Thursday, January 1, 2009

THE REVIEW - Cozy Corner BBQ, Memphis, TN.

Cozy Corner BBQwww.cozycornerbbq.com – in Memphis, TN. defines Mom & Pop shop and southern hospitality. It’s 10 minutes outside Memphis and it’s a step or two above a hole-in-the-wall. It’s in a nearly empty strip mall with a weathered sign; it has dated décor including old wood paneling on the walls. But the second you walk in and see the smiling faces of the family that’s been running it since 1977, you feel comfortable and at home. The reason for that is owner Desiree Robinson. She was the sweetness, nicest lady with such a contagious kindness. She spoke with us for about 10-15 minutes while we waited for our food and she gave us the background on Cozy Corner. She started it with her late husband in 1977, the same month and year Elvis died (ironic because Mom and I had just come from touring Graceland). They’ve never advertised; their success comes from word of mouth and publicity from the various magazines and shows that have covered the place. She, along with her son, daughter and grand kids, run the place. Together they give Cozy Corner a fantastic southern feel that keeps you coming back. If that wasn’t enough, the sandwiches, ribs and sweet tea will keep you coming back.

Mama D. outside Cozy Corner BBQ in Memphis, TN.

Mom and I with Cozy Corner owner Desiree Robinson

Cozy Corner had a moderate interior, but the food and staff bring a terrific vibe and character to the place

Footage of the feast we had at Cozy Corner in Memphis, TN


Sauce – 3
– Cozy Corner had a mild and a hot sauce. Mild was simple with a touch of tang and heat, not sweet at all. The hot sauce had a bit more kick of heat, but still manageable. Both were thin and light, not thick and heavy (for those Arby’s fans, it was similar to their bbq sauce).

Sides – 2 – We had four sides – bbq corn, bbq beans, coleslaw and a unique bbq spaghetti (yep, you read right). Unfortunately, as a whole they were average. The corn was the best of the bunch with a nice grilled flavor and a touch of bbq seasoning. The beans were bland, no sweet or spice. The slaw was standard as well, but did have a nice dill flavor. And finally, the bbq spaghetti was exactly what it sounds like – spaghetti with bbq sauce. I wanted to like it, but it just tasted a bit odd.

Slabs – 3 – The ribs were good, not great. The dry rub ribs had a great crusty skin with a salty and spicy flavor. We also had the wet ribs which had a nice glazed skin. The problem with both was the meat; it was tough and well done, not moist and falling off the bone.

Cozy Corner's dry rub ribs

Cozy Corner's wet ribs

Steaks – See beef sandwich below.

Sandwiches – 4 – The best item of the whole meal was the beef sandwich on a sesame seed roll. It had tasty beef strips covered in coleslaw and squirted with mild bbq sauce. The beef strips were well cooked with a nice glazed skin. We also had a sliced pork sandwich; it was served the same way as the beef sandwich, but the pork lacked the flavor the beef had.

The BBQ beef sandwich was my favorite thing on the menu

Me enjoying the delicious beef sandwich which had beef strips, coleslaw and bbq sauce


Honorable mention – A southern tradition is sweet tea and when they say sweet they mean SWEET!! It’s refreshing to the taste buds and compliments the spicy and tangy bbq food.

No comments:

Post a Comment