Kelly's Roast Beef — Restaurant in Saugus

I'm from Tennessee, and the closest thing to a Kelly's is Arby's Roast Beef, which is a nationwide fastfood chain incase you guys aren't familiar with it. At least I think it's nationwide, my knowledge of East Coast fastfood availability stops North of Virginia. I'm going to be honest, Arby's was probably a pretty damn good roast beef restaurant once upon time. Unfortunately, like most successful restaurant back in the day, it was acquired by a large franchise development corporation. Immediately, the development teams began to translate the restaurant concept and menu data. Processed statistics are restructured for efficiency, contemporized, tweaked and economized. So, basically, everything that made the previous location so beloved and successful for all those years was dumbed down, (at just enough of a quality and flavor loss to still be, "good" but never the previous levels of, "great!!!" as before) slightly to comply with the proven, repeatable and profitable system that can be replicated on a national scale. That's how we ended up withArby's. Like every other fastfood franchise out there, the food is usually going to be good... Just never as great as it surely once was. Anyways, Kelly's is the exact opposite of my little dystopian look at the fastfood industry. Everything is made fresh, in house. I was momentarily stunned into silence when the lady's voice from the drive thru speaker actually asked what temp level I'd like my roast beef!! Arby's version of roast beef(?) is served upon basic hamburger buns. Mostly tissue thin bits are sliced, -using a typical deli meat slicer- from an off-putting sickly gray, meat adjacent looking mass. The Arby's barbecue sauce is really the only thing I can say is similar to Kelly's. (just barely) Kelly's has all sorts of other menu items, like seafood stuff and other sandwiches. I didn't try any of that yet. So, yeah. Go to Kelly's, it's fresh, they ask you the way you'd prefer the sandwich toppings dressed, the roast beef is the expected natural pink colored, melt in your mouth variety. No questionable, gray colored hunks of "Arby's Grade" roast beef (in name only)...

I’ve been coming to Kelly’s since the 90s and it’s been a regular stop whenever I’m going to Logan or a game in Boston. In that time I’ve brought numerous customers, family members and friends here to enjoy what I considered the best roast beef sandwich and fries in the country. Well that was then and the fact is now they have lost their way pushing quality aside for profit. It took me 3 visits to write this review thinking it was just a bad visit but today convinced me otherwise. I stopped with two other friends who I’ve brought in the past, our shared experience of how far they have fallen matched up.

Starting with fries. They were once plump, large, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The appeared fresh cut and many had the potato skin to show their freshness and were delicious. Kelly’s has moved to coated fries similar to burger kings that have no resemblance to quality and certainly no flavor. They for lack of a better term suck. All three of us ate just a few and left the rest. Strike one

Next what put them on the map, the roast beef sandwich. Well even that has gone through some changes and not in the good way. The meat no longer has that unique Kelly’s flavor and was relatively bland while appearing under roasted when compared to past visits. The sauce no longer had the familiar tang the three of us remember but instead tasted more like it was being extended with fillers. The buns once toasted came raw which allowed the sauce to quickly make them soggy. There was plenty of meat on the sandwich just not a Kelley’s quality product.

After three tries I’m throwing in the towel and going to look elsewhere for a great roast beef sandwich. It was a good run but a familiar outcome when a business forgets how it got there as it expands. Hope they figure it out before the...

From their mouthwatering cheese fries with bacon to their outstanding service and convenient dining options, Kelly's Roast Beef is great.

The cheese fries with bacon at Kelly's Roast Beef are a true delight for the taste buds. The crispy golden fries topped with a generous amount of melted cheese and perfectly cooked bacon create a heavenly combination. Each bite is a burst of flavors and textures that will satisfy even the most discerning cheese fry connoisseur. It is a must-try for anyone visiting the restaurant.

Furthermore, the service at Kelly's Roast Beef is exceptional. The staff members are friendly and attentive. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team further enhance the overall dining experience.

In addition to the great service, Kelly's Roast Beef offers ample seating in the restaurant. No matter the size of your party, you will find comfortable and spacious seating options available. Whether you are looking for a cozy booth or a larger table for a group gathering, the restaurant has it all. The well-designed layout allows for a relaxed and enjoyable dining atmosphere.

For those on the go, Kelly's Roast Beef also offers a convenient drive-thru service. This is perfect for those times when you are in a rush or simply prefer the convenience of enjoying their delicious food from the comfort of your own car. The quick drive-thru ensures that you can satisfy your cravings without compromising on quality or flavor.

Overall, I highly recommend Kelly's Roast Beef. Their cheese fries with bacon are a standout, and the excellent service and abundance of seating options make it a comfortable place to enjoy a meal. Additionally, the quick drive-thru service adds an extra layer of convenience. Kelly's Roast Beef is a true gem that will leave you coming...