For nearly six decades, The Posh Nosh (8115 Maryland) has operated out of a narrow Clayton storefront. The bad news—and good news—is that the beloved deli is moving, though only about a mile east, to the former Original J’s space (7359 Forsyth), located just beyond the Clayton city limits.
Owner Catherine Smith says 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 explains. “We also wanted to ensure full ADA compliance, which wasn’t possible in the current space without sacrificing dining and prep areas.”
Another change comes with the freshly installed sign, which now reads The Posh Nosh Deli & Grill—a nod to new menu additions. “When we tried out smashburgers, they were a hit,” Smith says. “But our existing kitchen didn’t have the grill capacity to make them consistently. With the expanded setup, we can finally add items like Philly cheesesteaks and quesadillas, popular classics that play well alongside our deli favorites.”
The signature sandwich is the Special Combo, with beef bologna, kosher salami, smoked salami, four cheeses, pickles, and Italian slaw on a Kaiser roll. Hot options include three “dippers” (served with au jus) and a handful of combos, including the Claytonian, a reuben-esque offering made with corned beef and pastrami.
The new building also has a more open layout, a welcome contrast to the original’s shotgun style. There’s also more parking, in lots to the west and behind the building, as well as street parking. Décor will shift as well: The signature yellow walls are being replaced with a softer neutral palette, customer photo collages will give way to glossy sandwich images, and a hallway will be transformed into a nostalgia wall. Asked if customers would still be able to sign the walls, Smith said, “the hallway would also be a perfect place for that.
“Hopefully, with a balanced blend of our loyal customers and new faces, it will be just as successful as the past 59 years,” Smith adds. While she’s hesitant to name an exact moving date due to administrative hurdles, she assures that progress is steady.
“The sign was installed this week, which means we’re one step closer to welcoming everyone in.”
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 20s. “But never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever own it,” Smith previously told SLM.
Smith—who also owns Bridging The Gap Home Services—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 explained 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 says. This process would not have been possible without his dedication and expertise. He’s family now.” She also expressed gratitude to restaurateurs Mike and Liz Randolph, owners of Half & Half (8135 Maryland) and former owners of Original J’s. “They went out of their way to answer questions and make sure I felt at home in the new space,” she says.
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