The Original Roast Beef Since 1951

It all started on Revere Beach: with a name, a stand, and a little luck.

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Vintage photo of people ordering at Kelly's Roast Beef stand with a dog standing nearby and a large menu above.

It Began With Two Guys & a Hot Dog Shack

Kelly’s opened as hot dog shack on Revere Beach, also known as the first public beach in America. Just a small stand serving hot dogs by the water, run by Frank V. McCarthy and Raymond Carey, and named after their buddy Thomas Kelly.

Then, the 3-Way Was Born

Frank & Ray also worked next door at a banquet hall—where one night, a wedding was called off. Several roast beefs were left behind by catering. Not ones to waste a good cut of meat, the guys brought it to the shack, sliced it thin, grilled up some rolls, and started serving roast beef sandwiches. They figured the beef would last all day. It sold out in an hour.

Two people in a kitchen preparing food, one person focused on a tray of pastries.

Pulled beef sandwich with melted cheese in a sesame seed bun on checkered paper.

The Accidental Icon

They say luck favors the bold. In our case, it favored two guys with a grill, some roast beef, and a knack for feeding hungry beachgoers. The 3-way started as a quick fix and became a North Shore legend. Since that fateful evening in ‘51, we’ve been carving our own way, one sandwich at a time.

Leading With Local Pride

The hometown heroes keeping the Kelly’s tradition alive.

Man in dark blazer and green polo shirt standing in front of a brick wall near a window.

Homegrown Leadership

Meet David. He grew up on the North Shore in Beverly, MA. Long story short: this guy knows beef. As the Founder & CEO of AAM15 Management, he saw the chance to step up from just a fan of Kelly’s to part of its legacy—and didn’t hesitate. Now, he’s shaping what’s next for Kelly’s alongside the people that started it all.

Smiling young man in a white t-shirt holding a sandwich with roast beef and bacon outside a Kelly's restaurant.

Authentically Kelly’s, Then & Now

What started as hometown pride became a mission to carry Kelly’s forward, without ever losing sight of where it began. Alongside the original founders (who reinvested in the brand through AAM15), we're expanding thoughtfully, without ever changing what makes Kelly’s, Kelly’s. No gimmicks. Just great food.

A girl and a boy smiling and drinking beverages with straws at a table with checkered paper.

Making a Difference Beyond the Plate

Every plate helps fuel something bigger. Through donations, sponsorships, and long-standing partnerships like our work with One Mission (a nonprofit supporting children and families battling cancer), we aim to serve more than just meals. We're here to serve our communities.