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Big Dawg’s in Memphis, Tennessee transformed from a struggling family business into an award-winning hot dog destination after appearing on Restaurant Impossible. Featured in Season 22, Episode 6, this “Home of the Gourmet Glizzy” has become one of Memphis’s most celebrated food establishments.
From Hot Dog Cart to Restaurant
Big Dawg’s started as a simple hot dog cart operated by owner Tyrone Clements. The cart attracted such large crowds that Tyrone decided to expand into a brick-and-mortar location at 3057 Thomas St in Memphis.
The restaurant became a family affair, with Tyrone running operations alongside his wife O’Neka and their son Chuck. But the transition from cart to restaurant proved more challenging than expected, and the struggles were beginning to tear the family apart.
The Episode (Season 22, Episode 6)
Title: “Hot Doggin’ It in Memphis”
Air Date: February 2, 2023
When Robert Irvine arrived, he found a passionate owner whose lack of restaurant experience was threatening both his business and his family relationships. Tyrone had started Big Dawg’s as a passion project, but running a full restaurant required skills beyond making great hot dogs.
Robert Irvine’s Approach
In the kitchen, Robert trained the family on elevated dishes that would justify restaurant prices while honoring their hot dog roots:
- Jalapeño Popper Hot Dogs – Combining the classic appetizer with their signature item
- Memphis Hot Dogs – A local spin on their specialty
- Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich – Expanding their menu beyond dogs
The family loved the new dishes. More importantly, Robert worked on teaching Tyrone how to actually run a restaurant – the business side that passion alone couldn’t cover.
The Transformation
The renovation created a more cohesive design with a wallpaper wall adorned with old-school hot dog signs, capturing the essence of what Big Dawg’s was all about. The new look honored their hot dog cart origins while presenting a proper restaurant atmosphere.
Award-Winning Success
Since the episode aired, Big Dawg’s has thrived beyond anyone’s expectations. The restaurant was awarded the prestigious title of “Best Food Based Business of the Year” in Memphis – a remarkable achievement for a business that was struggling just months before.
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with customers specifically praising the hot dogs that made Tyrone’s cart famous in the first place. The restaurant proudly calls itself the “Home of the Gourmet Glizzy.”
What They Serve
Big Dawg’s menu focuses on America’s favorite food elevated to gourmet status:
- Gourmet hot dogs with creative toppings
- Chicken wings
- Sausages
- Hamburgers
- Sandwiches
Visit Information
Address: 3057 Thomas St, Memphis, TN
Known For: Gourmet Hot Dogs (“The Gourmet Glizzy”)
Award: Best Food Based Business of the Year – Memphis
View Big Dawg’s on Google Maps →
Big Dawg’s represents everything Restaurant Impossible hopes to achieve: a family business saved, skills transferred, and a once-struggling restaurant transformed into an award-winning destination.
Last verified: January 2026
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