Cookout Tampa Bay Locations 2026: 3 New Spots & Menu Guide
If you are searching for Cookout Tampa Bay locations, there is good news. Cookout has officially entered the Tampa Bay area, giving local customers a new place to enjoy burgers, barbecue, chicken, hot dogs, quesadillas, fries, and famous milkshakes. The first Tampa Bay restaurant opened in Temple Terrace at 5501 E. Fowler Ave. in July 2026. Two more Cookout locations are planned for Carrollwood and St. Petersburg, expanding the chain’s presence across the Tampa Bay region. This guide covers the current Cookout Tampa Bay locations, addresses, opening updates, popular menu items, Cookout Tray options, milkshakes, and what customers should know before visiting.
Cookout Tampa Bay Locations at a Glance
Cookout currently has one operating location in the Cookout Tampa Bay area, while two additional restaurants are in development.
| Location | Address | Status |
| Temple Terrace | 5501 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33617 | Open |
| Carrollwood | 16215 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL | Coming Soon |
| St. Petersburg | 9595 4th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL | Coming Soon |
The three Tampa Bay properties are connected to former Boston Market locations. Cookout has been converting these existing restaurant properties as part of its expansion strategy.
Cookout Temple Terrace
The first Cookout Tampa Bay restaurant is located at 5501 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL 33617
This location is near the University of South Florida (USF) area and the intersection of East Fowler Avenue and North 56th Street. The restaurant opened in July 2026 after being converted from a former Boston Market property. Local reports confirmed that the restaurant soft-opened before its official opening. The Temple Terrace location is currently the primary option for customers seeking a Cookout in the Tampa Bay area.
What Can You Get at the Temple Terrace Cookout?
Customers can expect the classic Cookout menu, including:
- Char-grilled hamburgers
- Chicken sandwiches
- Chicken strips
- Barbecue
- Hot dogs
- Corn dogs
- Quesadillas
- French fries
- Hushpuppies
- Onion rings
- Chicken nuggets
- Cookout Tray combinations
- Milkshakes
- Floats
- Cheerwine and other drinks
Cookout’s official menu includes a broad selection of burgers, BBQ, chicken, hot dogs, sides, shakes, and combo meals. The restaurant is also listed as operating late, which fits Cookout’s reputation as a late-night fast-food option.
Cookout Carrollwood
Another Cookout is planned for:16215 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL
This restaurant is in the Carrollwood area and will occupy another former Boston Market property. Renovation work has been reported at the site, and local reporting confirms that the property is being converted into a Cookout restaurant.
The location should be convenient for people living around:
- Carrollwood
- Northdale
- Lake Magdalene
- North Tampa
- Dale Mabry Highway
As of the latest available reports, customers should not assume this restaurant is open simply because construction is underway. A restaurant can still need final inspections, equipment installation, staffing, and other opening steps.
Cookout St. Petersburg
A third Tampa Bay Cookout is planned for: 9595 4th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL
This location will give customers on the Pinellas County side of Cookout Tampa Bay another nearby option. The property was previously a Boston Market restaurant. Cookout has filed plans to convert the building into a new restaurant. Local reporting has continued to list the St. Petersburg project as part of the company’s Cookout Tampa Bay expansion. The St. Petersburg restaurant is especially important for customers who do not want to travel across the bay to Temple Terrace.
When Did Cookout Open in Tampa Bay?
Cookout’s first Tampa Bay restaurant opened in July 2026 at the Temple Terrace location. Before the opening, several reports followed the construction progress at the former Boston Market property. The restaurant eventually soft-opened in July before its official grand opening. This means older articles saying that Cookout had not yet opened in Tampa Bay are now outdated. If you are planning to visit, it is still a good idea to check the official Cookout location information before making a long drive.
What Is Cookout Known For?
Cookout is a Southern fast-food restaurant chain that started in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1989. The chain became popular across the Southeast because of its large menu, affordable meal combinations, char-grilled burgers, barbecue, chicken, and extensive milkshake selection. One of its most recognizable menu options is the Cookout Tray. The restaurant also has a reputation for late-night service, making it popular with college students, families, travelers, and customers looking for food later in the evening.
What Is the Cookout Tray?
The Cookout Tray is one of the most popular things to order at Cookout. A typical tray lets customers choose:
- One main item
- Two sides
- A drink
Depending on the menu and location, customers can choose from different burgers, chicken, barbecue, hot dogs, quesadillas, fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, nuggets, and other options. The flexibility is one reason the Cookout Tray has become closely associated with the brand. For someone visiting Cookout Tampa Bay for the first time, the tray is a simple way to try several parts of the menu in one meal.
Cookout Tampa Bay Menu Favorites
The Cookout Menu gives customers many choices, but several categories are especially popular.
Char-Grilled Burgers
Cookout is well known for its char-grilled hamburgers. Customers can choose different burger combinations and toppings depending on the available menu. The grilled flavor is an important part of Cookout’s identity and separates its burgers from many standard fast-food options
Chicken
The menu includes several chicken options, such as chicken sandwiches and chicken strips. Chicken can also be part of a Cookout Tray, making it useful for customers who do not want a burger.
Barbecue
Barbecue is another important part of the Cookout menu. The chain offers Southern-style BBQ as one of its main options, along with burgers, chicken, and other fast-food favorites.
Quesadillas
Cookout is not limited to traditional burgers and fries. Quesadillas are another popular menu category and can be a good choice for customers who want something different from a burger or chicken sandwich.
Sides
Cookout offers a wide variety of side choices. Depending on the location and menu, options can include:
- Regular fries
- Cajun fries
- Hushpuppies
- Onion rings
- Chicken nuggets
- Corn dogs
- Quesadillas
This wide-ranging selection is another reason customers often use the Cookout Tray to build a customized meal.
Cookout Milkshakes in Tampa Bay
Milkshakes are one of the biggest attractions at Cookout. The chain is known for offering a very large range of shake flavors, including classic flavors and dessert-inspired combinations.
Popular flavors associated with Cookout include:
- Chocolate
- Vanilla
- Strawberry
- Banana
- Peach
- Peanut Butter
- Oreo
- Cheesecake
- Banana Pudding
- Chocolate Chip Mint
- Peach Cobbler
- Orange Push-Up
Seasonal flavors can also appear at different times of the year. For example, local Tampa Bay reporting highlighted the watermelon shake during the summer 2026 season. Because availability can change, customers should check the current menu at the restaurant when ordering.
Is Cookout Cheap in Tampa Bay?
Cookout has traditionally positioned itself as a budget-friendly fast-food chain. The Cookout Tray is one of the main reasons customers associate the brand with value. Instead of buying a separate burger, side, and drink, customers can build a combination meal from several choices. However, prices can vary by location and may change over time. For the most accurate current pricing, customers should check the local restaurant or official Cookout information rather than relying on old menu screenshots.
Why Are Cookout Tampa Bay Customers Excited About Cookout?
Cookout brings something different to the Tampa Bay fast-food market. The restaurant combines several Southern favorites in one menu, including:
- Burgers
- BBQ
- Chicken
- Hot dogs
- Quesadillas
- Fries
- Hushpuppies
- Milkshakes
- Late-night food
The variety is especially useful for groups because different people can order completely different meals from the same restaurant. The arrival of Cookout also gives Cookout Tampa Bay customers access to a fast-food brand that already has a strong following throughout the Southeast.
Cookout Tampa Bay and University of South Florida
The Temple Terrace restaurant at 5501 E. Fowler Ave. is located close to the University of South Florida. That location gives Cookout strong access to students and people living around the USF area. The restaurant’s late-night reputation could also make it attractive to customers looking for burgers, shakes, chicken, or other menu items outside traditional dinner hours.
Are More Cookout Locations Coming to Cookout Tampa Bay?
Yes. Besides the operating Temple Terrace restaurant, Cookout has two additional Tampa Bay projects:
- Carrollwood: 16215 N. Dale Mabry Highway
- St. Petersburg: 9595 4th Street North
Local reporting has confirmed both projects as part of the company’s Tampa Bay expansion. The exact opening schedule for these additional locations can change as construction and permitting progress.
What Should You Check Before Visiting a New Cookout Location?
If you are visiting a recently opened or upcoming Cookout restaurant, check a few things first.
Confirm the Location
Use the official Cookout location finder to make sure the restaurant is listed and operating.
Check Opening Hours
New restaurants can have different hours during their early days. Hours may also change later.
Check the Current Menu
Menu items, prices, seasonal shakes, and availability can change.
Expect Crowds
A newly opened Cookout can attract a lot of attention, especially during the first few weeks. The Temple Terrace opening already generated strong local interest, with reports of customers lining up around the building.
Conclusion
The arrival of Cookout Tampa Bay is an important expansion for the popular Southern fast-food chain. The first location at 5501 E. Fowler Ave. in Temple Terrace is now open, while additional restaurants are planned for Carrollwood and St. Petersburg. For Tampa Bay customers, Cookout offers a large selection of burgers, BBQ, chicken, hot dogs, quesadillas, sides, shakes, and customizable Cookout Tray combinations. If you are searching for Cookout near Tampa, the Temple Terrace restaurant is currently the key location to know. As the Carrollwood and St. Petersburg projects progress, customers across the Tampa Bay area will have even more opportunities to try the Cookout menu.
