The Cookout Jr Tray is built for exactly those moments when you don’t need a full-sized meal — a quick lunch, feeding a kid, or just wanting less food. Despite that, most customers don’t even know it exists, since it rarely stands out on the menu board and gets little mention online, leading many to default to the full Tray when the smaller option would suit them better.
This guide breaks down everything about the Jr Tray — what’s included, how much it costs, how it stacks up against the standard Tray, and who it’s actually best for — without making you dig through a long menu article for two sentences of info.
What Is the Cookout Jr Tray?
The Cookout Jr Tray follows the exact same format as the standard Cookout Tray — one main, two sides, and a drink — just scaled down in size and price for a lighter appetite or smaller budget. It’s not a stripped-down version of the experience; it’s the same customizable format, simply sized appropriately.
That’s what makes the Jr Tray stand out, since most fast food “junior” or “kids” meals feel like an afterthought, while this one delivers the full Cookout experience in a smaller, well-built package.
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What’s Included in a Cookout Jr Tray
The Main
The Jr Tray typically includes a smaller main option rather than the full lineup available on the regular Tray. Common choices include a small hamburger, a hot dog, or a couple of corn dogs, depending on your specific location.
You generally won’t find the full specialty burger styles — Nacho Chili, Steak Style, Out West — available as Jr Tray mains. Those tend to be reserved for the full-sized Tray given their larger topping load and higher base cost.
The Sides
Yes — the Jr Tray does come with two sides, just like the regular Tray. This is one of the most common questions people search for, and the answer is straightforward: you still get to pick two sides from the standard list.
Fries, coleslaw, hush puppies, and baked beans are typically all still on the table. The side portion sizes themselves may run slightly smaller than the regular Tray at some locations, though this varies.
The Drink
A drink is included with every Cookout Jr Tray, matching the standard Tray format. This typically means a smaller cup size than the regular Tray’s large drink, though you can generally still choose from the same fountain options, sweet tea, and — depending on location — a milkshake upgrade for a small additional charge.
Cookout Jr Tray Price: What You’ll Actually Pay
The Cookout Jr Tray typically costs between $4.99 and $6.99 depending on location and main selection, sitting meaningfully below the standard Tray’s $6.00 to $8.50 range. That gap exists simply because you’re getting proportionally less food, not a worse deal per item.
Since Cookout doesn’t publish official pricing on their website, these Jr Tray figures are based on customer-reported data and third-party sources rather than an official price list, so it’s always best to confirm pricing with your specific location before ordering.
Cookout Jr Tray vs. Regular Tray
Here’s the direct comparison, side by side.
| Feature | Cookout Jr Tray | Regular Cookout Tray |
| Main options | Smaller burger, hot dog, corn dogs | Full lineup, all 6 burger styles |
| Sides included | 2 (standard list) | 2 (standard list) |
| Drink size | Smaller | Large |
| Price range | $4.99 – $6.99 | $6.00 – $8.50 |
| Best for | Lighter appetites, kids, tighter budgets | Full meals, bigger appetites |
The core structure — one main, two sides, one drink — never changes between the two. What changes is portion size, main variety, and price. That consistency is part of what makes Cookout’s whole Tray system easy to understand no matter which version you order.
Who Should Order the Cookout Jr Tray
The Jr Tray makes the most sense in a few specific situations.
Feeding kids.
The smaller portions and lower price point make this a natural fit for children who wouldn’t finish a full-sized Tray anyway.
Lighter appetites.
If you know a full Tray usually leaves you with leftovers or feeling overly full, the Jr Tray gives you the same variety without the excess.
Tighter budgets.
At $4.99 to $6.99, the Jr Tray remains one of the cheapest complete meals — main, two sides, and a drink — available anywhere in fast food, regular Tray included.
Ordering for a group with mixed appetites.
If you’re buying for several people and not everyone needs a full meal, mixing Jr Trays and regular Trays in the same order lets everyone get exactly the right amount of food.
Can You Customize a Cookout Jr Tray?
Yes. Like the standard Tray, the Jr Tray is made fresh to order, which means you can request topping changes, ask for a specific side combination, or request modifications the same way you would with the regular menu.
The main limitation is the size of the main item itself — you’re working within the smaller portion the Jr Tray is built around, so you can’t simply request a full-sized specialty burger as your Jr Tray main. Beyond that constraint, the same flexibility Cookout is known for still applies.
Is the Cookout Jr Tray a Good Value?
Genuinely, yes. At under $7 in most cases, you’re still getting a complete meal — a main, two real sides, and a drink — for less than what a single item costs at many competing fast food chains.
The value case is actually stronger here than on the regular Tray in one specific way: for someone who genuinely doesn’t need a large meal, paying full Tray price for food that goes to waste is the worse deal. The Jr Tray removes that waste entirely while keeping the same price-per-bite value Cookout is known for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a Cookout Jr Tray?
The Jr Tray includes one smaller main item, two sides of your choice, and a drink — the same basic format as the regular Tray, just sized down.
Does the Cookout Jr Tray come with sides?
Yes. The Jr Tray includes two sides, just like the standard Tray, selected from the same general side menu.
How much does a Cookout Jr Tray cost?
The Cookout Jr Tray typically costs between $4.99 and $6.99, depending on your location and which main item you choose.
What’s the difference between the Jr Tray and the regular Tray?
The Jr Tray offers a smaller main, a smaller drink, and a lower price, while still including two sides. The regular Tray offers full-sized mains including all six burger styles, a large drink, and a higher price point.
Can I get a milkshake with a Cookout Jr Tray?
At many locations, yes — you can typically upgrade your included drink to a milkshake for a small additional charge, the same way you can with the regular Tray.
Is the Cookout Jr Tray good for kids?
Yes. The smaller portion size and lower price make it a practical option for children, without sacrificing the variety of the standard Tray format.
Final Thoughts
The Cookout Jr Tray solves a real problem that the regular Tray doesn’t — not everyone wants or needs that much food, and paying full price for a meal you can’t finish isn’t actually a good deal, regardless of how generous the portions are.
At $4.99 to $6.99 for a real main, two sides, and a drink, the Jr Tray keeps everything that makes Cookout’s Tray system work while scaling it down for the people who actually need that. If you’ve never ordered it before, and a full Tray usually leaves you with leftovers, this is worth trying on your next visit.
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