Cook Out vs Jack in the Box: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
Cook Out is the cheaper of the two. Of the 11 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Cook Out is cheaper on 8 of them, by an average of $1.15 per item.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Cook Out
- The Cook Out Tray at $7.49 to $8.79 includes an entree, two sides and a drink — the cheapest complete combo of any national or regional chain.
- Upgrading the tray drink to a milkshake for $2.99 costs less than buying the shake separately at $4.29.
- Cook Out stays open until 3:00 or 4:00 AM, which makes it one of the only late-night sit-down-quality options in much of the Southeast.
Jack in the Box
- Two tacos for $1.79 is the cheapest hot food at any major chain, and they are available 24 hours a day.
- The Munchie Meal at $12.49 bundles an entree, two sides, two tacos and a drink — roughly $5 less than buying the same items separately.
- Breakfast is served all day, so a $3.29 Breakfast Jack works as a cheap dinner.
Cook Out vs Jack in the Box — FAQ
Is Cook Out cheaper than Jack in the Box in 2026?
Cook Out is cheaper on most matched items — 8 of 11. Across the whole menu Cook Out is the lower-priced of the two, at $4.79 for a typical item against $4.99 at Jack in the Box.
What is the price difference between Cook Out and Jack in the Box?
On matched items the average difference is $1.15, or about 4% overall. Cook Out averages $5.16 across 40 priced items; Jack in the Box averages $4.94 across 44.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Cook Out or Jack in the Box?
Cook Out starts at $1.99 (Coleslaw) and Jack in the Box at $1.79 (Two Tacos).
Are these prices the same at every location?
No. Both chains let franchise owners set prices, so figures move by a dollar or more between markets and run highest at airport, stadium and highway locations. Treat these as the typical U.S. price, not a quote.