Unless you’ve been living under a rock in the North Shore of Massachusetts, you’ve had yourself a classic North Shore roast beef. The consensus order for the average beef connoisseur is called a 3-way. The 3-way consists of cheese, mayo, and James River barbecue sauce. Personally, I love the 3-way, and it’s my order every time I have the pleasure of putting down one of these North Shore treasures. Now, by no means have I tried every beef spot in the area, but as a true beef-lover, here are the top five joints you must try.
1. Modern Butcher (Danvers)
It’s worth the hype. The Modern Butcher is the most renowned beef spot around. They only sell beef on Saturdays, opening at 11:30 and running until they sell out. I waited in line for an hour and a half outside in the cold, and I still don’t have a single regret. This beef is just different. The flavor is fantastic, and they drown it in the classic James River barbecue sauce, giving it the perfect sweetness. I have zero—and I mean zero—complaints about the quality of this roast beef. However, the line can be a pain, but I also chose to go while every college kid was home, getting roast beef.
2. Zeno’s (Ipswich)
This beef meant business. I walked in with twelve buddies right as they opened, and they had some hungry mouths to feed with an order of twelve super 3-ways. There was straight silence between all of us—we just had sauce all over our faces and mouths full of beef. One friend even took his down in about forty seconds. I had heard great things about Zeno’s and came in with high expectations. Those expectations weren’t just met—they were exceeded. Zeno’s will for sure be a spot I hit again in the near future.
3. North Shore Beefie Boys (Food Truck)
I attended a meet-and-greet event at Giblee’s Clothing, mostly for the Celtics announcers Drew Carter and Brian Scalabrine, but was pleasantly surprised to see a food truck catering roast beef sliders. I quickly made my way to the table and put down three like it was nobody’s business. They were mini 3-way sliders on onion rolls, and to be frank, the sliders were an amazing touch. The Beefie Boys have food trucks around the North Shore and a restaurant in Newburyport, which I’ll absolutely be hitting anytime I’m up there.
4. Charlie’s (Middleton)
As a Middleton native myself, I’ve visited Charlie’s more than any other beef spot—and I’ve never once been disappointed. The word that comes to mind when I think of Charlie’s is consistency. They always nail the right amount of mayo, cheese, and sauce, creating a delicious bite every time. Their beefs are a great size for a great price, served on a big sesame seed bun with beef spilling out the sides. It’s not as well-known as some of the other spots, but it’s a hidden gem that’ll always hit the spot.
5. Supreme’s (Danvers)
Supreme’s is a North Shore staple. Generations of locals have made it their happy place, and their roast beef shows why. I ordered a 3-way on a sesame seed bun, and it brought nothing but joy. My only suggestion would be a little more cheese and mayo for maximum flavor, but overall, it was a reliable beef I’d happily revisit.