Best Cookout Tray Options You’ll Love to Try in 2026

If you have ever felt like most fast food combos are overpriced and underwhelming, you are not alone. You pay more than $10 and still end up hungry an hour later. That’s exactly why the Cookout Tray stands out.

For under $8, you get a full meal: a main item, two sides, and a drink. You can even swap the drink for a milkshake with dozens of flavor options. It’s one of the few fast food deals that actually feels worth the money.

This guide breaks everything down clearly so you know exactly what to order, what it costs, and how to get the most out of it.

Cookout is a fast-food chain that started in North Carolina with a simple idea: fresh food, made to order, at low prices.

The tray is their signature item. Instead of a fixed combo, you build your own meal:

There’s also a smaller version called the Jr. Tray, which works well if you want something lighter.

What makes it different is the flexibility. You’re not locked into fries and a soda. You can mix and match in ways most fast food places don’t allow.

As of 2026, most locations price the cookout tray between $6.29 and $7.49. The Jr. Tray is slightly cheaper.

Typical pricing looks like this:

After tax, most orders land somewhere around $7 to $9 total. Compared to other chains where combos can easily hit $12 or more, the value here is hard to ignore.

Main Items

This is the core of your cookout tray. The most popular choices include:

If it’s your first time, the double burger or chicken strips are usually safe picks.

Sides

This is where the cookout tray becomes fun. You get two sides, and you can even pick the same one twice. Popular options include:

One thing you’ll notice right away is how unusual some of these options are for a side menu. It gives you a lot more control over your meal.

Drinks and Milkshakes

You can go with a regular drink, but most people upgrade to a milkshake.

There are over 40 flavors, including:

Mixing flavors is common, and staff are used to it. If you’re ordering for the first time, trying at least one milkshake is worth it. For Prices of these items, Visit Cookout Menu with prices.

If you’re not sure what to order, these combinations work well:

First-Time Order

Double burger, fries, hushpuppies, chocolate milkshake
Simple, filling, and gives you the full experience.

Budget-Friendly Option

Regular burger, fries, slaw, soft drink
Keeps the cost low without sacrificing portion size.

Late-Night Pick

Two hot dogs, Cajun fries, chili, soda
Heavier, but perfect after a long day.

Lighter Choice

Grilled chicken, slaw, side salad, water or tea
A better balance if you’re watching calories.

High-Protein Build

Chicken strips, nuggets, chicken wrap
Not the lightest option, but very filling.

This isn’t health food, but you can still make smarter choices.

Approximate calorie ranges:

A lighter tray can stay around 600–750 calories, while a heavy combo can go well over 1,800. If you’re trying to keep things balanced, grilled items and simpler sides make a big difference.

A few small choices can improve your order a lot:

After a couple of visits, you’ll start figuring out what works best for you.

The appeal isn’t just the price.

It’s the combination of:

In many areas, it’s one of the few places where you can still get a full, filling meal without spending much.

That’s why it has such a loyal following, especially among students and late-night crowds.

The Cookout Tray is one of the rare fast food deals that still feels like good value.

You get flexibility, large portions, and enough variety to keep things interesting. It’s not perfect, and it’s definitely not the healthiest option, but for the price, it delivers more than most competitors.

If you’re trying it for the first time, keep it simple, experiment with sides, and don’t skip the milkshake. After that, it’s all about finding your own go-to combo.