The Cookshak Fried Chicken

We popped in when our our crab leg order looked smaller than we imagined. We grabbed a 15 piece tender box. They were a huge hit. They were nice size tenders. They are in with a pizza place and found the pizza good too. We ordered the next night for carry out.

Order chicken to go the big platter with a basket of fries and a Mac nd cheese everything was really good and affordable!! Arriving prior to pickup time staff were kind! It's like any other store such as papa John's where you wait up front for your order very convenient local spot here at the beach 100/100

All I'm going to say about this place is everytime. I went too this place the chicken was always sold out so it's safe to say it must be good.

We stopped in for lunch since we are always open to good fried chicken. With only one review (and only one star) we decided we would have to test it. Cookshak is really an extension of Pizzazz Pizza which we have also never tried. You order at the Cookshak counter and can eat in the Pizzazz booths if you are not carrying out. We each ordered a two-piece dark lunch which came with fries, slaw and a drink. The two pieces were really pretty large; a leg and thigh. The fries were skimpy, if you care. I normally just decline the fries, but don't go here expecting a large order. The main attraction, the chicken, was OK but not worth driving far for. Ms T read an extensive article about the recipe; the brining and so forth. I appreciate the effort, but the chicken lacked salt. It did have a hint of spice, which I really liked. I would certainly like a spicy option. The chicken was indeed fresh, hot and juicy, but they need to boost the salt in the brine a little, so we actually know they brined it. When we tasted it, we both said, this is not brined. I'm not talking about making it salty. I'm talking about having detectable salt in the meat. They said they double dip the chicken to add the crunch. For us, this is a mistake. It is a matter of whether you want to have chicken or a lot of fried batter that comes off in sheets. You may prefer this. I prefer chicken that is floured and fried with good seasonings and enough salt in the meat.All that being said, if the slaw had not been some of the worst we have ever eaten (or in this case, threw in the trash on the way out) we might return. I don't know how so much thought can be put into the chicken and then serve throw-away slaw. It was flat, tasteless and lacked salt. When I say flat, I mean there is a balance between sweet and vinegar that makes great slaw. In addition, they are using the chunky, bitter cabbage cores that have become so common in restaurants around here. I buy and eat cabbage at home on an almost daily basis as a part of salads. I never have this nasty strong cabbage. Where to they get it? This is as bad as it gets.One-half star for the slaw, two and a half for the chicken. Improve the salt in the chicken and start over on the slaw and this could jump to a four-star place, even with the too-heavy coating on the chicken.

Having eaten at most of the usual southern OBX spots, I was looking for something new to try. After a long morning of hiking at Jockey's Ridge I popped in for lunch and had the 3-piece tender meal with mac & cheese and coleslaw. The tenders are huge! I had one, fed my hungry doggo one, and saved one for later, along with half the mac. Tenders were perfectly cooked, thick and juicy. Well seasoned, though not spicy - just good flavor. Would love to see them add a spicy option tho! Mac was creamy and delicious, made with cavatappi. Coleslaw was the only thing I didn't care for - the dressing needs some love. Service was superb and we will definitely return! (Also, just fyi: their connected pizza joint (Pizzaz) has a great lunch deal with all you can eat pizza (there were 4-5 types out) and a drink for like $8 bucks.)

Bottom Line: Tasty, crispy fried chicken and friendly and organized service.Tonight my family had chicken from Cookshak and we really enjoyed it. We picked up two chickens which amounted to 16 pieces consisting of breasts, drumsticks, wing and thigh. The thighs didn't have much meat on them but the balance of the pieces were meaty. We especially enjoyed the extra crispy coating. The spice seemed right as both spicy-lovers and sensitive pallets at our table of 11 enjoyed it. We also appreciated that the chicken pieces were all consistently cooked.Since we had leftover sides at home (tomato slices, macaroni salad and baked beans) to pair with our chicken we did not try any of Cookshak's sides.I don't eat fried chicken very often but there are a few things I find practical about it. First, it easily pairs with simple sides and second it is tasty at both room temperature and hot out of the fryer. It took us about 15 minutes to get our birds home and on the table and they were warm and delicious.I'm sorry that the reviews on Yelp for this local Nags Head business aren't better to encourage more people to try it. I did notice the reviews through another review site is favorable and the Yelp reviews for the Duck location are stellar. I polled my family and we all agreed we'd try Cookshak again!

It was really good the Mac and cheese was a surprise the chicken had a little kick to it so it was good my wife enjoyed the Cole slaw

I ordered the whole chicken combo which comes with a pint of coleslaw and white cheddar Mac and cheese. When I tel you that chicken was so crispy and well seasoned, I couldn't even wait to get home to eat it the sides were just as good. If you want fried chicken at the beach this is the best place to get it!

outer banks location. chicken was grossly overcooked. fries were soggy and Mac and cheese was cold. Will not go back!44 Dollars for 10 tenders, fries and Mac and cheese. Had to throw it away it was so bad!

I had the 1/2 chicken delivery. Being free was nice, but because of that, they don't offer delivery at lunch-time. Pity. Would be great if they did. I was waiting out a T-storm in a hotel room, as I do not like motorcycling in heavy rains. So I skipped lunch, and had dinner instead.Well spiced coating, just a little heavy on the salt, but still exceptionally tasty. Perfectly cook chicken with a crunch to the coating, and a slight kick.Also had the mac & cheese, which was exceptionally good too! They use a White (Vermont?) Cheddar, which is very creamy and smooth, with large mac. They offer both Coke and Pepsi products, so no cola wars here...Delivery starts at 5PM. I'd order again.