Cookout Hot Dogs Menu: Prices, Varieties, Calories, and Toppings
Want the quick answer? Here it is. Cookout hot dogs start with a plain dog at 260 calories and go up to the Bacon Cheddar at 523 calories. The Cookout Style (chili, slaw, mustard, and onions) is the one most people try first, at 383 calories. If you want something light, go plain. If you want a full meal in one bun, pick Bacon Cheddar. Below, you will find every style, what comes on it, the calories, and how to build a cheap tray, so you can order with confidence. The page covers every style, toppings, nutrition, allergens, and tray combos from the full Cookout Menu.
Cookout Hot Dog Menu Prices and Calorie Breakdown
Most Cookout hot dogs cost between $1 and $3, and the calories go from about 260 for a plain dog to 523 for the Bacon Cheddar. The Cookout Style, with chili, slaw, mustard, and onions, sits in the middle at 383 calories. That makes them one of the cheapest hot meals you can get, whether you want a simple dog in a bun or one loaded with toppings. Prices change a little from store to store, so check the menu board at your local Cookout before you order. A quick look at the calories first makes it easy to pick the one that fits your taste and your day.
Mexi Hot Dog
Price: $1.69
Calories: 385
Bacon Cheddar Hot Dog
Price: $1.99
Calories: 523
Cookout Style Hot Dog
Price: $2.99
Calories: 390
Mustard Relish Hot Dog
Price: $2.99
Calories: 399
Cheese Dog
Price: $0.99
Calories: 146
Plain Hot Dog
Price: $0.99
Calories: 260
Chili Dog
Price: $2.39
Calories: 360
Why Cookout Hot Dog Prices Differ by Location
The price of a Cookout hot dog is not the same everywhere. Each store sets its own prices, so the cost of one dog can change a little from city to city, and sometimes even between two stores in the same state. Things like rent, local wages, and how busy the area is can all push a price up or down.
Sales tax also changes by place, so the final amount on your receipt may be different from what you paid on your last trip. If you are ordering a tray, the deal can look different too, because stores may price the sides and drinks in slightly different ways. The easiest way to know the real price is to look at the menu board at your nearest Cookout before you order.
Cookout Hot Dog Varieties Available on the Menu
Not sure which Cookout hot dog to get? The menu has a few styles, and each one is built around a different topping. Want it simple? Pick the Plain or the Mustard Relish. Want the classic Carolina taste? Go for the Cookout Style, with chili, slaw, mustard, and onions. Like it spicy? The Mexi brings chili, cheese, and Texas Pete. Want something rich and meaty? The Bacon Cheddar is the one. There are also the Chili Dog and the Cheese Dog, so you can find a favorite, whatever you are craving.
Cheese Dog
The Cheese Dog is the odd one out on the hot dog list, because it comes without a hot dog. Menu listings show it as a bun filled with cheese, chili, slaw, and onion, so you get the Carolina-style toppings in a lighter, cheaper bite. At about 146 calories and around $1, it is the lightest and one of the cheapest items in this group. Order it if you want a small snack or a side to go with a tray. If you want the meat, pick a regular hot dog with cheese instead.
Cheese Dog
Price: $0.99
Calories: 146
Mustard Relish Hot Dog
The Mustard Relish Hot Dog is a plain dog dressed with yellow mustard and sweet pickle relish, nothing else. The mustard gives a sharp bite, the relish adds a little sweetness and crunch, and together they keep the grilled hot dog in front. It is also one of the cheapest items on the menu, at about $1 in most listings. Pick it if you want a clean, tangy dog with no chili, cheese or slaw to weigh it down. It is also an easy base to build on, since you can ask to add onions or cheese.
Mustard Relish Hot Dog
Price: $2.99
Calories: 399
Mexi Hot Dog
The Mexi Hot Dog is the one to get when you want some heat. Menu listings show it topped with chili, cheese, Texas Pete hot sauce, lettuce and tomato, so you get a spicy kick from the sauce and a fresh crunch from the veggies. That mix makes it taste very different from the other dogs on the menu. It has about 385 calories and usually costs between $1.70 and $2, which is close to the Cookout Style in calories. Pick it if you like your hot dog spicy and loaded, but not as heavy as the Bacon Cheddar.
Mexi Hot Dog
Price: $1.69
Calories: 385
Plain Hot Dog
The Plain Hot Dog is the base that every other style is built on: a grilled hot dog in a soft bun, with nothing on top. It has 260 calories and 600 mg of sodium, which is the lowest of the full hot dogs on the menu, and it usually costs between $1 and $2. That makes it the best pick if you want the cheapest option, a simple meal for a kid, or a blank canvas for your own toppings. You can add mustard, ketchup, onions, chili or cheese at the counter and make it your own. And if you are building a tray, two plain dogs are an easy way to keep the cost down.
Plain Hot Dog
Price: $0.99
Calories: 260
Bacon Cheddar Hot Dog
The Bacon Cheddar is the biggest hot dog on the menu. It is a grilled dog topped with cheddar cheese and bacon, so every bite is salty, smoky, and cheesy. It has 523 calories, 29 g of fat, and 19 g of protein, which is the most of any Cookout hot dog. It also has 1,494 mg of sodium, about 65% of the daily limit, so it is best as a treat and not an everyday order. The price is usually about $2 to $3. Pick it when you are really hungry and want a hot dog that feels like a full meal. If you want something lighter, the Cookout Style gives you plenty of flavor for 140 fewer calories.
Bacon Cheddar Hot Dog
Price: $1.99
Calories: 523
Cookout Style Hot Dog
The Cookout Style is the signature hot dog, and the one most people order first. It is a grilled dog topped with chili, slaw, mustard, and onions, the classic Carolina-style combo. The chili is savory, the slaw is cool and crunchy, the mustard adds a sharp bite, and the onions finish it off. It has 360 calories, 20 g of fat and 11 g of protein, and it weighs about 6.2 oz, which makes it a bigger, fuller dog than the plain one. The sodium is 1,118 mg, about 49% of the daily limit. The price is usually between $2.39 and $3. Pick it if you want the real Cookout taste in one bun. If you are not sure which hot dog to get, start here.
Cookout Style Hot Dog
Price: $2.99
Calories: 560
Chili Dog
The Chili Dog is a plain grilled hot dog with chili spooned over the top and nothing else. Some menus list it as “Hot Dog with Chili.” It is a good middle step between the Plain and the Cookout Style: you get the meaty, savory chili flavor, but you skip the slaw and mustard. It usually costs about $2.39 to $3, so it is one of the cheaper ways to get a hot dog with a real topping. Pick it if chili is the part you love most. Since chili can be messy, grab a few extra napkins.
Chili Dog
Price: $2.39
Calories: 360
What Do Cookout Hot Dogs Taste Like?
Cookout hot dogs taste like a backyard cookout. They are char-grilled, so you get a smoky, savory flavor from the beef before any toppings go on. The bun is soft and simple, and it lets the toppings do the talking. Chili adds a meaty, savory taste, slaw brings a cool and sweet crunch, and mustard and onions add a sharp bite. Together they give you the classic Carolina taste in a few bites. If you want the pure grilled flavor, order a plain dog. If you want more going on, the Cookout Style is the one to try.
Texture, Juiciness, and Consistency
The texture is soft and juicy, with a grilled outside and a tender inside. The soft bun holds it together, so the dog does not feel dry. The toppings add contrast: slaw gives crunch, chili adds a thick and saucy feel, and onions add a little bite. The more toppings you add, the messier it gets, so keep a few napkins close, especially with chili.
The Reasons Behind Cookout Hot Dogs’ Popularity
People keep coming back to Cookout hot dogs for a few simple reasons: they are cheap, they are grilled, and you can order them your way. Here is what stands out.
Affordable Pricing Compared to Other Fast Food
A Cookout hot dog usually costs between $1 and $3, which makes it one of the cheapest hot meals you can grab at a fast-food chain. You can fill up on two or three dogs without spending much, and that low price is a big reason people stop by often.
Signature Char-Grilled Flavor
The dogs are char-grilled, so they have a smoky, savory taste that a plain steamed hot dog does not have. Even a plain dog with no toppings tastes like it came off a real grill.
Variety of Toppings and Styles
There are several ready-made styles, from the simple Mustard Relish to the loaded Cookout Style and the spicy Mexi. You can pick the one that fits your mood without building it yourself.
Customization Freedom
If none of the styles is exactly right, start with a plain dog and add what you like, such as chili, cheese, onions or mustard. Two people can order the same base and end up with very different hot dogs.
Value-Packed Tray Deals
A tray bundles a main, two sides and a drink at one price. You can use a tray to get two hot dogs, fries and a milkshake or soda without ordering each item on its own, which is usually better value than buying them separately. Tray prices change by store, so check your local menu board.
Strong Regional Popularity and Loyalty
Cookout has North Carolina roots and is best known across the Southeast. The Cookout Style, with chili, slaw, mustard and onions, is the classic Carolina-style hot dog, so for many fans it tastes like home.
Are Cookout Hot Dogs Healthy?
Not really. Cookout hot dogs are a treat, not a health food, but one now and then is fine for most people. What matters is which one you pick and how often you order it. The biggest issue is sodium. A plain dog has 260 calories and 600 mg of sodium, about 26% of the daily limit. The Cookout Style has 1,118 mg (about 49%), the Mexi has 1,352 mg (about 59%), and the Bacon Cheddar has 1,494 mg (about 65%), along with 29 g of fat and 9 g of saturated fat, which is 45% of the daily value. Hot dogs are also processed meat, and the World Health Organization’s cancer agency lists processed meat as a cause of cancer, with a link to heart disease too. The risk comes mostly from eating it often, not from a single dog.
The tray is where it adds up fast. Two Bacon Cheddar dogs come to 1,046 calories and nearly 3,000 mg of sodium, which is already more than a full day’s limit, before you add fries and a drink. Two plain dogs come to 520 calories and 1,200 mg of sodium, which is a much easier start.
If you want to order smarter:
- Pick the plain dog or the Cookout Style for the best balance of flavor and sodium, and save the Bacon Cheddar for a big-appetite day.
- Try the Cheese Dog if you only want a small bite, at about 146 calories.
- Skip the slaw side and the milkshake. The slaw side has about 405 calories and a lot of sugar, and most milkshakes are over 500 calories.
- Choose a lighter side like onion rings or Rounds, and a zero-calorie drink.
- Keep it to one dog if you are adding fries.
Best Ways to Customize Cookout Hot Dogs
You do not need a secret menu to get a better Cookout hot dog. Start with the right base, add one or two toppings, and ask for what you like at the counter. Here is the easiest way to do it. Add-ons and extra charges can change from store to store, so ask what is available when you order.
1. Pick Your Base Hot Dog First
Your base decides how much you need to add. The Plain Hot Dog is a blank canvas, so you can build it any way you like. The Cookout Style already has chili, slaw, mustard and onions, so it needs little else. The Mexi already has chili, cheese, Texas Pete, lettuce and tomato. If you are not sure, start with the plain dog and add toppings one at a time.
2. Add Your Favorite Toppings
The most common Cookout hot dog toppings are chili, cheese, onions, slaw, mustard and bacon. Some menus even list a Hot Dog with Chili and a Hot Dog with Cheddar Cheese as their own items. Two toppings are usually enough. One of them should be the main flavor, like chili or cheese, and the other should add crunch or bite, like onions or slaw.
3. Add Heat with Hot Sauce
If you like spicy food, ask for Texas Pete hot sauce, which is the sauce that comes on the Mexi. A little goes a long way, so add it a bit at a time. It also works well on the Cookout Style, where it cuts through the chili and slaw.
4. Keep It Balanced
More toppings do not always make it better. Too many toppings make the dog messy and hide the grilled flavor. They also add calories and sodium. The Cookout Style already has 1,118 mg of sodium, so extra cheese and bacon on top of it will push that number higher. If something is not your taste, ask to leave it off.
5. Build Your Own Go-To Order
Once you know what you like, keep the same order every time so it is quick to say at the speaker. A few easy ideas:
- Simple and cheap: Plain dog with mustard and onions.
- Classic: Cookout Style with an extra cheese add-on.
- Spicy: Cookout Style with Texas Pete.
- Big appetite: Bacon Cheddar with chili, if the store offers it.
Cookout Hot Dog Toppings, Sauces, and Add-Ons
Cookout hot dogs are easy to change up. The toppings are simple and familiar: chili, cheese, onions, slaw, mustard, relish and bacon, plus Texas Pete hot sauce if you like some heat. Some hot dogs come with a set of toppings, and others, like the plain dog, are a blank canvas. The table below shows what comes on each one and what you can add. Add-ons can change from store to store, so ask at the counter what is available.
| Hot Dog | What Comes On It | Easy Add-Ons |
|---|---|---|
| Cookout Style | Chili, slaw, mustard, onions | Extra chili, cheese, bacon |
| Hot Dog with Cheddar Cheese | Cheddar cheese | Chili, onions, mustard |
| Bacon Cheddar | Cheddar cheese, bacon | Chili, onions, hot sauce |
| Plain Hot Dog | Just the hot dog and bun | Any topping you like |
| Mexi | Chili, cheese, Texas Pete, lettuce, tomato | Onions, extra hot sauce |
| Mustard Relish | Mustard, relish | Onions, chili, cheese |
| Chili Dog | Chili | Onions, cheese, mustard |
| Cheese Dog | Cheese, chili, slaw, onion (no hot dog) | Extra chili, extra cheese |
How Toppings Enhance the Flavor
Each topping on a Cookout hot dog does a different job. The grilled dog is smoky and salty, and the toppings balance that out. Chili adds a meaty, savory depth. Slaw brings crunch and a tangy, slightly sweet bite. Mustard adds a sharp tang that cuts through the richness. Onions give a fresh bite. Cheese makes it creamy and bacon makes it smoky and salty. The Cookout Style works so well because it uses four of these together, so you get savory, tangy and crunchy in every bite. A good rule is to add one rich topping, like chili or cheese, and one sharp one, like mustard or onions, so the hot dog stays balanced.
Cookout Hot Dog Toppings, Sauces, and Add-Ons
A tray is the easiest way to turn a Cookout hot dog into a full meal. For one fixed price you get a main, two sides and a drink, and “two hot dogs” is one of the main choices. It costs more than a single dog, but you get a lot more food for the money than if you ordered each item on its own.
How the Cookout Tray System Works
Ordering a tray takes three quick steps:
- Pick your main: Choose the two-hot-dog tray, and tell them which style you want.
- Pick two sides: Choose any two, such as fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, cheese fries or a mini corn dog. You can also “double up” and take two orders of the same side.
- Pick a drink: Get a regular soda or tea, or swap it for a milkshake for about $1 to $2 extra.
A regular tray usually costs around $5.50 to $8, depending on the store. The two-hot-dog tray is one of the cheapest on the menu. Prices change by location, so check the menu board before you order.
Best Cookout Hot Dogs Tray Combinations
Here are five easy combos, from the cheapest to the biggest treat. The table is in with the same red-header style as before.
| Tray Idea | Hot Dogs | Two Sides | Drink | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Pick | 2 Plain Hot Dogs | Fries + Hushpuppies | Soda or tea | Keeping the cost low |
| Carolina Classic | 2 Cookout Style Hot Dogs | Fries + Onion Rings | Soda or tea | First-time visitors |
| Cheesy Combo | 2 Hot Dogs with Cheddar Cheese | Cheese Fries + Hushpuppies | Soda or tea | Cheese lovers |
| Spicy Pick | 2 Mexi Hot Dogs | Fries + Onion Rings | Soda or tea | Anyone who likes heat |
| Treat Yourself | 2 Cookout Style Hot Dogs | Cheese Fries + Mini Corn Dog | Milkshake (upgrade) | A big, fun meal |
The Easy Way to Order Cookout Hot Dogs
Ordering at Cookout is fast if you know what you want before you get to the speaker. Most Cookout stores are built around the drive-thru, so the line moves quickly when people are ready. Here is how to make it easy.
Order Faster Through the Drive-Thru
Most Cookout locations have two drive-thru lanes and a walk-up window, and many have no indoor seating. That makes the drive-thru the main way to order. Pick your hot dog style, your sides and your drink before you reach the speaker, then say it in one go. For example: “Two-hot-dog tray, Cookout Style, with fries and hushpuppies, and a tea.” If you want a change, like no onions or extra chili, say it right after the hot dog. Then check the bag before you pull away.
Plan During Peak Hours
Cookout can get busy in the evening and on weekends, when the lines are longest. If you want a quick stop, try a quieter time, such as the middle of the afternoon. If the drive-thru line is long and the store has a walk-up window, that may be faster. Before you leave, you can also check your store’s hours, since they differ by location.
Know Your Tray Combo Before Ordering
The tray is the best value, so decide on it first. Choose your main (two hot dogs), your two sides and your drink. If you like one side a lot, you can double up and get two of it. Want a milkshake? Swap it in for your drink for a small extra charge, and in many locations you can mix two flavors in one cup at no extra cost. Knowing all of this before you order keeps the line moving and helps you get exactly what you want.
Cookout Hot Dogs: Allergens and Ingredients
If you have a food allergy, check before you order a Cookout hot dog. The bun has wheat, and cheese adds milk. Chili, slaw, sauces, and the hot dog itself may contain other allergens, and Cookout does not list those on its menu board. The kitchen also handles many foods at once, so cross-contact can happen. The table below shows what we can say from the menu; for the rest, confirm with the store or Cookout directly.
| Hot Dog | Wheat (Bun) | Milk (Cheese) | Soy and Egg | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Hot Dog | Yes | No cheese added | Not confirmed | Bun has wheat. Ask about the hot dog’s ingredients. |
| Cookout Style | Yes | No cheese added | Not confirmed | Ask what is in the chili and slaw. |
| Chili Dog | Yes | No cheese added | Not confirmed | Ask what is in the chili. |
| Hot Dog with Cheddar Cheese | Yes | Yes, cheese | Not confirmed | Cheese is the milk source. |
| Bacon Cheddar | Yes | Yes, cheese | Not confirmed | Cheese is the milk source. Ask about the bacon. |
| Mexi | Yes | Yes, cheese | Not confirmed | Ask about the chili and hot sauce. |
| Mustard Relish | Yes | No cheese added | Not confirmed | Ask about the relish and mustard. |
| Cheese Dog | Yes | Yes, cheese | Not confirmed | No hot dog, but it still has a bun, cheese, chili and slaw. |
Cookout Hot Dogs Nutrition Breakdown
Cookout hot dogs range from 146 calories for the Cheese Dog, which has no hot dog, to 523 calories for the Bacon Cheddar. The plain hot dog is the lightest one with a hot dog in it, at 260 calories. Sodium varies the most, from 410 mg to 1,494 mg, and the Bacon Cheddar uses up about 65% of a day’s limit in one bun. The Mustard Relish may surprise you: it has 394 calories, 50 g of carbs, and 10 g of sugar, the most sugar of any dog on the list.
The table below
| Hot Dog | Serving Size | Calories | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheese Dog | 2.3 oz | 146 | 25 | 3 | 3 | 410 | 3 |
| Corn Dog | 2.7 oz | 220 | 26 | 5 | 11 | 440 | 7 |
| Plain Hot Dog | 2.9 oz | 260 | 22 | 8 | 15 | 600 | 3 |
| Cookout Style | 6.2 oz | 383 | 29 | 11 | 20 | 1,118 | 7 |
| Mexi | 7.3 oz | 385 | 29 | 12 | 19 | 1,352 | 5 |
| Mustard Relish | 3.6 oz | 394 | 50 | 11 | 16 | 1,021 | 10 |
| Bacon Cheddar | 4.62 oz | 523 | 47 | 19 | 29 | 1,494 | 6 |
Are Cookout Hot Dogs Gluten-Free?
No, a regular Cookout hot dog is not gluten-free. It comes in a bun, and hot dog buns are made with wheat, so the standard order contains gluten. Ordering without the bun removes the main source, but it does not make the meal safe for everyone. Cookout does not publish ingredient details for its hot dogs, chili, slaw or sauces, and the kitchen handles many foods at once, so cross-contact can happen. If you have celiac disease or a strict gluten-free diet, it is best to skip it or check with the store first.
If you still want to order, these steps lower the risk:
- Skip the bun: The bun is the main source of gluten, so ask for the hot dog without it.
- Keep the toppings simple: Chili, slaw and sauces may have ingredients you cannot see, so ask about them or leave them off.
- Ask how it is cooked: Find out whether the grill is shared with other foods.
- Check your sides: Ask how fries and other fried items are cooked.
Important: Cookout does not give a gluten-free guarantee for its hot dogs, so always check with your local store or Cookout directly before you order.
How to Make Cookout-Style Hot Dogs at Home
You can make a Cookout-style hot dog at home with a few simple things: a grilled hot dog, a warm soft bun, a fine meaty chili, creamy slaw, mustard and onions. This is a home version inspired by the Cookout Style, not the official recipe, but it gets you very close to the Carolina-style taste. It makes 4 hot dogs and takes about 40 minutes.
Ingredients You Will Need
For the hot dogs:
- 4 beef hot dogs
- 4 soft hot dog buns
- Yellow mustard, to taste
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
For the chili (no beans):
- ½ lb (225 g) ground beef
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
- ½ cup water or beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp salt and a pinch of black pepper
For the slaw:
- 2 cups finely shredded cabbage
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- A pinch of salt and pepper
Optional extras: shredded cheese or Texas Pete hot sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the chili. Brown the ground beef in a pan over medium heat, mashing it with a spoon until it is very fine. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the water, tomato paste, chili powder, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring now and then, until it is thick.
- Mix the slaw. While the chili simmers, stir the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper into the cabbage. Chill it for 15 minutes so the flavors blend.
- Grill the hot dogs. Cook them on a grill or in a hot pan over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, turning often, until they are hot and lightly charred.
- Warm the buns. Toast them on the grill or pan for 30 to 60 seconds, until they are warm and soft.
- Build the hot dog. Put the dog in the bun and add mustard first, then a spoonful of chili, then slaw, then chopped onions on top.
- Make it your way. Add cheese for a richer dog. For a Mexi-style version, top it with chili, cheese, hot sauce, lettuce and tomato.
Hot Dogs vs Burgers, Wraps, and More
Hot dogs are among the cheapest things on the Cookout menu, at about $1 to $3, and they are easy to eat with one hand. But if you want more protein for your calories, other items do better. A BBQ sandwich has about 29 g of protein in roughly 370 calories, while most hot dogs have between 3 and 19 g. Burgers, wraps and chicken sandwiches sit in between. Use the table below to compare calories, protein, and how each one works as a tray main, then pick what suits your appetite.
| Compare | Hot Dogs | Burgers | Wraps and Quesadillas | Chicken Sandwiches | BBQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 146 to 523 | 245 to 516 (plain, by size) | 340 to 517 | About 370 to 674 | About 370 |
| Protein | 3 to 19 g | 14 to 40 g | 13 to 25 g | 21 to 33 g | About 29 g |
| Ways to Order | Many styles, plus your own toppings | Four sizes and several styles | Chicken, bacon, honey mustard and cajun wraps; cheese, chicken or beef quesadillas | Grilled or spicy, plus chicken strips | Sandwich or plate |
| Tray Main? | Yes (2 hot dogs) | Yes | Yes (quesadillas) | Yes (sandwiches and strips) | Yes (BBQ sandwich) |
| Best For | Low-cost meals and light bites | Big appetites | Cheesy, easy-to-hold meals | Getting more protein | A hearty, high-protein meal |
Best Cookout Sides to Enjoy with Hot Dogs
A hot dog is simple, so the right side makes the meal. On a Cookout tray you get two sides, and you can even double up on one. The easiest rule is to pair a rich hot dog with a simple side, and a plain hot dog with something loaded.
Classic Pairings
- Fries: Crispy and salty, they go with every hot dog on the menu. A regular order has about 350 to 465 calories, depending on the source.
- Hushpuppies: Soft, golden and slightly sweet, they balance savory toppings like chili and mustard. An order of five has about 300 calories.
- Onion Rings: Crunchy and a little sweet, they add a different texture next to a soft bun.
Rich and Indulgent Pairings
- Cheese Fries: Creamy and salty, they work well with a plain dog or a Mustard Relish.
- Chili Fries: Meaty and savory, they are a good match for a plain hot dog that has no chili of its own.
- White Cheddar Cheese Bites: Cheesy and filling, at about 150 calories a serving.
Bold and Fun Pairings
- Mini Corn Dog: Cookout lets you pick a corn dog as one of your two sides, so you can have a hot dog with another hot dog on the side.
- Cheese Curds: A different kind of cheesy bite that goes well with a spicy Mexi.
- Hot Sauce: Texas Pete is the easiest way to add heat to any hot dog or side.
Lighter Pairings
- Cook Out Rounds: About 149 calories, one of the lightest sides.
- Cheese Curds or Cheese Bites: About 150 calories each, so they are small but still satisfying.
- Skip the slaw side and large fries if you want to keep it light: The slaw side has about 405 calories and a lot of sugar, and large fries have about 694.
How to Get the Best Cookout Hot Dogs Experience
If it is your first visit, start with the Cookout Style. It is the signature hot dog, and it shows you what the place is about. After that, try a different style each time, like the Mexi, the Mustard Relish or the Chili Dog, so you find your favorite without spending more. Order a tray, since the main, two sides and a drink cost less than buying each one alone. Keep in mind that a Bacon Cheddar has 1,494 mg of sodium and a Mexi has 1,352 mg, so if you want a loaded hot dog, make the rest of the meal lighter.
That is where your sides and drink help. A loaded dog goes well with a small side like Rounds or cheese bites, at about 150 calories each, while a large fries (about 694 calories) or the slaw side (about 405) makes the meal very heavy. If you want a milkshake, swap it in for your drink, and in many locations you can mix two flavors in one cup. Most Cookout stores are drive-thru only, so keep napkins handy for chili, and check the bag before you drive off.
Final Thoughts
Cookout hot dogs are cheap, grilled and easy to make your own, which is why so many people keep ordering them. At about $1 to $3 each, they are one of the lowest-priced hot meals around, and the menu gives you plenty of choice, from the plain dog at 260 calories to the Bacon Cheddar at 523. If you only try one, make it the Cookout Style, with chili, slaw, mustard and onions. If you want a full meal, build a tray with two hot dogs, two sides and a drink. Keep an eye on the sodium in the loaded ones, and pick a lighter side to balance them out. And when you cannot get to a Cookout, the home recipe above gets you close to the same Carolina-style taste. Whatever you pick, check your local menu board for the latest prices.
