📍 Wilson, North Carolina • 1 Store in Wilson • 5 Within 25 Miles • 2026
Cook Out Wilson NC — Address, Hours & Nearby Locations (2026)
Wilson has one Cook Out: the drive-thru at 2925 Raleigh Road Parkway on the city’s west side, about 3 miles east of I-95 exit 121. The nearest other stores are in Nashville and Rocky Mount, both about 18 miles north.
Most Cook Outs open 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM (4 AM Fri–Sat). Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99. Hours vary by store.
This guide covers the Cook Out in Wilson and the five nearest stores in Nashville, Rocky Mount, Tarboro, Goldsboro and Selma, with addresses from Cook Out’s own store locator, one-tap directions, the closest store to each part of Wilson County, typical late-night hours and what to order. Wilson’s only store is on Raleigh Road Parkway, the main retail road on the west side of the city between downtown and I-95.
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), iExit (I-95 exit 121), WhatNow Raleigh
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in Wilson, NC?
There is 1 Cook Out in Wilson: 2925 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson, NC 27896. It is on the west side of the city, about 2.4 miles from downtown and roughly 3 miles east of I-95 exit 121, according to the Cook Out store locator in October 2026.
Older pages online list two Wilson stores on “Raleigh Rd E” and “Raleigh Rd W”. Cook Out’s locator shows only the Raleigh Road Parkway store, so that is the one to drive to. It is the only Cook Out in Wilson County; Elm City, Lucama, Black Creek, Stantonsburg and Saratoga do not have one.
The next closest Cook Outs are 102 E Evans Dr in Nashville (about 18 miles), 1020 N Wesleyan Blvd in Rocky Mount (about 18 miles), 104 River Oaks Dr in Tarboro (about 24 miles), 432 N Berkley Blvd in Goldsboro (about 24 miles) and 603 Ricks Road in Selma (about 25 miles). A new store at 1206 N Arendell Ave in Zebulon, about 24 miles west, is listed as coming soon on Cook Out’s locator.
- Anywhere in Wilson or Wilson County: 2925 Raleigh Road Parkway
- Heading north on I-95 or US-301: Rocky Mount
- Heading south on I-795: Goldsboro
- Heading south on I-95 toward Smithfield: Selma
Every Cook Out Near Wilson: Addresses & Directions
Below is the one Cook Out in Wilson plus the five nearest stores outside the city, all within about 25 miles. Addresses come from the Cook Out store locator (October 2026); tap any card for Google Maps directions. Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Wilson, so real drives run a little longer.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside Wilson | 1 | Wilson | Raleigh Rd Pkwy • I-95 • I-587/US-264 • US-301 |
| Nearby Cook Out locations | 5 | Nashville, Rocky Mount, Tarboro, Goldsboro, Selma | I-95 • US-301 • I-795 • US-64 |
1. Inside Wilson — 1 Cook Out location
Wilson’s Cook Out sits on Raleigh Road Parkway West, the commercial strip that runs from I-95 exit 121 toward downtown. The same road carries much of the city’s chain dining and shopping, so the drive-thru is easy to reach from the west-side neighborhoods, from I-95 travelers and from anyone coming in on the US-264 side.
Cook Out Wilson
2925 Raleigh Rd Parkway, Wilson, NC 27896
On Raleigh Road Parkway West, about 3 miles east of I-95 exit 121
2. Nearby Cook Out locations — 5 Cook Out locations
These five stores are 18 to 25 miles from downtown Wilson. Nashville and Rocky Mount cover Nash County to the north, Tarboro covers Edgecombe County to the northeast, Goldsboro is the pick down I-795 in Wayne County, and Selma serves Johnston County on I-95.
Cook Out Nashville, NC
102 E Evans Dr., Nashville, NC 27856
18.1 mi; in Nashville, the Nash County seat, north of Wilson
Cook Out Rocky Mount
1020 N. Wesleyan Blvd., Rocky Mount, NC 27801
18.4 mi; on North Wesleyan Blvd (US-301) in north Rocky Mount
Cook Out Tarboro
104 River Oaks Dr, Tarboro, NC 27886
23.7 mi; in Tarboro, the Edgecombe County seat
Cook Out Goldsboro
432 N. Berkley Blvd., Goldsboro, NC 27534
24.0 mi; in Goldsboro, home of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, via I-795
Cook Out Selma
603 Ricks Road, Selma, NC 27576
25.0 mi; on Ricks Road in Selma, Johnston County, along the I-95 corridor
Which Cook Out Is Closest to Me in Wilson County?
Everywhere in Wilson and nearly everywhere in Wilson County, the closest Cook Out is 2925 Raleigh Road Parkway. Only the far northern edge near Elm City is about as close to Rocky Mount or Nashville.
| If you are in… | Closest Cook Out | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Wilson, Barton College, Whirligig Park | Raleigh Road Parkway | West toward Raleigh Road Parkway |
| West Wilson, Sims, I-95 exit 121 | Raleigh Road Parkway | About 3 miles east on Raleigh Road Parkway W |
| Wilson Community College, Herring Ave area | Raleigh Road Parkway | Cross-town drive on local streets |
| Elm City | Wilson, or Rocky Mount if heading north | US-301 |
| Lucama, Black Creek | Wilson | US-301 or I-795 north |
| Stantonsburg, Saratoga | Wilson | West into Wilson |
| Nashville, Red Oak | Nashville, E Evans Dr | Local roads in Nashville |
| Rocky Mount, NC Wesleyan | Rocky Mount, N Wesleyan Blvd | US-301 |
| Tarboro, Pinetops | Tarboro, River Oaks Dr | Local roads in Tarboro |
| Goldsboro, Seymour Johnson AFB, Fremont | Goldsboro, N Berkley Blvd | I-795 south |
| Kenly, Micro, Selma | Selma, Ricks Road | I-95 south |
| Bailey, Middlesex, Zebulon | Wilson for now; Zebulon store coming soon | US-264 east to Wilson |
Straight-line distances from downtown Wilson are 2.4 miles to Raleigh Road Parkway, 18.1 to Nashville, 18.4 to Rocky Mount, 23.7 to Tarboro, 24.0 to Goldsboro and 25.0 to Selma. For anyone inside the city, the Wilson store is a 5 to 10 minute drive, while every other Cook Out is at least 25 minutes away.
How Does Cook Out Fit Into Wilson’s Food Scene?
Cook Out is a North Carolina-born chain, founded in Greensboro in 1989, and Wilson’s Raleigh Road Parkway store is its only restaurant in Wilson County. Cook Out does not publish opening dates for individual stores, so this section describes the market rather than guessing at dates.
Tobacco town roots: Wilson grew as one of eastern North Carolina’s great tobacco market towns, and its downtown still has the warehouse district and brick storefronts from that era.
Barbecue country: Wilson sits in the heart of eastern North Carolina whole-hog barbecue, with vinegar-pepper sauce and long-running local barbecue restaurants. Cook Out’s chopped barbecue plate is a cheaper, faster, late-night cousin of that tradition.
1989: Morris Reaves opens the first Cook Out in Greensboro. The chain spreads east along I-95 and the US-64 and US-264 corridors into Rocky Mount, Nashville, Tarboro, Goldsboro, Selma and Wilson.
2025: WhatNow Raleigh reports plans for a new Cook Out at 1206 N Arendell Ave in Zebulon, a 4,700-square-foot drive-thru about 24 miles west of Wilson on US-264.
October 2026: The Cook Out store locator lists 2925 Raleigh Road Parkway as Wilson’s only store, the Zebulon store as coming soon, and 144 open Cook Outs across North Carolina.
Wilson is a natural fit for the chain. It is a county seat of about 50,000 people with a college, a community college, a regional hospital and a steady stream of I-95 travelers, but few places serving a full meal after midnight. The Raleigh Road Parkway drive-thru fills that gap.
How Do I Get to the Wilson Cook Out From I-95, I-587 and I-795?
From I-95, take exit 121 and follow Raleigh Road Parkway West east about 3 miles; the Cook Out is on that road at number 2925. From I-587 (US-264) or I-795, follow signs into west Wilson and Raleigh Road Parkway.
- I-95 exit 121 (Sims/Wilson): The main I-95 exit for Wilson, surrounded by gas stations, Cracker Barrel, Waffle House and other chains. Instead of eating at the exit, drive about 3 miles east on Raleigh Road Parkway West for a Cookout Tray.
- Raleigh Road Parkway: The west-side retail corridor between I-95 and downtown, lined with shopping centers and restaurants such as Olive Garden, Panera Bread, Culver’s and Zaxby’s. The Cook Out sits in the 2900 block.
- I-587 / US-264: The freeway between I-95 at Wilson and Greenville. Drivers coming from Greenville and East Carolina University can take it west to Wilson; see the Greenville guide for stores near ECU.
- I-795: Runs south from the Wilson area to Goldsboro. It is the fastest way to the Goldsboro Cook Out on N Berkley Blvd.
- US-301: The old north–south highway through Wilson, Elm City and Rocky Mount. It runs right past the Rocky Mount store on N Wesleyan Blvd.
- US-264 west to Zebulon: The route toward Raleigh. Once the Zebulon store opens at 1206 N Arendell Ave, it will be the next Cook Out on that road.
The Wilson store is built for drive-thru and walk-up service. Like most Cook Outs, it has no indoor dining room, so plan to eat in the car or take your tray home.
Is There a Cook Out Near Barton College and Wilson Medical Center?
Yes. The Raleigh Road Parkway Cook Out is the closest late-night drive-thru to Barton College, Wilson Community College and Wilson Medical Center, all a short drive across town. It is also the obvious stop for I-95 travelers and shift workers.
Barton College The private college sits near downtown Wilson. Students can reach the Raleigh Road Parkway drive-thru in a few minutes, and it is open long after campus dining closes.
Wilson Community College The community college on Herring Ave serves thousands of students in credit and workforce programs. Evening students can grab a tray on the way home.
Wilson Medical Center Wilson’s regional hospital runs around the clock, and Cook Out is one of the few places in town still serving a hot meal for nurses and staff coming off late shifts.
Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Downtown Wilson’s park full of giant wind-powered folk-art whirligigs draws visitors from out of town. Cook Out is about 2 to 3 miles west.
Wilson Tobs at Fleming Stadium Summer collegiate baseball crowds head out after night games, and the Cook Out milkshake run is a local habit.
Seymour Johnson AFB Airmen stationed in Goldsboro have their own Cook Out on N Berkley Blvd, about 24 miles south of Wilson via I-795.
What Time Does Cook Out Close in Wilson?
Most Cook Out restaurants 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 on holidays, during bad weather or when a store is short-staffed, so check the store locator or call ahead before a very late run.
| Day | Typical hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday–Thursday | 10:30 AM – about 3:00 AM | Drive-thru is the main way to order late |
| Friday–Saturday | 10:30 AM – about 4:00 AM | Lines are longest after midnight |
| Major holidays | Varies | Some stores close or shorten hours |
In Wilson, the Raleigh Road Parkway drive-thru is one of very few places serving a full burger, barbecue or chicken tray after midnight. Most local restaurants, including the barbecue houses, close in the evening, so the late line is a mix of hospital staff, factory shift workers, students and I-95 drivers who took exit 121 for gas.
See the full Cook Out hours guide for holiday notes and how hours differ by state.
Cook Out Wilson Menu and Prices (2026)
The Cookout Tray is the best value at about $7.39 to $7.99: one entree, two sides and a drink. Wilson uses the same core menu as other North Carolina Cook Outs, though exact prices can differ a little by store.
Cook Out’s menu is built around char-grilled burgers, North Carolina-style chopped barbecue, hot dogs, chicken and more than 40 milkshake flavors. Nearly every entree can be turned into a tray, and the tray is where the value is.
- Cookout Tray (entree + 2 sides + drink): about $7.39–$7.99
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, 40+ flavors
- Popular tray entrees: Big Double burger, BBQ plate, chicken strips, spicy chicken sandwich, Cajun chicken wrap, quesadilla
- Popular sides: fries, onion rings, hush puppies, cheese bites, chicken nuggets, BBQ, slaw, chili, a corn dog
- Drinks: soft drinks, Cheerwine, sweet tea, Cheerwine floats
Cash and cards are accepted. Prices above are typical across North Carolina stores in 2026 and can differ slightly by location. For the full list, see the Cook Out menu, the tray menu, the milkshake menu, the drinks menu and the secret menu.
Eastern NC tip: In barbecue country, try the BBQ plate or BBQ sandwich on a tray with hush puppies and slaw, then add a Cheerwine float. If you are on an I-95 road trip, one Cookout Tray per person plus a shared milkshake is usually enough to get you to the next stop.
How Does Cook Out Compare to Wilson Barbecue?
Wilson’s whole-hog barbecue houses win on tradition and flavor; Cook Out wins on price, menu range and late-night hours. Locals eat at both, often on the same weekend.
| Option | What it is known for | How Cook Out compares |
|---|---|---|
| Parker’s Barbecue | A Wilson institution serving eastern-style chopped pork, fried chicken and hush puppies since 1946 | Cook Out’s chopped BBQ is not pit-cooked whole hog, but it is cheaper and available after midnight |
| Other eastern NC barbecue houses | Vinegar-pepper sauce, family-style plates and Brunswick stew | Cook Out adds burgers, chicken, hot dogs and 40-plus shake flavors to the BBQ option |
| Chains at I-95 exit 121 | Quick stops for highway travelers | A Cookout Tray includes two sides and a drink for about the price of a single combo elsewhere |
| Bojangles | Carolina chicken and biscuits, strong at breakfast | Cook Out skips breakfast but opens at 10:30 AM and stays open into the early morning |
For visitors, the best Wilson food day might be lunch at a barbecue house, a walk through the Whirligig Park downtown and a Cook Out milkshake on the way back to I-95.
More Cook Out Guides Near Wilson
The closest Cook Out guide to Wilson is Rocky Mount, about 18 miles north on US-301 or I-95. These pages cover the rest of eastern North Carolina.
Cook Out Rocky Mount The N Wesleyan Blvd store on US-301.
Cook Out Goldsboro N Berkley Blvd, near Seymour Johnson AFB, via I-795.
Cook Out Greenville Stores near East Carolina University, via I-587.
Cook Out Kinston Lenoir County, southeast of Wilson.
Cook Out Raleigh Every Raleigh store, about 45 miles west on US-264.
Cook Out North Carolina All 144 open North Carolina stores by region.
Cook Out Wilson NC FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Wilson, NC?
One. Wilson’s only Cook Out is at 2925 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson, NC 27896, on the west side of the city about 3 miles east of I-95 exit 121. Some older websites list two Wilson stores on Raleigh Rd E and W, but the Cook Out store locator (October 2026) shows just this one.
What is the closest Cook Out to I-95 in Wilson?
Take I-95 exit 121 and drive about 3 miles east on Raleigh Road Parkway West to the Cook Out at 2925 Raleigh Road Parkway. If you would rather stay on the interstate, the next Cook Outs near I-95 are in Rocky Mount on N Wesleyan Blvd to the north and Selma on Ricks Road to the south.
What time does Cook Out close in Wilson?
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 Wilson store at 2925 Raleigh Road Parkway can change hours on holidays or when short-staffed, so check the store locator or call ahead before a very late trip.
Is there a Cook Out in Elm City, Lucama or Stantonsburg?
No. The Cook Out store locator lists no stores in Elm City, Lucama, Black Creek, Stantonsburg or Saratoga as of October 2026. Residents of those towns use the Wilson store at 2925 Raleigh Road Parkway; from Elm City, the Rocky Mount store at 1020 N Wesleyan Blvd is a reasonable alternative when heading north.
Is a new Cook Out coming near Wilson?
Yes. Cook Out’s locator lists a store at 1206 N Arendell Ave in Zebulon as coming soon. It is about 24 miles west of Wilson on the US-264 side, and plans filed in 2025 called for a 4,700-square-foot drive-thru. No opening date has been announced, so treat it as future until it shows as open.
Does the Wilson Cook Out have a dining room?
Plan on drive-thru or walk-up ordering. Most Cook Outs, including Wilson’s Raleigh Road Parkway store, are built for takeout without an indoor dining room. Locals usually eat in the car, at home, or at a park such as the Whirligig Park downtown.
How much is a Cookout Tray in Wilson?
A Cookout Tray, with one entree, two sides and a drink, costs about $7.39 to $7.99 at North Carolina stores in 2026. A Jr. Tray starts around $5.29 and milkshakes are about $3.99 with more than 40 flavors. Prices at 2925 Raleigh Road Parkway may differ slightly, so check the menu board.
Which Cook Out is closest to Goldsboro and Seymour Johnson AFB from Wilson?
Goldsboro has its own Cook Out at 432 N Berkley Blvd, about 24 miles south of downtown Wilson via I-795. Airmen and families coming north from Seymour Johnson AFB to Wilson can also use the Raleigh Road Parkway store once they reach town.
Find the Cook Out in Wilson
Head to 2925 Raleigh Road Parkway from anywhere in Wilson or off I-95 exit 121, or use Rocky Mount, Goldsboro or Selma when you are already on the road. Hours vary by store, so check before a very late run.