Departments

Best Homestyle/Comfort Food

Pork sandwich, hush puppies and fries at Cozzy Corner

When a restaurant’s social media hashtag is #cozzylove, it tells you something about the kind of joint it is. The Cozzy Corner has been serving up helpings of #cozzylove to customers since it opened in Appleton in 2012, so its no wonder the restaurant snagged the first place fork for Best Homestyle/Comfort Food.

“I think it reminds people of home. It reminds people of their grandparents and mothers and their good, old comfort food,” says Owner Natasha Banks of her restaurant which serves Southern food and barbecue with blues music on the side. For the true comfort food experience, Banks recommends the fried chicken, collard greens or red beans and rice (or all of the above). “The flavors are unique and unexpected, and the red beans have a little kick to them,” she says.

As of August 10, there’s been twice as much Cozzy love going around. That’s when Banks opened a second location in Kaukauna. She says requests from Kaukauna residents prompted her to open the second store. “We saw it as a good opportunity to spread out and serve more customers,” Banks says. The Kaukauna location has the same soulful vibe and menu as the flagship store in Appleton, but operates different hours. (Cozzy Corner Kaukauna is open Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Banks says the reception both restaurants have received from the Fox Valley community is nothing short of heartwarming. “We are truly grateful for the love we receive from our Appleton and Kaukauna customers,” she says. —ACW

Best Dine-In Deli

“I voted for New York Deli for the Best Dine-In Deli because I love their sandwiches. My favorite is the ham panini. Hubby loves the Reuben. I like the atmosphere as well. Great customer service!” — Gay Curtiss, Appleton