What comes in a Cook Out Tray?
A Cook Out Tray combines one eligible main, two sides and a drink. Regular and Jr. Trays have different main lists. Selected 2026 boards reported $7.99 and $6.99 base prices respectively. A shake substitution, paid style, extra topping or tax can change the final amount.
Regular Tray or Jr. Tray?
| Meal | Reported base price | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Tray | $7.99 | One regular-list main, two eligible sides and a drink |
| Jr. Tray | $6.99 | One Jr.-list main, two eligible sides and a drink |
| Shake substitution | +$1.50 example | Replaces the included drink; added to the meal price |
Regular main choices
- Big Double Burger
- Regular Burger
- BBQ sandwich
- Two hot dogs
- Two quesadillas
- Char-grilled chicken
- Cajun chicken
- Spicy chicken
- Three chicken strips
Jr. main choices
- Small Burger
- Two chicken strips
- BLT sandwich
- One hot dog
- One corn dog
- One quesadilla
Three example Tray combinations
| Main | Two side portions | Drink | Listed calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular burger | Hushpuppies + onion rings | Unsweetened tea | 756 |
| BBQ sandwich | Onion rings + nuggets | Unsweetened tea | 640 |
| Spicy chicken | Hushpuppies + onion rings | Unsweetened tea | 874 |
These totals add the exact listed portions without extra toppings or sauces. They are examples for comparing combinations, not calorie counts for every Tray. A Vanilla shake instead of tea adds 555 listed calories.
Regular Tray mains
Regular menu-board choices include the Big Double Burger, Regular Burger, barbecue, two hot dogs, two quesadillas, char-grilled chicken, Cajun chicken, spicy chicken and three chicken strips. Your local board determines the current choices. Burger styles and extra toppings may add to the meal price.
Jr. Tray mains
The Jr. Tray uses a smaller main list rather than simply shrinking any regular meal. Commonly listed options include a Small Burger, two chicken strips, a BLT sandwich, a hot dog, a corn dog or a quesadilla. Confirm the eligible selection and count on the board.
Choose two sides
Typical choices include fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, slaw, nuggets, a corn dog and eligible wraps or quesadillas. Regional boards may offer other choices. Ask whether a double portion of one side is available and whether any chosen side has a surcharge.
Regular and Jr. prices
Reported examples are $7.99 for a regular Tray and $6.99 for a Jr. Tray. A regular-shake substitution was listed at an extra $1.50 in Raleigh and Alpharetta. That makes an illustrative regular Tray plus shake substitution $9.49 before tax, styles and other extras—not a guaranteed checkout total.
Why there is no single Tray calorie count
The main, two side portions and drink all contribute to the total. A Regular burger, a hushpuppy side, an onion-ring side and unsweetened tea total 756 listed calories: 328 + 300 + 128 + 0. This example excludes burger additions and assumes those exact portions. Different sides or a shake create a different meal.
A clear way to order
Say the Tray type, main and style first, followed by both sides and the drink. For example: “Regular burger Tray, Cook Out Style, hushpuppies, onion rings and unsweetened tea.” Confirm the final price and repeat any ingredient exclusions before paying.
Tray price versus buying items separately
Make the comparison with the same main, sides, portions and drink. The price of a sandwich alone cannot establish whether a Tray is better value. Likewise, standalone full side orders may differ from Tray portions. If you add a paid burger style or a shake, include those charges on the Tray side of the comparison before deciding. The reason a full meal can cost this little is the chain's whole business model — we explain it in why Cook Out is so cheap.
An order you can say at the window
Name the meal size first, then the main, any style, both sides and the drink. For example: “Regular Tray with a Regular burger, hushpuppies, onion rings and unsweetened tea.” Confirm the main and sides are eligible on that restaurant’s board. Add a topping request before the order is prepared and check the total before paying.
Choosing a main for value
Not every main stretches a Tray equally. Heartier options — a Big Double, three chicken strips, two hot dogs — carry more food per Tray than lighter picks like a single corn dog or hot dog, so match the main to your appetite before anything else. A light eater does better with a smaller main and favorite sides than with a big main left half-eaten. Also weigh what the main unlocks: burger styles and extra toppings can add to the price, while simpler mains keep the total predictable. There is no universally best main, only the one that fits the meal you actually want. Browse the options on the Burgers and Chicken pages, then decide.
Pairing two sides for balance
Two sides are a small nutrition strategy, not just a preference pick. Pairing one fried side with something lighter — slaw alongside fries, for example — keeps the meal from leaning entirely one way, while doubling the same fried side pushes calories and sodium up. Think about the drink too: water or unsweetened tea against a shake changes the meal's profile more than most side swaps. If a board allows doubling one side, confirm there is no surcharge first. The exact numbers depend on your picks, so build the combination and check it. The Nutrition page lists values by item, and Sides covers the full side lineup.
Deciding between Jr. and regular
The reported $6.99 Jr. and $7.99 regular differ by main size and main list — the Jr. draws from a smaller set of options rather than shrinking any regular meal. Choose by appetite and by which mains you actually want: if your preferred main only appears on the regular list, the decision makes itself. For in-between appetites, consider the rest of the day — a lighter lunch pairs fine with a Jr., while a long day may justify the regular. Sharing is another angle: two lighter eaters sometimes split better across two Jr. Trays than one regular plus extras. Compare the lists on the Trays page and the figures on the Prices page.
Tray ordering mistakes to avoid
The most common error is naming the Tray but forgetting the style — then the burger arrives plain and the fix costs time. Next is assuming the shake is free: a substitution was reported at an extra $1.50, so confirm the charge before the shake is made. Third, topping requests belong before the food is prepared, not after it is bagged. Finally, repeat the whole order back and check the total on screen before paying; boards change, and the number in your head may be from a different visit. Clear ordering is a skill, and it gets faster with practice. The FAQ answers common edge cases, and Milkshakes covers shake choices.
Frequently asked questions
What comes in a Cook Out Tray?
One eligible main, two side choices and an included drink. The main choices differ between regular and Jr. Trays.
Is a shake included at no extra charge?
A shake substitution can carry an extra charge. A $1.50 upgrade was reported at two locations, but your restaurant sets the current amount.
Can I choose the same side twice?
Double-up choices are advertised on some boards. Confirm that your chosen side is eligible and whether there is a surcharge.
Can I substitute a shake for the drink on a Jr. Tray?
Generally yes — the substitution is about the drink slot, which Jr. Trays also have. The extra charge still applies; $1.50 was reported at two locations, but your restaurant sets the current amount. Confirm the charge when you order, since Jr. boards can carry their own rules.
Does every Cook Out offer the same Tray mains?
No. Boards vary by restaurant, and the eligible main list is set locally — a main on one board may be missing from another. Regional menus can also carry items other locations do not list. Check the board at your restaurant rather than assuming a main travels.
Is a Jr. Tray enough for an adult?
It depends on appetite. The Jr. uses a smaller main from a shorter list, with the same two sides and drink as a regular. Lighter eaters often find it plenty; bigger appetites may want the regular. If you are between the two, the Jr. plus water is the lower-risk first try.