Zeno’s Roast Beef in downtown Ipswich is in the same space once occupied by another giant of the North Shore’s roast beef sandwich club: Chick’s Roast Beef. Zeno’s is a no-frills joint serving exceptionally tender beef and — unsurprisingly, given its location — great fried clams.

Harrison’s — open at this address since 1984 and under a different name in Lawrence before — is popular with the Merrimack College crowd. It’s a messy sandwich, but it’s cheap, and the beef is plentiful. The interchanges that take place between the cashier and the kitchen staff are worth the price of admission. Order a super beef “four ways, no onions,” and the cashier will yell to his cooks, “super beef: four ways, no criers.” It’s the prime spot for a solid beef and even better restaurant parlance.

Perhaps the best roast beef sandwich — or even the best sandwich, period. Most North Shore-style roast beef sandwiches require a plate and at least 17 napkins, but Nick’s version is — despite being handsomely dressed with mayonnaise and barbecue sauce — somehow minimally messy. The beef is pink and thin and as tender as the most tender filet. Go to Nick’s now.

There are three Bill & Bob’s Roast Beef locations — the other two are in Woburn and Peabody — but the one in Salem gets the nod here because it’s on the water. They’re all worth a visit, though. Get a side of onion rings because they’re delicious.

Mino’s is an institution. It’s been serving up roast beef sandwiches on Broadway in Lynn since 1975. Get a super beef with a side of crispy, golden onion rings.

Somerville isn’t quite the North Shore, but it’s close enough. Hot Box (part of Union Square’s Bow Market), which is led by the same folks who operate beloved Bay Village sandwich shop Mike & Patty’s, specializes in two very Massachusetts things: South Shore bar pizza and North Shore roast beef sandwiches. Get both.

In terms of style, this one is an outlier on the map, but it’s so good that it needs to be included. All Star Sandwich Bar’s roast beef sandwich isn’t served North Shore-style, but rather Buffalo-style (the city, not the sauce). The beef on weck is served on kimmelweck with spicy horseradish and a side of au jus. The beef is warm and sliced to order. One of Inman Square’s very best bites.

Further east on Cambridge Street, roast beef returns to the North Shore style at Skampa. There are plenty of other sandwiches, wraps, subs, and pizza at this classic shop, too, but you’re here for one thing: super beef, three-way.

Cutty’s does a lot of things very, very well, but its Roast Beef 1000 is what keeps the lights on. Slow-roasted, hyper-tender beef is stacked onto a brioche roll and topped with crispy shallots, sharp cheddar, and — what else? — Thousand Island dressing. There’s also a turkey version. (Note for those who follow Guy Fieri: He loves this sandwich.)