Cookout Secret Menu 2026 with Real Hacks and How to Order
Cook Out has no official secret menu. The real secrets are custom builds made from menu toppings, mixed milkshakes, tray swaps, and older items that are still in Cook Out’s nutrition guide. Here is what is real, what to say, and what it costs.
- 40+Shake flavors
- 7Hidden shakes
- 6Burger styles
- $1.50Tray shake swap
Have you ever wondered if the restaurant you visit has a secret side? At Cookout, the home of bold Southern flavors, the secret menu is really about knowing how to ask. If you are brave enough to ask, you can build burgers, hot dogs, shakes and trays that you won’t see on the board.
Below we sort every “secret” item you will find online into three groups: real hacks you can order, regular menu items that some sites call secret, and items Cook Out does not sell. Every price and calorie estimate comes from Cook Out’s own menu numbers.
What’s Hidden on the Cookout Secret Menu?
Cook Out does not publish a secret menu, and its staff won’t know fan names like “Firecracker Dog.” What Cook Out does have is a long list of toppings, six burger styles, more than 40 shake flavors, and trays you can mix and match. Put those together and you get the secret menu.
There is also a real hidden menu. A few burger styles and shake flavors are still in Cook Out’s official nutrition guide but are not on today’s menu boards, so some stores can still make them if you ask.
Note: Secret menu items are not official, and each store decides what it will make. Ask your store first, and expect extra toppings to cost a little more.
Cookout Secret Menu List with Prices
Here is the full list in one place. “Real hack” means you can build it from menu items. Prices and calories are our estimates, adding Cook Out’s posted topping prices and calories to the base item.
Swipe the table sideways to see prices and calories.
| Secret Item | Is It Real? | How to Order It | Est. Price | Est. Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spicy hot dog (“Firecracker Dog”) | Real hack | Hot dog with chili, jalapeños, Cajun seasoning and Texas Pete | $2.29 to $3.49 | About 390 |
| Everything Style burger | On the menu | Any burger, Everything Style | $2.79 to $4.39 | 419 (Regular) |
| Quesadilla sauce burger | On the menu | Any burger, House Style | +$0.49 | +65 |
| Nacho Chili Style burger | Hidden menu | Ask for Nacho Chili Style: chili, nacho cheese and jalapeños | Ask your store | +100 |
| Loaded Big Double | Real hack | Big Double, Cheddar Style, add chili | $4.73 to $6.13 | About 633 |
| Spicy chicken quesadilla | Real hack | Chicken quesadilla with Cajun seasoning and Texas Pete | $2.39 | About 230 |
| Bacon and grilled onion fries | Real hack | Regular fries with grilled bacon and grilled onions | $3.69 to $3.99 | About 417 |
| Mixed milkshake | Real hack | Ask to mix two flavors, like Peanut Butter and M&M | $2.79 to $3.99 | 538 to 925 |
| Nilla Wafers shake | Hidden menu | Ask if your store still makes it | $2.79 to $3.99 | 763 |
| Shake in your tray | On the menu | Swap the tray drink for any shake | +$1.50 | 538 to 925 |
| Double up a tray side | On the menu | Pick the same side twice | Tray price | Varies |
| Hushpuppies with a dip | Real hack | Hushpuppies with a cup of Cook Out Sauce, ranch or honey mustard | $0.99 to $1.99 plus sauce | 600 plus sauce |
| Side of “queso” | Real hack | A cup of Quesadilla Sauce on the side for fries or nuggets | $0.40 | 35 |
| Half and half tea | Real hack | Ask for half sweet tea, half unsweet tea | $1.99 to $2.49 | About half of sweet tea |
| Quesadilla Burger | Ask, not guaranteed | Ask if your store will make a burger patty in a quesadilla | Ask your store | Not published |
| Peanut Butter Burger | Ask, not guaranteed | Ask if your store will add peanut butter to a burger | Ask your store | Not published |
| Grilled cheese | Ask, not guaranteed | Ask for a bun with cheese, or order a Cheese Quesadilla | Ask your store | Not published |
| Tacos | Not sold | Order a Walking Taco or a quesadilla instead | N/A | N/A |
| Walnut Brownie | Not sold | Try the Walnut shake instead | N/A | N/A |
| Cookies and Cream Freakshake | Not sold | Order the Oreo shake | N/A | N/A |
Estimates add Cook Out’s posted prices and calories: hot dog $0.99 to $2.19 (260 Cal), chili $0.75 (70 Cal), jalapeños $0.55 (50 Cal), grilled bacon $1.00 (60 Cal), Cajun seasoning and grilled onions free (10 Cal each), Cheddar Style +$0.99 (+233 Cal). Topping prices are posted for burgers, so your store may charge differently on other items. Prices come from the online order page for Cook Out’s Orangeburg, SC store (run on DoorDash) and the Raleigh, NC menu board (October 2026). Calories are from Cook Out’s official nutrition guide, except the Big Double, which is from its menu board.
Secret Main Dishes at Cookout
Here are the hidden main dishes fans talk about most, with the exact words to use. If you want to enhance your dining experience, try these builds.
Spicy Hot Dog (“Firecracker Dog”)
If you are a spice lover, ask for a hot dog with chili, jalapeños, Cajun seasoning and Texas Pete hot sauce. That comes to about 390 calories. Cook Out’s real spicy dog is the Mexi Style Hot Dog ($1.99, 385 Cal), which already has jalapeños. See every style on our Cookout hot dogs guide.
Everything Burger
Many sites call it a secret, but Everything Style is on Cook Out’s menu at no extra charge. It adds mayo, mustard, ketchup, pickles, onion and lettuce (+91 Cal). For a truly loaded build, order a Big Double, Cheddar Style, with chili added, about 633 calories. See every size and style on our Burgers Menu.
Nacho Chili Style Burger
This one is a real hidden item. Nacho Chili Style (homemade chili, nacho cheese and jalapeños, +100 Cal) is in Cook Out’s nutrition guide but not on current menu boards. Ask your store if it can still make it. Simple Style (+130 Cal) is the other older style.
Peanut Butter Paradise Burger
The coolest sweet-and-savory idea online is a burger with peanut butter. Cook Out uses peanut butter in its shakes, but it is not a burger topping on the menu, so many stores may say no. Ask nicely, and be ready to pick another style.
BBQ Tray with Sandwich Slaw
No hack needed. The BBQ Sandwich already comes with homemade slaw and Texas Pete, and you can make it your tray main with two sides and a drink. The BBQ Plate adds fries and hushpuppies for $5.99. See our Cookout BBQ menu for both.
Texas Pete with Chicken Quesadilla
Ask for a chicken quesadilla ($2.39, 220 Cal) with Cajun seasoning and Texas Pete. Both are free, so you get an extra fiery quesadilla for the same price. Read more on our Cookout quesadilla guide.
Quesadilla Burger
Some fans ask for a burger patty folded into a quesadilla. It is not on the menu, so it is up to your store. If they say no, the real menu way to get that flavor is a burger House Style, which adds Quesadilla Sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion for $0.49 (+65 Cal).
Tacos
Cook Out does not sell tacos. The closest real item is the Walking Taco (Doritos, chili, cheese, lettuce and sour cream, $3.99, 370 Cal), sold at select stores, or a beef quesadilla.
Mexi Dog
The Mexi Style Hot Dog is on Cook Out’s regular menu, not the secret menu. It costs $1.99 and has 385 calories, with Mexican-inspired toppings including jalapeños.
Cookout’s Secret Side Options
The secret sides are mostly regular fries and sides with extra toppings. Here is what you can really order.
Bacon and Grilled Onion Fries
Ask for regular fries topped with grilled bacon ($1.00) and grilled onions (free). That is about $3.69 to $3.99 and 417 calories. Want cheese too? Cheese Fries are on the menu for $3.25 to $4.00. See every fry on our Cookout fries guide.
Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is not on Cook Out’s menu. Some fans ask for a toasted bun with a cheese slice, but most stores may say no. The closest real item is the Cheese Quesadilla ($2.39, 180 Cal).
Fried Okra and Hushpuppies
These are not secret. Hushpuppies ($0.99 to $1.99) are on the regular menu, and fried okra ($2.29 to $2.49) is sold at select stores. Both can be tray sides. See them all on our Sides Menu.
Hushpuppies with a Dipping Sauce
Cook Out’s dipping sauces include BBQ, Buffalo, Cook Out Sauce, Honey Mustard, Polynesian and Ranch. Ask for a cup with your hushpuppies or fries. A cup of Quesadilla Sauce ($0.40, 35 Cal) works as a cheesy “queso” dip.
Cajun Fries
Just ask for Cajun seasoning on your fries. It is free and adds a little kick, with no change in price.
Cookout Secret Milkshakes
Find out the secret milkshakes you didn’t know about at Cookout. Many locations will mix two flavors for you, and several older flavors are still in Cook Out’s nutrition guide.
Every shake costs $2.79 to $3.99. See all 40+ flavors on our milkshake menu.
Mix-and-Match Shake Ideas
| Mix | Say This | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Peanut Butter and M&M | Half Fresh Peanut Butter, half M&M | 755 to 847 |
| Chocolate Banana Pudding | Half Hershey’s Chocolate, half Banana Pudding | 620 to 781 |
| PB&J | Half Fresh Peanut Butter, half Strawberry | 610 to 847 |
| Caramel Oreo | Half Caramel, half Oreo | 560 to 802 |
| Oreo Cheesecake | Cheesecake shake with Oreo | Not published |
| Chocolate Cherry | Already on the menu | 665 |
| Peanut Butter Banana | Already on the menu | 864 |
| Banana Fudge | Already on the menu | 772 |
Mixed shake calories fall between the two flavors, from Cook Out’s official nutrition guide. Whether a store will mix flavors is up to each location.
Hidden Shakes Still in the Nutrition Guide
These seven flavors are in Cook Out’s official nutrition guide but not on current menu boards. Ask your store before you order.
| Hidden Shake | Calories | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Nilla Wafers | 763 | 32.7 oz |
| Philadelphia Cheesecake | 845 | 32.6 oz |
| Cherry Cobbler | 842 | 34.2 oz |
| Chocolate Chip | 783 | 34.5 oz |
| Malted Milk | 606 | 33.4 oz |
| Mint | 605 | 33.5 oz |
| Hi-C Punch | 598 | 31.9 oz |
Cookies and Cream Freakshake
There is no Freakshake at Cook Out, with whipped cream and extra toppings. If you want cookies and cream, order the Oreo shake (802 Cal) or the Oreo Mint (853 Cal).
Pumpkin Pie Shake
The Pumpkin Pie Shake is a real seasonal flavor, not a secret. It shows up in the fall for a limited time, and Cook Out announced it on its official Instagram on September 29, 2025.
Secret Desserts at Cookout
Cook Out’s real dessert menu is short: Coke and Cheerwine Floats ($1.79) and New York-style cheesecake ($1.99) with your choice of topping, like chocolate or strawberry. See them on our Desserts Menu.
- Cheesecake with a topping: pick chocolate or strawberry, or blueberry, caramel, cherry or chocolate chip at some stores. See every option on our cheesecake toppings page.
- Cheesecake shake: Cook Out’s Cheesecake shake comes with a choice of blueberry, caramel, cherry, chocolate chip or strawberry.
- Float as your tray drink: the Coke Float and Cheerwine Float are on the tray drink list.
The Walnut Brownie and “Cheesecake Extravaganza” that some sites list are not sold at Cook Out. If you love walnuts, try the Walnut shake (853 Cal).
Secret Drinks and Float Hacks
- Half and half tea: ask for half sweet and half unsweet tea for a lighter sweet tea. A Huge Sweet Tea has 390 calories, so half and half has about 195.
- Float as your tray drink: the Coke Float (399 Cal) and Cheerwine Float (401 Cal) are on the tray drink list at no extra charge.
- Fanta or Root Beer Float: fans still ask for them, but neither is on current menus, so ask your store.
- Shake as your tray drink: swap the drink for any shake for $1.50 more. See every drink on our Drinks Menu.
Calories are from Cook Out’s official nutrition guide and menu board. The tray shake swap price is from the Raleigh, NC menu board (October 2026).
Does Customizing Cost Extra at Cookout?
Some changes are free and some cost a little. Here are Cook Out’s posted topping prices, so you know what your secret build will cost before you order.
| Topping or Change | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce, pickles, onions | Free | 1 to 10 |
| Grilled onions | Free | 10 |
| Cajun seasoning | Free | 10 |
| Tomato slice | $0.10 | 10 |
| Homemade slaw | $0.50 | 40 |
| Cheese slice | $0.55 | 70 |
| Fresh jalapeños | $0.55 | 50 |
| Sour cream (Raleigh) | $0.55 | 60 |
| Homemade chili | $0.75 | 70 |
| Grilled bacon | $1.00 | 60 |
| Quesadilla Sauce or A1 Sauce | $0.40 | 25 to 35 |
| Burger style (House to Cheddar) | +$0.49 to +$0.99 | +65 to +233 |
Prices are from the online order page for Cook Out’s Orangeburg, SC store (run on DoorDash) and the Raleigh, NC menu board (October 2026). Topping prices are posted for burgers, so a store may charge differently on hot dogs or fries. Calories are from Cook Out’s official nutrition guide.
Does Every Cookout Make Secret Menu Items?
No. Each store decides what it will make, and some items like okra, the Walking Taco and the Slaw Dog are only sold at select stores. Busy stores may also say no to long custom orders at rush hour.
- If they say no: thank them and pick the closest real item, like the House Style burger instead of a quesadilla burger.
- If an older flavor is gone: pick a current flavor close to it, like the Peach Cobbler shake instead of Cherry Cobbler.
- Ordering on a delivery app: apps usually only offer the standard options, so most secret builds need to be ordered in person.
Vegetarian Secret Menu Hacks
Every tray main has meat, so vegetarians usually build a meal from a Cheese Quesadilla, fries, onion rings and hushpuppies. Skip the chili, because Cook Out’s homemade chili contains meat. See more on our Cookout vegan options page.
Create Your Unique Secret Menu Combination at Cookout
The key to the secret menu is taking existing items and putting them together in new ways. Choose the dishes, sides and shakes that suit you, and build the meal you want.
Get creative with your toppings
Lettuce, pickles, onions, grilled onions and Cajun seasoning are free. Chili ($0.75), slaw ($0.50), a cheese slice ($0.55) and grilled bacon ($1.00) cost a little more. Try BBQ sauce and bacon, which is the real Out West Style.
Mix and match your milkshakes
Ask for two flavors in one cup, like cherry and chocolate, or banana and peanut butter. Many locations will do it.
Think outside the tray
You can pick a quesadilla, corn dog, chicken wrap or bacon wrap as a tray side, double up on one side, or swap your drink for a float or a shake.
Two hot dogs as a main
A regular Cookout Tray can have two hot dogs as the main. Ask for different toppings on each one.
Hidden Side Combinations at Cookout
The best hidden combos come from the tray. Each Cookout Tray ($7.99) and Jr. Tray ($6.99) has a main, two sides and a drink, and these swaps are all allowed. See every option on our Cookout Tray menu.
| Tray Hack | How It Works | Extra Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Double up | Pick the same side twice, like two orders of hushpuppies | None |
| Quesadilla as a side | Pick a chicken or beef quesadilla as one side | None |
| Wrap as a side | Pick a chicken wrap or bacon wrap as one side | None |
| Corn dog as a side | Pick a corn dog as one side | None |
| Nuggets as a side | Pick chicken nuggets as one side | None |
| Float as the drink | Pick a Coke or Cheerwine Float | None |
| Shake as the drink | Swap the drink for any regular shake | +$1.50 |
Tray and shake swap prices are from the Raleigh, NC menu board (October 2026). Prices vary by location.
Secret Seasonal Offerings at Cookout
Cook Out’s seasonal specials make fans go wild, but they are real menu items, not secrets. Here are the ones that come and go each year.
Pumpkin Pie Shake
Fall, around October
Fresh Eggnog Shake
December, while supplies last
Peppermint Chip Shake
December, limited time
Fresh Watermelon Shake
Summer
The Apple Pie Shake, Strawberry Shortcake Shake and “Pumpkin Spice” shake that some sites list are not in Cook Out’s nutrition guide or on its flavor list. The real fall flavor is Pumpkin Pie.
Tips to Order the Cookout Secret Menu
- Say the toppings, not the nickname: staff won’t know “Firecracker Dog,” but they know chili, jalapeños and Cajun seasoning.
- Be polite and patient: a custom order can take a little longer, so be nice to the staff.
- Stay within limits: keep changes simple, and don’t ask for too many at one time.
- Order off-peak: late lunch or late at night is a good time to ask. Check our Cookout Hours for your store.
- Expect small add-on charges: extra toppings and shake swaps can cost a little more.
- Be bold with your choices: try new flavor combinations until you find your favorite.
Watching calories? Add up your own build with our Cookout calorie calculator. Cook Out doesn’t publish allergen details, so check our Allergens Menu before you mix toppings or shakes.
Useful Links
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Head Office | 15 Laura Lane, Suite 300, Thomasville, NC 27360, USA |
| Phone Number | 1-866-547-0011 |
| instagram.com/cookout | |
| facebook.com/cookout | |
| x.com/CookOut | |
| Official Website | cookout.com |
| Locations | Cookout locations |
| Employment | Cookout careers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Many people don’t know the real secrets of the Cookout secret menu. You can build spicy hot dogs and loaded burgers from regular toppings, mix two shake flavors, swap your tray sides, and even ask for older flavors that are still in Cook Out’s nutrition guide.
No matter if you’ve been a regular for years or this is your first visit, ask nicely and try something new. You can also order your favorites from home with Cookout delivery, though delivery apps may not allow custom requests. See the full Cookout menu to plan the rest of your order.