Merced comfort food restaurant set to open next month. Here’s when and where
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Cousin’s Corner will debut in Merced in October with comfort food classics.
- Co-owners blend restaurant and business experience to launch local eatery.
- Menu highlights include oxtails, po’ boys and seasonal specialties.
A new restaurant bringing comfort food classics like fried chicken and oxtail, as well as a family-style atmosphere is set to open in Merced next month.
Cousin’s Corner Powered by Aunties Comfort Cooking, located at 260 W. 18th St., is co-owned by Allen Brooks and his wife Sheilah, Renee Parker and LaTonya Richardson. The location began holding soft openings last month including a “Laid Back Saturday” and a “Super Soul Sunday” this past weekend...
The location’s grand opening is tentatively scheduled for sometime in early October.
Co-owner Allen Brooks said that owning a restaurant has always been a dream of his. One of his partners Renee Parker, previously operated Aunties Restaurant and The Eagles Nest in Merced. Her restaurant experience and Brooks’ business background, inspired the launch of the new comfort food restaurant.
“Owning a restaurant has always been my dream,” Brooks said. “With her experience in restaurants and my experience in business we figured it would be a wonderful partnership.”
The restaurant’s menu features traditional comfort food dishes including influences from the Midwest, Louisiana and the South. Brooks said the location’s signature offerings include oxtails, along with fried chicken, fried pork chops, po’ boys, lamb chops and more. Brooks said that the fried fish served on Friday’s, has already proven to be popular during soft openings.
The menu also features side dishes such as macaroni and cheese featuring several cheeses and smoked turkey, soul rice, french fries, corn bread, red beans and rice and candy yams baked with brown sugar and cinnamon. Desserts include peach cobbler and a dessert of the day.
The location will also offer seasonal offerings such as barbecue, stuffed turkey legs around Thanksgiving and gumbo.
Brooks said the name Cousin’s Corner is because food is a wonderful vehicle when it comes to fellowship.
“When we feel comfortable with someone, you call them cousin,” he said.
Brooks described the menuas the kind of food that will remind you of times when the whole family is together. The type of food that brings people together.
“It’s all cooked with love,” he said.. “This is her dream, this is my dream and we’re able to come together and make our dreams come true. And actually have some fun doing it, because cooking is fun” he said.
The location will be open 4:30-8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday.
Customers can also book the restaurant for private dinners and a VIP treatment. College students with their student ID will also receive a discount, according to Brooks.
Brooks said this is just the beginning for the restaurant.
“We’re looking to make a name for ourself in Merced and the Central Valley,” he said. “I just thought it was a perfect place for Merced and a perfect restaurant for Merced, because it just gives Merced a little bit of something different.”