Pizza is way over charred if you're ever in Italy on the Amalfi coast or Ponza a pizza like that would never be acceptable. Char ok but not like there's. Even some of the city's Neapolitan pies like Motirino's, Kestes, or Rabertas in bklyn have mastered the art of not burning the pie in a wood burning oven. Also they have the worst sausage I have ever eaten in my life- it's like breakfast American sausage except 100 times saltier. The waitress was amazing. read more

Absolutely outstanding pizza. The dough and cheese were amazing and the pepperoni was spicy but very tasty. We also had the Greek salad which was great as well. Living in NY we are used to great pizza but this place takes its place among awesome gourmet pizza. Great find during our first visit to Chester. read more

I have reviewed Otto in the past and have been a fan since Jonathan opened the restaurant. In previous reviews, I have said that they serve the best pizza I have ever eaten. A pillowy crust that is crisp on the outside with a few specks of char at the edges. I have regularly taken guests there to eat. But the last two times I have eaten there it has been awful. The pizza cooks make the same mistake that other incompetent pizza cooks make when cooking in a wood-fired oven. The deck is cool and the dome is hot. Then to make things worse, they lift the pie toward the dome to put a char on the edges. But when they do that, the bottom of the pie is grossly undercooked. So, you get the worst of both worlds. A strong char on the top and a limp nearly raw bottom. The Margherita was particularly disappointing as it had large inch-thick globs of refrigerator temperature stracciatella cheese smothering the pie. Three of us, who are normally insatiable pizza eaters ordered two small pizzas and wound up taking a whole pie home in a box. Typically they both would have been gone before the second beer. Any take-home would usually have been a late night snack. This morning the box hadn't even been opened, and no leftovers had been eaten. It breaks my heart. In the end, the pizza is only as good as the guy wielding the peel. read more

Really enjoyed our meal here - we sat at the bar and liked watching everything happening behind the counter. We loved the open layout and the pizza had great flavor! The middle was a little soggy but still yummy. read more

Line was OUT THE DOOR! It's that popular. Yummy and interesting too! Very kid friendly and the service is excellent. Worth the wait for sure. read more

Preparing a new, seasonal menu from scratch every single day is a complicated affair. So it comes as no surprise, that River Tavern and Dinners at the Farm owner Jonathan Rapp, has launched a simpler concept for his long-awaited second restaurant: a pizzeria. But, as you can imagine, this ain't no House of Pizza. At a preview this weekend, the RT team didn't have many kinks to work out. Chewy, crispy, glorious pies emerged from the 900 degree, wood-fired oven in three minute intervals. For me, always a pizza purist, the Margherita, oozing with fresh mozzarella, dollops of stracchiatella and strewn with basil leaves, was a slice of pizza heaven, but the more complex pies are beautifully executed, too (from sausage and peppers to shrimp, squid, mint and garlic). The opening menu offers a fresh Brussels sprout salad with shaved pecorino (delish), the famous RT Caesar, a gluten free baked polenta option and five pies topped with locally sourced ingredients (or create your own with your pick of toppings). Beer? Yes. Wine and Avery sodas, too. Pies start at $12. The only drawback? Just 32 seats. Get there early. read more

Otto - Pizza Near Me - Chester, Connecticut

We love trying new pizza in Connecticut. Otto has been tops on a few lists, so it was a must-try. It's not a large place, but we were seated pretty quickly as it was later in the evening. The person that sat us wasn't very friendly, nor approachable, and this service continued into the evening; perhaps we weren't dressed nicely enough for Chester. We split a caesar salad - excellent version of this, I enjoy a caesar dressing that has a ton of flavor, and this one packed a punch. We ordered two pizzas - a "meat" pizza, and a margherita, both as noted on the menu. The cheese pizza was very good - high quality ingredients, but as a fan generally of New Haven style pizza, I didn't love the crust. It's thick and very airy, and a lot of it is left undressed - leaving you with a pile of nice bread on your plate after you've exhausted the toppings. The meat pizza was a huge miss - it notes porchetta, pancetta, pepperoni, herbs, garlic and fresh mozz. The pizza was a salt lick to start; neither the porchetta nor the pancetta seemed to be rendered down, they appeared as large cubes of salty meat. The big fail on this pie was the "herbs" - I didn't expect entire sprigs of rosemary to be all over the pizza. Try taking a bit of one of those; it destroys your palate for the rest of the night. We didn't bother bringing home the leftovers. I think there would be a few go-to's on the menu, but would keep it simple. As it is, with so many other great pizzerias around, we won't be making the trip back to Chester any time soon. read more

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Not sure why my review was thrown in the trash...like I said, it is the best pizza in this part of CT and an obvious 5 stars...the crust will remind you of Italy...they had 1 beer on draft, a fantastic Thimble Island offering...do I need to give more details? read more

Wednesday, June 13th at approx 7PM. We (party of 2) went to Otto for a simple mid-week pizza and wine outing, as we've done several times in the past. On arrival the hostess/wait person placed my name on the blackboard (only name waiting) and explained there would be a wait for a table. Hmmm!!! There were then two open tables for four (each with two tables for two). The bar with it's 10 stools was empty, but I declined because a back impairment prevents me from sitting on a stool with no back. There were no others waiting and no others arrived during our 20+ minute wait. But half way through our internment one table of four (again, of two tables for two) finished their meals and left. Twice more we were told by the hostess that we could only be seated at a table for two, but none had become available. We waited and waited and waited like the only detainees at a border crossing as the other patrons watched our plight and as the staff walked past us several times, always looking away like we were unwashed deplorables. Finally, after at least 20 minutes of humiliation, I erased my name from the blackboard and we went to DaVinci Pizza in Deep River where we were met with a smile and their version of "glad you're here". At DaVinci our pizza experience was for much lower $$$, no penalty for being a customer and no chill of humiliation. read more

Cute little pizzeria in the center of Chester! Had a quick couple of pizzas and a bottle of Rosé with some girlfriends before a show at Godspeed Terrence Theater. Delicious pizza! Each pizza cooks for only 90 seconds!! read more

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This place is an oven inside and the place is so small it is so uncomfortable. The food was good but not amazing. Open some windows or invest in a better A/C. I don't understand how the workers work in there. It is worse than a sauna. Do not recommend. It's basically a hot pizza place. Service was non existent. Had to come to the cashier to order everything read more

I'm 59 years old. I had my first slice of pie when JFK was in the White House. Since then I've eaten (and made) hundreds - if not thousands more. The pizza at Otto is easily among the five worst I've ever had. The dining experience left much to be desired as well. First observation upon entering...the air conditioning coming out of the floor registers makes the place cold enough to hang meat. This combined with the metal chairs and you've got instant discomfort. The server arrived with our menus, two glasses and what appeared to be a milk bottle filled with warm tap water. I asked for some ice and was told matter-of-factly that "We don't have ice here." No explanation, no apology...no ice. Okay, no huge deal. I asked for a beer on tap. I was told they only served one - an IPA. Again, no big deal. I'm not an IPA fan but I ordered one anyway. Eight bucks for a glass of Honeyspot in a pizza place is just a tad on the presumptuous and insulting side. The menus is expansive, detailed and somewhat esoteric with listed items such as Scamorza, Grana Padano, and Stracciatella. I tried to do a Google search to get descriptions of these cheeses and was asked to provide a password for the Otto Guest Wi-Fi. After flagging down our over worked, over tabled server (the only one for the entire dining room as well as the four al fresco tables) I asked for the password. "We don't have Wi-FI, it's broke." I was told as she flitted by with another table's tap water. When we finally got a chance to order I chose the simple Margherita pie and my wife opted for the eggplant with red onions,scamorza,fresh mozzarella, granarino, basil and garlic. As the web site promises, my selection was in and out of the wood fired pizza oven in a matter of minutes and brought to the table by a kitchen hand as our waitress was in the weeds somewhere else in the room. We waited a full five more minutes for my wife's pizza to arrive. The young man said, "Oh, I figured you would have just started on the first one." I asked for pepper seeds and Parmesan to which his reply was the millennial standard response - "No problem." He turned around, went over to the waiter station - ten feet away - grabbed the condiments and promptly proceeded to get into a conversation with someone who appeared to be a regular waiting for a takeout order. After about a minute I got up, walked over and held my hand out. He gave me the pepper and cheese and continued discussing the live music scene in New York City. Now to the food. When my wife took her first bite of her pizza she almost gagged and spit the eggplant out on the plate. "I think it's rancid, spoiled." she said. I took a bite and got the distinct flavor of dirt...not good. We called the server over who proclaimed that all of their ingredients are fresh and offered to make a replacement. We had already been there long enough. My wife said she would simply remove the eggplant. A pretty sorry state of affairs when you have to remove the number one pizza ingredient because it is inedible. The waitress's flippant remark absolutely floored me: You're lucky that eggplant is the type of topping you can get off easily." I.KID.YOU.NOT. The Margherita wasn't much better. The toppings were watery and tasteless. The predominant flavor was burnt crust...burnt black crust. I saved my meal with heaping quantities of red pepper seeds and Parmesan. I usually give a place two opportunities to screw up or prove itself before I pass judgement but I can't do that for this joint. I work much too hard for my money and my leisure time is rare. On top of that I simply never want that aftertaste in my mouth again. read more

One of the best pizza spots around. Went with a vegetarian who hadn't eaten meat in 10 years. She caved. The pepperoni smelled that good. Faith in humanity was restored. read more

We stopped here for pizza before going to the Essex Polar Express train. It's abt 5 mi away. Warning: this place is really small and does not take reservations. That said, if you don't mind waiting literally in the middle of the place or outside and you don't have a large party, this place is wonderful. The food was excellent. The pizzas are so good and the toppings really well thought-out w fresh ingredients. Wine list was fantastic! Unless you like tiramisu with water, I would skip dessert - no coffee or tea! (You won't want to linger at your table anyway since people waiting for your table standing about 5 feet away.). These things would not stop me from recommending Otto though. I guess the food is too good - it probably always has a wait. Service was fine for such a busy place. read more

Still continues to please! Great pizza and I love the salads too. Thursday night is 1/2 off bottles of Thimble Island -great deal!

Perfect little place, we got a bottle of wine, Caesar salads, and the sausage and pepper pizza, with tiramisu for dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious and we will be back. read more

Otto - Pizza Near Me - Chester, Connecticut

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I taste. I concluded. This is one outstanding Pizza restaurant. I had one of the best pizzas, if not the best I've tasted so far. This was an hour drive from Bedford NY, and it was well worth the experience. These pizzas are gourmet, creative, and healthfully done. The village of Chester is quaint and adds to the experience. This is clearly a local jewel, staffed by super friendly local waiters. Their heart and soul is in their service. Love this place. On this visit I was a refugee from Hurricane Irma, and my friend in New York brought me here claiming that it was the best pizza around. Leaving New York to go to Connecticut to find the best pizza is a oxymoron, but it turned out to be a truism. read more

Best "pizza" place around. Great, interesting ingredients made by a skilled hand. This is not your typical american pizza place, it draws influence from different parts of the world with its pizza as well as other interesting appetizers and salads. Nice drink list with some good wines as well as craft beer bottles. Sit at the bar and watch the chefs working right in front of you. Fantastic! read more

Otto is the best pizza ... The staff are knowledgeable on everything on the menu... It's an amazing experience hands down every time we come.... Just amazing.... We highly recommend this place to everyone!! read more

Best pizza on the shoreline! Not a large menu with just a couple salad options, a few apps and a little but nice drink list. The pizza is well thought out, interesting and delicious. Service is always good and we always leave happy and full! read more

While we consider this one of the best gourmet pizzas in the state of Ct, we were VERY disappointed yesterday with the service at Otto. Two parties came in after us yet got their pizzas before us. Another family ordered salad and pizza and got their entire order before us. We were getting very frustrated. Otto please get a better system in place for completing customers' orders! read more

I have dined at Otto's pizza twice since its opening. They are still working on finding their rhythm. The oven produces a huge amount of heat which requires the side floating door to be cracked open. Great that the bakers get relief but the diners are left freezing. I was not the only one who dined wearing my hat. The restaurant offers two seating options : as bar seating overlooking the prep stations and tables scattered around the periphery. Bar seating should not be offered to families with kids. Besides the young kids needing their parents to support them on the stools , I watched the crayon bucket and the glass water bottle tottered on the edge of the counter. just a matter of time before crayons and drink orders flow onto the food prep. Did notice a new plastic partition added to separate the diners from the cash register. YOu may want to think about this open concept allowing the dinners to watch the food prep. The place is still juggling how to greet dinners and handle take out orders. Diners are left to figure out how to get their name on the dining list and who will dine at the bar. People seat themselves before tables are clear just goes to show the reservation system still is a work in progress. Take out orders need to be directed to come to the side counter and not be handled over those eating at the bar. Why does it take three people to make one desert? Seriously watched one get the ramequin , another apply the sauce, another to dressed the dessert with whip cream and a third to stick in the two cookies. The two tables could have been cleared and the new diners could have been greeted. This is the second time I have watched the wait staff scurry around while the new diners ask those standing how does the place work. THe pies are good. The dough definitely is made days ahead to allow for a rich flavor to develop. The food is very good . I grew up with NY pizza loving the cooney Island Totonnos , eaten at THe Best pizza at Havemeyer and been to Paulie Gee's to name a few pizza parlors in the NYC area. Ottos is good . Think about adding a little more sauce to the pies , adding the basil after the pies are cooked so they are not burnt and precooking the bacon . YOu will like Ottos . The food is good.. Just be patient. read more

Tried Otto for the second time today. It was worse than the first time. Bland. Caesar SWIMMING in olive oily dressing that tasted nothing like Caesar. No iced tea. No bread. Eggplant Parm was BORING. Weird texture. Tiramisu. Lady fingers SOAKED and flavorless. I asked for S&P and was given two ramekins with VERY coarse salt. I tried not thinking about just how many fingers had touched the seasonings. Gross. Sad-such sadness. read more

My favorite pizza spot. Margarita is a classic. We come here for every family celebration.

Small and quirky in a good way. The pizza, well I've had better. I will probably do again but it is not my first choice.

Finally, a good place to eat in southeastern Connecticut! Went to Otto's with my wife's family and our two young kids late this August and had a great meal that I am still thinking about a month later. We tried five pizzas, all of them terrific though I think white clam pizzas are universally overrated. Enjoyed the warm olives and the wine and beer selection, but the salads were somewhat underwhelming. The margherita and pepperoni pies were the most memorable, and the ambiance was warm and service quite friendly. Very eager to go back. read more

Ehh. When I try a new place, my benchmark pie is a sausage/cheese/red sauce pizza. I did this at OTTO and wasn't impressed. Here's why: the sauce was nondescript and not all that tomato-ey, and the pie overall was overly salted. It was basically a cheese and sausage pie. Thumbs up for the crust. Honestly, I'd rather trek the 20 minutes to Middletown for either Krust or Mondo or make the trip to New Haven to Modern, which IMO is the best pizza in CT. OTTO is ok, as I live 5 minutes away, but 2nd best in the state? No way. read more

The pizza here is great! The service is even better. When you walk into the restaurant you get this welcoming feeling. Probably the best local pizza you can get. read more

Amazing! Hands down best pizza around. Fun friendly staff & cool casual environment. Talk to Patrick, he knows how to feed you. He studied in Italy & has a passion for good food. We had him serve us chef choice & he did not disappoint! Sit at the bar & enjoy! Can't wait to return! read more

Great new pizza place in Chester. They serve authentic wood fired pies that you can watch them make while sitting at the bar. We had a salad and the Pork Ragù pizza.... It was very tasty... Has Chilies, Broccoli Rabe, Black Olives, and Ricotta Cheese on it. Several other pies looked good too so we'll need to go back and try it again read more

We had a fresh vegetable antipasti which was good but a little overpriced at $12. Our server was very helpful and gave us a taste of a Nebbiolo which was almost prune like and way too warm . We passed on that and instead had an excellent white arneis from Vietti. The pizzas were really flavorful particularly the white with fontina,mushrooms,sage ,and potato. The crust could have been crisper but overall the pies were really good. read more

Went back tonight and we were all a bit disappointed. The pizza wasn't nearly as good and the salad also missed the mark. For the salad; the fennel had no flavor, the walnuts were a bit burnt and as for the pizza, the crust was doughy and there was too much of it. There wasn't that same delicate perfect balance as the first two times we ate here. I am not sure if it's because they are now over the first three months of start up so they aren't paying attention to the details anymore but we noticed and I don't know if it will be further downhill from here or whether we would go again given my husbands distaste for the meal.. read more

Freaking delicious pizza with an awesome crust that is nicely charred in random spots from the super hot brick oven. Love the open kitchen also. Tried the pepperoni w cherry peppers and margharita and there wasn't anything soggy about either of them. Meatball appetizer was also great. They have beer & wine :-) read more

Absolutely my favorite pizza joint - the crust is amazing. Only issue is sometimes the toppings (especially the straciatella) tends to take some of the crunch out of the crust. But it's not a problem for me because the taste is amazing. Toppings are delicious and sometimes they experiment. Go on, be adventurous! You'll be rewarded! read more

Outstanding, incredible, excellent, awesome, efficient, friendly and OMG. This place rocks as the best pizza in the area!! Highly recommend!! read more

I love it here! Its a fabulous addition to the Chester area. Wood-fired, slightly charred pizzas with unique and often local toppings. We've tried the pork ragu with melville cheese, egg and pancetta, and margherita - all great. I like sitting at the bar in front of the open kitchen and watching the magic. The wait staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and the whole place has an upscale but warm feel. read more

Ottos has great pizza. Even with. A dairy allergy. Making pizza with no cheese you wouldn't believe how tasty even without cheese. Take. Out is great too. Even more of a treat to eat it at ottos right out of the oven. Staff is very friendly. read more

The pizza is amazing! You will not be disappointed. Large pizza selection as well. Ordered a bottle of wine that was good. Although I couldn't help but notice it was opened somewhere by someone but not in front of us at the table. Our waitress was very sweet. The only reason I didn't give 5 stats is because it really is just too hot. I understand there's a huge stove with a fire in it in the middle of the restaurant but comfort is a huge aspect of the dining experience. The chairs and stools are also uncomfortable which add to poor experience but it's an old building in Chester and space is obviously limited so I can understand sacrificing a little in order to accommodate people in such a small space. 5 stars in the winter or for take out though for sure. read more

All the flavors come together perfectly on the margarita pie and eggplant parm. The setting is so comforting in this quaint down town. All the servers are super friendly and make for a very pleasurable dining experience. Otto's has never disappointed in the least bit! Highly recommend! read more

Amazing pizza! ! Have tried just about all of the pies here.. Great stuff. . Better than pepes hands down. Great wait staff cool vibe if you haven't checked it out pot it on your list@ read more