15 Massachusetts Roast Beef Shops Serving Three Ways Fans Can’t Resist
Massachusetts has a unique food tradition that locals cherish, the North Shore roast beef sandwich. Served ‘three ways’ with mayo, cheese, and barbecue sauce on an onion roll, these sandwiches have achieved cult status across the state.
Seaside shacks and family-owned institutions alike serve up the juiciest, most mouthwatering roast beef sandwiches that keep customers coming back for more.
1. Kelly’s Roast Beef – Revere
Standing proudly since 1951, Kelly’s claims to have invented the North Shore roast beef sandwich. Waves crash nearby as hungry patrons line up for thinly sliced, perfectly pink meat piled high on toasted rolls.
Many consider the original Revere Beach location a mandatory pilgrimage for serious sandwich lovers. The combination of ocean air and sizzling beef creates an experience that’s purely Massachusetts.
2. Woodman’s of Essex – Essex
While famous for inventing the fried clam, Woodman’s secret weapon might be their exceptional roast beef sandwich. Hungry visitors discover this hidden gem among seafood options.
Situated in picturesque Essex, this family-owned landmark has served generations since 1914. Juicy beef slices complement their seafood menu perfectly, proving Woodman’s mastery extends beyond the fryer.
3. Mike’s Roast Beef – Lynn
Open until the wee hours, Mike’s has saved countless late-night cravings with their perfectly prepared sandwiches. Locals swear nothing beats their three-way after midnight.
Generous portions keep customers coming back to this unassuming spot. What Mike’s lacks in fancy decor, they make up for with consistently delicious beef that’s sliced thin, piled high, and served with a smile.
4. Hart’s Roast Beef – Lynn
Family-owned since 1986, Hart’s delivers roast beef perfection in a no-frills setting. Regulars rave about their special sauce that elevates every bite to legendary status.
Unlike chain restaurants, Hart’s slow-roasts their beef daily, ensuring peak flavor and tenderness. When ordered three ways, the combination of their house-made BBQ sauce, mayo and cheese creates a harmonious blend that keeps loyal customers returning weekly.
5. Cusser’s – Peabody
Walking into Cusser’s feels like entering a family gathering where roast beef is the guest of honor.
Master slicers cut each piece of beef to order, ensuring optimal thickness and temperature. Cusser’s stands out for their perfectly toasted buns that somehow never get soggy despite the generous sauce application – a technical achievement that roast beef aficionados appreciate.
6. Coast Roast Beef – Beverly
Nestled in Beverly, Coast has perfected the art of beef-to-roll ratio. Every sandwich delivers the perfect amount of meat with each bite – never too much, never too little.
First-timers often become instant converts after tasting their specialty three-way. Coast’s unique approach includes toasting both sides of their rolls, creating a barrier that keeps everything intact until the last delicious bite.
7. Florence’s Roast Beef – Salem
Amid Salem’s witch-themed attractions stands Florence’s, where the real magic happens between two pieces of bread. Locals bypass tourist traps to queue up for these legendary sandwiches.
Visitors might come to Salem for history, but they return for Florence’s perfectly seasoned beef. Each sandwich receives a generous drizzle of their secret recipe BBQ sauce that’s rumored to contain over fifteen ingredients, though no one’s managed to crack the code yet.
8. Arooga’s – Marblehead
Marblehead’s coastal charm extends to Arooga’s, where sailing enthusiasts and locals alike dock for incredible roast beef sandwiches. Something about the sea air makes their three-way taste even better.
Unlike competitors who slice beef paper-thin, Arooga’s opts for slightly thicker cuts that showcase the meat’s quality. Paired with their tangy house sauce and premium cheese, each sandwich delivers a satisfying chew that beef connoisseurs appreciate.
9. George’s Roast Beef – Danvers
Generations of families have made George’s their go-to spot for post-game celebrations and everyday cravings. Kids who once needed booster seats now bring their own children for the same beloved sandwiches.
Mastering consistency, George’s delivers identical perfection whether you visited yesterday or a decade ago. Their three-way features a distinctive sweet-and-tangy BBQ sauce that complements rather than overwhelms the beef’s natural flavors.
10. JJ’s Roast Beef – Gloucester
Fishermen start and end their days at JJ’s, where hearty roast beef sandwiches fuel Gloucester’s hardworking fleet. Salt-air hunger demands substantial satisfaction, which JJ’s delivers consistently.
Sandwiches here come wrapped in foil that keeps everything hot and juicy, perfect for taking aboard or to nearby beaches. JJ’s three-way includes a slightly spicier BBQ sauce that locals claim pairs perfectly with the maritime lifestyle.
11. Shorey’s Roast Beef – Swampscott
Small in size but mighty in flavor, Shorey’s proves that sometimes the best sandwiches come from the most unassuming places. Regulars jealously guard this local secret from out-of-towners.
Line cooks at Shorey’s have elevated sandwich assembly to an art form. Watch them expertly layer each ingredient with practiced precision, ensuring perfect distribution of their signature sauce blend that somehow tastes different, and better, than anywhere else.
12. Pat’s Roast Beef – Lynnfield
Commuters create daily traffic jams at Pat’s, proving some sandwiches are worth being late for. Morning regulars know exactly when fresh beef emerges from the oven, timing their visits accordingly.
Pat’s roasts smaller batches throughout the day rather than one large morning cook. Freshness fanatics appreciate how this approach ensures maximum juiciness regardless of when you visit.
13. Rick’s Roast Beef – Peabody
Sandwich purists make pilgrimages to Rick’s, where beef quality trumps all other considerations. Meat-to-condiment ratio receives scientific precision from staff who treat sandwich making as serious business.
Rick personally selects every cut that enters his kitchen, rejecting anything that doesn’t meet his exacting standards. When assembled three ways, the resulting sandwich achieves a harmony that explains why customers willingly drive past dozens of competitors to reach this Peabody landmark.
14. North Shore Roast Beef – Revere
Boldly naming yourself after the region’s signature sandwich creates high expectations that North Shore Roast Beef consistently meets. Beach-goers create sandy footprints on the floor while waiting for their perfectly crafted three-ways.
Summer weekends bring lines out the door, but regulars insist the wait is worthwhile. What separates this spot is their commitment to serving beef at the ideal temperature – never too hot to burn mouths, never cool enough to congeal the fat.
15. Vinnie’s Roast Beef – Salem
College students spread Vinnie’s legend across New England when they return home raving about these perfect sandwiches. Late-night study sessions fuel demand for their three-ways well past midnight.
Vinnie’s distinguishes itself with specially baked rolls that strike the perfect balance between softness and structure. Add their house-made horseradish mayo option to the traditional three-way for an experience that awakens taste buds you didn’t know existed.
