5-Stars, end of story...!
Ok, Kelly's is a name that is immediately recognized in the North Shore area. It started with a location in Revere, MA, on the beach, that served huge portions of all the perfectly satisfying, "boardwalk"-style foods daily to beach-goers; and then soon became a late-night, meet-greet-n-chow, for after-hours, post-party drunks and anyone else who just couldn't bring themselves to go to bed before 5 in the morning.
Now they've opened up other locations (thank god) and this one, in particular, is a true good eats blessing to have so closeby. But, why is that?
1. Award winning clam "chowdah". This is not the thick, pasty, flowery kind of chowdah but the broth is more thin and creamy. It's LOADED with clams; nice, small cubes of fresh potatos; and a dollop of butter melted in for a supremely, inimitable, this-is-definitely-Kelly's, taste. I cannot get a small size, EVER.
2. Lobster rolls. No, excuse me, MUTANT Lobster rolls. I think there's at least a pound of meat in them, maybe more. But, they are HUGE and it's LOBSTER MEAT, not 50 stalks of celery mixed in to puff it out. Some might say it's pricey (currently $16.50) but I personally don't care. When I go for a lobster roll experience, I want the BEST and I want it BIG and I'll PAY for it without complaint. It comes with chips and pickles but, in my mind, I'm thinkin', "Who the hell cares?!"
I throw 'em to the seagulls and eat the lobster roll...
3. Fried Clams. Ok, I think I'm unqualified to comment on the clam strips because I'm one of those who wants to eat a whole large order before I get there but after I eat 5, I start to get queasy. It can't be because of the clam strips because my friend will literally sell his body for them. I just find them a little too greasy for my taste but maybe they're supposed to be that way. But, let me just say, those first FIVE clam strips are freakin' AWESOME! Really....
4. Roast Beef. Roast Beef. And, (you guessed it), Roast Beef. Kelly's is renowned for its seafood but it's also synonymous with (guess again!), Roast Beef. It almost seems like a law that every "roast beef" place has to put "World Famous" on their outdoor signage, but Kelly's is the only TRUE World Famous Roast Beef in the North Shore of MA as far as everyone I know is concerned. Always fresh, nice and rare, sliced real thin...gonna got me some right now.... ;)
5. Fries, Onion Rings, Fish Sandwiches, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Roast Beef, Reuben... all very lovely, all very nice to have for those who don't get that Kelly's is about Clam Chowder, Fried Clams, Roast Beef and MUTANT Lobster rolls, but not for me. But, it's good they have them and the Reuben's actually pretty good.
As for the rest:
1. Ample parking on 3 sides of the building. Easy in-out.
2. Route 128 is nearby so you can get there quickly from cities up and down the road.
3. 1 Mall literally next door; another large mall 2 minutes away.
4. Plenty of seating inside but every so often the place is jammed.
5. Take out service RULES! If you see a huge line when you pull up, just call in and you can, sometimes, walk in and go right past everyone waiting in line and get your stuff at the take out area. ;) lol, for real.
6. The inside is kinda light, airy and interesting. There's a fish tank with exotic fish and a few nice bits of memorabilia from the Revere Beach area dotting the walls.
Kelly's is an experience everyone should have at least once. Because, like a Lay's potato chip, you can't stop at just once. You'll go back again, and again, and again, and again, and again.
And AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more