Marina Varano could never get enough of her Italian mother’s fresh and crispy chicken cutlets growing up in Boston.
“My mom grew up making these cutlets almost five times a week because it was the only thing my brother and I asked for,” Varano told MassLive outside her family’s latest venture, My Mother’s Cutlets.
The Boston sandwich shop, which opened on Friday, April 25, makes Michelle Varano’s famous chicken cutlets the star of the show. And while Marina Varano says every Italian claims their mother is the best cook, she says she’s got the proof that her mother’s chicken cutlets are truly the best in Boston.
“Everyone wanted to come to our house, whether it was elementary school, middle school, high school,” Varano said, adding that even her college friends from California still ask to have her mother’s chicken cutlets shipped to them.
“Everyone always wants it to be their mother’s cutlets, but we branded it after my mother’s cutlets because we truly think it’s the best and we want to share that with everyone.”
My Mother’s Cutlets is a fast-casual eatery in the North End that lets customers build their own chicken cutlet sandwiches. People start by choosing their bread then a cutlet followed by sauces or dressing, cheese and any add-ons they prefer.
And it’s not just chicken guests are tied to for protein options. Diners can also stuff their sandwiches with eggplant, veal or meatballs. Those not into bread can opt for Varano’s aunt’s “famous” tomato salad as their base, as well.
Build-your-own-cutlet creations start at $15. Add-ons are available for an additional $2 to $4. Each sandwich comes with a side of chips.
“It’s custom cutlet creation,” Varano said. “What I’ve been explaining it as is the Chipotle for Italians.”
For those overwhelmed at the thought of customizing a sandwich, there are five options on the menu already created. Standouts include “My Mother’s Special” — a cutlet with vodka sauce and burrata — and “The Hot Paisan” — a cutlet with prosciutto, mozzarella, hot honey and basil. These classic options also start at $15.
My Mother’s Cutlets is truly a family affair, with Varano’s mother, aunt and other relatives all working behind the counter.
The sandwich shop is right next to Strega, which was the first restaurant that Varano’s father, Nick Varano, opened in 2003. His other restaurants are Nico Ristorante in the North End as well as Fratelli and Giardino in Encore Boston Harbor.
My Mother’s Cutlets is also on the same street where Nick Varano grew up, marking another meaningful moment for the family.
“This corner is just so special and unique to us as a whole,” Marina Varano said. “The North End is the perfect location for this [and] so we’re super excited to be here.”
My Mother’s Cutlets is located at 371 Hanover St., in Boston’s North End.
The shop is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
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