The Cozy Cafe in Port St. Joe serves up blue-plate Southern meals, like macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, and cornbread. There’s also a certain degree of nostalgia within its walls, as the food might remind you of weekend dinners spent with your extended family.
Even the menus are designed to look like a school lunch list of options that you may have seen when you were a child. The distinction of this small business comes down to its decor and the quality of its ingredients. The Cozy Cafe elevates favorites like pork chops and fried mullet, so people leave with a new appreciation of these classic foods. The staff delivers these plates in a bistro-like atmosphere.
The menu is broken down by days, meats, and sides, and the dishes change on a regular basis. So if you stop by on a Wednesday, you can order either fried chicken, baked chicken, or smothered pork chops. Pair any of these proteins with one of their sides, like collard greens, white rice, or mashed potatoes.
When you’re at the Cozy Cafe, we recommend these dishes:
Fried Okra
Okra has a sweet flavor that deepens the longer it’s cooked. The fried okra at The Cozy Cafe is made from pods coated in buttermilk and dipped in cornmeal, flour, and spices. The hot oil brings this Southern specialty together.
Hot Wings
Part of the fun of going to new restaurants is tasting their take on popular items. Hot wings are available at any number of places, but The Cozy Cafe manages to pack a lot of punch into every bite of their wings. We highly recommend these even if you don’t consider yourself a 5-alarm type of person. The wings here are more flavorful than fiery.
Pigs Feet
If you want to be a little adventurous on your vacation, you might want to start with your dinner. In many cultures, the foot is the most prized part of the pig. The key to this dish is that it needs time to break down the tendons and connective tissues. It’s best enjoyed with cornbread, greens, or candied yams.
Fried Catfish
Catfish not only holds up well during the frying process, it’s also delicious enough to add plenty of dimension to the coating mixture. The Cozy Cafe knows what it means to have good catfish. This Southern staple is never greasy or soggy. It’s fried perfectly and served alongside your choice of side.
Hamburger Steak
If you’re looking for sheer comfort food, hamburger steak, and mashed potatoes are everything you need on a plate. It might not be the fanciest cut of meat, but it can be every bit as satisfying as its more expensive counterparts. If you want something a half-step removed from a standard burger and fries, this is absolutely the right decision.
The Cozy Cafe welcomes patrons who crave unpretentious food in a bistro-like setting. The prices are reasonable, the service is friendly, and the food prep is clearly done with an eye for detail.
Insider Tip:
Menu changes regularly, so check Facebook if you want to know what The Cozy Cafe is serving.