Historic restaurant Jim-Denny’s abruptly closes

On Wednesday morning, Jim-Denny’s on 816 12th Street, opened its doors for guests for the final time after owner N’Gina Guyton announced on social media they’re going to be suddenly evicted from the property. 

There was a line out the door when the diner opened at 11 a.m. as guests tried to get a taste of their favorite dishes one last time before the closure.

This will be the second time in five years the 91-year-old restaurant will be closing its doors. 

Jim Denny’s menu includes breakfast items, sandwiches, burgers, salads, pasta, and hot dogs. Unique items include fried cauliflower, roasted brussels sprouts, and mac fries. 

Guyton took to Instagram to share that the property owner wants to sell the restaurant and the building next door and they would have to vacate the building by the end of July.

Guyton said she went to court and tried to purchase the building back, but it didn’t work out and she found out that the property owner doesn’t want to sell her the building because it would be easier to sell both parcels.

“In November of 2023, my landlord offered to sell me the building and defer rent until the sale so that Jim-Denny’s would have a chance to make it during its first critical year,” Guyton wrote on Instagram. “I was notified in April that he was going back on our agreement and because it was a verbal agreement not written he won his judgment.”

Guyton stated she found investors and allocated funds to keep the restaurant.

“In the end, he didn’t want to sell it to me,” Guyton wrote. 

The landlord was not available for comment at the time of publication. 

Josh Ziese, who works close by the diner, came to Jim-Denny’s on its final day and said he was sad to see the restaurant close.  

He said his favorite part of Jim-Denny’s is definitely the food because it’s unique in the area and the owner.

“[Guyton] gives it, of course, her Southern Style, which I love,” Ziese said. “She's got a great spirit about the place, and definitely grateful for her resurrecting the place a couple years ago.”

Guyton resurrected Jim-Denny’s in 2023 after her former restaurant South closed in 2022.

Ziese said he doesn’t know what the building will be in the future, but hopes the restaurant will remain.

“I hope they do manage to keep it, because it's, so old and classic,” he said. “But I understand things change and get redeveloped, but I am hopeful they do maintain it to some degree.” 

Eben Green also visited Jim-Denny’s on its final day and said it was his fourth visit to the restaurant. He said what is happening to Guyton currently is a “messed up situation.”

“You have someone with amazing talent, the epitome of entrepreneurship, she's hustled through a lot of adversity, and thought she found a home and the rug was pulled out from under unjustly,” Green said. “I felt the owner of this property could have been upfront with her from day one, or he could have invested in her and sold the property.”

Green said when he first visited Jim-Denny’s he could tell that the food reflected the heritage of the owner, which he appreciated. He mentioned some of his favorite items on the menu that he will miss.

“The All-American is ridiculous, probably the best burger in Sacramento hands down,” Green said. “I had The Big Jim, best pancakes in Sacramento, oatmeal pancakes with a touch of cinnamon, the batter is amazing. Everything she did was well thought out.”

Green’s message to the owners and staff is to keep their head up, and it’s just a bump in the road.

“God has a plan for you,” he said. “Obviously, things will change. This definitely stings to say the least is disappointing but… we believe in her and her staff. We appreciate them, and from the bottom of my heart, I just want to say thank you.”