The chicken cutlet sandwich shop that turned a corner of Milford into a lunchtime destination is packing up part of its recipe book for a second location. R&M Cutlet Co., which opened at 575 New Haven Ave. and quickly built a devoted following, is preparing to open a new storefront on Old Tavern Road in Orange, with a target of spring 2027.
The Orange shop will sit at 33 Old Tavern Road, inside the former Patriot Bank building at the Firelite Commons development, according to theconnecticutscoop.com. The site notes the new menu is expected to feature crispy cutlets, house-made spreads, imported Italian meats, comfort food, Italian classics and catering. As reported by Hartford Courant, the business is also looking at other towns beyond Orange as it grows.
From a Milford Storefront to a Growing Following
R&M Cutlet Co. was founded by Matt Nittoly, Ryan Trevethan and Michael Hazzard, according to ctinsider.com, which describes Nittoly as a school administrator, Trevethan as chef-owner of The Plate in Milford, and Hazzard as a carpenter. Per the Hartford Courant, the Milford deli sits in the same plaza as The Plate, the breakfast and brunch spot Trevethan owns, and Trevethan is a graduate of Johnson and Wales. Hazzard, who did the construction work for the deli, has said he had zero experience in food before helping build the business.
The shop specializes in freshly made chicken cutlet sandwiches alongside an array of other Italian cold-cut and hot sandwich specialties, per patch.com. The same report describes a hot food bar and mini-Italian market offerings rounding out the counter. The chicken itself is cut, cleaned and breaded in-house each day and served on bread baked fresh every morning, according to findingconnecticut.com, which also notes the deli stocks imported Italian goods, potato salads, pasta dishes and fresh salads.
No Freezer, Fresh Ingredients Every Day
Trevethan has said the shop does not own a freezer, with fresh ingredients picked up every day, according to the Hartford Courant. He has also said the deli's food is fresh and made daily, reinforcing the from-scratch approach that has built the shop's reputation. The Milford location quickly gained a committed following in its first year of operation, according to the Courant.
That following has translated into online buzz, too. One Yelp review called a popular sandwich the best cutlet sub the reviewer had ever had, while another praised the thin, crispy cutlets and generous sausage and peppers sub. A separate review highlighted the deli's eggplant stacks, thin sliced eggplant cutlets layered with mozzarella, tomato, roasted red peppers, balsamic glaze and arugula.
A Sandwich Named for a Sister
Nittoly, a high school principal in Norwalk who grew up in New Jersey and attended an education program at Fairfield University, still shows up at the deli every Monday night to make sauce and meatballs, according to the Courant. The restaurant carries a personal story behind one of its menu items: Missy's Best, made with prosciutto di Parma, imported provolone, arugula salad, marinated toasted peppers and pickled red onion, was named after Nittoly's sister, Melissa Dowd, who was terminally ill.
Dowd encouraged her brother to pursue his dream rather than put it off, and Nittoly has said she pushed him to take the risk and finally chase something he had long wanted. As the business prepares to open its doors in a second town, Nittoly has said the partners want to preserve the culture of the original Milford location through the expansion.
Fresh Cuts, Monthly Specials
The deli has also built loyalty through quirky monthly promotions, including a Cinco de Cutlet special in May, according to thenutmegmillennial.com. The same outlet described the cutlets in R&M's sandwiches as thin, tender and flavorful with a little crunch, with generous portions. R&M has also picked up local recognition, including Best Deli and Best Chicken Spot honors from the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, CT, per theconnecticutscoop.com.
Reported operating hours for the Milford shop have varied between accounts. Thenutmegmillennial.com describes the deli as open until 3 p.m. every day, while patch.com lists winter hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends, with Mondays closed. No exact opening date for the Orange location has been confirmed beyond the spring 2027 target.
