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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000901845-04-000006.txt : 20040923
<SEC-HEADER>0000901845-04-000006.hdr.sgml : 20040923
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040923212114
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000901845-04-000006
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040922
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040923
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040923

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY WAREHOUSE CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000718916
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-DEPARTMENT STORES [5311]
		IRS NUMBER:				221970303
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0530

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1830 RTE 130
		CITY:			BURLINGTON
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08016
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6093877800

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MILSTEIN ANDREW R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000901845
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08739
		FILM NUMBER:		041043809

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY WAREHOUSE CO
		STREET 2:		1830 ROUTE 130
		CITY:			BURLINGTON
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08016
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6093877800
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-09-22</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000718916</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY WAREHOUSE CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BCF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000901845</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MILSTEIN ANDREW R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1830 RT. 130</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BURLINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>08016</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-09-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6743984</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6743984</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By spouse</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2780251</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>132355</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents shares in which the reporting person's spouse may be deemed to have an indirect interest.  On September 10, 2004, the reporting person's spouse was appointed trustee of the Trust Established Under Article SIXTH of the Last Will and Testament of Henrietta Milstein (the &quot;Trust&quot;). On September 22, 2004, the Estate of Henrietta Milstein, pursuant to the terms of the last will and testament of Henrietta Milstein, transferred 6,743,984 shares of issuer common stock to the Trust.  The reporting person's spouse may be deemed to have an indirect beneficial interest in the shares held by the Trust because the reporting person's father, Monroe Milstein, is a beneficiary under the Trust.  The reporting person disclaims any such interest.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 37,306 shares held by the Andrew Milstein Trust and 9,446 shares held by the AHM Trust and 9,675 shares held by the DJM Trust, trusts established for the benefit of the children of Andrew Milstein. Such shares are reported by reason of Rule 16a-1(a)(2)(ii)(A), but Andrew Milstein disclaims any pecuniary interest in such shares.  This also includes 75,928 shares owned by Samgray, L.P., a limited partnership.  Andrew Milstein, as a member of Latzim Family, LLC (the general partner of Samgray, L.P.) and as a limited partner of Samgray, L.P., has a pecuniary interest in these shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Andrew Milstein</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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</TEXT>
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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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