About Us

My Dad, H. David Vandergriff Jr., opened the first Sunrise Market and Deli in Corryton in 1992, and I followed with Halls Crossroads in 2019. Dad has since retired, and my sons, Justin and Tyler, are at my side running the Halls Crossroads location.

Early on, I had made the decision to work towards fulfilling a dream, and grow the business by franchising, to bring our traditional Knoxville style steamed hoagies to more and more people. Preserving the legacy of the Knoxville steamed hoagie is important to us, and it’s important to my dad.

We thought it was only fitting to honor Dad/Papaw by re-naming our family legacy Vandergriff’s Fresh Steamed Hoagies. Not to worry! It’s the same ma, the same family, the same craveable steamed hoagies – just more seats, and the family name.

We’ve been hearing a lot of guesses about the ff’s

French Fries? Nope

Hoagie roll? Nope

The ff design was inspired by our family, our friends, and our community. One arm around the shoulders of another. It’s how we live, and how we work. It represents when I started working along side my dad at the original Sunrise Market and Deli. And then, when my brothers were old enough, they joined him too. It’s my sons working along side me now, and it’s the two of them working along side each other.

And! Most importantly, it’s how our team, affectionately know as The Steamers, all work alongside each other. We all have each other’s back, and we have our community’s back.

He’s Not Heavy, He’s My Brother. It’s who we are. -David F Vandergriff

frequently asked questions

We have been perfecting the traditional Knoxville steamed hoagie for 3 generations. It is very important to us that the tradition of steamed hoagies is not lost. It is an important part of the Knoxville legacy, and tradition that we are dedicated to preserving.

They just are. They always have been. The hand pump Wear-Ever Fresh-O-Matic steamer came to market in the early 50’s. Somewhere along the way it made it to the foothills of East Tennessee, and then somewhere along the way hoagies were being steamed in delis, convenience stores, and gas stations. The history is vague and has many threads. The lore is real. It’s part of the East Tennessee Konxvillian fabric

The traditional choice of light or dark. Classics include the Reuben, the Philly Cheesesteak, and the #1 best seller, embedded in East Tennessee history, the Hot Ham & Cheese. Build your own is available. Specialties are always being developed.

Vandergriff’s Fresh Steamed Hoagies. Family owned. 3 generations of the Vandergriff family serving 3 generations of their original guests – with new fans discovering them over the years, and everyday.

Formerly Sunrise Deli, the Vandergriff family has been steaming hoagies, and serving their famous Sunrise Tea, to 3 generations of Knoxvillians. The family is committed to bringing steamed hoagies to the next generations, so this tradition, rooted in regional history, doesn’t fade away.

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About Us

frequently asked questions

What makes Vandergriff’s one of the best sub shops in Knoxville, TN?

Why are steamed subs so popular in Knoxville?

What types of hoagies are available at Vandergriff’s in Knoxville, TN?

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What makes Vandergriff’s different from other sandwich shops in Knoxville?