I love Cookout. Here’s where I think the fast food chain could open in South MS.

Cookout has not announced any plans to finally bring its char-grilled burgers to South Mississippi.

But that’s OK, along with laying out the reasons why the popular Carolina-based chain should open a franchise on the Coast, we’re willing to do a bit of the dirty work and find the best possible locations for the restaurant to settle.

The region has many attractive and growing spots that could house one of the Southeast’s quickest-growing fast-casual chains.

While we may not hit every plausible location, we’ve got a pretty good idea for where some of the best locations could be.

Here are five spots on the Mississippi Coast that could be suitable for a Cookout.

Promenade at D’Iberville

Probably one of the very first logical locations for a Cookout franchise, the Promenade sits directly off Interstate and has enormous vehicle traffic potential.

It’s just up the street from Biloxi and is located in between Gulfport and Ocean Springs. If a potential owner is searching for a central location that would serve the most South Mississippians possible, this is it.

It also continues to be an attractive spot for popular chains, as well, evident by the soon-arriving Chipotle. Also, have you ever seen the line at Starbucks or Chick-fil-A in the Promenade? Cookout would stay busy.

Crossroads Center in Gulfport

The busiest spot in the Coast’s largest city is another location with high traffic potential. Just like the Promenade, Crossroads sits directly off the interstate.

The shopping center has recently added new spots inlcuding Brick and Spoon, Jersey Mike’s and Salad Station. Cookout would be a welcome addition.

A potential franchisee could also look at the Gulfport Premium Outlets across the highway as another reason to expect out-of-town traffic at its doors, especially since they closed the food court.

Edgewater Mall in Biloxi

Cookout would have an opportunity to create a powerful combination with Raising Cane’s at Edgewater Mall.

While much further off the interstate from the previous destinations, Edgewater Mall still checks off plenty of boxes. There’s a movie theater and there’s plenty of shopping and other restaurants to draw potential customers.

The one thing it does have to its advantage that the Promenade and Crossroads do not: the beach and the many sun-chasers it hosts each summer. Plus, who wouldn’t love a Cookout shake by the beach?

Bienville Boulevard, Ocean Springs

It’s a bit more tucked away than some of these other spots, but a Cookout can easily be envisioned along the busy stretch of Highway 90 in Ocean Springs.

There’s too much draw to the area for a franchisee to not consider Bienville Blvd. as a viable option. It’s growing rapidly, is not far from the cultural epicenter that is Government St. and Washington Ave., it’s a short trip to Front Beach and it’s a quick bridge-hop away from Biloxi’s casinos and the many visitors they harbor.

Directly across the street from my house

Honestly, forget the other options. This is probably the best way to go. Cookout gets a regular customer and I lose all my money. Everybody wins.