Cook Out looks to open spinoff restaurant’s first Raleigh spot. Here’s where
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Cook Out plans to convert a Western Blvd. property into a Taco Roos location.
- Permit for Raleigh's Taco Roos is pending; Cook Out owns adjacent parcels.
- Taco Roos joins other taco chains expanding in the Triangle market in 2025.
Yet another taco chain may be entering the Raleigh market for the first time.
But unlike other restaurant newcomers, this one is from a familiar brand: Cook Out.
The North Carolina-based chain known for burgers and extensive milkshake menu has a couple of sister concepts, including Taco Roos.
Its footprint is limited across the state, but there are signs it’s expanding. Permit applications to build Taco Roos restaurants have been submitted in Charlotte and now in Raleigh.
Based on the application, Cook Out plans to convert a former Subway at 3940 Western Blvd. into a Taco Roos. A permit has not been issued for the proposed work, as of publication.
Cook Out, which operates a restaurant next to the Western Boulevard property, owns it along with two neighboring parcels along Method Road.
The News & Observer reached out to Cook Out for comment on this story but did not immediately hear back.
Triangle Business Journal first reported this news.
Taco Roos locations
This isn’t the first time hints for a Taco Roos in Raleigh have been dropped. In 2019, Cook Out owner Jeremy Reaves submitted filings for a Taco Roos on New Bern Avenue, The N&O previously reported, but those plans never materialized.
There is a Taco Roos in Thomasville, where Cook Out is based.
Taco Roos menu
According to the online menu, Taco Roos serves tacos with a customer’s choice of ground beef, grilled or fried chicken, sauteed or fried shrimp, grilled or fried shrimp and smoked ham and cheese. The latter comes with lettuce and a packet of mayonnaise.
A bowl made with Spanish rice, black beans, grilled chicken, lettuce and saucy toppings is also available, along with quesadillas, burritos, cheesy tortillas and nachos.
On the side, customers can also order tortilla chips with toppings such as queso, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, refried beans and coleslaw.
Milkshakes don’t appear on the Taco Roos menu, but ice cream sundaes are available.
Taco chains in the Triangle
Recently, several big-name taco chains, several of them from out of state, have entered the Triangle market.
Velvet Taco, which is based in North Texas, announced plans to open a restaurant in Raleigh’s North Hills. The chain is known for taco-ifying popular dishes from non-Tex-Mex cuisines. They have, for example, a spicy tikka chicken taco and Korean fried rice tacos. Red velvet cake is the signature dessert.
Earlier this year, California’s Del Taco opened its first Triangle restaurant in Durham. N&O food reporter Drew Jackson made the trip out to sample the menu, which he described as “a vast, sometimes confusing, often appealing slice of America’s favorite things.”
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM.
