Cookout Tray Menu 2026 – Prices, Options, Jr Tray & Best Combos Guide
If you have ever pulled into a Cookout late at night, stared at the giant menu, and felt stuck, you are not alone. The menu is huge. The line is long. People are waiting behind you. You want something filling, affordable, and good. But with so many burgers, BBQ items, sides, and drinks, it is easy to feel confused. Many people end up ordering the wrong thing, paying more than expected, or missing out on better tray options simply because they did not understand how the Cookout tray really works.
I have spent years studying fast-food menus, value meals, and how people actually order. I closely analyze how pricing systems work, how portion sizes change, and why customers get confused about cost and options. Through this work, I have reviewed dozens of Cookout menus and tray builds to understand how the Cookout tray, Cookout Jr tray, Cookout tray options, Cookout tray sides, and Cookout tray price structure really work. This guide brings that experience together to clearly explain what comes in a Cookout tray, how much it usually costs, and how to build the best Cookout tray for your hunger level and budget.
Cookout Tray Quick Takeaways
What Is a Cookout Tray?
A Cookout tray is a bundled meal option. It normally includes one main item, two sides, and one drink. At many locations, you can upgrade the drink to a milkshake for an extra charge.
The tray system is popular because it gives many choices at one price. You are not locked into one meal style. You can combine burgers with hushpuppies, BBQ with slaw, or chicken with fries. Some locations also allow double sides instead of a drink, which makes the tray even more flexible.
Cookout offers two main tray types: the Regular Cookout Tray and the Junior Cookout Tray.
Cookout Tray Prices (Updated for 2026)
Cookout tray prices vary by location. City, state, ingredient costs, and local taxes all affect the final total.
Typical base price ranges are:
Tray Type | Typical Base Price |
|---|---|
Regular Cookout Tray | $6.29 – $7.49+ |
Junior Cookout Tray | $4.99 – $6.50+ |
Milkshake Upgrade | $1.00 – $1.60+ |
After tax and shake upgrades, many trays end up between $7.50 and $9.00+.
Your final cost depends on:
This is why two Cookout locations can charge different totals.
Regular Cookout Tray
The regular Cookout tray is the standard and most ordered option. It is made for people who want a full meal. It includes one full-size main item, two sides, and a drink or milkshake upgrade.
The regular tray is best for:
This tray works well for lunch, dinner, and late-night meals. Because the main item is full size, it provides more protein and calories. When paired with two fried sides, the regular tray becomes a heavy and filling meal. When paired with one lighter side, it can feel more balanced.
Many people choose the regular tray when they want value and portion size in one order.
Junior Cookout Tray
The Cookout Jr tray is a smaller version of the tray. It is designed for lighter meals, smaller appetites, students on a budget, and people who plan to add a milkshake.
The Junior tray usually includes one smaller main, two sides, and a drink.
Common Junior tray main options include:
The Junior tray costs less than the regular tray. It is often chosen as a snack-style meal, a late-night bite, or a lighter dinner option. Many customers use the Junior tray as a base and then upgrade the drink to a milkshake.
Regular vs JR Cookout Tray
The main difference between trays is portion size, price, and main item strength.
The regular tray offers full-size burgers and sandwiches. It works best when you are very hungry or want a full dinner. It also gives better value if you plan to rely on food more than drinks.
The Junior tray offers smaller mains. It works best for light meals, shake combinations, or quick orders. It is cheaper and often feels less heavy.
In simple terms:
Many people switch between both depending on time of day.
Pick the Perfect Main Dish
Your main dish is the foundation of your Cookout tray. It determines how heavy your meal feels.
Popular main choices include:
Big Double burger, small burger, hot dog, corn dog, chicken sandwich, chicken strips, Cajun chicken, BLT, chicken quesadilla, bacon ranch wrap, BBQ sandwich.
Burger and BBQ mains feel heavier and richer. Chicken mains feel lighter depending on cooking style. Wraps and corn dogs work well for lighter trays.
BLT Sandwich
Chicken Quesadilla
Cookout Style Hot Dog
Chicken Sandwich
Chicken Strip Club
Bacon Ranch Wrap
Big double burger
Small Burger
Cajun Chicken
Corn Dog
If your main is large, balance it with lighter sides. If your main is small, use sides to increase fullness.
Pick the Perfect Sides
Sides are where Cookout trays become fun. They shape texture, taste, and fullness.
Fries & Cajun Fries
These are the most common sides. They add salt and crunch. Cajun fries add spice. They increase fullness.
Hushpuppies
Soft inside and crispy outside. They add a Southern feel. They are filling and pair well with BBQ.
Onion Rings
Crispy and sweet. They work well as a second side when fries are your first.
Cole Slaw
Cool and creamy. It balances heavy mains. It helps trays feel less greasy.
Cheese Bites
Rich and crispy. They make trays heavier and work well for treating meals.
Wrap Sides (where available)
These add protein and balance fried foods.
Cajun Fries
Hushpuppies
Onion Rings
Regular Fries
White Cheddar Cheese Bites
Cole Slaw
A good side strategy is one crispy + one soft, or one heavy + one light.
Pick the Perfect Drink & Milkshake Upgrade
Each Cookout tray comes with a drink like Coca-Cola, Cheerwine, fresh tea, or bottled water.
Cheerwine (Regular)
Cheerwine (Large)
Coca Cola (Regular)
Coca Cola (Large)
Dasani
Fresh Brewed Tea (Huge)
Fresh Brewed Tea
Cookout is famous for milkshakes. Instead of a drink, you can upgrade to a shake for extra cost. Shakes are large and filling. Many people pair them with Junior trays so the meal does not feel too heavy.
Design Your Own Cookout Tray
Designing your own tray is the real power of Cookout.
Start with hunger:
Then choose your base:
Then build balance:
Think of trays as a system. Main builds the meal. Sides shape it. Drink finishes it.
Popular Cookout Items and Combos
Some trays are popular because they give the best balance of taste and value.
Category | Example Tray |
|---|---|
Best value | Big Double + fries + hushpuppies |
Most popular | BBQ sandwich + slaw + fries |
Late-night heavy | Chicken strips + onion rings + fries |
Balanced | Chicken sandwich + fries + slaw |
Shake meal | Junior burger tray + milkshake |
These combos are popular because they mix texture, flavor, and portion size.
Best Value Cookout Tray Choices
Value at Cookout comes from how many items you combine.
Best value tips:
People who want value usually pick full burgers, two sides, and a regular drink.
Healthiest Cookout Tray Options
Healthier trays focus on balance.
Health-focused choices:
A lighter tray may be grilled chicken, slaw, and a small side.
Why Cookout Tray Prices Change After Tax
Many people are surprised when their final total is higher.
This happens because:
Always expect some change between menu price and checkout total.
Who the Cookout Tray Is Best For
Cookout trays work well for students, families, late-night diners, budget-focused customers, and people who want many choices in one meal.
The Junior tray fits light meals. The regular tray fits full dinners.
Tips for Ordering Like a Pro
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
The Cookout tray is popular because it gives a lot of food at a fair price. You get to choose what you like instead of being stuck with one combo. The Regular tray is great when you are very hungry, while the Junior tray works for smaller meals or tighter budgets. If you understand how the tray works, you can order faster, spend smarter, and enjoy your meal more.