📍 Lenoir, North Carolina • 1 Store • 6 Nearby • 2026
Cook Out Lenoir NC — Location, Hours & Prices (2026)
Lenoir has one Cook Out, at 510 Blowing Rock Blvd on US-321 just north of downtown. It is the only store in Caldwell County. Six more are within about 25 miles in Morganton, Hickory, Boone, Conover and Wilkesboro.
One Lenoir store on Blowing Rock Blvd (US-321). Most Cook Outs open 10:30 AM–3 AM, 4 AM Fri–Sat. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99.
This guide covers the Cook Out in Lenoir, NC, on Blowing Rock Blvd (US-321), plus the nearest stores in Morganton, Hickory, Boone, Conover and Wilkesboro. You’ll also find hours, tray prices, directions from I-40 and NC-18, and tips for late-night runs and High Country road trips. Store addresses come from the Cook Out store locator (October 2026).
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), City of Lenoir, Caldwell County
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in Lenoir?
Lenoir has one Cook Out: 510 Blowing Rock Blvd, Lenoir, NC 28645, on US-321 just north of downtown. It is the only Cook Out in Lenoir and in Caldwell County, according to the Cook Out store locator (October 2026).
Some older web pages list two Lenoir stores on Morganton Blvd. Those addresses do not appear in Cook Out’s current locator. The Blowing Rock Blvd store is the one to use. It sits on the main road north toward Blowing Rock and Boone, so it is convenient for locals and for travelers heading up the mountain.
The next-closest Cook Out stores are about 16 miles away: Morganton on Burkemont Rd to the southwest, and Hickory on N Center St to the southeast. Boone’s store on Blowing Rock Rd is about 21.5 miles north. Like most Cook Out locations, the Lenoir store typically opens at 10:30 AM and stays open until about 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Cook Out stores in Lenoir | 1 (510 Blowing Rock Blvd) |
| Nearest stores outside Lenoir | Morganton and Hickory, each about 16 mi |
| Open Cook Out stores in North Carolina | 144 (October 2026) |
| Coming soon nearby | None listed within 30 miles |
| Typical hours | 10:30 AM to about 3 AM (4 AM Fri–Sat) |
Where Is the Cook Out in Lenoir, and What Are the Closest Others?
The Lenoir Cook Out is at 510 Blowing Rock Blvd, and six more Cook Out stores are within about 25 miles in Morganton, Hickory, Boone, Conover and Wilkesboro. Addresses come from the Cook Out store locator (October 2026). Tap any card for Google Maps directions. Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Lenoir. Mountain and foothill roads wind, so actual drives run longer.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Lenoir | 1 | Lenoir | US-321 Blowing Rock Blvd • NC-18 • NC-90 |
| Nearby Cook Out locations | 6 | Morganton, Hickory, Boone, Conover, Wilkesboro | I-40 • US-321 • US-70 • US-421 • NC-18 |
1. Inside Lenoir — 1 Cook Out location
Blowing Rock Blvd is the stretch of US-321 that runs north out of Lenoir toward Blowing Rock. The Cook Out sits on this road just north of downtown, about a mile from the center of town. From downtown Lenoir, head north to US-321. From Hudson and Granite Falls, follow US-321 north through Lenoir and keep going past downtown.
Cook Out Lenoir
510 Blowing Rock Blvd, Lenoir, NC 28645
On Blowing Rock Blvd (US-321) just north of downtown Lenoir
2. Nearby Cook Out locations — 6 Cook Out locations
These six stores are 15.6 to 25.1 miles from Lenoir. Morganton and the two Hickory stores are the closest backups and both sit near I-40. Boone is the stop for Appalachian State and the High Country, and Wilkesboro covers Wilkes County to the northeast. Conover rounds out the Catawba County options.
Cook Out Morganton
1000 Burkemont Rd, Morganton, NC 28655
15.6 mi; Burkemont Rd in Morganton, near I-40
Cook Out Hickory – N Center St
1710 N. Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601
15.7 mi; N Center St on Hickory’s north side
Cook Out Hickory – US-70
1935 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602
19.2 mi; US-70 SE in southeast Hickory
Cook Out Boone
1179 Blowing Rock Road, Boone, NC 28607
21.5 mi; Blowing Rock Rd (US-321) in Boone, near Appalachian State
Cook Out Conover
460 E. Conover Blvd, Conover, NC 28613
23.4 mi; E Conover Blvd in Conover, Catawba County
Cook Out Wilkesboro
1919 US Hwy 421, Wilkesboro, NC 28697
25.1 mi; on US-421 in Wilkesboro, Wilkes County
Which Cook Out Is Closest to My Part of Caldwell County?
For Lenoir and most of Caldwell County, the Blowing Rock Blvd store is the closest Cook Out. The southern end of the county, around Granite Falls and Sawmills, is close enough to Hickory that the N Center St store can be just as quick.
| If you are in… | Closest Cook Out | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Lenoir | Lenoir – Blowing Rock Blvd | North to US-321, about a mile |
| Hudson / CCC&TI | Lenoir – Blowing Rock Blvd | US-321 north through Lenoir |
| Granite Falls / Sawmills | Lenoir or Hickory – N Center St | US-321 north to Lenoir, or south across the Catawba River to Hickory |
| Gamewell / Collettsville | Lenoir – Blowing Rock Blvd | Into Lenoir and north on US-321 |
| Happy Valley / Patterson | Lenoir – Blowing Rock Blvd | NC-268 into Lenoir |
| Blowing Rock | Boone or Lenoir | US-321 north to Boone or south down the mountain to Lenoir |
| Morganton side (Burke County) | Morganton | NC-18 south |
US-321 is a busy four-lane road through Caldwell County, and weekend traffic heading to and from the mountains can slow it down. On a Friday evening in leaf season, give yourself extra time on the stretch between Hickory and Blowing Rock.
How Do I Get to the Lenoir Cook Out From US-321, I-40 or NC-18?
Follow US-321 to Lenoir and stay on it north of downtown, where it becomes Blowing Rock Blvd. The Cook Out is on that road. From I-40, take US-321 north at Hickory. From Morganton, take NC-18 north into Lenoir.
- US-321: the main route through Caldwell County, connecting Hickory and I-40 to the south with Blowing Rock and Boone to the north. It passes Granite Falls and Hudson on the way into Lenoir.
- I-40: crosses Hickory and Morganton, about 15 to 20 miles south of Lenoir. Interstate travelers who only want a quick meal can use the Morganton or Hickory stores, which are closer to the interstate.
- NC-18: connects Lenoir with Morganton to the southwest and continues northeast toward Wilkes County.
- NC-268: runs northeast from Lenoir through the Happy Valley along the Yadkin River toward Wilkesboro.
- NC-90: heads northwest from Lenoir toward Collettsville and the Wilson Creek area of Pisgah National Forest.
For High Country trips, the Lenoir store is a good last stop before the climb up US-321 to Blowing Rock, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Tweetsie Railroad. Boone has its own Cook Out on Blowing Rock Rd if you would rather eat after you arrive.
What Is the Cook Out Scene Like in Lenoir?
Lenoir is the Caldwell County seat, with about 18,000 residents at the 2020 census, and its single Cook Out serves the whole county. The store is on US-321, the county’s busiest road and its link to both I-40 and the High Country.
The city: Lenoir grew up as a furniture town. Bernhardt Furniture, founded in Lenoir in 1889, is still based here, and Broyhill Furniture was a major employer for decades. Today the town also draws outdoor visitors to the Lenoir Greenway, Hibriten Mountain and the national forest land north of town.
The county: Caldwell County runs from the Catawba River towns of Granite Falls and Sawmills in the south, through Hudson and Lenoir, to the Blue Ridge foothills and Happy Valley in the north. Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute has its main campus in Hudson, and UNC Health Caldwell is the county’s hospital in Lenoir.
The wider network: Cook Out was founded in 1989 in Greensboro by Morris Reaves and has 144 open stores in North Carolina as of October 2026. Around Lenoir, the chain follows the main roads: I-40 in Morganton, Hickory and Conover, US-321 in Boone, and US-421 in Wilkesboro.
We have not found a reliable public record of when the Blowing Rock Blvd store opened, so this guide does not give an opening date. As of October 2026, Cook Out’s locator lists no coming-soon stores within 30 miles of Lenoir.
Is There a Cook Out Near CCC&TI, App State or the Hospital?
Yes. The Lenoir Cook Out is the closest late-night food stop for Caldwell Community College students and UNC Health Caldwell staff. Appalachian State students have their own Cook Out in Boone. In a small town, a store that serves until about 3 or 4 AM is one of the few options after midnight.
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute The main CCC&TI campus is in Hudson on US-321, just south of Lenoir. Students can drive straight up US-321 through Lenoir to the Blowing Rock Blvd store.
UNC Health Caldwell The hospital in Lenoir is a short drive from Blowing Rock Blvd, a handy option for night-shift staff and visitors when the cafeteria is closed.
Appalachian State University App State students should use the Boone store at 1179 Blowing Rock Rd, about 21.5 miles north of Lenoir. Lenoir is the stop on the way home down the mountain.
Lenoir-Rhyne University Despite the name, Lenoir-Rhyne is in Hickory, not Lenoir. Its students are closer to Hickory’s N Center St and US-70 Cook Out stores.
Hibriten and West Caldwell High Schools Friday night football crowds from around the county end up on US-321. The drive-thru line moves fast, but expect a wait after big games.
Wilson Creek and Pisgah National Forest After a day at Wilson Creek north of Lenoir, the Blowing Rock Blvd store is the first Cook Out on the way back to town.
What Time Does the Lenoir Cook Out Close?
Most Cook Out restaurants, including the Lenoir store, typically open at 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store and can change on holidays or in bad weather, so check the Cook Out locator or call before a late drive.
Winter tip: Snow and ice on US-321 above Lenoir can affect travel to Blowing Rock and Boone. If the roads up the mountain are bad, the Lenoir store may be the most practical Cook Out for the night.
| 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 | May close early or stay closed |
These are Cook Out’s typical chain-wide hours, not hours confirmed for this specific store. Late at night, service is often drive-thru only. See our Cook Out hours guide for holiday details.
What Should I Order at Cook Out in Lenoir, and How Much Does It Cost?
The Cookout Tray is the best deal: an entree, two sides and a drink for about $7.39 to $7.99. Add a milkshake for about $3.99, chosen from more than 40 flavors.
The Lenoir store serves the standard Cook Out menu: char-grilled burgers, chopped barbecue, hot dogs, chicken strips, wraps and quesadillas, with sides including hushpuppies, onion rings, fries, Cajun fries, chili and slaw.
- Cookout Tray: about $7.39–$7.99 (entree + 2 sides + drink)
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, 40+ flavors
- Big Double burger: a popular tray entree
- Cheerwine and Cheerwine floats on the drink menu
Prices vary slightly by store and change over time, so treat these as estimates. Cash and cards are accepted. See the full Cook Out menu, the tray menu and the milkshake menu.
Ordering in Lenoir: The store uses a drive-thru and a walk-up window rather than a dining room, like most Cook Out locations. Road trippers with a car full of people should decide on trays before pulling up. The menu board is long, and the line behind you will thank you.
How Does Cook Out Compare to Other Food in Lenoir?
In Lenoir, Cook Out’s advantages are its late hours and low prices. Most local restaurants and national chains on US-321 close hours before Cook Out does.
Caldwell County’s food scene leans on family-run diners, hot dog stands and barbecue places, plus the national chains along US-321 and Blowing Rock Blvd. Those are good for a sit-down lunch or dinner. Cook Out fills a different role: a full tray meal for under $8, long after most of Lenoir has closed.
| Factor | Cook Out Lenoir | Typical local alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Hours | Open until about 3–4 AM | Most close by 9–11 PM |
| Price | About $7.39–$7.99 tray with 2 sides and a drink | Sit-down meals usually cost more |
| Menu range | Burgers, barbecue, hot dogs, chicken, quesadillas, 40+ shakes | Varies; often narrower |
| Seating | Drive-thru and walk-up only | Most local spots have dining rooms |
If you are visiting the High Country, Blowing Rock and Boone have plenty of sit-down restaurants for a mountain dinner. Many travelers stop at the Lenoir Cook Out on the way up or down the mountain, because it is quick and the price is hard to beat.
What Other Cook Out Guides Are Near Lenoir?
The closest Cook Out guides to Lenoir are Morganton and Hickory, each about 16 miles away. These guides cover the foothills, the High Country and the rest of western North Carolina.
Cook Out Morganton The Burkemont Rd store near I-40 in Burke County.
Cook Out Hickory Both Hickory stores, on N Center St and US-70 SE.
Cook Out Boone The Blowing Rock Rd store near Appalachian State.
Cook Out Statesville Iredell County stores east on I-40.
Cook Out Asheville Mountain stores about 80 miles west via I-40.
Cook Out Shelby Cleveland County’s Earl Rd store, south via NC-18.
Cook Out North Carolina All 144 open NC stores, grouped by region.
Cook Out Locations Finder Search every Cook Out by city or state.
Cook Out Lenoir FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Lenoir, NC?
Lenoir has one Cook Out, at 510 Blowing Rock Blvd, Lenoir, NC 28645, according to the Cook Out store locator in October 2026. It is on US-321 just north of downtown. Older lists showing stores at 120 Morganton Blvd S and 1450 Morganton Blvd NE do not match Cook Out’s current locator.
What time does Cook Out in Lenoir close?
The Lenoir Cook Out typically follows the chain’s standard hours: it opens at 10:30 AM and closes around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and 4 AM Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store, on holidays and in bad weather. Late at night, orders are often drive-thru only, so check before a very late trip.
What is the closest Cook Out to Lenoir besides Blowing Rock Blvd?
The next-closest stores are Morganton at 1000 Burkemont Rd (about 15.6 miles southwest) and Hickory at 1710 N Center St (about 15.7 miles southeast). Hickory’s second store at 1935 US Highway 70 SE is about 19 miles away, and Boone’s store at 1179 Blowing Rock Rd is about 21.5 miles north.
Is there a Cook Out in Hudson, Granite Falls or Blowing Rock?
No. Cook Out’s locator lists only one store in Caldwell County, at 510 Blowing Rock Blvd in Lenoir. Hudson residents use the Lenoir store via US-321, and Granite Falls drivers can choose Lenoir or Hickory’s N Center St store. Blowing Rock is between Lenoir and Boone, so either store works.
Is the Lenoir Cook Out on the way to Boone?
Yes. The Lenoir store sits on Blowing Rock Blvd, which is US-321, the main road from Hickory and Lenoir up to Blowing Rock and Boone. If you are driving up from I-40, it is the last Cook Out before Boone’s store at 1179 Blowing Rock Rd, about 21.5 miles north.
How much is a Cookout Tray in Lenoir?
A Cookout Tray in Lenoir costs about $7.39 to $7.99. It comes with one entree, such as a burger, barbecue sandwich or chicken strips, plus two sides and a drink. A Jr. Tray starts around $5.29, and milkshakes are about $3.99. Prices can vary a little by store and change over time.
Is Lenoir-Rhyne University near the Lenoir Cook Out?
No. Lenoir-Rhyne University is in Hickory, not Lenoir. Its students are closest to Hickory’s Cook Out stores at 1710 N Center St and 1935 US Highway 70 SE. The Lenoir store at 510 Blowing Rock Blvd is about 16 miles north of Hickory via US-321.
Does the Lenoir Cook Out have indoor seating?
Like most Cook Out locations, the Lenoir store is built around a drive-thru and a walk-up window and does not have a traditional dining room. Most people eat in the car or take their trays home. On a nice day, you can take your order to a park along the Lenoir Greenway.
Find the Closest Cook Out to Lenoir
The Blowing Rock Blvd store on US-321 is Lenoir’s only Cook Out. If you are near I-40, the Morganton and Hickory stores may be closer.