When you’re craving home-cooked Southern staples in a no-frills diner, add Cozy Corner Restaurant to your to-do list.

Desiree and Raymond Robinson opened the joint in 1977 and quickly gained a reputation for tasty, finger-licking BBQ. Over the years, the family has mastered traditional recipes in its homey, welcoming eatery.

While it’s one thing to brag about how good your barbecue is, it’s a whole other level when others award your efforts.

Such was the case in 2020 when the BBQ joint was inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame. Equally impressive is that Desiree became the first black woman inducted as well.

Cozy Corner Restaurant is just a short drive from many of Memphis’ hotspots. West of the BBQ joint are Beale Street, Old Dominick Distillery, and the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid. To its east is the Crosstown Concourse, a converted Sears distribution center that is rich with shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Such convenience makes it easy to combine sightseeing with a barbecue meal.

Whether for lunch or dinner, Cozy Corner Restaurant is a must on your Tennessee getaway.

Vibe

You’ll find this eatery just east of St. Jude Hospital in an older neighborhood. It is part of a dated strip mall, and its blue facade has seen better years. Rust is eating away at the painted marquee sign; the once-vivid red Coca-Cola emblems are now a dull hue. At first glance, one would assume the business was closed. But one glance through the full-length glass windows, and you’ll spy life and vibrancy buzzing within.

The interior is renovated with vividly painted walls, natural wood wainscot, and contemporary tables dotting the sealed concrete floor. Above the ordering counter are flatscreens with the menus, adding a modern feel to the experience.

While there’s no bar or outdoor seating, the interior is, well, cozy. This homey vibe adds to the BBQ experience, making it feel like you’re dining in Desiree’s home and not her restaurant.

Cozy Corner Restaurant: Menu & Drinks

Although “restaurant” is in its name, Cozy Corner is a bona fide Memphis-style BBQ joint. So, let’s open the menu and discover the award-winning fare.

Like the building, the menu is to the point, with dinner plates, sandwiches, sides, and a few surprises.

When you have a ravenous appetite, the dinner plates will satisfy that craving. These come with two sides and include options like ribs, chicken, wings, rib ends, and our first surprise: a Cornish hen. This standout is tender, smoky, and praised for its satisfying portion size.

For those seeking something unexpected, try the barbecue spaghetti. This Memphis specialty blends pasta with one of Cozy Corner’s house-made barbecue sauces. The result is a comfort food that is a regional classic.

The nachos are another pleasant surprise, with tortilla chips cradling your choice of smoked pork or beef. The jalapenos, cheese, and your choice of sauce make this the perfect fusion food.

Lunchtime favorites are the sandwiches featuring bologna, sliced pork, and sliced beef. Make it a plate and choose any two sides for your meal. Sandwiches come with slaw and sauce on the meat unless specified otherwise.

Speaking of sides, these include:

Corn on the cob
BBQ beans
BBQ spaghetti
Cole slaw
Potato salad
Fries
Chips

Save room for homemade desserts, such as banana pudding, sweet potato pie, and assorted cakes and cobblers.

The drink offerings feature sweet tea, lemonade, fountain drinks, and bottled favorites.

For a taste of classic Memphis-style BBQ in a down-home setting, add Cozy Corner Restaurant to your Memphis itinerary.

Staging environment