Saugus, MA. Thought "who the heck is Frank Giuffrida but that's a cool sign" when seeing this sign the first time. in 2007. The steaks were pretty good, and the servings huge, especially after a long day of road tripping. Oh and Frank Giuffrida is the well thought of original and former owner of the Hilltop, which opened in 1961.
Hilltop Steak House 68 foot tall sign at night
Saugus, MA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
This huge marquee is a real attention getter and frequently succeeds and convincing the tired and hungry traveler heading down Route 1 to stop at the Hilltop Steak House in Saugus for a meal.
First opening for business in 1961, the Hilltop has some great food and features its side orders family style. The beloved founder Frank Giuffrida remains well thought of, as he was known for serving good meals and generous portions for years. The Giuffrida's sold the business in the 1990's and he has since passed away in 2003.
A view at dusk
Saugus, MA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Heading down Route 1 through Saugus, you really didn't need an address to find this place. Just look for the enormous neon cactus rising above the traffic. That was the calling card for the Hilltop Steak House, one of those larger-than-life roadside restaurants that seemed perfectly at home along this colorful stretch of highway.
Frank Giuffrida opened the Hilltop in 1961, and the place just kept growing. Eventually more than 1,000 hungry customers could be seated at once in western-themed dining rooms with names like Dodge City, Kansas City and Santa Fe. When your table was ready, your destination was called out and off you went.
The fiberglass cows
Saugus, MA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Outside was just as much fun. A herd of life-size fiberglass cows grazed beneath the 68-foot cactus, and apparently the cows had to be bolted down to keep pranksters from wandering off with them. Hard to blame anyone for trying.
Inside, Hilltop was all about big steaks, big portions and plenty of customers. At its peak it ranked among the busiest and highest-grossing restaurants in the country. One especially busy day reportedly saw 8,700 steak dinners go out of the kitchen. Better keep those grills hot.
There were no reservations during the classic Hilltop years, and for a long time no credit cards either. You showed up, joined the crowd and waited. Frank Giuffrida, himself a butcher, built the place around generous portions and reasonable prices. The attached butcher shop even gave customers a chance to take some more beef home after dinner, assuming they still wanted to look at another steak.
Another view
Saugus, MA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
But the real RoadsidePeek attraction was that cactus. Glowing high above Route 1, it competed with a whole strip of giant signs, restaurants and roadside attractions trying to lure motorists off the highway. Somehow the Hilltop still managed to stand above most of them. For more than 50 years, travelers followed that cactus into the parking lot. Sometimes a giant neon sign really does work.
According to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, the large booths have been packed since the announcement a week and a half ago that the Hilltop will be closing down. The wait time to be seated has extended to multiple hours as crowds of former customers have returned one last time to say goodbye. It's too bad that prior to the announcement, the huge restaurant was frequently almost empty. It's been a far cry from when the restaurant was the highest grossing restaurant in the U.S. Perhaps demonstrating the nostalgic impact of this closure are the reports that items have been stolen from the Hilltop and placed on Ebay. In fact, Saugus police have reported the theft of antique pots and service plates in recent days.
Butcher Shop
Saugus, MA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
UPDATE: As of today Sunday October 20, 2013, the Hilltop Steak House will open then close its doors one last time. Yes, this Saugus, MA landmark is shutting down after 52 years at 10pm. It's a shame to see another roadside treasure call it quits and disappear down the trail. 10-13
UPDATE: Hilltop Steak House served its final meals on October 20, 2013, and the sprawling restaurant was demolished in 2015. The giant cactus survived and still towers above Route 1 at the redeveloped property, although it now advertises the businesses occupying the former Hilltop site. 08-26
Hilltop Steak House 68 foot tall sign at night
The fiberglass cows
Butcher Shop
