Temple Terrace just grabbed a juicy regional first. Cook Out, the cult-favorite Southern fast-food chain, officially opened its first Tampa Bay location today near the University of South Florida, moving into the long-vacant former Boston Market at 5501 E. Fowler Ave. The spot quietly soft-opened on Thursday, giving early birds a head start on char-grilled burgers and shakes.
According to Creative Loafing Tampa, the restaurant takes up about 3,272 square feet and used Thursday’s soft opening as a warmup act for today’s official debut. The outlet also reports that this is not a one-and-done situation for the chain, which has additional Tampa Bay locations in the works for Carrollwood and St. Petersburg.
What to Expect at the New Cook Out
Cook Out’s menu leans hard into char-grilled hamburgers, the build-it-your-way “Cook Out Tray,” and a sprawling shake lineup, as outlined on the chain’s official menu. According to Cook Out, those shakes and simple sides are central to the concept. As reported by Tampa Bay Business Journal, the company has been scooping up former Boston Market locations as part of a broader push into Florida.
Close to Campus and Likely to Draw Late-Night Crowds
The Fowler Avenue restaurant sits just a few blocks from USF’s main campus, which practically guarantees it will become a late-night stop for students and staff. As Tampa Bay Beacons noted, neighbors and drivers had been watching crews put the final touches on the building and speculating about when doors would finally open. Cook Out locations in other cities often keep late hours, a pattern that could translate into heavy traffic in this already busy corridor.
This Temple Terrace restaurant marks Cook Out’s official Tampa Bay debut, so expect lines while the staff settles into a regular groove. Per Creative Loafing Tampa, the chain’s rollout in the region is set to continue with planned openings in Carrollwood and St. Petersburg.
