10 North Shore Roast Beef Three Ways In Massachusetts Worth Every Messy Bite
On the North Shore of Massachusetts, a sandwich wrapped in paper carries a very specific promise that locals instantly recognize without needing explanation.
The roast beef three way brings together warm sliced beef, creamy sauce, sharp cheese, and soft rolls in a combination people defend fiercely.
These restaurants succeed because they understand balance matters just as much as portion size.
Locals return knowing the beef will be tender, the sauce will be just right, and the sandwich will be unapologetically messy.
The three way is not dressed up or modernized, and nobody wants it to be.
You eat it quickly or slowly, but always carefully.
These spots thrive on repetition, routine, and pride in doing one thing extremely well.
Regulars order confidently, often without looking at the menu.
This sandwich has become part of the region’s identity rather than just a meal.
If you want to understand the North Shore in one bite, grab extra napkins, trust the paper wrap, and start working your way through these roast beef three way classics!
1. Kelly’s Roast Beef
Here is where the legend began. You will find Kelly’s Roast Beef at 410 Revere Beach Blvd, Revere, right across from the crashing waves.
The original three way still sets the standard with a toasted sesame roll, thin rare slices, mayo, barbecue sauce, and American cheese that melts into every fold.
Order at the window, feel the ocean breeze, and watch the line of regulars who know exactly how they like it. The beef is rosy and tender, sliced to order so the juices gloss the bread.
The barbecue sauce has a tangy sweetness that blends with creamy mayo for a balanced bite, never too heavy, always craveable.
You can go junior, large, or stack it like a tower, but the sweet spot is the classic large three way. Ask for a slightly extra toasted roll for an ideal crunch that stands up to the saucy waterfall.
You will probably drip on your shirt, and you will not care.
What makes Kelly’s special is the texture game. The warm beef against cool mayo, the sticky barbecue that hugs the edges, the soft cheese that ties it together.
It tastes like the North Shore story told in toast and beef.
Grab a seat by the seawall and let the salt air amplify every bite. The sandwich stays warm in the breeze, and the cheese keeps the stack cohesive.
It is simple, iconic, and still the benchmark you measure the rest against.
2. Nick’s Famous Roast Beef
Nick’s has the kind of loyal Massachusetts crowd that speaks before you do. The landmark sits at 139 Dodge St, Beverly, an easy hop off the main drag when the three way craving hits.
Inside, the board glows with options, but you are here for a pink, juicy sandwich with the classic trio.
The beef at Nick’s leans tender with a clean roast flavor that shines through the condiments. Mayo spreads like silk, barbecue pops with sweet smoke, and American cheese drapes across the beef like a cozy blanket.
Ask for a toasted onion roll if you want a hint of savoriness that makes each bite fuller.
What makes Nick’s great is the cut. Thin, yet substantial, the beef holds heat and moisture, so your sandwich stays perfect until the last bite.
The roll keeps structure without turning gummy, which matters when things get gloriously messy.
Do not overthink it. Order a large three way, grab extra napkins, and settle in.
The first bite always hits with warmth, tang, and a little sparkle of salt that wakes up your palate.
If you like a little crunch, add pickles on the side and slip a slice in the middle. The acidity perks up the sweetness of the sauce and nudges the mayo into balance.
By the time you finish, you will plan your next visit and maybe a second sandwich to go.
3. Harrison’s Roast Beef
Harrison’s is a rite of passage for beef devotees who prefer a hearty pile with character. The shop anchors its neighborhood at 80 Chickering Rd, North Andover, quietly turning out sandwiches that satisfy big appetites.
Their shredded Grade A prime beef brings a different mouthfeel that soaks up sauce beautifully.
Here the three way feels rustic and bold. The onion roll toasts up fragrant, giving a gentle crunch that frames the saucy layers.
The barbecue leans zesty with a touch of spice, the mayo cools it down, and the American cheese bridges both with mellow creaminess.
Order at the counter and watch the rhythm. Beef gets sliced and shredded, rolls kiss the grill, cheese melts just enough to drape.
The result is a sandwich that holds together while still feeling loose and luscious.
If you want an upgrade, ask for extra sauce on the side and dab as you go. The onion roll can handle it, and each bite lands a little differently, which keeps things exciting.
It is the kind of sandwich you eat with elbows out and a grin.
Harrison’s nails value too. Portions feel generous, and the beef flavor stays front and center.
When the craving calls for something sturdy, this three way answers with gusto and zero fuss.
4. Atha’s Roast Beef & Pizza
Atha’s blends old school heart with modern consistency. You will find it at 10 Sylvan St Suite 5, Peabody, a steady favorite for locals who want their beef tall and tidy.
The three way here is stacked with neat folds of pink beef and a glossy layer of cheese.
The roll gets toasted to a gentle crunch, which plays nicely with the soft interior crumb. Mayo goes on smooth, barbecue adds tangy depth, and the American cheese seals it together.
Every bite feels balanced, never soggy, never dry.
What stands out is the cut and pace. Slices are thin but not wispy, so there is a meaty chew that satisfies without weighing you down.
Service runs quick, which means your sandwich lands hot and vibrant in your hands.
If you like extra drip, ask for a bit more sauce and add it in the middle layer. The cheese keeps control, preventing the roll from losing structure.
You will get that signature North Shore ooze without collapse.
Atha’s three way is the move when you want dependable excellence. It is the sandwich you recommend to a friend who is new to the scene, confident they will get the full experience.
Classic flavor, neat build, and a finish that leaves you plotting a return.
5. Bill & Bob’s Roast Beef
Bill & Bob’s is the place that feels like home even on a first visit. The shop sits at 2 Central St, Peabody, where generations have grabbed late night and lunchtime beefs.
Their three way strikes a signature balance of sweet sauce, lush mayo, and soft melting cheese over rosy beef.
The roll is textbook toasted, crisp outside and pillowy inside. Ask for a heavy hand with the sauce if you like a bolder bite, because the beef here can carry it.
There is a joyful mess as you go, and napkins disappear fast.
The meat has a satisfying tenderness that still gives a little chew. It soaks in barbecue but keeps its own clean roast flavor, which matters in a crowded field.
You taste beef first, then the swirl of condiments fills in the rest.
Want a subtle tweak? Add a pickle layer for bright snap, or sprinkle black pepper to wake up the cheese.
Either way, the three way stays true to tradition while feeling personal to your taste.
This is the stop for hungry days and quick nights. The line moves, the sandwich hits, and the memory lingers.
If the North Shore had a comfort anthem, Bill & Bob’s would be humming the familiar Massachusetts chorus.
6. Liberty Bell
Liberty Bell brings serious heft and a loyal following. You can steer to 420 Boston Rd, Billerica, and spot the steady stream of folks grabbing their three way fix.
The sandwich is large, saucy, and unapologetically satisfying.
Beef is sliced thin with a rosy glow, layered high so each bite feels plush. American cheese melts into the folds, and the sauce leans tangy sweet with just enough kick to keep things lively.
Mayo ties it all together with a cool creaminess.
The roll arrives toasted to hold the load. Ask for extra toast if you want more crunch, especially with heavy sauce days.
It keeps your hands cleaner, or at least cleaner for a minute.
What sets Liberty Bell apart is consistency. Even at rush hour, the build stays neat and the balance hits the mark.
You can expect the same great bite week after week.
If you are feeling bold, go double cheese for more melt and a smoother chew. Or keep it classic and enjoy how the flavors lock in step.
Either way, it is a big, grin-inducing three way that leaves you happy and full.
7. Pete’s Roast Beef And Pizza
Pete’s keeps the focus on speed, heat, and flavor. Navigate to 100 A Winn St, Woburn, and you will see why lunchtime regulars line up with purpose.
Their three way delivers the classic profile with a slightly toastier roll that adds crunch to every bite.
The beef rides the rare side, thin and tender, so you get that rosy look and juicy feel. Mayo spreads evenly, barbecue brings a sweet tang, and American cheese melts across the top to knit it all.
The sandwich feels sturdy yet soft, a perfect handheld.
Ask the grill for an extra toast if you plan to eat on the go. It keeps the roll from surrendering to the sauces.
Napkins help, but the structure here lets you maneuver without a disaster.
Flavor wise, Pete’s hits clean and bright. The sauce never drowns the beef, which keeps each bite honest and meaty.
It is a great introduction to the style for anyone new to the scene.
When you are hungry and in a hurry, this three way solves the problem. Quick service, fair price, and a sandwich that punches above its weight.
You leave satisfied, no fuss, just pure North Shore joy.
8. Jamie’s Roast Beef
This spot straddles two cravings and nails both. Cruise to 44 Margin St, Peabody,, and you will find the pizzeria energy meeting a roast beef soul.
The three way comes out tall, saucy, and perfectly cheesy, with the oven warmth adding a cozy touch.
The beef is thin and tender, with enough stack to feel indulgent. Mayo lays down a creamy base, barbecue brightens the middle, and American cheese seals the top layer into a smooth blanket.
The roll is toasted to a satisfying crunch that holds up to extra sauce.
Ask for a little more barbecue if you like a tangy pop, or keep it classic and enjoy the balance as is. The team here moves fast, so your sandwich arrives hot and ready.
Each bite delivers that signature North Shore drip without disaster.
There is a friendly vibe that makes you linger. People share smiles, boxes slide across the counter, and the grill keeps humming.
It feels like a place built for regulars and newcomers alike.
When you want comfort with a side of nostalgia, this three way hits home. It is hearty, flavorful, and neatly assembled, so you can savor every bite.
You walk out warmed, satisfied, and planning a return trip soon.
9. Mino’s Roast Beef
Mino’s sometimes flies a little under the radar, which makes it even more fun to discover. Head to 244 Broadway, Lynn, and step into a cozy spot where the grill hums and sandwiches come out fast.
The three way here is clean, balanced, and built with care.
The beef is sliced fine so it layers like silk, with a gentle pink center. The mayo is light, the barbecue slightly smoky, and the American cheese drapes perfectly over the top.
Toasting is on point, giving just enough structure to hold the juicy goodness.
Ask for a little extra sauce down the middle to keep each bite lively. The roll stays intact thanks to that efficient toast, so you can go saucy without fear.
You get the signature drip, but not a soggy collapse.
There is a nice rhythm at Anna’s. Orders flow, sandwiches stack, and the team has a calm confidence.
It feels like a neighborhood fixture where regulars nod in approval as they bite.
When you want a classic three way without the wait, this is your move. It is dependable, flavorful, and quietly excellent.
You will finish the last bite wondering why this place is not on every list already.
10. Supreme Roast Beef
Supreme Roast Beef does the classics with a polished hand. Set your GPS to 18 Maple St, Danvers, and step into a bright, tidy shop that turns out consistent winners.
Their three way is generous without being unruly, a sandwich that feels composed yet indulgent.
The beef gets sliced thin and piled high, with a warm pink center that glistens. Mayo softens the edges, barbecue adds a sweet tang, and American cheese melts into the folds.
The roll is toasted for grip, so your hands get flavor, not collapse.
Ask for a touch more sauce if you like a bolder mid-bite kick. The sandwich stays balanced thanks to that solid toast.
Every bite feels like a planned moment rather than a random splash of ingredients.
Royal shines at lunch rush. Even when the line stretches, the pace stays calm and the builds remain tidy.
You taste that care in the first bite and the last.
This is a go-to when you want a sure thing. No gimmicks, just quality beef, well handled, and sauced with restraint.
It is a dependable three way that earns repeat visits and satisfied grins.
