Knoxville restaurant named one of the best in US. What to expect — and order — when you go

Potchke, a Jewish deli and kosher restaurant in downtown Knoxville that began as a pop-up in 2022, has made national news: Along with 46 other restaurants, Potchke was included in the 2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the year list.

"We are so excited to be named as one of the best restaurants in the country by USA TODAY," co-owner Laurence Faber told Knox News. "This recognition helps us move closer to the dream of having Knoxville be a destination for great Jewish food."

What makes Potchke stand out

Potchke's pop-up was short-lived thanks to its quick and wild success. Still, the restaurant has just seven cut-out letters in the window to advertise this unassuming culinary gem tucked behind towering downtown Knoxville condominiums.

Owners Emily Williams and Faber, a former pastry chef at the acclaimed Blackberry Farm, agree it might be time to expand their marketing. But glowing features from The New York Times and Southern Living have helped advertise for them. Now, the restaurant is being featured by USA TODAY for its modern, elevated take on the classic Jewish deli.

More: 10 Knoxville restaurants we wish made USA TODAY's list of best places to eat

Potchke is situated in the same building as the former Regas Restaurant, a Knoxville icon for more than 90 years and once the go-to place for any special occasion. Regas’ lounge was dubbed The Gathering Place and, in that same vein, Potchke continues the tradition of socializing.

While the space has become a pillar in the Jewish community, it welcomes people from all walks of life to sit down on a couch, chat with a stranger and enjoy a bite to eat — perhaps, something they have never tried before.

“It has been so important to us to just have a really inviting place,” Faber said. “It’s a place where you can have a coffee and a babka and sit for six hours. And on a weekday, you’re fine. On the weekends, we are really, really busy. But we’ve still almost never really had a wait ever because we … have so many seats.”

Located in a former coffee shop in what's now an office building, the restaurant maintains an atmosphere inspired by the nostalgia of Jewish retirees who made their way to Miami in the ‘60s and ‘70s. That means lots of vibrant colors to reflect South Beach style.

“You would have kosher bakeries, kosher delis, kosher restaurants all along South Beach. People would be speaking Yiddish as their first language on the beach or playing games,” Faber said. “Now, it’s just a relic of the past. ... We just really, really vibed with that inspiration."

What's the best restaurant near you? Check out USA TODAY's 2024 Restaurants of the Year.

What to order at Potchke

Babka. Prior to Potchke, Faber and Williams operated Lesser Babka, inspired by the “Seinfeld” episode in which cinnamon was the “lesser.” Faber said sales are about 50/50, but chocolate tends to be a dessert, while cinnamon is enjoyed more for breakfast. Their version of the braided pastry includes “every kind of dairy possible,” Faber said, making it “moist and juicy and yummy.”

Lox bialy. A bialy is hard to come by these days, but it’s very similar to a bagel — just not boiled. In addition to the lox, Faber said, they “run it through the garden.” This delicious treat includes a dill and scallion schmear, red onion, cucumber, capers, tomato, sweet pepper relish and dill.

Matzoh ball soup. You can order it just like grandma used to make, relying on the recipe from the Manischewitz matzo ball mix. But if you’re feeling more adventurous, “Fuss It Up” with chili crisp, bell pepper sauce and “lots of extra herbs.” The word “Potchke” means to “fuss” around in the kitchen, and this soup is the epitome of just that.

Potato blintz. When Potchke began thinking about breakfast items, potato blintzes made a whole lot of sense. Two crepes are stuffed with potato, caramelized onion, cheese and scrambled eggs served in a “tiny little burrito package,” Faber said. Labna, chili oil, avocado and a “petite salade” are served on the side to complete this savory dish.

USA TODAY's Restaurants of the Year: How the list of best restaurants was decided

Did you know?

Minus fish, the only meat served at Potchke is the chicken in the matzoh ball soup. Or is it? The restaurant actually has two secret sandwiches located upside down and on the back of the menu in small, faded print. While Faber wants to honor the dairy side of kosher, people kept asking about pastrami. So, flip over the menu to choose from a pastrami-mustard sandwich or pastrami Rueben.

Details: Potchke, 318 N. Gay St., Knoxville, Tenn; No phone, potchkedeli.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Potchke in Knoxville among 2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year