Steve's Deli in Downtown Jackson set to reopen. See when, and what's new

The transition is complete and this Downtown Jackson eatery will be open again on Monday.

Michael Longo and Ashley Davis have finished the process of buying Steve's Deli from Daniel Fairly, who purchased the iconic brand in May 2023 in a deal with long-time owner Steve Long, who along with his wife, Julie, moved to Pennsylvania.

Both said that since September of 2023, he has been looking for a way to purchase the restaurant, which has been closed for the last month as negotiations have been ongoing with Fairly.

"We have really just working this entire time to make sure everything gets set up. It takes time to set up new contracts with vendors and things like that," Davis said. "We have had to be patient. We have finally gotten all of our ducks in a row, and we are ready to rock out next week."

Restaurant goers should expect the same Steve's they have come to enjoy over the past 20 years.

"It's going to be all of the great food that we have done before," she said. "Michael is still going to be making his focaccia and the cookies. We may have a few new interesting items that we add here and there for specials, but really everything will be the same."

Fred Grayer, a longtime familiar face at Steve's will be back, serving the customers of Downtown Jackson, according to Davis, and despite the time closed, the three believe folks will be back and ready to eat.

"We have had such an outpouring of love from the area for Michael and Fred and I," she said. "I have tried to keep the website updated so folks would know what was going on and that we would, indeed, be back. The food is great, and it is a fun place to come and hang out. I think everyone will be happy. We work very well as a team we can't wait to razzle dazzle everybody."

Davis also said their group hopes to expand on the menu at some point and even be open at night a day or two a week. Steve's has always just been a lunch-only experience with hours of 11-2, which will remain the same in the early going.

"Michael and I come from more of a fun dining backgrounds," she said. "I think downtown could use another night-time or evening place to eat as an option. It is definitely something that is in our wheelhouse and will be in our future. But like the re-opening, we just have to have patience and trust the process to get there.."

Despite beginning in the medical business, Davis came to the food industry later in life and credits Jeff Good at Bravo for helping her get started. Longo has been in the restaurant business for many years, having spent time at restaurants like Boure' in Oxford and Grit in Taylor.

Steve's over the years

Steve's Deli has gained an almost cult following over the years as its sandwiches and cookies have been a staple for the downtown business crowd.

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Long started with the restaurant in June 2001 when he was hired by the late James Patterson at the Congress Street location, when it was called Saucers. Patterson hired Long out from under Good, where he had been the head baker at Broad Street.

Patterson sold Long the business in 2004.

Back to business

The process has taken longer than Davis and Longo expect, but now they are excited with anticipation for the re-opening.

"This has really been a dream for us to get this back up and going," Davis said. "We want to see smiling facing and feed people. That's really all we want to do."

Ross Reily can be reached by email at rreily@gannett.com or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on Twitter @GreenOkra1.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Steve's Deli in Downtown Jackson set to reopen. See when, and what's new