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| - I don't think I've been to a Wendy's or Burger King intentionally since I discovered Cook Out. This North Carolina mainstay easily takes the local fast food crown on speed and freshness. I heard a rumor once that the target time between your completed order and when you leave the window is 90 seconds - that's half the time that Starbucks allots, and you're getting a lot more than coffee! Everything I've ever eaten from Cook Out - here, or any location of the 70+ strong chain - tastes like it was made just seconds before I get it. The burgers and veggie toppings are crisp and juicy. The corn dogs are still steaming when you bite through the breeding. And the hush puppies hit the styrofoam tray so hot that they often melt into or through the foam.
Even without these surefire winners, you can't beat the Cook Out value. Five bucks gets you a Cook Out tray: their combo meal which lets you pick one of eight main events (the Big Double burger and Spicy Chicken sandwiches win big). Then you get to pick two (yes two) sides such as fries, hush puppies, onion rings, a corn dog, chicken nuggets, chili, a chicken tender wrap or a chicken quesadilla. Yep. Those are sides, and you get TWO. Toss in a big soda or a huge sweet tea and you've got more meal than any other burger joint for $2-4 less. That's beyond a deal, it's just about crazy.
My one issue with the food is really unsurprising - after a while, it all tastes the same. Most of the deep fried foods have the same taste, more than likely because they're all fried in the same grease. Even the burgers and buns get that flavor too. It's easy to combat this, of course - just don't make the mistake I made and go 2-3 times a week when you discover Cook Out.
But if you need that greasy fast food and want something now, you can't beat Cook Out on speed and freshness. The fact that your wallet will thank you is the icing on the cake (or more accurately, the cheese on the burger).
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