Best North Shore Roast Beefs in Boston

A towering stack of beef 3way

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)

🍽The History of North Shore Roast Beef & How to Find a Great One

🤔 How to order like a local (And Not Get Roasted by a Masshole)