LEWISTON — The newest addition to Lewiston’s sandwich lineup, Bene’s Beef, opened June 27 at 990 Lisbon St., and put up a sign on the door that they sold out on the first day.
Owner TJ Castiello describes Bene’s as a chef-driven beef shop in a gas station. “It’s the embodiment of Americana,” he said Tuesday as he and his father, Tommy, were preparing to open. “Beef is the most American thing,” he added, “it’s everything America is, embodied in a sandwich.”
The menu is simple and focused on Boston’s North Shore-style hot roast beef sandwich, cooked daily on site, served rare on a toasted, sesame seed bun. There are four roast beef sandwiches to choose from in small and large sizes, with prices starting at $14 and $18, respectively.
Fries are fresh cut daily and double fried in beef tallow and come three ways — with sea salt, with maple sugar and sea salt, or cheese fries.

There is no freezer and only a small commercial refrigerator because Castiello says he believes food should be fresh and done the right way. He has 20 years working as a chef in Boston, Portland and now Lewiston. He even did a stint at the legendary Kelly’s Roast Beef original location on Revere Beach.
He’s sourcing his potatoes locally from Bell Farms in Auburn and working with Blackies Farm Fresh produce for other items. He said he would love to source his beef locally, if he can find the specific cut of beef he needs.
The name Bene’s is a shortened version of the family name, Benedetto, meaning blessed in Italian. “I just want to make people happy,” Castiello said.

The menu stands for now, but the chef-owner said he reserves the right to add seasonal specials from time to time.
Bring cash and an appetite, as the portions are generous and his point-of-sale system is not yet up and running. Castiello expects that will take another week. Once it is, online ordering will be available and debit and credit cards will be accepted.
Bene’s Beef will not be open July 4, but business hours moving forward are Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 7 p.m. or until sold out. There are a few seats, which makes it a mostly to-go kind of place.
Bene’s menu is on the Facebook page or on Instagram.
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