Known for its Knoxville-signature steamed sandwiches, one of the city's longest standing restaurants will close its Bearden location after 35 years.
Nixon's Deli announced Aug. 4 the business is preparing to close its restaurant at 5716 Kingston Pike. Known as Nixon's Deli #11 − one of three local locations − the restaurant sits between Buddy's Bar-b-q and Calloway's Lamp & Shade.
The restaurant will serve customers until 5 p.m. Sept. 10, according to a social media post from Nixon's.
"This location has been part of our family and part of Bearden for a very long time. The building itself has long been associated with Nixon’s, and we have been fortunate to build lasting relationships with so many of you over the decades," the post said. "We are
deeply grateful for your loyalty, your support, and the countless meals and conversations we have shared here."
The post said the property recently changed hands, but the Knox County Register of Deeds office had no record of a sale when Knox News reached out Aug. 4.
"Under the current ownership, that relationship is ending, and our tenancy at this address will conclude in mid-September," the post said. "We want you to know that this decision was not ours. We would have preferred to remain in this location and continue serving you here."
Nixon's is looking for a new location where the restaurant could reopen. Its other locations are Nixon's Deli #4 at 230 N. Peters Road and Nixon's Deli #6 at 508 Merchant Drive.
The deli brand has been a part of Knoxville's culinary scene since the early ‘70s and was acquired by Matt Brooks and his father in 2003.
"For as long as I've known," Brooks told Knox News in 2025, steamed sandwiches have been an East Tennessee thing. For those not from the area, he said, "it's 50-50 they're not going to like it." But those who like it love it – some a little warm, he said, and others so steamed “you could eat it with a spoon.”
Knox News reporter Joanna Hayes covers restaurants and retail for the business growth and development team. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com; Instagram: @knoxeat65. Sign up for Joanna's Eat65 email newsletter to get the latest drink and dining news, as well as restaurant recommendations, at knoxnews.com/newsletters.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: A sad day for steamed sandwiches, Nixon's to close this Knoxville shop
