12 Years Ago This Beloved Massachusetts Restaurant Closed its Doors For Good

There are a few things here in New England that we remember where we were when we heard the news.  One of those things was the closing of Hilltop Steak House on Route 1 in Saugus, Massachusetts.

October 20, 2013 after a big drop in business, the owners decided to call it quits.  The competition was just too much. The restaurant had been open for over 52 years when Route 1 was still mostly woods on the left and right.  (Can you even fathom that today?)

Hilltop Steak House in Saugus, Mass Was Once America's Busiest Restaurant

According to WCVB, Channel 5 in Boston, Hilltop Steak House was once America's busiest restaurant.  If you went in it's heyday, you would definitely have to wait in line to get a table.  You could go up to the bar and get a drink, but you would have to watch yourself not to have too many.  The wait could be that long.

Mother's Day, 1980 Was the Busiest Day at Hilltop Steak House

On that day, WCVB reports, they served 8,647 meals that day.  That a CRAP TON of meat and potatoes.  One week in 1978, the restaurant served about 42,000 meals. What the heck?  That's a long wait at the BAAAH.

The Hilltop Steak House Sign Remains on Route 1

Barlo Signs, out of Hudson, New Hampshire, (now closed) according to cbsnews.com, was asked to restore the iconic sign after the restaurant closed.  Although it doesn't look exactly like the old one, they did a great job restoring the 67' cactus that lit up Route 1. Much like Yoken's in Portsmouth, the sign needed to stay.  The people would have revolted!