Best North Shore Roast Beefs in Boston
- Tony
- Mar 4
- 7 min read
Growing up on the North Shore of Massachusetts, I thought every town had a local roast beef shop—a place where a Greek guy behind the counter would be slicing fresh, rare top-round beef, piling it onto a perfectly buttered bun. It wasn’t until I left for college that I realized this regional obsession didn’t extend beyond the North Shore.
If you’re not from around here, “North Shore Roast Beef” isn’t just a sandwich—it’s a culture. It’s late-night runs to your favorite spot, heated debates over which shop is best, and the universal knowledge that a "three-way" doesn’t mean what you think.
The beauty of a North Shore roast beef is in its simplicity—thinly sliced rare roast beef, stacked high on a grilled buttered bun, and slathered with the right toppings.
But not all beef joints are created equal. In this guide, I’ll break down:
🔥 The best North Shore roast beef spots (from legends to hidden gems)
For the untrained palate, these places might seem comparable. But if it’s your first time, prepare for your mind to be blown. The rule here? Go wherever is close and convenient—you can’t really go wrong.
🔥 Atha’s Roast Beef (Peabody)
A no-nonsense strip mall joint right across from North Shore Mall. Atha’s is the definition of consistent, well-priced, and generously sized. If you find yourself here around noon on a weekday, expect to be surrounded by blue-collar guys on their lunch breaks, crushing beefs before heading back to the job site. It’s a dependable go-to—no frills, just solid execution every time.
🔥 Pete’s Roast Beef (Woburn)
An unassuming little hole in the wall that serves up beefs that look straight out of a magazine. These guys have been in the game for a while, but somehow, they keep getting better. If you’re in the area and craving a top-tier beef, don’t sleep on Pete’s.
🔥 The Modern Butcher (Newburyport)
This is next-level beef. If you’re looking for the best of the best, you’ll have to put in some effort—they only sell roast beef on Saturdays, and when they sell out, that’s it. These guys are true butchers, meaning they’re using the whole cow and sourcing high-quality meat. If you can make it work with your schedule, this is as premium as it gets.
🔥 Glenn’s Roast Beef (Revere)
Glenn’s might be some of the smartest beef slingers in the country. Why? Because they set up shop in a strip mall right next to a Kappy’s liquor store and an Eastern Cannabis dispensary. These guys must have gotten their degrees from Havahd because this is some 5D chess-level business positioning. You already know there are frequent flyers who hit all three stops in one trip, grabbing a beef, some booze, and a little something extra to make sure their day is absolutely dialed in.
🔥 Mike’s Roast Beef (Everett)
Mike’s is less about high-end beef quality and more about convenience and degeneracy. This place is directly across from Encore Casino, meaning it’s where you go after you’ve kissed your $100s goodbye—whether it was hitting on 16 like an idiot or max betting Huff n’ Puff slots until you’re down to nickels. The saving grace? They’re open until 2AM, so you can walk out of Encore, realize you’ve got about $7 left to your name, and still walk away with a beef in hand.
🔥 Big Jim’s (San Diego, CA)
Crying because you’re on the West Coast? Fear not. Big Jim stole the recipe and is out in San Diego slinging beefs just as good as the North Shore, except he’s serving them to hippies in California instead of Massholes in Carhartt hoodies. Not only is his roast beef top-tier, but his subs and even his Chinese food are all absolute fire. If you’re looking for the best beachside beef in the country, this is it. Sorry, Kelly’s—you had your chance, but unless you wanna sauce me some commission, this title belongs to Big Jim.
Final Thoughts
Every spot on this list is legit, so pick whatever’s closest and prepare for a life-changing beef experience. Just remember the rules—fresh-cut beef, James River sauce, and a toasted bun. Anything less? You might as well be at Kelly’s in a mall food court, wondering where it all went wrong.
🍽The History of North Shore Roast Beef & How to Find a Great One
The roast beef game has evolved in the last five years, and what was once just a solid local takeout option has become a full-blown cult obsession. Back in the day, every town had its own spot—usually called something like Anthony’s Roast Beef or Nick’s Roast Beef, run by a guy who may or may not "forget" to count all the bills for the tax man.
But to understand how we got here, you have to go back to where it all started.
The Rise and Fall of Kelly’s Roast Beef
It all began in the 1950s on Revere Beach with Kelly’s Roast Beef. Back then, Revere Beach was the Coney Island of Massachusetts, with amusement rides, arcades, and a whole lot more… well, "character." These days, the beach shootings have probably dropped, and condos have gone up, a sign of some positive gentrification.
But just like you wouldn’t go swimming in Revere Beach, you shouldn’t be getting your beef at Kelly’s.
Once the gold standard, Kelly’s sold out a while ago, expanding into malls and fast-food chains. Now, their beefs often look grey, like they’ve been sitting around waiting for retirement.
The New Wave of Roast Beef Excellence
Nowadays, there’s a new level of game, and it’s all about freshness, quality, and pride. The best roast beef joints today take their beefs seriously—and you should too.
Here’s what separates the real-deal beef joints from the pretenders:
✅ Freshly Sliced, Rare Roast Beef – The beef should be carved fresh in-house, not sitting in a steam tray turning into a sad, grey lump. You want it thinly sliced, pink, and stacked high.
✅ High Beef Turnover = Fresh Beef – If the place is ripping through beefs, you know you’re getting the good stuff. You want to see them slicing in the back—not just reheating yesterday’s leftovers.
✅ The Right Bun – Most spots use a buttered, toasted potato roll, which soaks up all the juices and sauces perfectly. Some Super Beefs come on an onion roll, which adds extra flavor. If your bun is dry and untoasted, run.
✅ James River BBQ Sauce – This is non-negotiable. If you don’t see a bottle of James River BBQ Sauce behind the counter, turn around and get out.
✅ Fryalators Always Running – If you walk in and don’t smell the fryalators hard at work, you might be in the wrong place. The best roast beef joints also serve fried food and seafood, so expect to see a menu full of onion rings, fried clams, and greasy goodness.
✅ Classic Coca-Cola Menu Board – If the menu isn’t on a Coca-Cola-sponsored board, is it even a real North Shore beef spot? These places are casual, no-frills, and all about the food.
🤔 How to order like a local (And Not Get Roasted by a Masshole)
Walking into a North Shore roast beef shop for the first time? Here’s your survival guide. Mess this up, and you might end up on the receiving end of some Masshole’s wrath—probably a guy in a Patriots hoodie whose vape just ran out and needs his next Dunkies fix before the rage fully sets in.
Step 1: Ignore Everything But the Beef
Yeah, the menu might have hot dogs, chicken fingers, maybe even a salad for some lost soul. Forget all that. You’re here for one thing: roast beef.
Every proper shop has three sizes:
🥉 Junior Beef – Don’t let the name fool you. This isn’t a McDonald’s Happy Meal—it’s a full-grown man’s sandwich. Many locals swear this size has the best beef-to-bun ratio.
🥈 Large Beef – More beef, same greatness. If you’re a little hungrier or just like more of that thinly sliced rare top-round, go for it.
🥇 Super Beef – The ultimate unit. This big boy usually comes on an onion roll instead of a potato roll, adding extra flavor. Ideal for when you’re starving or trying to flex on your buddies.
If you want to make it a meal, upgrade with fries or onion rings—fresh out of the fryolator, crispy, and perfect for soaking up extra sauce.
Step 2: How to Dress Your Beef (The Right Way)
Listen, don’t be a psychopath and order it plain—this isn’t some fancy steakhouse. The gold standard is a Three-Way, which means:
✅ James River BBQ Sauce – Slightly tangy, a little spicy, and the only correct BBQ sauce for this sandwich.
✅ Mayo – Creamy, slightly sweet, and absolutely necessary.
✅ American Cheese – Melted into the warm, fresh-cut roast beef for the perfect bite.
You can remove one of these if you must, but why mess with perfection? The balance of sweet, creamy, tangy, and smoky flavors is what makes North Shore roast beef legendary.
Step 3: Feeling Brave? Try a Four-Way
Normally, asking for a four-way in public is risky business, but here? It just means adding a crispy onion ring right into the sandwich for some extra crunch. And let’s be real—that’s a power move.
Step 4: Wash It Down Like a Local
Get a fountain soda, preferably a large Coke to cut through the richness.
Or, if you really want to blend in with the locals, order a milkshake (which, in true Boston fashion, is called a "frappe").
Now, you’re ready to order like a true North Shore beef connoisseur, flip off the guy who honks at you on your way out of the parking lot.
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