Best Roast Beef Sandwich

Although Nicole K. says we missed the boat not stopping at Harrison's Roast Beef during the New England Roadfood Tour, the best roast beef sandwich we did eat on the North Shore was that of the one and only Nick's in Beverly. This is the super beef, served on a delicious onion roll with a jot of horseradish sauce.

That is a pretty sandwich. Ain't nothing in poor old Knoxville like that.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Looks good, but it doesnt look anything like the Mass RB sandwich's that I used to get at Rileys in Framingham a year and a half ago.
WHERES the BEEF?
They had tons of meat and sauce oozing.....I know usually a Mass Rb sandwich has a kind of BBQ sauce, and not horsey sauce as their state trademark..
Seems odd to see horsey instead of a kinda q sauce for Mass RB...
Although I might add, that the photo is a very nice close up. It really is a nice photo of a RB sandwich.
I can even see the finger marks of the person that made it.

had a ball saturday at the new england roadfood event. It was like fulfilling a dream to go and eat roadfood with my "idols". even got some photos with them.the bus picked us up at woodman's in essex. we rode to the clam box and had ethereal fried clams, light and crispy. I sat with jane and michael and and had a fun talk. I told them that my mom told me to go into the food business because people would always have to eat. They liked that. I also told them they enabled me to get 6 weeks of vacation in 1986 to go cross country and bring back ideas to serve in the cafeteria i ran, ideas like cincinatti chili were unknown to us bostonians back then. Then we went to Nick's roast beef and had r b sandwiches. then to kellys for rb sandwiches . we discussed the finer points of the r b sandwiches. my new friends on the trip said i should have brought my spouse. but i said he would have said, ; "What?...its just a roast beef sandwich". he would not have been into comparing sauces, buns, flavor of beef, etc. then onto woodmans for more fried clams and lobster rolls. along the way we played roadfood trivia and "stump the sterns". They signed my "Goodfood" book that i used in 1986 when i drove cross country. they were very impressed with the coffee stains on the pagesof the book. I met people from md, pittsburgh,and grand rapids. Everyone was very friendly. we found we were very like minded about food and travel.One gave me some batteries for my camera, and another shared his prized cookies garnered that morning from a local bakery. I hope to go next year. I slipped jane my card with a tip for them to go to my favorite restaurant of all time, ray hottle's in wilkes barre. hope they do. On the way home , I picked up a copy of their new book, Two for the Road at Barnes and Noble. Finished it today; it was very enjoyable with great good humor. They had everyone introduce themselves, and i said i knew i was going to get slings and arrows for not only being a reg dietitian, but a health inspector as well. both are not conducive to good roadfood joints. but my true heart lies with roadfood. all for now. beth

Beth is totally correct -- this roadtrip really was phenomenal. Meeting, talking to, and eating with the Sterns, Bruce Bilmes & Sue Boyle, the Rushmores, Marc Bruno, and all the participants was a dream come true. These are some of the finest people you'll ever meet. Bruce & Sue gave me lots of super tips on writing and submitting reviews, and I'm even more focused now on adding as much new content to the site as possible. My fiancee Amy & I were especially inspired by an older couple from NH (?) who had visited all 50 states, had been to all my favorite Roadfood spots multiple times, and who said they love going on trips like this with younger folks, NOT folks their age, because it's much more fun! On the bus, I gleefully won a copy of "Two for the Road" in the trivia contest by simply having perused my tattered copy of "Roadfood" so many times. Roadfood has changed my life in very profound ways -- not only due to the fabulous food, but also due to getting to these off-the-beaten-path places, seeing new sights, and of course all the fine folks we have met along the way. If you agree, then you must go on the next tour! I'll plan my entire spring around the next event. Hail Roadfood, Chris

A super beef with cheese, xtra sauce & some horseraddish will just about do it for me. The picture must be of a Junior Beef. I have eaten at Nicks hundreds of times and that is NOT a Nicks Super. Sorry I missed the trip, but I was in NJ enjoying one of your other favorite haunts.....Harolds NY in Edison.

Being from the North Shore, I feel that I am a near expert on the Roast Beef Scene.

Danvers ; Supremes Roast Beef - You can't miss with this place. When you absolutely, positively can't afford a "bad day", this is the apex.

Peabody : Land and Sea - so consistent it's frightening. Roast Beef always great and onion rings that are second to none.

It's too bad that Macs Roast Beef in Peabody Square shut down. The Little Orange Building was a last stop mecca.

I always enjoyed Rileys Roast Beef in Framingham.
When I went, I always picked up a few extra to pass on to my friends when I got home to Marlborough. Even though it is only a 20 minute drive.

there was a roast beef place in the Elmwood section of West Hartford,CT. i think it was called Blue Ribbon or something like that. great roast beef,toasted bun and agood sauce. probably like you have in Mass. nothing like that around here any more,just Arbys. anybody remember this place?

What is it about the apparent tradition of excellent roast beef sandwhiches in New England?...we just got back today from a week long trip, and had one in Ogunquit, ME and Hampton, NH..not based on any recommendation...just stopped at random when we saw a sign...but my oh my oh MY...both were absolutely succulent! (and much bigger than above photo)....

Does anyone know the history behind this? Can I assume this is related to the British reverence for beef/early settlements in N.E.? Nobody offers ANYTHING like this in Chicago...

p.s...had a Roy Rogers on the PA turnpike on the way home....ugh!! Was especially disappointed, as these used to be quite good back in the day....

I am led to belive that the Roast Beef sandwich goes back to the days of the many shoe factories, textile mills,tannerys and such that we had in the area. All the bars that were in those areas served them at lunch along with the spirits. The bars also had slave clocks in them with the master clock in the respected mills the clocks would bell 5min before the workers had to be back at their benches and bell again to start back to work. Many of the older bars still have these slave clocks today though disconnected. The roast beef sandwich was a quick easy and cheap lunch, sliced right behind the bar and slapped on a roll. I have seen pictures of some of these places and it was common to have 4 or 5 bartenders behind the bar at lunch time. There are still a few bars/taverns that continue this pratice to this day even though they have a full kitchen. Also due to the many mills in one area lunch times would vary the bar became a very noisey place with bells going off all the time. Chow Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Jimeats

I am led to belive that the Roast Beef sandwich goes back to the days of the many shoe factories, textile mills,tannerys and such that we had in the area. All the bars that were in those areas served them at lunch along with the spirits. The bars also had slave clocks in them with the master clock in the respected mills the clocks would bell 5min before the workers had to be back at their benches and bell again to start back to work. Many of the older bars still have these slave clocks today though disconnected. The roast beef sandwich was a quick easy and cheap lunch, sliced right behind the bar and slapped on a roll. I have seen pictures of some of these places and it was common to have 4 or 5 bartenders behind the bar at lunch time. There are still a few bars/taverns that continue this pratice to this day even though they have a full kitchen. Also due to the many mills in one area lunch times would vary the bar became a very noisey place with bells going off all the time. Chow Jim

VERY nice post Jim!
I know that when I lived in Marlborough, MA., Previously, in the late 1800's-early 1900's, It was a huge shoe "factory town.
I find the history of Massachusetts in regards to its contribution to the shoe's of American very interesting, and was very surprised to learn that in my short time there.
I read so much about Mass history while living there for my year and a half, and I dont doubt that what you have posted is a good historial representation of how that delicious sandwich has come about.

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

[I know that when I lived in Marlborough, MA., Previously, in the late 1800's-early 1900's

You mean you're over 100 years old? Or was this your previous life?

NebGuy. Obviously Roosy became a real New Englander in her time here. It's a local trait that you know more about what happened a hundred years ago than yesterday. We're not steeped in tradition, we're stewed in it.

Try asking directions in Rhode Island. Chances are you will be given at least one landmark that's demolished, or at least re-named.

I still very much enjoy the pit beef sandwiches you can find at numerous little stands in the Baltimore area.

Man does this make me hungry! The best I have had latly was a roast beef french dip at the Oak Creek resairant at the Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, La. Nothin like yall can get up north but it will have to do.

And , they make a great bread puding at the steak house. I must get the recipe, it's tha best Ive ever had!
Joe

http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2006/03/balltimore_pit_.html

http://www.citypaper.com/bob/story.asp?id=5964

http://www.dining-out-guide.com/cat/showpic.html?id=0113
A taste just like Mass Roast beef there in Fla.
It was my last meal when I left Fla..Never had a better last meal in a state before!
Kick ass NE style Roast Beef.!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by NebGuy

quote:

Originally posted by roossy90

[I know that when I lived in Marlborough, MA., Previously, in the late 1800's-early 1900's

You mean you're over 100 years old? Or was this your previous life?

Just to catch up with Nebguy, Yah... That was my previous life.. A little late, but had to reply....
I wondered how I missed that..
Good grief, how the hell did I make it thru school?

I know that many feel that Kelly's is overrated, and there may well be better roast beef sandwiches, but it's still a worthy member of the clan IMHO. Today, as Boston temperatures hit the 90s (FINALLY after a month of rain and temps in the upper 50s all darn spring long!), Lucky Bishop and I went to the New England Aquarium. While we were there, Lucky B. proposed that instead of going back home and cooking dinner (not really an enjoyable thought in this weather even for the simple meal of leftover pulled pork that we had planned) we could get back on the Blue Line and head further north to Revere Beach for an early, alfresco dinner from Kelly's.

What a great thought that was! Not only did we share a fine repast (roast beef sandwiches, orange soda, and a shared clam roll with fries and a handful of onion rings), but the beach was mobbed with happy crowds and we got to enjoy an improptu samba parade to celebrate Brazil's win over Australia in today's World Cup match. Hooray for summer - at least for the moment.

Londi's Roast Beef, Rt. 62, Burlington,MA, located in a strip plaza.
Still the biggest in this area (close to a pound), bigger than Kelly's.
I keep bringing this place up, you won't believe it till you try it.
A Super Beef on an onion roll or a sub roll is $4.75.
The onion rings are crispy battered, and fabulous.
[img]http://images1.snapfish.com/34742%3A%3B44%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D924%3D%3B37%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A48%3A%3B27%3Aot1lsi[/img]
[img]http://images1.snapfish.com/347433366%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D924%3D%3B37%3DXROQDF%3E2323599478255ot1lsi[/img]

Man Dave.. That looks tasty! Is that a sauce or gravy I see on the wrapper and part of the beef? Either way, for that price, it cant be beat..

Usually NE style RB sandwiches have a kinda BBQ sauce to them. It is very similar, and they are all so so good.
There is a kick ass one in Cape Canaveral, FL, where transplants from Mass have opened a killer place.
Boston Beef and Seafood... Oh, it has food just like when I live in Massachusetts.

BBQ Sauce is usually on the sandwiches.
Not many around here do the brown gravy, except maybe on the fries.
Sauce is usually James River brand from VA.