Potchke

The story

Potchke Deli in Knoxville: Michelin-Recommended Deli & Bagel Shop

Potchke

Potchke in Knoxville means to fuss around in the kitchen, to dawdle, to waste time—and that’s precisely what this deli does best. Located in historic downtown Knoxville, Potchke Deli serves the fussy staples of a traditional delicatessen: blintzes, borscht, babka, bialys, and matzoh ball soup. But as the team notes, the dishes are traditional, the execution maybe not so much. This playful, deliberate approach to deli food earned the restaurant a Michelin recommendation, a testament to its quality and originality.

The deli menu is a creative reimagining of classics. Sandwiches like the Pastrami Reuben pile on hot, thick-cut pastrami with POTCHKE dressing, sweet peppadew peppers, sauerkraut, and Swiss on marble rye. The Lox Bialy layers dill and scallion schmear, good nova lox, red onion, and capers on an everything bialy. For something unexpected, the Kosher Banh Mi marinates sweet potato and bok choy in SOY VAY, served on a sesame bialy with sriracha aioli and daikon slaw. Soups include Mila’s Borsch, a traditional Eastern Ukrainian vegetarian borsch with seasonal ingredients and garlic pampushki rolls, and Matzoh Ball Soup served Bubbe’s Way or “fussed up” with chili crisp and bell pepper sauce.

Potchke also operates a separate bagel shop in North Cedar Bluff, where bagels are hand-rolled, boiled, then baked daily. Whether you crave a bagel with schmear or a generously adorned sandwich, it’s a jewel for Knoxville’s breakfast and lunch crowd.

This is a deli that takes its time, fusses over details, and serves food that feels both familiar and entirely new. For anyone seeking a Michelin-recommended deli experience in Knoxville, Potchke delivers.