North Carolina chain brings affordable fast food to Columbia
There are typically three specific questions USC students ask themselves when a new restaurant decides to open its doors in the Columbia area: Is this food any good? Is it going to fit on my budget? Will this place still be open at 2:30 a.m. after I've made the rounds in Five Points or need a break from my third all-nighter in Thomas Cooper?
And if you were in the mood for a late-night burger and fries (maybe even a milkshake), chances are you were out of luck after 2 or 3 a.m. But now Columbia can add an all-new player to the late-night lineup: North Carolina–based Cook-Out, recently opened in Five Points.
The privately owned restaurant chain, with locations dotting all up and down the Carolinas, seemingly sprung up at its Harden Street location overnight.
When construction and landscaping began this fall, fans of the restaurant quickly began buzzing about the appetizing burgers, chicken sandwiches, milkshakes and barbecue, all "cooked outdoors-style" and offered at a price that is more than easy on the wallet (especially if you're dining on a college budget). After several weeks of building, Cook-Out of Columbia finally opened its doors to the public at the end of December. And with a steady stream of seasoned patrons and newcomers lining up for their favorite Cook-Out eats day and night, it's been hard to keep those doors closed.
In fact, it's hard to drive by at any time without seeing a mass throng of customers wrapped around both the counter and the double drive-through. It certainly doesn't hurt that the burger joint proudly posts some of the latest hours in Columbia: Cook-Out is open 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 a.m. on weekends.
Stepping into Cook-Out, patrons actually do get a sense of the great outdoor cooking, with much of the restaurant's interior designed cabin-style with log walls and wooden floors. Of course, this particular Cook-Out also adds all the touches of a true Columbia restaurant, with Gamecock flags, banners and National Championship baseball pennants adorning the walls in garnet and black.
Approaching the counter may leave you feeling slightly crestfallen at first; after all, with a line that reaches the door and an ever-growing pile of cars at the drive-through, many of us would anticipate somewhat of a lengthy wait before we can sink our teeth into one of Cook-Out's signature combo meals. But never fear, the service at Cook-Out is as steady as the line that comes through the door, with a constant flow of orders taken, then grilled and filled before you're out the door in just a few minutes.
Cook-Out's menu caters to almost every single appetite living on any type of budget. The chain is of course famed for its hamburgers, which can be ordered in four different sizes ranging from the small, priced at $1.19 for 1/8 pound, or the huge, weighing in at 1/2 pound for $2.79. All of these burgers can be made into four different "styles" for an additional 65 to 89 cents, which include Cook-Out style with chili, slaw, mustard and onions, and Out West style with barbecue sauce, bacon, mayonnaise, pickles and onions.
And if red meat isn't really your thing, there's no need to worry. Cook-Out also serves a variety of other meal options including char-grilled or crispy, spicy chicken breast sandwiches (also offered in different styles including Cajun, club or cheddar), chicken strips and even pork barbecue platters served with fries and slaw.
Cook-Out also includes an assortment of side options, including fries, onion rings and hush puppies, each costing between 99 cents and $1.39. And what outdoor restaurant would be complete without a hot dog menu? Cook-Out serves regular and foot-long dogs, which can be ordered plain or with bacon, cheese, chili and Texas Pete sauce, or as a single item with mustard relish. If you're planning on getting a full meal, there is no better option than to purchase a Cook-Out Tray, which allows the patron to select one main meal item at $4.39, with two sides and a beverage.
Perhaps even more famous than its meals is Cook-Out's expansive list of "fancy shakes," which include a wide combination of flavors. Classic shake flavors like vanilla, chocolate and strawberry are of course on tap. However, there are several other less-than-traditional choices to pick from, including pineapple, blueberry cheesecake, mocha, banana berry and peanut butter fudge, not to mention a few seasonal favorites like fresh watermelon in the summer and eggnog during the holidays.
Cook-Out is open seven days a week and is located at 1109 Harden Street.
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