The Sacramento Community Shows Up For The Last Day Of Jim-Denny's
Jim-Denny's closed its doors today, and Sacramento lined up in 90‑degree heat to say goodbye. The ten‑seat diner on 12th Street sold out of everything but burgers, hot dogs, fries, and onion rings by lunchtime. N'Gina Guyton stood at the front, handing out ice, cold water to beat the heat, calling out 40‑minute waits and alerting the crowd to what was already sold out. Nobody budged.
Jim-Denny's Interior
Inside, it felt less like a funeral, more like an industry house party. Friends like the owners from Binchoyaki were in the back helping the line. Spirits rep and local photographer Andrew Calisterio batched up a smoky strawberry‑watermelon rum cocktail that kept the line buzzing. Sacramento food photographer Anna Wick was washing dishes. Diana Ditch from Happy Takeout was helping wherever she could. Other restaurant owners dropped off cold beers and quality whiskey to send N'Gina Guyton off in style.
N'Gina, staff, and friends
The last orders went out by 2 p.m. Guyton, fighting back tears, thanking the crowd: 'I fought to the last hour. And I promise if I can, I will bring Jim-Denny's back. Just like I fought for two f**** years and sold every piece of property I had to bring South back.'
Burgers and Fries and Fried Chicken Sandwich
Jim-Denny's has been a Sacramento fixture since 1934, known for classic breakfasts, massive burgers, and a tiny counter that made regulars feel like family. N'Gina Guyton brought the diner back last year but got locked in a drawn-out battle with her landlord. Last November, she says he agreed to sell her the building. But in April, that promise vanished when an eviction notice landed instead. Guyton scrambled to pull together investors to buy the property, but the landlord refused to make a deal.
This isn't N'Gina Guyton's first fight. South, Guyton's beloved Southern restaurant, built a loyal following with its fried chicken and honest Southern plates before closing in 2022. N'Gina has already promised the neighborhood that South will be back next April — fried chicken and all.
Tower Bridge Dinner 2024
She isn't going anywhere. Guyton will be cooking at this year's Tower Bridge Dinner, the crown jewel of Sacramento's Farm‑to‑Fork Festival, cooking for hundreds at the city's biggest culinary event.
The neon sign goes dark for now, but today proved that Sacramento shows up for its own; all hands on deck and spirits high.
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