Harrison's Roast Beef Has Reopened in North Andover

A decades-old roast beef joint north of Boston that shut down in 2023 is back in its old home.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Harrison's is open once again in North Andover, with a Facebook thread from the Chickering Road spot stating that Patrick's North Shore Eatery (which took over the space last year) "went back to Harrison's menu" while also putting rumors to rest about its closing again, saying that "A portion of our building is for lease." Harrison's dates back to 1984, being known mainly for its North Shore-style roast beef sandwiches.

The address for Harrison's is 80 Chickering Road, North Andover, MA, 01845. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/harrisonsroastbeef

[Earlier Article]
Patrick's North Shore Eatery Opens in the Former Harrison's Roast Beef Space in North Andover

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Jamie's Roast Beef in Beverly and Manchester-by-the-Sea Have Closed; Peabody Location Remains Open

A trio of North Shore roast beef joints is now down to just one.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Jamie's Roast Beef in Beverly and Manchester-by-the-Sea are no longer in operation, with the website for the business seeming to confirm this, as neither outlet shows up anymore on the site (and its social media does mention that the Manchester-by-the-Sea location has closed). Its social media does say what the poster in the Facebook group says, that the shop at 44 Margin street in Peabody remains open.

The website for Jamie's Roast Beef can be found at https://www.jamiesroastbeef.com/

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Harrison's Roast Beef in North Andover Has Closed; Space Coming Under New Ownership

A well-known roast beef joint north of Boston has shuttered, and it looks like the space will be taken over by a new owner.

According to a Facebook post from the place, Harrison's Roast Beef in North Andover is now closed, with the post saying "We want to thank you all for your patronage! 4 decades of great memories from employees, customers, food and fun!" The note also mentions that Dean Chongris will be opening a "new venture" in the space, though there appear to be some conflicting details on social media as to whether it will be a brand new spot, something similar to Harrison's, or even if the Harrison's name could remain.

Harrison's Roast Beef first opened in 1984, offering roast beef sandwiches along with other sandwiches, salads, and sides.

The address for the now-closed Harrison's Roast Beef was 80 Chickering Road, North Andover, MA, 01845.

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Beachmont Roast Beef in Revere Is Closing

It looks like a beloved roast beef joint that has been around for more than 40 years is shutting down.

According to a message sent from @IrishEyesPhoto1, Beachmont Roast Beef in Revere is closing its doors, with Greg Hill from WEEI apparently mentioning it on the air while a Facebook post from the Winthrop Avenue space seems to hint at it, saying "Let's go out with a bang!" Another Facebook post within the Beachmont...Capital of Revere...Nostalgia, Memories & History page mentions that the space is for sale, with a Remax page showing this as well and including pictures of the dining spot.

Beachmont Roast Beef first opened up in the late 1970s and has been known for its classic North Shore roast beef sandwiches including its three-way with cheese, sauce, and mayo.

The address for Beachmont Roast Beef is 629 Winthrop Avenue, Revere, MA, 02151.

[May 11 update: A Facebook comment indicates that Saturday, May 14 will be the last day in operation for Beachmont Roast Beef.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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John's Roast Beef & Seafood in Lynn Has Closed; Yas Chicken Replaces It

A highly-rated roast beef joint on the North Shore has shut down and has been replaced by a new restaurant.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, John's Roast Beef & Seafood in Lynn is no longer in business, with another poster indicating that it has been shuttered for several months now and that Yas Chicken is now in its space. John's, which had been in business for approximately 50 years, was often mentioned as one of the best places for roast beef north of Boston, with our affiliated site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) giving it a "best of" in 2011.

Yas Chicken offers wings, drumsticks, tenders, chicken and waffles, chicken sandwiches, and more, including mac and cheese.

The address for the now-closed John's Roast Beef & Seafood (and the new Yas Chicken) is 111 Western Avenue, Lynn, MA, 01904.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Miller's Famous Sandwiches Plans to Expand to the Greater Boston Area

A Rhode Island-based pair of dining spots known in part for their roast beef sandwiches may be expanding to the Boston area.

According to an article in the Boston Business Journal, the people behind Miller's Famous Sandwiches are looking to open five to eight locations in what could be car-accessible sandwich shops that are just outside of Boston. The post says that the company is currently working with a real estate firm to look for locations and will eventually start working with prospective franchisees to open the shops over the next three years.

Miller's Famous Sandwiches first started out in East Providence in 1972, opening a second outlet in Attleboro in 2010; in addition to roast beef sandwiches, the restaurants also offer such options as turkey, pork, chicken, and pastrami sandwiches along with lobster rolls, clam strips, baked beans, fries, onion rings, and cole slaw.

The website for Miller's Famous Sandwiches is at https://www.millersfamous.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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Angelo's Famous Roast Beef in Plymouth Plans to Expand to Stoughton

by Marc Hurwitz

A highly-rated roast beef joint on the South Shore may be expanding to a second location closer to Boston.

A poster on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page mentions (via a Facebook post from the place) that Angelo's Famous Roast Beef in Plymouth is planning to open a new location in Stoughton, with the Main Street shop saying that "For more than 5 decades this town was well known for a delicious roast beef sandwich. The place was called Murmacs. Well a new sheriff is coming to town." The post from Angelo's is referring to a beloved roast beef spot called Mur-Mac's which closed more than 10 years ago, and while posters have been wondering if Angelo's could be moving into that Park Street space, it will apparently be opening somewhere on Washington Street instead.

Angelo's Famous Roast Beef has received high marks since opening, drawing comparisons to the best roast beef joints on the North Shore (which is better known for roast beef than the South Shore); a boston.com readers' poll from last year included it among the best of the best along with Harrison's in North Andover, Nick's in Beverly, Billy's in Wakefield, Mike's in Everett, and Bill & Bob's in Salem and Woburn.

[January 25, 2019 update: The Enterprise states that plans for Angelo's Famous Roast Beef are on hold for now because of family health issues.]

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Kelly's Roast Beef Plans to Debut a Food Truck, May Also Open Logan Airport Location

by Marc Hurwitz

A legendary group of roast beef spots that closed one of its locations a few weeks ago is now looking to expand in a couple of ways.

The Patch is reporting that Kelly's Roast Beef has purchased a food truck and that it is also looking to open a new location at Logan Airport, according to VP and director of operations Dan Doherty. While there is little other information to report on either of these plans, more should be coming soon, so stay tuned for updates as they come in.

Kelly's, which first started out in 1951 at Revere Beach, shut down its shop at Jordan's Furniture in Natick in late January after deciding not to renew its lease there. Other locations of the roast beef place, including in Danvers, Medford, and Saugus as well as Revere Beach, remain in operation.

The website for Kelly's Roast Beef can be found at http://www.kellysroastbeef.com/

Thanks to Universal Hub for initially bringing this to our attention.

[Earlier Article]
Kelly's Roast Beef in Natick Is Closing

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Kelly's Roast Beef in Natick Is Closing

by Marc Hurwitz

A renowned group of roast beef spots will soon be closing one of its locations.

According to an article from the Framingham Source, Kelly's Roast Beef in Natick is expected to shut down this month, with the post indicating that the people behind the eatery have decided not to renew the lease for the space, which is inside Jordan's Furniture on Underprice Way (just south of Route 9). The Natick location of Kelly's first opened approximately 20 years ago and is one of five shops in the Greater Boston area, including the original location at Revere Beach and others in Danvers, Medford, and Saugus.

In addition to roast beef sandwiches, Kelly's also offers such items as clam chowder, burgers, hot dogs, and seafood dishes.

The address for Kelly's Roast Beef at Jordan's Furniture in Natick is 2 Underprice Way, Natick, MA, 01760. Its website can be found at http://www.kellysroastbeef.com/

[February 1 update: A Twitter photo from @sophotavo confirms that Kelly's at Jordan's Furniture is now closed.]

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Walt's Roast Beef Opens in Braintree

A small Rhode Island-based chain of roast beef places has expanded into Massachusetts, opening an outlet a short distance south of Boston.

According to a Twitter post from @JustinA_PZD, Walt's Roast Beef opens today at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree, with a Patch article stating that the place is opening within the food court. Walt's first started out in 1957 and currently has locations in Cranston, Pawtucket, Warwick (2), North Kingstown, and North Providence; its shops offer several options for roast beef along with roast turkey, pastrami, fish, ham, pulled pork, and grilled cheese sandwiches.

The website for Walt's Roast Beef can be found at http://waltsroastbeef.net/

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Owners of Nick's Famous Roast Beef in Beverly Indicted on Tax Evasion Charges

The people behind what many consider the best roast beef joint in the region are apparently in trouble with the federal government.

Universal Hub is reporting that the two owners of Nick's Famous Roast Beef in Beverly have been indicted on tax evasion based on $6 million in sales over a period of six years, according to the US Attorney's Boston office. The article says that the charge includes allegations that the owners of the Dodge Street eatery used the cash-only rule there to avoid paying taxes, with the official report noting that "From 2008 to 2013, Nicholas Koudanis and [Nicholas] Markos allegedly skimmed more than $1 million in cash receipts each year which they failed to report on either the corporate tax returns or their personal tax returns, thereby avoiding the payment of nearly $1 million each in personal income taxes during that period," while "Eleni Koudanis [the wife of one of the owners] had primary responsibility for the book-keeping functions of the business, and also recruited employees, including her son Steven Koudanis, to create false cash register receipts to use in connection with an IRS tax audit of Nick’s Famous Roast Beef."

Nicholas and Eleni Koudanis and Nicholas Markos have been charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States by obstructing the IRS and 10 counts of aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns, while Steven Koudanis was charged with one count of endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of the Internal Revenue Laws.

Nick's Famous Roast Beef is a dining spot that our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured as one of the best--if not the best--place to get a roast beef sandwich in the Greater Boston area. The review can be found at the link below:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/NicksFamous.html

The address for Nick's Famous is 139 Dodge Street, Beverly, MA, 01915; its website is at http://www.nicksfamousroastbeef.com/

[January 12, 2017 update: According to an article on the WCVB website, Nicholas and Eleni Koudanis and Nicholas Markos of Nick's in Beverly have pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the filing of false tax returns and conspiracy, while Steven Koudanis pleaded guilty to obstruction. The post says that all four are required to pay back more than $2 million in taxes and penalties, while Nicholas Koudanis is looking at up to three years in jail (it is not known what the other three could face in jail time).]

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Roast Beast Is Planning to Go National

A roast beef place in Boston that first opened its doors four years ago has some major expansion plans in the works.

Eater Boston is reporting that Roast Beast is looking for franchisees to open locations across the country, with a Twitter post from the Commonwealth Avenue shop saying that "We hope Boston's favorite sandwich becomes America's favorite!" (The dining spot's website shows that franchises cannot open in 15 states at this point in time, including Connecticut and Rhode Island.) People who might be interested in opening a location of Roast Beast can get in touch with the shop via a "Franchise Opportunity" link within its website.

Roast Beast first opened its doors in March of 2011.

The address for this roast beef shop in Boston is: Roast Beast, 1080 Commonwealth Avenue, Brookline, MA, 02446. Its website can be found at http://www.roastbeast.com/

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Mimi's Roast Beef in Waltham Has Closed

It looks like a roast beef joint west of Boston has shut its doors after more than 30 years in business.

A Twitter post from @EyesOnWaltham states that Mimi's Roast Beef on Carter Street in Waltham has "permanently" closed down according to a sign out front, though it is not known exactly why the shop shuttered. Mimi's, which first opened in the early 1980s, featured roast beef, junior beef, super beef, and double decker roast beef plates, as well as salads, fried seafood, wings, burgers, wraps, subs, pizza, and pasta dishes.

The address for this now-closed roast beef place in Waltham was: Mimi's Roast Beef, 3 Carter Street, Waltham, MA, 02453.

Thanks to @brandnewwatch for bringing this to our attention.

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Liberty Bell Roast Beef in South Boston Is Closing

It looks like a decades-old roast beef joint is closing to make way for a new condo development.

A poster on the Chowhound site mentions that Liberty Bell in South Boston is apparently closing its doors tomorrow (Saturday, July 26), while a Boston Magazine article from last week indicates that the structure on W Broadway will be leveled, with a 33-unit condominium project that will include parking and a new restaurant planned for the space. (The project was approved earlier this month by the Boston Redevelopment Authority.)

The Liberty Bell first opened in Southie in 1979, offering roast beef, seafood, grill items, and more. Other locations of the eatery can be found in the Greater Boston area, including in Billerica, Melrose, and Stoneham.

The address for this soon-to-close roast beef joint in South Boston is: Liberty Bell, 170 W Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127.

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Zaleks in Wakefield Has Closed

A restaurant in Wakefield that served everything from Greek dishes and seafood to roast beef sandwiches and pizza has closed its doors. According to a poster on the Chowhound site (and confirmed by the dining spot's website), Zaleks on Princess Street is now shuttered, with the folks behind the restaurant saying that they have sold the place in order to be able to spend more time with their family. The note on their website indicates that a new eatery with a  redesigned space and concept will be taking over, though no other details have been given as of yet.

Zaleks has been featured on our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) as a little-known spot to go to for their roast beef sandwiches, fried clams, stuffed grape leaves, and other dishes. A link to the review can be found below:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/Zaleks.html

The address for this now-closed restaurant in Wakefield was: Zaleks, 21 Princess Street, Wakefield, MA, 01880.


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Kelly's Roast Beef in Allston Is Closing

A local restaurant chain that is famous for its roast beef sandwiches is getting ready to close one of its locations.

According to The Boston Globe, Kelly's Roast Beef in Allston will shut its doors this Sunday, only a year and a half after opening the Commonwealth Avenue spot. The article indicates that the Allston location of Kelly's is closing because it apparently did not meet the sales needed to keep the restaurant going. It appears that the other locations of Kelly's will remain open, with workers who had come from other locations to work in Allston remaining employed, transferring to the other Kelly's restaurants (the Globe does say that approximately 20 workers from the Allston eatery will lose their jobs, however).

Kelly's Roast Beef first started out at Revere Beach in the early 1950s, eventually expanding to Danvers, Medford, Natick, and Saugus. The Allston location opened in May of 2010.

The address for the soon-to-close Kelly's in Allston is: Kelly's Roast Beef, 1227 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for the Kelly's chain can be found at http://www.kellysroastbeef.com/

For more information on this story, please go to the Boston Globe link below.

Kelly's Roast Beef to close Allston restaurant on Sunday

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New Restaurant Tentatively Called Boston Roast Beef and Seafood to Open in Jamaica Plain

A new dining spot is coming to Jamaica Plain, and it will be featuring roast beef and seafood as well as some healthy fare.

According to the Jamaica Plain Gazette, a restaurant tentatively called Boston Roast Beef and Seafood is planning to open on Centre Street on the ground floor of a new mixed-use commercial and residential building. The new spot will be offering vegetarian and vegan dishes as well as roast beef and seafood, and it will also be serving breakfast. The place will have a capacity of approximately 25, along with the possibility of outdoor seating. Takeout will be offered as well.

The article mentions that the owner of the new spot has been seeking advice for the restaurant's name, so it is possible that when it opens, it might not actually be called Boston Roast Beef and Seafood.

The address for this new eatery in Jamaica Plain will be 270 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, 02130.

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Bowery Poetry Club in Manhattan to Feature Roast Beef from Harrison's in North Andover

It looks like a club in the NoHo/East Village neighborhood of Manhattan that focuses on poetry readings and performances is going to start serving roast beef sandwiches at the club's new cafe, and the roast beef will be from the same folks who run a popular eatery north of Boston.

According to the East Village blog EV Grieve as well as Grub Street New York, the Bowery Poetry Club on the Bowery is planning to open a new literary cafe within the space. The cafe will apparently be featuring roast beef sandwiches using roast beef from Harrison's in North Andover. Harrison's, which is located on Routes 125 and 133, is a roadside restaurant that serves classic north-of-Boston roast beef sandwiches as well as pastrami, corned beef, ham, chicken, and fish sandwiches.

The new literary cafe may be open by early February of 2011.

The address for the Bowery Poetry Club is: Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery, New York, NY, 10012. Their website can be found at: http://www.bowerypoetry.com/

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Prime Roast Beef and Seafood Opening in Lexington

A new roast beef place is coming to Lexington, moving into the space where a coffee shop used to be.

According to Boston.com, Prime Roast Beef and Seafood is going to open on Marrett Road (Route 2A) in the Marrett Square section of town, about a mile south of Lexington Center. the restaurant is taking over the spot where Brewed Awakenings Cafe was located until closing early this summer. The article states that Prime Roast Beef and Seafood, which will have a capacity of about 35, will feature soups, salads, sandwiches (including roast beef), and seafood. A late October opening is expected. [November 19 update: Prime Roast Beef and Seafood is now open.]

Boston.com mentions that the owner of Prime Roast Beef and Seafood used to own Ken's New York Deli on Cambridge Street (Route 3A) in Burlington.

The address for this new dining spot in Lexington is: Prime Roast Beef and Seafood, 321 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA, 02421.

For more information on the opening of Prime Roast Beef and Seafood, please go to the Boston.com link below.

Roast beef restaurant will open soon in Lexington

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Roast Beast of Boston Opening Between Allston and BU Campus

It looks like a sandwich shop featuring roast beef may be opening near Allston and the Boston University campus. According to a post on the EveryBlock Boston site, Roast Beast of Boston is planning to open on Commonwealth Avenue, just east of where Brighton Avenue splits from it. The post indicates that a license for a restaurant has been issued for Roast Beast of Boston, whose apparent address is the same one that a smoke shop called The Joint currently has.

As soon as we find more information on Roast Beast of Boston (a planned opening date, menu, hours, etc.), we will post an update here.

[March 6, 2011 update: According to several of our posters (and confirmed on Yelp), Roast Beast of Boston is now open for business.]

[April 7, 2011 update: According to Universal Hub, Roast Beef of Boston has been shut down by the Boston Licensing Board because the place does not have a license to serve food. Universal Hub mentions that the board is going to be voting today on the restaurant's request for a common victualer's license, though the people behind Roast Beast of Boston need to meet with the local civic association as well, which they apparently have not yet done. If/when Roast Beast of Boston reopens, we will post another update here.]

[April 8, 2011 update: Universal Hub posted a comment within their article indicating that Roast Beast of Boston has received a common victualer's license, but the eatery will only be able to stay open until 7:00 PM daily. It is possible that the place may be open as early as today, but call ahead to make sure--their phone number is (617) 877-8690.]

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