Chicago-Style Deli Opens on Stewart's Ferry Pike
Nonna Notti is serving classic deli fare while funding mentorship programs for local Nashville youth.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Dining Out
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Owner Chris Iannotti opened the Chicago-style Italian deli Nonna Notti on Stewart's Ferry Pike in late September 2026. The business supports the nonprofit Off the Chains Nashville, which provides job training to at-risk youth.
Why it matters
The venture serves a dual purpose by bringing Chicago-inspired cuisine to the Nashville area while providing critical business and cooking mentorship to local teens. By operating as a for-profit entity that funds a nonprofit, the deli creates a sustainable model for community skill-building.
The deli is open six days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and stays closed on Mondays. The menu features offerings like sandwiches on bread from Charpier's Bakery alongside market staples such as giardiniera and dried pasta.
The players
Chris Iannotti
Chris Iannotti is the proprietor of Nonna Notti who established the deli to support local youth through mentorship.
Off the Chains Nashville
Off the Chains Nashville is a nonprofit organization that teaches cooking, employment, and business skills to youth between the ages of 10 and 18.
The details
Nonna Notti offers a menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches that aims to bring a Chicago culinary experience to the area near Percy Priest Lake. Beyond the food, the deli functions as a training ground where youth participants gain hands-on experience in the culinary and business sectors.
Timeline
Nonna Notti opened in late September 2026.
The deli maintains operating hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
Youth skills classes are planned for two days weekly from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Culture Shift
This venture aligns with the social enterprise model where private businesses prioritize reinvesting profits into community outreach. Such models reflect a growing trend of using commercial operations to address specific local needs through direct mentorship and vocational training.
Residents in the Donelson and Hermitage areas can now access Chicago-style menu items six days a week. By patronizing the deli, customers directly support the employment training program for local youth participating in the restaurant's operations.
The takeaway
Nonna Notti demonstrates how neighborhood businesses can foster local development through consistent community engagement. Visitors looking to support the mission can find the deli open every day except Monday.
What happens next
Future classes for youth participants are scheduled for two days a week between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Further reading
For more on the local food scene, browse the latest updates in Nashville Dining Out.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nashville Scene.
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