Dust off those saddle shoes and fire up the jukebox—a 1950’s icon is coming to Sarasota. That’s right: the famous Massachusetts sandwich shop Kelly’s Roast Beef is opening a location at University Town Center. After announcing that it would begin franchising in 2020, the roast beef giant will open its doors in Sarasota this summer.

Anyone who is from or has visited Massachusetts knows that this is kind of a big deal. But if you're not familiar with Kelly’s, here’s a little background info.

The place was Revere Beach, Massachusetts. The year 1951. It was there and then that Kelly’s Roast Beef was born. Kelly's boasts that it's the creator of the “Original Roast Beef Sandwich,” and sells approximately 1 million of those bad boys a year. The sandwich joint has been featured on Food Network, PBS and even Saturday Night Live. 

So what exactly makes this roast beef sandwich so special? Maybe it’s the house-cooked roast beef that’s made daily, or the fact that each sandwich is made to order with meat prepared to your liking—i.e., medium-rare to well-done. The thinly sliced meat is piled high on a grilled sesame seed roll and topped with whatever condiments your heart desires. (If you want to eat a roast beef sandwich like a Bostonian, BBQ sauce, mayo and cheese is the way to go.) Kelly’s menu also includes fried clams, fish and chips, and a lobster roll that just screams "New England boardwalk." Stay tuned for the official opening date.

Kelly’s Roast Beef will be opening this summer at 5407 University Parkway, in the Square at UTC. For more information, visit Kelly’s Roast Beef’s website.