Zeno's Roast Beef

Sandwich shop · Ipswich

Zeno's Roast Beef

Sandwich shop · Ipswich

1

40 Central St, Ipswich, MA 01938

Photos

Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by Zeno’s Roast Beef/Official Site
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null
Zeno's Roast Beef by null

Highlights

Best North Shore roast beef, tender beef, great fried clams  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

40 Central St, Ipswich, MA 01938 Get directions

zenosroastbeef.com
@zenosroastbeef

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

40 Central St, Ipswich, MA 01938 Get directions

+1 978 312 1497
zenosroastbeef.com
@zenosroastbeef

$10–20 · Menu

Features

payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations

Last updated

Oct 12, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

Best Roast Beef Sandwiches in Boston and on Massachusetts’ North Shore | Eater Boston

"Zeno’s Roast Beef in downtown Ipswich is in the same space once occupied by another giant of the North Shore’s roast beef sandwich club: Chick’s Roast Beef. Zeno’s is a no-frills joint serving exceptionally tender beef and — unsurprisingly, given its location — great fried clams." - Terrence Doyle

https://boston.eater.com/maps/best-roast-beef-boston-north-shore
View Postcard for Zeno's Roast Beef

B H

Google
The best "Beef" on the North Shore, IMHO. The subs are great too, as their rolls are really good. Italian Subs here are my favorite. Great service - always friendly, which ISN'T the norm here in warm and fuzzy Essex County. I love this place. Oh, as well, Greek Chicken Kabob Salad - fantastic. Highly recommend Zeno's all day, every day, and twice on Sunday.

Brenton Babb

Google
I've tried many North Shore beefs, but Zeno's reigns supreme! Best supers around!

Sean C

Google
The picture speaks for itself. Probably the best roast beef sandwich I've ever had. The price is really reasonable for the how large the sandwich is. I also got an Italian sub that was very good as well. Highly recommend this spot if you are craving beef.

Leanne Milton

Google
I've heard of this place through social media and knew it was a must try. When you walk in, it has the aesthetic you expect from a north shore beef joint. No frills, stationary benches to sit, and a Wachusett chip display. I always go with a junior 3 way. This place did not disappoint! Flavor was crazy good. The meat to sauce to mayo to cheese to bun ratio was on point! The bun held up nicely with the amount of beef they loaded on it. As my sister says, "I want a blue collar beef." Could not have said it better! I don't want the fancy toppings, just a perfect 3 way. This place is slinging beefs, and they are worth the drive! One of the best beefs I've ever had!

Joseph Mercurio

Google
Best roast beef around. They also have the most generous portions; there's an insane amount of beef on the super and the large fry is basically an entire tray worth.Very friendly staff. Give them a try!

Arthur Jameson

Google
The salads had a huge amount of meat on them. Mine definitely filled me up. I’m not a huge fan of iceberg lettuce and that was the base of the salad. I’m giving them five stars because they had good service and the food came out quickly!

Jeffrey Bloom

Google
Zeno's put out a solid 3-Way. Wasn't expecting a poppyseed roll but I didn't specify when ordering. A bit light on the stack and sauce for a super. A mix of pink and gray a little over room temp. Overall an enjoyable sandwich and would definitely eat again if in the area.

Heather & Ryan

Google
Drove here quite some distance because my research said this may be the best beef on the North Shore. It was a work of art. Thinly sliced beef was the star of the show. Three way was the way to go and it did not disappoint. Ipswich is lucky to have this place. I Will be back. One of my all time favorite sandwiches.
google avatar

Jonathan H.

Yelp
If you're driving through this part of Massachusetts and feeling lost about where to eat like we were, this is the safe haven you were looking for! The roast beef is super lean and doesn't have that weird taste that sometimes roast beef has. The curly fries are nice and crunchy and pretty fun to play with. It's a nice family owned restaurant that makes you feel very welcomed. Lunch was very reasonably priced and we were super happy with it.
google avatar

Heather D.

Yelp
After a long day of travel my girls and I wanted to see what Ipswich had to offer. Zeno's did not disappoint, we were welcomed with a smile upon entry. The restaurant was clean, well kept and very open. The food was delicious, the fish and chips were a hit with three of us and the fourth was in love with her sandwich. I was pleasantly surprised by the onion strings, they hit the spot. So happy I ran across Zeno's while preplanning our trip.
google avatar

John L.

Yelp
Are you there god? It's me, John. If you want to talk to God, here's your chance. Eat this sandwich and enter an altered state of roast beef reality. Get the super "3 way" and then you can contemplate the existence of the universe. You will discover that we are simply on this planet to pass time in between bites of this roast beef sandwich. I am new to New England - this sandwich also helps me understand why people live in such a cold and rainy place. This sandwich is a portal of understanding - I believe it can solve world peace and the climate crisis. No, I'm not kidding. Zenos for president.

Niko A.

Yelp
Went to Zeno's Today and the 3 way roast beef was unbelievable best beef I've ever had!!!

Becky H.

Yelp
Great place to eat some of the best seafood or roast beef! We are from N.H. visiting the area and came across this place! Amazingly good! Thank you for the quick service and friendly service!
google avatar

Dustin P.

Yelp
The food is probably the best roast beef you can get in the area. The service is incredible. The woman at the front runs the place like a ship. Everything is neat and orderly and on time. There is a place to sit and eat your food, a bathroom and a place to wash up. So if you're a trades guy this is right downtown Ipswich and it's definitely worth going in, it's tough to find parking sometimes but it's definitely worth it. Excellent place, highly recommend it.

Corey S.

Yelp
Best beef on the North Shore! Plenty of options in the area but there is only one choice for beef's. Always thin sliced piled high melt in your mouth tender.
google avatar

Katoe R.

Yelp
My wife didn't think I could eat the entire super beef three way by myself. Boy was she wrong. It was fantastic and huge. I really enjoyed it and would love to go back. Her junior beef was also a nice size (and I was able to finish the two last bites she couldn't finish). Quick service is also a nice feature. I highly recommend this place.
google avatar

J. B.

Yelp
Best 3-way of all time (and I don't use that accolade lightly). Unlike a lot of spots, who rely on the James River, mayo, onion roll to give all the flavor, Zeno's actual beef is clearly the focus. Honestly, its so good, I could eat it plain, which is legitimately crazy talk; its simply has so much flavor. The woman up front was wicked friendly and the food comes out quick. Zeno's is absolutely worth driving an hour north for.
google avatar

Saul G.

Yelp
This is going to be tough. I really have no other reason to go back to Ipswich for a while. Had mine as a large sub, not all that large and glad I went big. The ratio of meat, sauce, cheese and roll was ideal. The thin sliced beef dominated -- as it should. Absolutely tender and juicy. Only thing to add is the second half of the sandwich reheated well in a toaster oven - a testament to the quality of the ingredients. Sometimes a rating this high is the product of locavore hype - not here, this is worth the pilgrimage.

Beth N.

Yelp
Not into the roast beef 3 way so we tried some other hot sandwiches. The meatball was meh but the cheese steak a major hit- stuffed with lots of delicious chopped meat with onions and mushrooms on a perfect roll. Get the large!
google avatar

Eddy G.

Yelp
Saw this place was rated as high as number one on some of the North Shore roast beef type sites. Maybe I hit it on a bad day but I found nothing appealing about this average at best place.

Eric P.

Yelp
Zeno's is an excellent little roast beef shop! The food is fresh and well cooked. The fried food is all right up to snuff from the French fries to the fish it's always consistent. The salads are quality, fresh and never browning. The customer service is also top notch always accommodating friendly and polite. My only issue would be the amount of sauce they put on there roast beef's but that's an issue at every roast beef shop I have ever been to.
google avatar

Tom C.

Yelp
You might have to slap me awake from this wild dream I'm having, I just left that beef in the bag for like 15 minutes and it was still crispy and delicious when I got home. I ate it in under two minutes, no bev, and it was exquisite. There was nothing even remotely wrong with that jr beef. Perfect ratio of beef mayo sauce and that slice of American on the bottom bun just how I like it, no soggy bottom bun, crisp as a winters breeze. I will be back but I might throw some rings in the order next time. My favorite beef now. 8.9/10. No picture today my mouth was watering, I kept taking short whiffs of the bag on the way home and I almost had to pull over and take a deep breathe, I've never showed those types of smelt ions for a jr beef before, brought out a side of me I didn't know was there. Excellent job zenos, keep it up.
google avatar

Keith H.

Yelp
Popped in here and got a super 3 way. The beef was perfect. Great flavor, mostly warm pink beef sliced thin on a nicely griddled roll. If I lived closer this would be my go to beefery. Nice execution of the north shore beef.
google avatar

Herb Z.

Yelp
Very good roast beef, up there with the best.....very poor Buffalo Chicken, like the worst rendition ever.
google avatar

Glenn C.

Yelp
Proving that even the top tier Beef Spots aren't perfect 100% of the time 3 juniors purchased yesterday all on the small side not the usual overstuffed sandwich buns were lightly grilled and the beef although warm and delicious was much more grey than usual. This is one of my favorite Beef Spots and this was the exception not the rule but a lackluster performance this time around-
google avatar

David S.

Yelp
Was on my way to modern butcher and due to the 3 hour wait we stumbled on too Zenos. What a great spot. Had the super beef and it was perfectly rare throughout and a nice toasted bun. Onion rings were great. Nice and light and flaky. 100% part of the top 20 beefs in mass.
google avatar

Anthony P.

Yelp
Great place to stop in and grab a beef, definitely the best around. Well crafted and damn near perfect. The onion rings are delicious. Big beef, ring, drink and your all set.

Michelle R.

Yelp
Great roast beef, haddock sandwiches and more. Clean, friendly environment and quick service.

Maureen B.

Yelp
Best Italian subs we have ever had!! Got two "small" Italians tonight- toasted with light hots, light oil and they were absolutely perfect!!! Full size and we ate every single bite because we just could not leave one single morsel behind!! Highly recommend
google avatar

Craig W.

Yelp
Best Roast beef 3 way on the North Shore. They even didn't waste my time asking if I wanted it on an onion roll or not. Of course I want it on an onion roll! Is there any other way to eat a 3 way! The onion roll was fresh and hot. Not an old roll just flung on the grill with 3 day old butter and flattened like other sub shops do. No, this roll was fresh and nice and hot. Price point$8.95 was maybe a buck to high. However, the sandwich was spot on. Perfectly balanced combination of Mayo, sauce and cheese. The roast beef was cooked to perfection. Red all the way around but not quite bleeding. My one complaint only, that is if I have to make a complaint? It is really a preference, not a complaint. I prefer my roast beef to be shaved thinner but other than that this is still the best 3way the NS has to offer. Buon a petit!

Nichapat K.

Yelp
Honestly did not expect to find something this amazing today! I had their scallops roll and it was superb! Deep fried scallops were fresh, sweet and flavorful. Would definitely go back if I have the chance!
google avatar

The Trut H.

Yelp
Place is slinging that North Shore beef. Straight heaters! Great amount of beef. Toasted bun. Great flavor.
google avatar

Thomas R.

Yelp
The best roast beef in the North Shore area. Always consistent and quick service. Great Job!
google avatar

Robert B.

Yelp
Very generous portions. A small roast beef is the the size of large ones at competing restaurants! Fast and very friendly service!
google avatar

Crickette D.

Yelp
Such good roast beef sandwiches! I was actually eating one while on FaceTime with friends (rude I know) the next weekend they drove from Cambridge to Ipswich to get one. They said it just looked so good we had to come visit and go get that sandwich you were eating!
google avatar

Arthur J.

Yelp
The salads had a huge amount of meat on them. Mine definitely filled me up. I'm not a huge fan of iceberg lettuce and that was the base of the salad. I'm giving them five stars because they had good service and the food came out quickly!
google avatar

Sara L.

Yelp
Best roast beef sandwich you will ever have. Homemade chicken fingers, Italian sub & the scallop dinner are all amazing too. So glad we have sub shops like this around here.

Robert N.

Yelp
Great local gem! Reliable and good menu options. Love the pizza and the Best Roast Beef in town. Shop local whenever possible
google avatar

Darrin P.

Yelp
It was good!! A filling amount of good roast beef. Also hit a pizza roll which was like Tostinos pizza rolls on steroids which was awesome. The only thing was I should've gotten the sauce on the side by the time I hit home it was soggy but that's my fault. Food overall was excellent!!!!
google avatar

Jack K.

Yelp
This place did not disappoint. Zeno's makes the best roast beef sandwich on the North Shore. Fresh and made to order w/ a killer homemade BBQ sauce. Does it get any better?
google avatar

Kerri D.

Yelp
Love their roast beef, condiments ready to go are important ( great bbq sauce) . Kids meal is huge- always ready when they say it will be. Cold subs are huge too def enough to save as a snack!

David T.

Yelp
Excellent roast beef, among the best I've ever had I would highly recommend this place, despite the atrocious spelling on the menu!

Michelle M.

Yelp
Hands down the best spot to get a roast beef. They know what they're doing. Ipswich's best junior roast beef 3 way. You won't be disappointed!
google avatar

Dan R.

Yelp
Great roast beef. Consistently good every time. Better than Nicks (Nicks is not as consistent as they used to be). Not too rare and great every time. My daughter's only complaint is they don't have a milkshake machine!
google avatar

Violetta Y.

Yelp
We took some sandwiches to go! Pastrami and roasted beef sandwiches were awesome!!! Definitely worse to try! Reasonable prices and good location - on the way to Crane beach!

A H.

Yelp
Love Zeno's. Great food and great people. We go about once a week and never had a bad experience or meal. The roast beef is great and so much better than Kelly's. Cheaper too. Good clean restaurant and open kitchen.

Ton L.

Yelp
Horrible service Looked dirty and the food did not taste fresh at all. Safe to say I won't be going back there for lunch.
google avatar

Karen W.

Yelp
Best meatball sub I ever had. no kidding. the roast beef is good too. Nice staff, clean kitchen. I'll be back real soon. I am not kidding...meatball sub is just awesome. Lady working the counter at 6pm on 8/21 was great.

Christine T.

Yelp
Found this spot by chance as we wanted something quick. The food was really good (we got a roast beef sandwich, scallop roll, fried mushrooms). Would definitely come back. The service is great.... very friendly staff.

Bill S.

Yelp
They do give Nicks in Beverly a run for their money. Great beef, great steak and cheese. Fries are just ok though.

Ariana V.

Yelp
This place has the best roast beef three-ways in the North Shore. My fiance and I drive from Byfield to get Zeno's because it's that good. The dinner option is great because you can get a beef with fries and onion rings, with a side of really good coleslaw. Overall can't go wrong here.
google avatar

Nichole A.

Yelp
Great fish sandwich and the owner is so friendly and cheery. Space is always clean and bright.
google avatar

amanda d.

Yelp
Great roast beef sandwiches, and the nicest and most friendly owners around. This is a great take out or quick lunch spot. Super fast, quality roast beef. Not dry and greasy like some other spots nearby. I really should try the other stuff on the menu sometime but the roast beef is fantastic and calls me back every time.

D I.

Yelp
Some people will think that anything and everything is good, local sub shop, nothing special... Inside is unattractive , why would you sit in here? Food is meh, at best-nothing special, overpriced, subs are small and not much filling...sub roll is lousy , service is s-l-o-w! Had 4 customers come in after me and still they got their order before me? I can't understand all the great reviews ...some people are simple like that, go elsewhere!

Maria L.

Yelp
Delicious roast beef sandwich, every part of it was perfect. Great lunch!! The bread was soft and fresh, the meat sliced to order, not greasy at all and fresh all around. Will definitely be coming back and encourage anyone else to enjoy lunch here.

Alex W.

Yelp
Hands down the best sandwich joint. Love their lobster rolls and of course the Roast beef sandwiches. Everything else on the menu is guaranteed to be superb. Thank you for the experience.