the state; these guides cover the main drives out of Knoxville.
ChattanoogaAbout 110 miles southwest on I-75.
NashvilleAbout 180 miles west on I-40, with stores on West End Ave, Gallatin Pike and Charlotte Pike.
Asheville, NCAbout 115 miles east on I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge.
Boone, NCNortheast through the mountains toward Appalachian State.
Lexington, KYNorth on I-75 past Powell.
Location finderSearch Cook Out stores in every state.
Cook Out Knoxville FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Knoxville?
Knoxville has 4 Cook Out restaurants as of October 2026: 2135 Cumberland Ave (37916), 6920 Kingston Pike (37919), 321 Cedar Bluff Rd (37923) and 11113 Parkside Dr. (37934) in Turkey Creek. Nearby Powell, Maryville, Lenoir City and Pigeon Forge add four more within about 25 miles.
Which Cook Out is closest to the University of Tennessee?
The 2135 Cumberland Ave store on The Strip is closest to UT Knoxville. It is within walking distance of most dorms and Fort Sanders apartments and is the nearest Cook Out to Neyland Stadium, Thompson-Boling Arena and Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.
Is there a Cook Out off I-40 in Knoxville?
Yes. The 321 Cedar Bluff Rd store is about 0.3 miles north of I-40/75 exit 378, the easiest interstate stop in West Knoxville. On I-75 north, the Powell store at 435 E Emory Rd is about 0.1 miles from exit 112.
When did the Turkey Creek Cook Out open?
The Turkey Creek Cook Out at 11113 Parkside Dr. opened on July 14, 2021, after a soft opening the day before, according to the Farragut Press. It serves Farragut, Concord and far West Knoxville and sits near Tennova Turkey Creek Medical Center on Parkside Dr.
What time does Cook Out close in Knoxville?
Most Cook Out stores open at 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and around 4 AM Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store and change on some holidays, so check the Cumberland Ave, Kingston Pike, Cedar Bluff or Turkey Creek store before a late trip.
Is there a Cook Out near Pigeon Forge or the Smokies?
Yes. The closest Cook Out to the Great Smoky Mountains is at 3984 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, on US-441 in the southern part of town toward Gatlinburg. It is about 25 miles from downtown Knoxville; Maryville at 1305 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy is another option on the US-321 side.
How much is a Cook Out tray in Knoxville?
A Cookout Tray with an entrée, two sides and a drink costs about $7.39–$7.99 in 2026, and a Jr. Tray starts around $5.29. Milkshakes run about $3.99 with more than 40 flavors. Prices can vary slightly between the four Knoxville stores.
Does Knoxville’s Cook Out on The Strip get busy on game days?
Yes. UT home games at Neyland Stadium draw well over 100,000 fans, and the 2135 Cumberland Ave store is a short walk away, so drive-thru lines can be long after kickoff ends. The walk-up window is often quicker, or try Kingston Pike or Cedar Bluff instead.
Find the Closest Cook Out in Knoxville
Use the directory for exact addresses and one-tap directions, and check hours before a late-night run.