Like every successful restaurant, there’s a face and a story. At Bill & Bob’s Famous Roast Beef, you’ll find the same. Recently, Tom Dalton from the Salem News sat down with our founder, Nondas Lagonakis, to provide our readers with a blast from the past! Here’s a brief overview to give you a bit more information on the history behind our restaurant and one of your favorite places to eat!

How Bill & Bob’s started.

Coming to Lynn, Massachusetts from Greece in 1961, Lagonakis was hired by his brother-in-law to work at a family restaurant. However, Lagonakis strived for more and would work three jobs for the next seven years. It was in 1968 that Bill decided to sell his restaurant (the Salem location) and Lagonakis jumped at the opportunity.

The humble beginnings.

If you’ve ever owned a business, you know it’s hard work! For several years as Lagonakis tried to grow the restaurant, he realized that good help was hard to come by. Dedication and hard work would now be the new focus. It wasn’t unusual to find Lagonakis in the restaurant at 7am after leaving only five hours before. With a two-way radio and a house next door, the husband and wife teamed up and listened for the kids as they rose.

The secret is told!

When asked what the secret to his success was, Lagonakis replied, “the way we buy the beef. We buy the whole top round choice roast beef and we trim it way down, trim all the fat, all the gristle. I cook it with nothing on the roast beef, just plain. And we cook two and three times a day. It’s fresh all the time.”

Be sure to check out the full interview with Lagonakis! From humble beginnings to a smart business sense and extreme dedication, this is one business that quickly grew and became a Northeast legend.

When it comes to places to eat, Bill & Bob’s is a must try!

Beyond the freshest roast beef in town, Bill & Bob’s offers a menu filled with unforgettable favorites that satisfy every time. Visit one of the many locations across Massachusetts to experience what so many people are talking about!