Cookout Tallahassee FL
Cookout Tallahassee, FL
Complete guide to Cookout at 1942 N Monroe Street. Find real menu prices, hours (open until 3-4 AM), tray deals, wait times, and what FSU/FAMU students order most.
Cookout Tallahassee opened in late 2025 at 1942 N Monroe Street in the former Hardee’s building. It quickly became the go-to late-night stop for FSU and FAMU students, professionals, and locals seeking quality food at incredible value. This guide covers exactly what you need to know: the Cookout menu in Tallahassee, current prices, hours, tray deals, real wait times, and insider tips on what to order.
📍 Cookout Tallahassee Location & Directions
1942 N Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303
Located: North Monroe Street, just past Lake Ella, across from Planet Fitness. The building is the former Hardee’s location.
Easy to Find: If you’re heading north on Monroe, you’ll see the bright red Cookout sign right after Lake Ella. Ample parking available on-site.
Parking Warning: Do NOT park at the McDonald’s lot next door — they actively tow non-customer vehicles.
Access: Both drive-thru and indoor dining available. Wheelchair accessible. Service windows open year-round.
🕐 Cookout Tallahassee Hours & Late Night Operations
Cookout stays open later than almost every other restaurant near FSU and FAMU campuses. Perfect for late study sessions, after-game bites, or post-bar food runs.
| Day of Week | Opening Time | Closing Time | Hours Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 16.5 hours |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 16.5 hours |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 16.5 hours |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 16.5 hours |
| Friday | 10:30 AM | 4:00 AM | 17.5 hours |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM | 4:00 AM | 17.5 hours |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 16.5 hours |
🟢 Low Crowd (Under 10 min wait): 3 PM – 5:30 PM weekdays, anytime before 8 PM
🟡 Moderate Crowd (10-15 min): 8 PM – 11 PM weekdays
🔴 Peak Times (15-30 min): 11 PM – 2 AM Friday/Saturday, midnight-1 AM weekdays
Wait Times & Drive-Thru Speed
The line looks intimidating but moves surprisingly fast. Here’s why:
Walk-up employees tablet-order customers in the drive-thru line before they reach the speaker. This keeps the line flowing even when it wraps around the building.
Typical Wait Times:
• Ordering: 5-10 minutes (even with 50+ car line)
• Food Prep: 3-5 minutes after ordering
• Total: 10-15 minutes average, even during peak hours
Tip: Park inside and order at the counter during peak times — it’s often faster than the drive-thru line, even though it looks longer.
🍔 Cookout Tray System – Best Value
The tray is the foundation of Cookout’s appeal. Pick a main item, two sides, and a drink. It’s fully customizable.
Regular Tray: $7.39
Includes one regular main item (burger, hot dog, chicken sandwich, etc.), two sides of your choice, and a fountain drink. This is what most people order.
Junior Tray: $6.39
Smaller main item, same two sides and drink format. Good for lighter appetites or when testing the menu.
Tray Customization Tips
• Swap drink for milkshake (+$1.60)
• Double up on one side instead of picking two (fries + fries)
• Ask for FREE Cajun seasoning on any side or burger
• Mix two milkshake flavors into one cup (no extra charge)
• Get a “double burger” for just $0.50 more per tray
• Substitute sides at no charge (all sides same price)
What Locals Order (Most Popular Trays)
💡 Tallahassee Insider Tips & Secrets
Ordering Strategy
Free Add-Ons & Customizations
✓ Cajun seasoning on fries, fries, or burger
✓ Extra condiments (sauces, napkins)
✓ Mix two milkshake flavors
✓ Extra sides on tray (sometimes approved)
Best Times to Visit
| Time Window | Crowd Level | What to Expect |
| 10:30 AM – 1 PM | Low | 5-10 min wait, easiest time |
| 1 PM – 5 PM | Moderate | Steady flow, consistent |
| 5 PM – 9 PM | High | Dinner rush, 15-20 min |
| 9 PM – Midnight | Very High | Peak student time, 20-30 min |
| Midnight – 3 AM | Very High | Late night regulars, consistent rush |
Game Day Strategy
When FSU plays at Doak Campbell Stadium, expect 30-45 minute waits from 5 PM – 8 PM. Avoid these times unless you’re planning to use that wait time. After the game (11 PM+) it gets even busier as fans flood in post-event.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Cookout Tallahassee
Where is Cookout in Tallahassee located?
1942 N Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303. It’s on the north side of the city, just past Lake Ella. The building formerly housed a Hardee’s. Ample parking available on-site. Easy to spot the bright red Cookout sign.
What are Cookout Tallahassee hours?
Opens daily at 10:30 AM. Closes at 3:00 AM Sunday-Thursday and 4:00 AM Friday-Saturday. Perfect for late-night cravings, study sessions, and post-game bites.
How long is the wait at Cookout Tallahassee?
The line looks long but moves fast — average 10-15 minutes even during peak hours. Staff take orders outside via tablets during rushes. Indoor ordering is sometimes faster than drive-thru during midnight-2 AM peaks.
What does a tray cost?
Regular Tray: $7.39 (main + 2 sides + drink). Junior Tray: $6.39. Add a milkshake instead of soda for +$1.60. Fully customizable with free swaps.
Does Cookout deliver in Tallahassee?
Yes. Available through DoorDash and Uber Eats. Delivery fees typically $2-5 depending on distance. Some items travel better than others — burgers are fine, shakes may melt, fries don’t travel as well.
Do they have vegetarian options?
No dedicated veggie burger, but vegetarian options include quesadillas (cheese), wraps, hushpuppies, fries, and onion rings. Build a tray around sides and quesadillas for a meatless meal.
What’s the most popular menu item?
Cookout Style Burger and Chicken Strips are most ordered by volume. But locals swear by the Cajun Chicken sandwich paired with Cajun fries. Milkshakes are incredibly popular too — the 40+ flavor wall is legendary.
Can I customize my order?
Absolutely. Swap sides, mix milkshake flavors, add free Cajun seasoning, double up on sides, etc. Full customization with no hidden charges makes the tray system incredibly flexible.
Is there seating inside?
Yes. Indoor seating available in a casual, fast-food style setting. Also has drive-thru service windows. Wheelchair accessible throughout.
What payment methods do they accept?
Cash, debit cards, all major credit cards, and contactless payment. All standard payment methods accepted.
📞 Contact Information
Address: 1942 N Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303
Hours: Daily 10:30 AM – 3/4 AM (varies by day)
Parking: On-site customer parking available
Dining: Drive-thru and indoor seating
Delivery: Available via DoorDash and Uber Eats
Questions? Call ahead or visit official Cookout website for current phone number
Key Takeaways
✓ Unbeatable value — full tray under $8
✓ Late hours (3-4 AM) perfect for students
✓ Fast service despite long-looking lines
✓ 40+ milkshake flavors
✓ Fully customizable tray system
✓ Char-grilled burgers (not just fried)
✓ Popular with FSU and FAMU crowds
