Rizzo's Diner to close. This popular Downtown eatery is the latest pandemic casualty.

Jennifer Chandler, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·2 min read

Rizzo's Diner is the latest casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Downtown Memphis restaurant at 492 S. Main St. will close at the end of this month.

Chef and owner Michael Patrick said the decision to close was hard.

"It was a sound decision for myself and my family," he said. "We were forecasting the rest of the year based on last year's numbers, and the money is just not there for a quality of life scenario."

Over the past two years, he has been short-staffed, often finding himself the only person in the kitchen.

Rising costs of ingredients and staffing also added to the decision.

Rizzo's Diner in downtown Memphis.
Rizzo's Diner in downtown Memphis.

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The popular South Main Street eatery has been open since March 2015.

Rizzo’s is known for its reimagined Southern cuisine. Dishes like Lobster Pronto Pups with Creole Mustard Aioli, Cheeseburger Soup and Chorizo Meatloaf with Green Tomato Gravy are customer favorites that have an almost cultlike following.

Rizzo's received the honor of the “The South's Best Chicken Pot Pie" in Southern Living Magazine for its unique spin on this comfort food dish made with savory pulled chicken, andouille sausage and puff pastry. Rizzo's has also been featured on Guy Fieri's Food Network Show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

Lobster Pronto Pups were one of the items on the Downtown Dining Week menu at Rizzo's Diner.
Lobster Pronto Pups were one of the items on the Downtown Dining Week menu at Rizzo's Diner.

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Patrick has received numerous accolades over the years, including being named Best Local Chef in a 2019 Commercial Appeal Readers' Poll, Best Brunch and countless Best Dishes honors. He is known throughout the community for his generous spirit and friendly demeanor.

Patrick said he does not plan to retire from the kitchen. He hopes to find a job working for another restaurant.

"I want to find a job that can offer me some financial security," he said. "I will take a step away from ownership and do what I do best, put my head down and cook."

The exact closing date has yet to be set, but Patrick said it most likely will be the weekend of April 1, if not before.

Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Rizzo's Diner in downtown Memphis to close