Cook Out is Gov. Tim Walz’s first stop on his first trip to NC. What did he order?
By Korie Dean and
Danielle Battaglia
RALEIGH
“Cook Out time!” Gov. Roy Cooper exclaimed as he stepped out of a motorcade Thursday afternoon.
He was joined by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as the pair of Democrats arrived together at one of the Greensboro-based chain’s Raleigh locations.
Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz laughs while ordering a Cook Out milkshake with Gov. Roy Cooper during a visit to Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Walz is making his first trip to North Carolina since becoming his party’s nominee for vice president. He’s in town for a political event and campaign reception.
Cooper greeted him upon his arrival in Raleigh. And before doing anything else, they drove to the fast food restaurant that boasts 40 flavors of milkshakes.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz (left) and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper prepare to enjoy milkshakes at the Cookout in Chapanoke Square in Raleigh, Thursday afternoon, Aug. 29, 2024. Walze had a mint chocolate chip shake while Cooper went with an M&M shake. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Walz ordered a mint chocolate chip, while Cooper ordered M&M.
President Joe Biden, a notorious ice cream lover, was also a frequent visitor of the franchises when he came to the Tar Heel State. But despite having so many flavors to choose from, he often ordered off-menu and got a Black and White.
It’s unclear whether Cooper influenced those trips.
Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz orders a Cook Out milkshake with Gov. Roy Cooper during a visit to Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
On Thursday, Walz told reporters that he had never had Cook Out, “but Gov. Cooper told me this is the place to go for shakes.”
At a fundraiser later Thursday, Walz told supporters: “My team thought that that was like a photo op shake. I ate the whole damn thing.”
Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz delivers cookies to the Harris-Walz campaign headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, August 29, 2024. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks with volunteers at a campaign office during a visit to Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks with a volunteer during a visit to a campaign office in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks with volunteers at a campaign office during a visit to Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz writes a message on a chalkboard during a visit to a campaign office in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz shakes hands with Gov. Roy Cooper during a visit to a campaign office in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz makes a phone call during a visit to a campaign office to Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz smiles while speaking with volunteers at a campaign office during a visit to Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
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Korie Dean covers higher education in the Triangle and across North Carolina for The News & Observer, where she is also part of the state government and politics team. She is a graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC-Chapel Hill and a lifelong North Carolinian.
Danielle Battaglia is the D.C. correspondent for The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer, leading coverage of North Carolina’s congressional delegation and elections. She also covers the White House. Her career has spanned three North Carolina newsrooms where she has covered crime, courts and local, state and national politics. She has won two McClatchy President’s awards and numerous national and state awards for her work.
