We visited the regional Southern chain that loyal fans say is better than In-N-Out and Shake Shack — here's what it's like

Hollis Johnson

New Yorkers love Shake Shack. The West Coast swears by In-N-Out.

But North Carolinians say that there's one burger chain that trumps them all. 

Cook Out is a North Carolina-based fast-food chain serving up burgers, barbecue, and milkshakes, and it's renowned in the South for its low prices and high quality. 

But if you don't live in one of the 10 states the chain calls home, you might have never heard of this cult restaurant and its fervent following. 

So, we went to Richmond, Virginia, to sample the much-hyped chain and see how it measured up to the coastal titans of the burger business. 

While Cook Out is known for its classic drive-thru locations with outdoor seating, the chain has recently been opening more sit-down restaurants.

Hollis Johnson

As we walked into the rustic-themed restaurant, gentle strains of Christian rock piped endlessly over the speakers — the kind of songs where you can't quite tell if the lyrics are describing a romantic love or a more spiritual suitor.

Hollis Johnson

The menu is wide-ranging, and the best way to sample it is by ordering a Cook Out Tray. The food is outrageously inexpensive when compared to what we typically see in New York City, and where else can you get a quesadilla and a corn dog as sides in addition to your entree?

Hollis Johnson


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