Cookout Kids Menu (2026): Junior Tray & Options
Looking for the cookout kids menu before your next family trip? Here is the honest truth: Cook Out does not publish an official kids menu at any of its locations. There is no printed children’s menu with a toy, a smaller drink, or a bundled child price like you will find at other fast-food chains. What Cook Out does offer instead is the Junior Tray, a scaled-down version of the famous Cook Out tray that works perfectly as a kids meal.
The Junior Tray pairs one smaller main item with two full-size sides and a large drink, all at a price well below the regular tray. It includes plenty of kid-friendly choices such as chicken strips, corn dogs, chicken nuggets, fries, and hushpuppies, plus a milkshake upgrade that most kids will love. This guide breaks down everything parents need to know: the Junior Tray options, realistic prices, the best orders for picky eaters, and smart ways for families to save money at Cook Out in 2026.
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Does Cook Out Have an Official Kids Menu?
No. Cook Out does not offer an official kids menu, and there is no separate children’s section printed on the menu board or the drive-thru signage. This is simply how the chain operates: one straightforward menu with burgers, chicken, hot dogs, barbecue, quesadillas, sides, and shakes, available to everyone. Parents should know this before promising their kids a traditional kids meal, so nobody is disappointed at the counter.
The good news is that the regular menu is naturally full of foods children love. Chicken strips, corn dogs, chicken nuggets, fries, hushpuppies, and hot dogs are all core Cook Out items. Between the à la carte options and the Junior Tray, it is easy to put together a complete kid-sized meal without any official kids menu existing.
Cookout Kids Menu Option: The Junior Tray Explained
The Junior Tray is the closest thing to a cookout kids menu, and it is what most parents order for their children. It follows the same build-your-own formula as the regular tray: one main item, two sides, and a large drink, all for a single price. The difference is that the main items come in smaller portions, such as one hot dog instead of two or a smaller burger patty.
At around $6.39 at most locations, the Junior Tray costs about a dollar less than the regular tray while still including the full side selection and the same 32 oz drink. Side portions are not reduced, so kids get the same fries, nuggets, and hushpuppies an adult would get. For younger children or lighter appetites, it is one of the best values in fast food, and it is the option Cook Out staff will point you toward when you ask what to get for a child.
Junior Tray Main Items
The Junior Tray offers six smaller main items. Any one of these comes with two sides and a large drink included in the tray price.
| Main Item | What Is Included | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small Burger | Smaller beef patty with standard toppings | 240 |
| 2 Chicken Strips | Two hand-breaded chicken tenders | 440 |
| 2 Corn Dogs | Two mini corn dogs | 440 |
| BLT Sandwich | Bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on bread | 400 |
| 1 Hot Dog | Single char-grilled hot dog | 260 |
| 1 Quesadilla | Chicken or beef with melted cheese | 220-260 |
The Best Kid-Friendly Sides at Cook Out
Junior Tray sides are identical to the regular tray sides, so nothing is off-limits for kids. These are the sides children tend to enjoy most, ranked by typical kid appeal.
| Side | Why Kids Like It | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Nuggets (5 pc) | Bite-size, mild, and easy to dip | 150 |
| Fries | The universal kid favorite | 350 |
| Corn Dog | Sweet cornbread coating, fun to hold | 220 |
| Hush Puppies | Soft, slightly sweet cornmeal bites | 300 |
| Onion Rings | Crispy and snackable | 130 |
| White Cheddar Cheese Bites | Gooey cheese in a crunchy shell | 190 |
| Slaw | Creamy and mild, pairs with BBQ | 100 |
Parents can double up on one side instead of picking two different ones, which is perfect when a child only wants fries or only wants nuggets. There is no extra charge for doubling up.
Cookout Kids Menu Prices: Junior vs Regular Tray
There is no kids menu pricing at Cook Out, so the Junior Tray price is the number that matters for families. Here is how the trays compare in 2026.
| Item | Typical Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Tray | $6.39 | 1 smaller main, 2 sides, 1 large drink |
| Regular Tray | $7.39 | 1 full-size main, 2 sides, 1 large drink |
| Milkshake upgrade | About $1.60 extra | Swap the drink for any shake flavor |
Prices may vary by location, and a few stores list the Junior Tray at $6.49 instead of $6.39. Even with the milkshake upgrade, a Junior Tray usually stays under $8 before tax, which is cheaper than most fast-food kids combos elsewhere.
Milkshakes and Drinks Kids Love
Cook Out is famous for its milkshakes, with more than 40 flavors on the menu, and they are a big reason families keep coming back. For about $1.60 extra, kids can swap the tray drink for any shake flavor, including Oreo, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, banana pudding, mint chocolate chip, M&M, and cheesecake. Kids can also ask for half-and-half mixes, such as Oreo and vanilla, at no extra charge.
If you want to skip the sugar, the tray drink can be a Dasani water bottle or an unsweet tea instead of a soda. Keep in mind that a shake adds roughly 500 to 900 calories, so for very young children it can work better as a shared treat than as a full drink replacement.
What to Order for Picky Eaters
Picky eaters do surprisingly well at Cook Out because the menu is simple and easy to customize. A few proven combinations for children who are hard to please:
- The nugget lover: Small burger or 1 hot dog as the main, with double chicken nuggets as the sides.
- The corn dog fan: 2 corn dogs as the main, with fries and hushpuppies on the side.
- The plain eater: Ask for a plain small burger with no toppings, paired with regular fries.
- The cheese fan: 1 quesadilla as the main, with white cheddar cheese bites and fries.
- The dipper: 2 chicken strips as the main, with nuggets and onion rings, and a side of ranch or honey mustard for dipping.
Cook Out will leave toppings off on request, so do not hesitate to ask for plain items. Ordering at the counter or window makes it easy to explain exactly what your child will and will not eat.
Smart Family Tips for Eating at Cook Out
- Split a regular tray for small kids: Two young children can often share one regular tray, which gives you a full-size main plus two sides for about $7.39. Add a Junior Tray for a third child.
- Double up on sides: If your child only eats fries, double the fries at no extra cost instead of picking a second side that will go uneaten.
- Share one milkshake: A single shake upgrade split between two kids costs less than two shakes and keeps the sugar reasonable.
- Order water to save money: Swapping the soda for the included Dasani water keeps the meal cheaper in effect and avoids the sugar crash.
- Check the seating: Many Cook Out locations are drive-thru and walk-up focused with limited indoor seating, so plan for a car meal if your local spot has no dining room.
- Go during off-peak hours: The drive-thru gets busy late at night and at lunch rush, so mid-afternoon visits are fastest with kids in tow.
Does Cook Out have a kids menu?
No, Cook Out does not have an official kids menu at any location. The Junior Tray, with its smaller main items and lower price, is the closest option and the one most parents order for children.
How much is a Cook Out Junior Tray in 2026?
The Junior Tray costs around $6.39 at most locations, with a few stores charging $6.49. It includes one smaller main item, two sides, and a large drink, and prices may vary by location.
What comes on the Cook Out Junior Tray?
You get one main item from six smaller options: small burger, 2 chicken strips, 2 corn dogs, BLT sandwich, 1 hot dog, or 1 quesadilla. It also includes any two sides from the full side menu and a large drink.
Can you get a milkshake with a Junior Tray?
Yes. Kids can upgrade the included drink to any milkshake flavor for about $1.60 extra at most locations. With more than 40 flavors, popular kid picks include Oreo, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
What is the best thing for kids to eat at Cook Out?
The most popular kid-friendly orders are chicken strips, corn dogs, chicken nuggets, and fries. A Junior Tray with 2 corn dogs, fries, and hushpuppies is a classic combination for younger children.
Does the Junior Tray come with the same sides as the regular tray?
Yes. The Junior Tray includes the exact same full side selection as the regular tray, with the same portion sizes. Kids can pick any two sides, including nuggets, fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, and cheese bites, or double up on one.
Can adults order the Junior Tray?
Yes, anyone can order the Junior Tray. It is a popular choice for adults with lighter appetites or anyone wanting a smaller, cheaper meal, and staff will not question it.
Even without an official kids menu, Cook Out is one of the most family-friendly values in Southern fast food. The Junior Tray gives children a real, customizable meal with the sides and shakes they actually want, at a price that keeps a family outing affordable. Order a Junior Tray per child, double up on the sides they love, and do not skip the milkshake upgrade at least once.