Years ago in another life, the life of a movie theater manager, I used to frequent the Hilltop Steak House in Saugus MA with the fake cows corralled out front.

There were 3 of us, all mangers, who would gather there for drinks and dinner. The other managers had it down to a science, I was the newbie and just learning the power a movie passes. Years later while with 20th Century Fox and Orion Pictures I found that premium movie screening passes would get fake train ticket punches on the commuter rail. I rode the rails for month at no cost besides the $1 parking fee. Yep it was a while back….. Anyway back to Hilltop back then you had no choice but to get a number and wait sometimes up to an hour.

We would get our number, wander upstairs to the bar, tell the bar tender to let Big Rosie know we were here, order our drinks (tip an occasional movie pass). Within a few minutes our number was called and we would wander down to Rosie’s smiling face. Her family size as she did fit her nickname. After our meals were on the table and maybe half to three-quarters gone Rosie would whisk our plates away, apologize for the meal not being perfect,  and would return with three new meals. She kept us feed with plenty or left overs to take home to our refrigerators – home was the theatre, our days were long especially with mid night showings. Anyway her family and friend had plenty of movies to go to between Peabody, Saugus and Stoneham.
Why am I bringing up the Hill Top, well after 52 years they are finally closing their doors I heard that someone even stole a cow from the front.

Ingredients

• 1/4 c. olive oil
• 1/4 c. maple syrup
• 1/4 c. red wine vinegar
• 1/4 c. soy sauce
• Chopped Parsley
• 4 chopped garlic cloves
• Oregano to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 4 lbs. sirloin steak tips
• 2 lbs. sm. white onions
• 2 red peppers
• 2 green peppers
• lg. pkg. Mushrooms

How:

Marinate steak tips in the first 8 ingredients for at least 6 hours. (Can be done 24 hours ahead). Cut Vegetables in large pieces and add to marinade mixture 1 hour before grilling (can be added as you grill, but it is not as tasty).

Grill steak and vegetables together in a grill pan.

Hilltop Steak Tips

Related articles

• Hilltop Steak House, Saugus landmark, to close (boston.com)