Myrtle Beach, South Carolina • 2026 Grand Strand Guide
Cook Out Myrtle Beach SC — All 4 Horry County Locations, Hours & Beach Guide (2026)
Myrtle Beach draws 14 million visitors a year. Four Cook Out locations across Horry County stay open past midnight every night. Kings Highway closes at 4:30 AM on weekends. That is the latest of any fast food option on the entire Grand Strand.
Whether you are on the strip near Ocean Boulevard, staying in Surfside Beach, building a home in Carolina Forest, or passing through North Myrtle Beach, there is a Cook Out within 10 minutes. This guide has every address, every verified hour, and the full story of how the Grand Strand ended up with four locations.
This page covers every Cook Out location across Horry County with verified addresses, hours confirmed from Yelp and the local news sources, the full story of the Carolina Forest opening, and everything you need for a late-night Grand Strand run.
Last verified: July 2026 | Sources: Yelp business listings, local news sources, local ABC affiliate, local NBC affiliate News, county land records, cookout.com
All 4 Cook Out Horry County Locations — Addresses & Verified Hours
The local news sources confirmed four Cook Out restaurants across Horry County in their 2026 late-night dining guide. Hours differ significantly between locations. The Kings Highway spot is your only option after 2 AM on weeknights.
1. Kings Highway — 1800 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach SC 29577
The flagship Myrtle Beach location. 1800 North Kings Highway sits two blocks from Ocean Boulevard between 17th and 19th Avenue North, in the heart of the tourist strip. This is the closest Cook Out to the beach for virtually every visitor staying in central Myrtle Beach. It is also the only location on the Grand Strand open past 3 AM on any night of the week.
Kings Highway is the main commercial artery running parallel to the ocean from north to south. Every major Myrtle Beach hotel, the Broadway at the Beach entertainment complex, the SkyWheel, and virtually every chain restaurant in the city sits on or just off Kings Highway. The Cook Out at 1800 North is surrounded by Marriotts, Hiltons, and Holiday Inns, making it the default late-night choice for every hotel guest who wants something after the bars close.
4:30 AM on Friday and Saturday is not a typo. The local news sources listed this as the Grand Strand’s latest fast food close time. Waffle House is the only competitor open later, and at twice the price.
2. Surfside Beach — 100 Loyola Dr, Myrtle Beach SC 29575
The Loyola Drive location serves the Surfside Beach and Garden City communities south of the main strip. Surfside Beach calls itself “The Family Beach” — lower density, quieter neighborhoods, more rentals and vacation homes versus hotel towers. The Loyola Drive location sits off US-17 Bypass near the Surfside Beach Water Tower area, easily accessible from anywhere in Surfside Beach proper and the southern end of Myrtle Beach.
Hours close earlier here than at Kings Highway. 2 AM weeknights and 3 AM weekends. If you are staying south of 29th Avenue South or in Garden City Beach, this is your location. If you are out past 2 AM on a weeknight, you will need to drive north to Kings Highway.
3. Carolina Forest (NEW 2024) — 174 Fresh Dr, Myrtle Beach SC 29579
The newest Cook Out in Horry County. 174 Fresh Drive sits in the Carolina Forest community off International Drive, the main commercial spine of Carolina Forest between US-501 and Forestbrook Road. This location opened in summer 2024 after an eight-year wait that the local community documented extensively in news coverage. local ABC affiliate, local NBC affiliate News, and all covered the opening.
Carolina Forest is the fastest-growing community in Horry County. The zip code 29579 has added tens of thousands of residents over the past decade. Before the Fresh Drive location opened, Carolina Forest residents had to drive at least 15 minutes to reach a Cook Out. Now it is a 5-minute drive for most of the subdivision. See the full Carolina Forest opening story below.
4. North Myrtle Beach — 205 US-17 N, North Myrtle Beach SC 29582
The northernmost Horry County location. 205 US-17 North in North Myrtle Beach serves the Cherry Grove Beach neighborhood, the Barefoot Landing area, the Windy Hill community, and all visitors staying north of Briarcliffe Acres along US-17 toward the Brunswick County line. North Myrtle Beach has its own separate identity from Myrtle Beach proper — it incorporates the former Cherry Grove, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive, and Windy Hill communities.
Hours match Surfside Beach: 2 AM weeknights, 3 AM weekends. The local news sources cited this location in their late-night dining guide alongside Kings Highway. If you are staying at Barefoot Resort, Tidewater Plantation, or anything in the Hwy 17 North corridor, this is your Cook Out.
5. Conway (Nearby) — 2480 US Hwy 501, Conway SC 29526
The Conway location on US-501 sits about 15 miles west of the beach along the primary inland corridor between Myrtle Beach and the rest of South Carolina. Conway is the Horry County seat and sits where US-501 crosses the Waccamaw River. This location is not technically in the Myrtle Beach metro but draws from Carolina Forest, Forestbrook, Aynor, and anyone driving in from Columbia or the Midlands on US-501.
Key note: Conway matches Kings Highway’s extended hours — 3:30 AM weeknights and 4:30 AM weekends. If you are on the beach strip and Kings Highway has a line out into the parking lot during peak season, Conway on US-501 is the same distance in time with far less tourist traffic. It is worth knowing.
| Location | Address | Opens | Sun–Thu Closes | Fri–Sat Closes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Kings Highway | 1800 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach SC 29577 | 10:30 AM | 3:30 AM | 4:30 AM | Yelp July 2026 |
| Surfside Beach | 100 Loyola Dr, Myrtle Beach SC 29575 | 10:30 AM | 2:00 AM | 3:00 AM | Yelp July 2026 |
| Carolina Forest (NEW 2024) | 174 Fresh Dr, Myrtle Beach SC 29579 | 10:30 AM | Confirm at cookout.com | cookout.com | |
| North Myrtle Beach | 205 US-17 N, North Myrtle Beach SC 29582 | 10:30 AM | 2:00 AM | 3:00 AM | MB Sun News |
| Conway (nearby) | 2480 US Hwy 501, Conway SC 29526 | 10:30 AM | 3:30 AM | 4:30 AM | MB Sun News |
Which Cook Out Based on Where You Are Staying
Kings Hwy — 1800 N Kings Hwy — 2–5 min drive. Open until 4:30 AM weekends. Your default choice from any hotel between 1st Ave and 29th Ave North.
Loyola Dr — 100 Loyola Dr — 3–6 min drive. Closes 2 AM weeknights, 3 AM weekends. If out after 2 AM weeknights, drive north to Kings Hwy.
Fresh Dr — 174 Fresh Dr — 5–8 min drive. Brand new 2024, confirm hours at cookout.com. Perfect for residents and resort visitors inland.
US-17 N — 205 US-17 N — 5–10 min drive. Closes 2 AM weeknights, 3 AM weekends. Serves Cherry Grove, Ocean Drive, Windy Hill communities.
| Where You Are Staying | Nearest Cook Out | Drive | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Blvd / central strip | Kings Hwy — 1800 N Kings Hwy | 2–5 min | Open until 4:30 AM weekends |
| Surfside Beach / Garden City | Loyola Dr — 100 Loyola Dr | 3–6 min | Closes 2 AM weeknights |
| Carolina Forest / Riverside | Fresh Dr — 174 Fresh Dr | 5–8 min | Confirm hours, newest location |
| Barefoot Landing / North MB | US-17 N — 205 US-17 N | 5–10 min | Closes 2 AM weeknights |
| Inland / Conway area | US-501 — 2480 US Hwy 501, Conway | 10–15 min from beach | Same late hours as Kings Hwy, no tourist crowd |
Myrtle Beach Season Guide — Crowds & Best Times
| Season / Event | Crowd Level | Best Cook Out Location | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer peak (Jun–Aug) | Very high | Kings Hwy after midnight | Arrive before midnight to beat the post-bar crowd |
| Spring Bike Week (May) | High | Kings Hwy or Conway US-501 | Conway has same hours but far less traffic during Bike Week |
| Fall Bike Rally (Oct) | High | Kings Hwy or Conway US-501 | Same rule as Spring Bike Week |
| Spring break (Mar–Apr) | High | Kings Hwy | Lines can stretch into parking lot after 11 PM |
| Fall shoulder (Sep, Oct) | Moderate | Any location | Best time — shorter waits, same hours |
| Winter off-season (Nov–Feb) | Low | Kings Hwy | Shortest waits of the year, confirm hours off-peak |
Cook Out vs Myrtle Beach Late-Night Food
After 11 PM on the Grand Strand, options narrow fast. The local news sources listed Cook Out in their late-night dining guide alongside Waffle House and Soho Steak. After midnight Cook Out is the clear winner on value and hours.
| Option | Latest Close | Full Meal Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook Out — Kings Highway | 4:30 AM (Fri–Sat) | ~$9 | Value + milkshakes + late night |
| Waffle House (Grand Strand) | 24 hours | ~$12–$15 | Last resort / 5 AM breakfast |
| Soho Steak (9715 N Kings Hwy) | 12:00 AM | ~$25+ | Nicer late sit-down dinner |
| Most MB restaurants | 10 PM–12 AM | $15–$30+ | Earlier evening dining |
The Carolina Forest Opening — 8 Years in the Making
The Fresh Drive location at 174 Fresh Drive has one of the best-documented origin stories of any Cook Out. The community waited nearly eight years from the first news report in 2016 to opening day in summer 2024. Here is the full paper trail from county land records and the local news sources.
| Date | Milestone | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | First report of Cook Out planning Carolina Forest location | local news sources |
| 2019 | Cook Out-International Dr Inc. purchases tract for $750,000 | county land records (via Sun News) |
| May 2022 | Commercial restaurant permit filed at 174 Fresh Drive | county land records |
| Jan 24, 2024 | Permit issued by Horry County | county land records (via Sun News) |
| Summer 2024 | Location opens at 174 Fresh Drive, Carolina Forest | , local ABC affiliate, local NBC affiliate News |
The land purchase in 2019 for $750,000 is documented in Horry County records. That is a significant investment for a fast food parcel and reflects Cook Out’s consistent strategy of owning its real estate rather than leasing. The chain purchased the International Drive corridor property specifically for this Carolina Forest location, filed permits in 2022, and opened five years after the land purchase. Carolina Forest residents who had followed the story since 2016 marked the opening day in 2024 as a genuine community milestone.
Cook Out Myrtle Beach SC — Frequently Asked Questions
How many Cook Out locations are in Myrtle Beach?
Four in Horry County: Kings Highway, Loyola Drive (Surfside Beach), Fresh Drive (Carolina Forest), and US-17 North (North Myrtle Beach). A fifth nearby at 2480 US Hwy 501 in Conway.
What time does Cook Out close in Myrtle Beach?
Kings Highway closes at 3:30 AM weeknights and 4:30 AM Friday and Saturday. Surfside Beach and North Myrtle Beach close at 2:00 AM weeknights and 3:00 AM weekends. If you are out after 2 AM on a weeknight, Kings Highway is your only option.
What is the newest Cook Out in Myrtle Beach?
The Carolina Forest location at 174 Fresh Drive near International Drive, which opened in summer 2024. Eight years in development from the first 2016 news report. Land was purchased for $750,000 in 2019 per county land records.
Is Cook Out open during Bike Week?
Yes. All four Horry County locations run standard hours during Spring Bike Week in May and the Fall Bike Rally in October. If Kings Highway has a long line, Conway on US-501 has the same hours and far less tourist traffic.
Is there a Cook Out on Ocean Boulevard Myrtle Beach?
No location sits directly on Ocean Boulevard, but Kings Highway at 1800 N Kings Hwy is a short drive from beach access points between 17th and 21st Avenue North.
Sources: Yelp business listings July 2026 | local news sources late-night dining guide News, local NBC affiliate News (Carolina Forest opening) | county land records (174 Fresh Dr, permit Jan 24 2024, land purchase 2019) | Cook Out official nutrition PDF. Independent fan site, not affiliated with Cook Out. Always verify hours before visiting.
Find Your Nearest Myrtle Beach Cook Out
Use the official Cook Out locator with your Myrtle Beach ZIP code to confirm the current address and hours for your nearest location.