Ray Robinson opened Cozy Corner in Memphis in 1977 after years of perfecting his BBQ recipes at home in Colorado, where he and his wife Desiree had moved from Memphis before eventually returning. The Cornish game hen was on the menu from the beginning because, as Desiree explains it simply, “We liked it.” Cozy Corner appeared in Season 3, Episode 9 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “The Memphis BBQ Tour,” which aired May 26, 2008. Guy Fieri found ribs, wings, smoked sausage, whole chickens, and bologna barbecue sandwiches, but was caught off guard by the Cornish hens. After the episode aired, demand for the hens went from steady to overwhelming. The restaurant now sells between 85 and 100 per week, though the ribs remain the top seller.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Cozy Corner
City: Memphis, Tennessee
Cuisine: BBQ
DDD Season: 3
DDD Episode: 9
Episode Title: The Memphis BBQ Tour
Original Air Date: May 26, 2008
Address: 745 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN 38105
Phone: 901-527-9158
Website: https://cozycornerbbq.com/
Status: Open
About Cozy Corner
Cozy Corner is now run by the Robinson family’s third generation, with Bobby Bradley Jr. as manager. The kitchen still uses the same rub, a blend of salt, pepper, and paprika applied before the bird goes on the pit for two-plus hours. The BBQ sauce is not vinegary, not super sweet, but a balanced version the family describes as exactly what they want on their own food. The aquarium-style charcoal pit is visible from the dining room, which gives the whole operation a transparency that most BBQ joints don’t offer.
The restaurant has been recognized by Roadfood.com and John T. Edge’s Southern Belly alongside the DDD appearance, a trifecta of serious food media credibility. It is a destination that earns every recommendation it receives.
What to Eat at Cozy Corner
The BBQ Spare Ribs are the top seller and the dish most regulars lead with. The Barbecued Cornish Hen is the signature curiosity that gets all the attention: rubbed, smoked for two or more hours, and finished with or without sauce depending on your preference. The Bologna Barbecue Sandwich is the Memphis classic that surprises first-timers and converts them on the spot. The BBQ Spaghetti, pasta tossed with the house rub and sauce, is the side dish unique to Memphis BBQ culture that Cozy Corner does as well as anyone. The Smoked Wings and Smoked Sausage round out a menu that has no weak spots.
Bring that Memphis rub energy home with Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Cluckin’ Chicken Dry Rub, which is built for exactly the kind of bird Cozy Corner is famous for.
Plan Your Visit
Check the website for current hours. The Cornish hens sell out on busy days, so arriving early is recommended if that’s your primary target.
Address: 745 N. Parkway, Memphis, TN 38105
Phone: 901-527-9158
Website: https://cozycornerbbq.com/
Status: Open
Flavortown Approved
Memphis has four Triple D BBQ stops worth planning a full day around. Find a great hotel base for your Memphis BBQ tour on Booking.com, and stream the episode on Amazon before you go.
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Cozy Corner appeared in Season 3, Episode 9 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “The Memphis BBQ Tour,” originally aired May 26, 2008. The restaurant has been open since 1977.