Kelly's Roast Beef
New England restaurant · Revere ·
Iconic seaside spot for roast beef, fried seafood, and ocean views
Iconic seaside spot for roast beef, fried seafood, and ocean views
"Kelly’s is famous well beyond Boston for their North Shore style roast beef, but locals know the restaurant also serves amazing fried seafood, including clams. Kelly’s — particularly the original location on Revere Beach — serves an excellent fried clam plate. It doesn’t use Ipswich clams like other restaurants on this list, but it’s still worth the trip. Open year-round." - Tanya Edwards
"The original, or get out. Since it opened in 1951, Kelly’s has been a staple on Revere Beach. Get a “super beef four ways” (barbecue sauce, lettuce, mayo, and cheese) and look out upon the vast expanse of the Atlantic." - Celina Colby
"Roast beef sandwiches are practically ubiquitous in Massachusetts, particularly in the North Shore region, and there is no roast beef spot more well-known than Kelly’s Roast Beef, which opened in 1951 on Revere Beach. (These days, there are several other locations — including Saugus, Danvers, and Medford.) It’s possible this stalwart invented the roast beef sandwich in the form that it appears around the state, and mega-chain Arby’s acknowledges drawing inspiration from Kelly’s. True North Shore roast beef fans tend to go for the three-way sandwich, which comes topped with James River barbecue sauce, no-frills Land O’Lakes white American cheese, and mayonnaise." - Eater Staff
"Kelly’s Roast Beef is often maligned, but that’s because hating is a sport for Bostonians and their neighbors on the North Shore. The provenance of that ire seems to be that Kelly’s decided to expand — quality beef has no time for capitalism, after all. The truth is: Kelly’s hasn’t been around since 1951 because it’s slinging mediocre beef. It’s the OG, and it’s got an ocean view. The fried clams are also the best in the “roast beef and seafood” game." - Terrence Doyle
"Seemingly safe from redevelopment, I recommend getting a super beef—the largest size of beef sandwiches—for $9.50, prepared four ways: mayonnaise, cheese, lettuce, and barbecue sauce. It arrives on the iconic knotted seeded roll (buttered and griddled, of course) made by Piantedosi Baking Company, a longtime family-owned Massachusetts business." - Terrence Doyle