The Massachusetts Restaurant Famous For Its Roast Beef 1000 Sandwich

Massachusetts residents know well that the Bay State has plenty of fantastic restaurants to satisfy their empty stomachs, such as the famous George's Coney Island, which has been serving hot dogs for over 100 years now. However, there's only one where the hungry Massachusite can get a delicious Roast Beef 1000 sandwich: Cutty's, located in Brookline Village.

Cutty's Roast Beef 1000 sandwich is made with, as the name implies, roast beef and Thousand Island dressing, as well as shallots and cheddar cheese. It's all served on toasted brioche bread. This sandwich not only is a specialty of Cutty's, but it's the restaurant's best-selling menu item and a part of what's made the place so successful today. It's even led to the Turkey 1000, a similar sandwich made with the same high-quality ingredients, only with turkey instead of roast beef.

If you don't live in Massachusetts and want to try the Roast Beef 1000 for yourself, you can make your own at home easily. The most important ingredient is the meat, so think twice before buying canned roast beef. Instead, you're better off using high-quality roast beef from a deli or even homemade if you're willing to put in the time. Whichever version you select, be sure to cut it as thin as possible and fry the shallots for a little extra crunch. Still, there are good reasons to make the trip if you're ever near Cutty's, including the chance to support a local business and try the famous sandwich for yourself.

Delicious as the Roast Beef 1000 is, Cutty's is far more than a single sandwich. While it's not the oldest restaurant in the world, having opened in 2010, it still has a fascinating story to tell. Cutty's was started by Rachel and Charles Kelsey, professional chefs who attended the Culinary Institute of America and have cooked at some of the nation's finest eateries. As Charles told Phantom Gourmet, "We wanted to just eat tasty sandwiches, and we thought it was a good idea to start making them ourselves. And I feel like, we've created so much tasty stuff that other people get to enjoy as well." 

Some of the other menu items that have been on deck at Cutty's include the Turkey 1000, a bacon sandwich with spicy mayo and Swiss chard, and a pressed sandwich featuring broccoli rabe alongside mozzarella, provolone, and tomato jam. It's all garnered many a rave review, both from everyday customers and Guy Fieri when he popped in on an episode of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."

During the Covid-19 pandemic, like so many other restaurants, Cutty's was forced to switch to an all-takeout business model. However, in 2025, it reopened its doors for in-person customers. Around the same time, Cutty's collaborated with painter Tara Lewis, featuring her artwork in the restaurant and offering both a new menu item called the TLC and merchandise to mark the occasion. Today, Cutty's is still owned and operated by the Kelseys, who continue to cook and serve their famous sandwiches to both new customers and familiar faces.