St. Louis Deli Perfecting Menu as it Opens Its Doors On Watson Road

St. Louis Deli and Grill, 8544 Watson Rd., is four weeks old. It does not yet have a permanent sign. It does not have a website. Instead, the restaurant is focusing on getting the food right.

St. Louis Deli has a wide range of sandwich choices, including its signature sandwiches, Italian Beef, grilled sausage and a combination of the two.  In addition, the menu features such St. Louis deli classics as the Reuben, St. Louis Cheese Steak, Phil's Grilled Cheese and Pastrami. St. Louis Deli also serves a variety of hot dogs of all sizes, with chili or not. The menu is rounded out with a standard listing of sides, appetizers, salads and soups.

And although St. Louis Deli doesn't have typical breakfast hours, there are several breakfast items on the menu. Head chef Maggie Winsatt says St. Louis Deli may add breakfast hours if the demand for her cooking is strong.

Winsatt also says St. Louis Deli strives to feature local and fresh foods. The salsa is made there, as are the soups and desserts. Winsatt says the burgers are "spiced and hand-patted." The sandwich rolls and breads are not made at St. Louis Deli, but bread items are purchased from local companies. The same is true for the beef as well, which is locally grown and grass fed.

"Local and fresh is our goal," Winsatt said.

Winsatt also said she intends to add more offerings as the restaurant becomes more established, which usually will start with a week's worth of specials to determine if a new item is one customers want.

"Right now we are new enough that the menu is ever changing," she said. "What we try to do is provide good, American classic food done as well as possible."

St. Louis Deli is located in a former Taco Bell location and although the ambiance is not high class, Winsatt said she hopes the low-key atmosphere is relaxing for customers. A large part of her prospective clientele could come from Crestwood, which is just a meatball's throw away from the St. Louis Deli location.

"It's not five-star dining," she said. "But it's a place to go that's really comfortable."

So, although St. Louis Deli will not be ranked in the next Michelin Guide, Winsatt hopes the food she prepares in the clean, tidy kitchen is of the five-star variety. And if the Italian Beef sandwiches are any indication, she's on her way.

More au jus please.

You can reach St. Louis Deli at 314-843-DELI (3354). If you stop by, make sure to look up Maggie as she's likely the one who will be preparing your feast.

Related articles:

• St. Louis Deli Opens in Former Taco Bell
• Two Delis Pop Up on Watson Road