If you’ve been missing the self-proclaimed “best Reuben in town,” you can get your fix yet again. After a 59-year run on Maryland Avenue in Clayton, The Posh Nosh Deli—now renamed The Posh Nosh Deli & Grill—has reopened at a new location a mile away. It now occupies a storefront at 7359 Forsyth in University City, formerly home to Original J’s Tex-Mex BBQ, Fortel’s Pizza Den, and Imo’s Pizza. Here’s what to know before you go.
What’s New
The deli is looking a bit “posher” as owner Catherine Smith said goodbye to the kitschy yellow-and-black décor of the Clayton location and freshened up the place with grey walls, sleek booths, personal wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, and colorful artwork depicting menu items. The yellow sign out front and matching yellow flowers on each table pay homage to the prior location.
The new location offers twice the square footage, which translates to more seating, expanded prep space, and a stronger foundation for catering. “We’re expanding in an effort to better serve our customers and create a more conducive work environment for staff,” she told SLM previously. “We also wanted to ensure full ADA compliance, which wasn’t possible in the current space without sacrificing dining and prep areas.”
Customers can order new menu items, such as smashburgers, chicken and beef quesadillas, and wings in a variety of flavors on “Wing Wednesday.”
“We’ll be expanding our hours into the early evening, ” says Smith, “and we wanted some hardier options that people can enjoy with a beer.”
In the near future, The Posh Nosh Deli & Grill will be offering beer, wine, and spirits. “I don’t want people to think we’ve changed everything, but we had to change some things,” says Smith. “The old location felt like it was stuck in the ’60s, and we want to appeal to more generations.”
What’s the Same
Posh Nosh favorites remain, including the Reuben (corned beef, sauerkraut, homemade Russian dressing, Swiss cheese grilled on Rye), The Gerald (hickory smoked turkey, applewood bacon, pepperjack cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and mayo on toasted Hawaiian Bread), the Rebecca (same as the Reuben but with turkey pastrami), tuna melts, and lox and bagel sandwiches. These mainstays continue to shine, along with soups, knishes, rotating cakes and pies, and deli staple beverages such as Dr. Brown’s Black Cherry Cola and Cream Soda.
The nostalgia wall near the bathroom is where customers can leave a mark by signing their names in Sharpie, just like at the previous location. The affable owner and staff remain present and ready to help. And if you’re wondering about the dill pickle bucket, it hasn’t gone anywhere—just grab a food boat, and fill ‘er up!
The Backstory
The road to owning The Posh Nosh was serendipitous for Smith. When she was 16 years old, she worked for the original owners and returned to manage the place when she was in her twenties. “But never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever own it,” Smith previously told SLM.
Smith took over the deli in February 2022 and adopted a don’t-mess-with-success approach: The bagels and bread come from local bakers (Vitale’s and Fazio, respectively), the strawberry lemonade recipe remains unchanged, and the ever-popular Reuben has maintained its just-right corned beef-to-sauerkraut ratio.
Smith explains that she “never wanted to leave Maryland Avenue” but couldn’t find a space there that matched her plans for expansion. She credits Jay Kerley of NorthStar Real Estate Group for locating a suitable spot nearby. “Jay must have shown me 15 different places,” she recalls. “This process would not have been possible without his dedication and expertise. He’s family now.”
She also expresses gratitude to restaurateurs Mike and Liz Randolph, the owners of Half & Half, the recently opened Nettie’s Pizza Den, and former owners of Original J’s. “They were and still are a great support, ” she says, “and Mike’s restaurant knowledge is unmatched.”
The Posh Nosh Deli & Grill
📍7359 Forsyth, University City
📞314-862-1890
⏰Tue-Fri, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Sat: 11a.m. – 4 p.m.
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