An American dream, one meal at a time
An American flag hung on the pole outside the front door and another waved in the window of the restaurant he has owned for almost 20 years.
It was every bit the American dream so many immigrants imagine when they come to the United States.
But for Natour, that dream started as a nightmare.
Fleeing to freedom
Natour still can remember the house shaking.
In 1960’s, Palestine, the 5-year-old Natour would run around as gleefully as any other child.
But at a moment’s notice, he would have to stop in his tracks and duck under the kitchen table as bombs dropped nearby.
“There was always bombing around there,” he said. “You kind of get used to it,
you know? They don’t give you a warning. So when I was running around, my mom would tell me to go under the table.”
Eventually, the constant threats became too much to bear, and the family moved to the United States after the 1967 Palestine War.
They settled in the Washington, D.C., area, then moved to Knoxville.
When Natour’s parents and uncle bought the Copper Kettle restaurant, his young culinary career began.
He worked from the time he was 11 years old, learning the English language through school, friends and tutors.
“I had a rough time with it,” he recalled. “Very hard time.“
Things came easier in the kitchen, as he adopted the same style as his father, Naji Natour.
He graduated from West High School then moved to Florida to co-own and operate a deli. He soon returned to Knoxville, though, working first with Ruby Tuesday’s in its franchise operation, then opened Froggy’s and Time-Out Deli with a relative.
By that point, Natour was ready to strike out on his own, which led him to the Nick and J’s location on Lovell Road.
Living the dream
Nick and J’s is named for Nick and Jordan Natour, the sons the owner shares with his wife and restaurant co-pilot, Linda.
Natour noted his children have found careers in dietetics and coaching, respectively, while he hustles to deliver food Knoxville loves.
Each day’s blue plate special is a popular choice, as are the Reuben and pastrami sandwiches and the half-pound bacon cheeseburger.
The restaurant has drawn national acclaim on CNN, Fox News, Fox & Friends and Food Network.
There even have been several films and documentaries made there, as Natour noted producers and directors “love the diner look.”
So do local customers, which range from everyday diners to A-list Knoxville celebrities.
Natour maintains friendships with former Tennessee coaches Butch Jones and Jeremy Pruitt while Josh Heupel, Rick Barnes and Tony Vitello also have stopped to visit.
Even the late “Voice of the Vols,” John Ward, stopped in to find the same welcoming atmosphere as anyone else.
“I treat everybody like you’re coming to my house: with respect and like family,” Natour said. “You have to build a relationship, and you have to give them good food, too. You don’t give them that, it doesn’t matter if they’re your best friends — they’re not going to come.”
While relaying this information, Natour hustled back and forth between the cash register to handle happy customers.
It was another busy day at the restaurant, which featured a noticeable line even at 2:30 p.m.
But even through the packed game days and lunch hour rushes, Natour remembers the principles and people that brought him here so long ago.
“I’d love to go see where I was born, but it’s not that easy for us. There’s too much going on,” he said. “I’m very grateful. Land of the free, home of the brave — and of the Tennessee Vols.”
