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Grill

October 10, 2018 by Ron Wen 3 Comments

Cook Out: Burger, Hot Dog, and Milkshake Heaven in North Carolina

$6.48

That’s the magic number when you’re eating at Cook Out.  Or maybe it’s $7.57 if you go full on out and add the milkshake upgrade.  No matter how you count it up, Cook Out is all about wonderfully cheap eats, quick casual and delivered through a take-out window with a smile.  What’s that you say, my Yankee friend?  You’ve never heard of Cook Out?!  Well time for a quick lesson, you can thank me later!  (Note: The popular Cook Out tray is now $5.99 as of July 2021)

Cook Out on Capital Blvd in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Cook Out on Capital Blvd in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

When I first got to Raleigh I was introduced to Cook Out by a friend!  I remember my first visit on Western Boulevard and thinking to myself, this place is sorta weird.  Walk-up window, double drive-thru’s and pretty much no place to sit.  So I ordered up my burger and foot-long without thinking twice about it.  Five years later and all I can say is that I’ve got Cook Out in my blood, both literally and figuratively speaking.  I mean, where else can you spend $5 and get a great meal?  And where do you go if it’s 2am and you’ve got the hungries gnawing at your insides?  Cook Out delivers again, they are open way late on the weekend.  So yeah, if you’re a transplant or newbie to the area, you’re going to learn about Cook Out really quickly.  Because unless you’re vegetarian or vegan, Cook Out will keep you happy and full even if you’re on a total budget.  Think Extra Value Meal but way better and really local.  Definitely one of the best grills around in the Triangle and a total bargain!

Cook Out on Western Blvd in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Cook Out on Western Blvd in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Cook Out on Walnut Street in Cary, NC Triangle Dining
Cook Out on Walnut Street in Cary, NC Triangle Dining

Cook Out was founded by the Reaves family and is a privately-held company so there’s not that much information out there.  No website, no publicity, they just keep opening these wonderful little drive-thru’s.  Supposedly there’s over 100 Cook Outs spread throughout NC, SC and Tennessee.  And that’s what so odd, you see them everywhere and you really don’t know much about the business but who cares, we’re here to eat!  My three favorite locations are the classic Western Boulevard-NC State Cook Out, Capital Boulevard and the Cary-Walnut Street location.  Food is consistent at all of them, with some slight differences in access and egress to locations.  The Western Boulevard spot is a hard, uphill right off the street, work your way around to the back unless you want to order at the window and grab one of their outdoor tables.  They’ve got the usual double drive-thru but as a plus, both allow for pick-up on the drivers side.  Not the same for the Cary location, you have to work your way to the parking lot off a busy intersection.  Hit the double drive thru but if you go to the shorter line on the left, you better have a second person or do the lazy Ron tactic.  Pull up REALLY close to the window, unlatch your seat belt and do a super-yoga move to pay for and grab your food out the passenger window.  Probably doesn’t work too well for SUV’s and larger vehicles.  And the same deal for the Capital Boulevard Cook Out.  This location has an even odder configuration on a corner and in some cases, you have to cut through multiple paths of traffic to exit so be careful!

Menu as of May 2017

Once at the menu, Cook Out has a bunch of classic grill offerings ranging from foot-long hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches and wraps.  But it’s just about ALWAYS a better deal to go with the Cook Out tray which delivers one sandwich, two sides and a drink for a ridiculous $4.99.  The key to the Cook Out platter is to know all the options out there and bling out your order.  They’ve got two types of burgers wrapped in foil in four different styles. Cook Out style with homemade chili & slaw, mustard & onions. Steak style with A1 sauce, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, mayo.  Out West style with BBQ sauce, bacon, mayo, pickles, onions. Cheddar style with cheddar cheese, bacon, grilled onions, and mayo.  All the styles are generous in their toppings.  The standard 1/4 pounder is thick and meaty while the Big Double consists of two thinner patties which are a bit more charred.  They’re all pretty solid styles and any Cook Out burger type is satisfying!

Burger, hushpuppies and corn dog from Cook Out - nctriangledining.com
Burger, hushpuppies and corn dog from Cook Out – nctriangledining.com
Big double Western-style burger from Cook Out - nctriangledining.com
Big double Western-style burger from Cook Out – nctriangledining.com

The foot-long is a nice grilled dog with a lot of surface area for you to slather condiments on.  Cook Out’s barbeque is even pretty good, a nice pile of vinegary, pork topped with a mild cole slaw and a couple of shots of Texas Pete, yum!  The chicken sandwiches are solid but not my favorite, Cook Out delivers them in plain-grilled, spicy and cajun. And finally their chicken strips, whoa-so-good!  I tried these for the first time recently and was way impressed.  You get three largish, breast meat pieces in a crunchety coating that isn’t greasy or salty, perfection.  Add in some honey-mustard sauce and you may have THE best main item for your Cook Out platter.

Chicken tenders from Cook Out, NC Triangle Dining
Chicken tenders from Cook Out, NC Triangle Dining
Grilled chicken sandwich from Cook Out - nctriangledining.com
Grilled chicken sandwich from Cook Out – nctriangledining.com
Barbeque sandwich from Cook Out, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Barbeque sandwich from Cook Out, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

But wait, there’s more!  For your two sides choose from fries, onion rings, hush-puppies, slaw, a chicken or bacon wrap, there’s even a corn dog on the side menu!  I favor the hush-puppies and corn dog but I’ve got my eye on the chicken wrap too.  The bacon wrap is a tortilla wrapped around 2 – 3 slices of bacon, lettuce and shredded cheese.  Toss in a variety of fountain drinks, and you can even bump up to a Cheerwine or Coke float for your Cook Out platter for free!  However if you notice the Cook Out menu, they’ve got a SLEW, a PLETHORA, a whole BOAT-LOAD of milkshakes which you shouldn’t miss.  For a $1 upgrade to your platter choose from 40+ flavors.  I enjoy the peach cobbler, peppermint (seasonal) and watermelon (seasonal) which makes for a happy ending dessert.  Seriously, for $6.48 you’ve got yourself a full-on, high calorie delicious meal.

Foot-long from Cook Out, NC Triangle Dining
Foot-long hot dog from Cook Out, NC Triangle Dining
Bacon cheese hotdog from Cook Out, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com
Bacon cheese hotdog from Cook Out, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com
Bacon wrap from Cook Out - nctriangledining.com
Bacon wrap from Cook Out – nctriangledining.com

Beyond the food, the young people working the window at Cook Out are usually super polite, accurate and sweet, bonus!  They do train them well from a customer service standpoint.  The only downside to Cook Out is its popularity so there’s typically a line at all hours. Thankfully, Cook Out has started opening restaurants with indoor seating, woo-hoo!  So yeah, if you haven’t been to Cook Out you better be a vegetarian.  Or a food snob.  Because what they do here is amazing for the price even if my pictures don’t show the food off, properly! Just drive on over, you don’t even have to get out of your car to enjoy their grilled deliciousness.  Grab your little white styrofoam container from the drive-thru window, pop it open and it’s time for bon appetit!

 

Cook Out- 200+ Locations in the Southeast

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Filed Under: Local Information, Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Cheap Eats, Grill, Late Night

November 3, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Retake: A Wiener-riffic Lunch at the Classic Roast Grill

Weathered front of the Roast Grill in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Weathered front of the Roast Grill in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

If you’re visiting Raleigh for the first time, it’s always great to check out places that give the Oak City its true personality. And the Roast Grill is usually mentioned by locals and visitors alike as quintessential Raleigh! Why? Because it’s been around since 1940 and serving up the same, single food item for the past 70+ years. Hot dogs! But even with this remarkably simple menu, people still line up for lunch all the time at Roast Grill. And here’s why…

Window at the Roast Grill in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Window at the Roast Grill in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

I head on over to the Roast Grill over the holiday weekend, a bit after 11am on a Saturday. Peek into the window and they aren’t quite open yet. I see some movement inside but the light’s not on so off I go to do some chores and head back over at about 11:30. Inside its small interior the Roast Grill has about 12 counter stools, tightly packed along with some small 2-top tables on the side. I’d have to guess maybe 22 seats in total which is why there’s often a line outside the door.

Drink selection at the Roast Grill in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Drink selection at the Roast Grill in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Wall of fame at the Roast Grill in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Wall of fame at the Roast Grill in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

The space is compact, to say the least. Small grill to the right, shelves lines with pop and beer bottles along with lots of NC State paraphernalia. Above me is a tribute to Man vs. Food which did a feature episode on the Roast Grill and features a variety of happy customers but I missed the pic of my friend Kristen (Gadaboutfood) up there! Roast Grill’s owner, George is in the corner working the grill which has condiments, wieners and white bread buns piled about. A grandfatherly fellow in a US Veteran cap is taking the orders and mom is in back working the chili. It’s a total family affair here at the Roast Grill!

Busy grill at the Roast Grill in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Busy grill at the Roast Grill in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

My order of three dogs is taken and I get a Red Stripe beer for good measure. Along with a tootsie roll which I’m guessing is the Roast Grill’s signature dessert-sweet ending! The small space is slowly filling up and thankfully it’s not too hard to figure out what you want to eat here with the very simple menu. I soon get my three dogs on a piece of white wax paper and they are done up “all the way”. That means chili, onions, and mustard. The dogs here are a good 10″ long and come slathered with a healthy portion of condiments. The chili is meaty with some slight cumin flavor and the mustard tang stands out paired with it. Add in some pungent onions and you won’t be kissing anyone soon, after eating at Roast Grill. The dog itself is mild and a bit soft without much snap to the case but it all works in total with the toppings and bun.

Three dogs with everything at the Roast Grill in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Three dogs with everything at the Roast Grill in Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

I scarf down my three dogs, pay up (about $11) and head off to give up my seat to the crowd behind me that has formed at the Roast Grill. All I can say is that the Roast Grill is everything you would expect for a Raleigh classic. Don’t come for the food or for a bargain, but do come for the ambiance, charm and cast of characters that inhabit this little eatery. When you’ve been around for 70+ years, who really needs or wants to change, eh?

 

The Roast Grill

7 S West Street

Raleigh, NC

919.832.8292

 

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Retakes Tagged With: Grill

August 26, 2013 by Ron Wen 5 Comments

First Take: Snoopy’s for a Classic Chili-Dog and Grill Experience!

Outside of Snoopy's in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Outside of Snoopy’s in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Snoopy’s is about as much about old-school Raleigh as its next-door neighbor, Char-Grill.  But while both are known for their late-night grill munchies, Snoopy’s does it hot doggie-style!  With several locations in the Raleigh area, my local favorite is out on the corner of Hillsborough and Glenwood Avenue, perfect after a night out on the town…

Service window at Snoopy's in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Service window at Snoopy’s in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

Parking at this little red building can be a bit tight but thankfully, Snoopy’s is walkable from a lot of the activity on S. Glenwood.  Small overhang with two service windows, Snoopy’s does a lot of basic grill items ranging from burgers, dogs and chicken tenders along with barbeque and chicken salad sandwiches.  My usual order is a couple of dogs with everything on it and their popular crinkle cut fries.  Unlike Char-Grill, the service here at Snoopy’s is fast, you’ll usually get your order within 5 or so minutes in a little paper bag.

Wrapped dogs at Snoopy's in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Wrapped dogs at Snoopy’s in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

The dogs at Snoopy are wrapped up in white butcher paper and given the buns are steamed, it’ll sometimes stick to the paper as you’re unwrapping your meal!  Two long-ish dogs slathered with meaty chili, covering some mustard, yum.  Take a bite and you’ll get hit with a lot of savoriness and the underlying tang of mustard.  They’re pretty filling so I’m guessing two or three will fill most people up.  The fries here are probably frozen but well-cooked with just the right amount of crinkle crispness and potato.  The onion rings at Snoopy’s are also really tasty and worth sharing between two people.

Unwrapped dogs at Snoopy's in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining
Unwrapped dogs at Snoopy’s in Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining

When most people visit Snoopy’s, they do the $6.44 special of two dogs, fries and drinks which is reasonable but not a fan-tastic deal compared to say, Cook Out.  But if you hit up Snoopy’s on Tuesday’s for Dollar Dog days, you’ll do much better.  While the food at Snoopy’s is really basic, it satisfies some odd and weird underlying food cravings in me.  I mean I know the food isn’t good for you but who wants to live forever?  So don’t miss out on this little red hot dog stand at the end of Glenwood.  You may not feel great in the morning but you’ll be thankful you stopped by for at least 15 minutes…

 

Snoopy’s

600 Hillsborough Street

Raleigh, NC 27603

919.839.2176

 

Snoopy’s menu

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Cheap Eats, Grill, Hot Dogs, Takeout

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