I stopped in on a Thursday evening while I was in Portland for business. They had live bluegrass music that was phenomenal and not at all what I expected in New England! The pizza was amazing, I ate until it hurt because it tasted so good, and wound up not taking any of it home like I thought. I will absolutely be back and you should check this place out! On a Thursday if you can! read more

Ahh Otto my beloved. Ever since I was little we would dine here. RIP that one Portland location. Thin and huge slices with a fresh sauce for the cheese. The mashed potato is a must as well if you eat meat. My brother worked here and the team loves making pizza it's as simple as that. Get a salad and a cookie if you are feeling crazy you won't be disappointed. Usually nice indoor seating, charming interior as well. read more

OTTO - Cheese slice - Pizza Near Me - Portland, Maine

Quick to seat, easy to order. Had many vegetarian options on the menu that could easily be made vegan if needed. Service was fast (restaurant wasn't very busy) and food was enjoyable. Definitely need to know the secret little semi-spicy sauce on the pizza so I can replicate it until I return read more

OTTO - Two-Cheese Garlic Sticks - Pizza Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Very solidly mid pizza. Appreciate that they sell slices. Every pizza I've had there has been good. The ambiance is fine, but the place is always understaffed (one person hustling to cover the whole place) and the kitchen is slow even when it's not busy. My favorite is the bacon pineapple hot honey pie. I'll eat there occasionally because it's convenient, but none of it is super high quality or knock your socks off. A true 3 star just okay place. I feel management could really level it up if they wanted to. read more

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My husband and I have tried a few pizza places in Portland and Otto takes the cake! It's a very comfortable, upbeat atmosphere with friendly staff. The service was excellent and we will definitely be back. It's also in a great location so you can easily walk around before/after for more exploring. Highly recommend the hot honey, char pepperoni, and goat cheese pizza!! (We didn't get a picture because we were too excited to eat it!) read more

OTTO - Two Two-Cheese Garlic Sticks - Pizza Near Me - Portland, Maine

I absolutely love Otto's pizza but the service is horrendous. The last few times I've ordered from here I've had to wait a long time for my order. I am now waiting over an hour for a delivery that the app says has been out for delivery for over an hour. I called the store and was told my food was still there and they don't have a driver and a Doordahser should be coming soon. My issue is there is no communication and transparency about orders. I keep ordering from here in hopes that things will be different but the never are and it's too bad because the pizza is my favorite in Portland. read more

I mean, yes, of course, I recommend OTTO, and beyond that, this is my favorite OTTO location! I love this particular spot not only for its location but also for its cozy interior; I find most of the other OTTOS more impersonal, with the feeling that 99% of their attention is to take-out customers. Even though I do love most OTTO pizzas and love their crazy variety, my favorite thing to order here is their meatballs. I am insanely picky when it comes to meatballs or any "loose" meat products. These are handmade with quality ingredients, doused in the house red sauce, and topped with a bunch of thickly shaved parm...and they are GREAT! Sometimes, if I'm there with a larger group, we'll order multiple orders of meatballs and then a smaller pizza to use as the bread. YES! read more

I'm only in town for a few weeks. And of course, I brought stretchy pants so that I could try out all the great food places. I've had plenty of lobster, rolls and lots of seafood, and I'm also a big breakfast guy. But I did all the right things to put me in the right frame of mind so that I could have pizza. I went for a big walk around the huge cove, spent an hour at the YMCA pushing iron. And closed out the workout by spending 30 minutes in the sauna at 118 degrees. I reached out to my landlord and asked him where I should go for pizza. Otto's was the place. To be more precise, it's actually three places. They have a special events room, and then they have a takeout area, and then they have the main dining area. Each of these has their own entrance. Leave it to me, the out of towner, to go to the first two before I got to the right one. It's got a really good feel, and they're really lucky to have such a fantastic staff. I got a pepperoni pizza and I ask for extra pepperoni with extra pepperoni, and then with extra pepperoni. I don't stutter. The pizza needs to look like it's got so much pepperoni, that you can barely see the crust. it was superb. I only know one pizza joke. At least I only know one that's clean enough to put on a restaurant review. When she brought it out, I commented that they'd made a mistake by cutting it into eight pieces of pizza. I said it was my mistake, as I meant to ask them to cut it into 4 pieces so I wouldn't sound like such a glutton when I told people how much I'd eaten. The crust on that pizza was absolutely perfect. Take a look at the pic, and just imagine how savory the first bite is. The cheese is manageable. You don't end up tugging, and pulling and trying to manage a stringy cheese mess. I'm gonna say it again.It was perfect. They've got a broad range of drinks and beers to choose from. I sneaked a peek at the other people there, and everyone looked really satiated with their meals. This is one place I'm gonna have to hit again. read more

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Delish pizza especially the signature mashed potatoes bacon! Friendly service despite the "crowd "! Highly recommend

Overall: first time at Otto and it's the OG one! I must say the flatbread pizza is phenomenal. There were some behind the scenes issues unrelated to the food but we weren't able to order any pork related items. Food: the cup char pep pizza was delicious. Cup char pepperoni is the superior topping. The hot honey flavor with the pineapple pizza is a sneaky good combination. The sweet spicy flavor of the hot honey is enhanced by the tart and sweetness of the pineapple. Ambience/Decor/Service: really old school looking restaurant like I'm in a western saloon. The service was pretty quick given the other BTS issues! Really would've liked to try the pulled pork selections but maybe next time. read more

Was in Maine for a sec and knew I had to stop by the original Otto's pizza store! My friends and I opted for a sit down personal pizza instead of the typical slices because we were so far beyond famished and it was a good portion size! My usual go to is the mashed potato bacon scallion but this time I decided to switch it up and get the hot honey pepperoni with goat cheese instead, which was absolutely delish! The super nice waitress lady recommended it and said that you can taste that the pepperoni is a higher quality than regular and I agree! I usually don't like a lot of pepperoni on my pizza but I didn't mind it at all! My friend got the bacon pineapple hot honey and also liked it! The vibe of it was very woodsy and smaller because it was split between to go (slice pizzas) and the restaurant. Overall though, fun place to check out when in town! read more

OTTO - Pizza Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I just had a piece of this pizza leftover and reheated, and dang was it delicious. I bet it was incredible fresh.

Just average at a premium price. The ingredients were fresh but the flavors didn't match. The sauce is what I will call fancy spaghetti sauce. read more

Quite enjoyed our dinner at Otto. We are from Connecticut and already had great seafood elsewhere. Tonight we wanted Italian. The Greek salad was very filling and fresh. We had spinach, Kalamata olive and garlic white pizza in the smaller 12-inch size and it was fine for two. Really nothing bad to say. Service was prompt compared to what other reviewers say and we liked the quiet, old-world ambience. And it was very affordable. The bill with drinks was $44. read more

Yay for diners with peanut and tree nut food allergies! They say that their kitchen can accommodate diners who need to avoid potential cross-contamination by nuts! read more

Yummmmm! Their pizza is so well done! Bright sauce, crust has such great flavor. I really enjoy the pizza!

I got a take out pizza. I had heard great things about Otto, but I thought it was just ok. Seems as though they may be just trying a little too hard. Overall it was ok. I liked the pizza, but was not overwhelmed. read more

Ever since otto first opened, when they were still writing their name one letter at a time on paper plates as a store front sign, they have been hailed as a great pizza and for good reason, unfortunately they had a bad review from self appointed pizza expert david portnoy, but you could tell just by watching that review that the pizza didn't look like it usually does, it was a staffing issue and a bad luck day, their pizza is very good, their pepperoni and cheese pizzas alone are great but then you start going into the mashed potato bacon scallion and the margarita pizza and how could you not love it. we Love it. 5 out of 5, i still say it's the best in portland. read more

Ok - let's get the food thing out of the way - amazing. Well crafted pies and good selection of local beer. More importantly, the vibe is warm and inviting. Good (low volume) tunes. And Derek is accommodating, kind and so positive. Can't recommend this place more highly. read more

Otto is consistent and reliable and I think that's what you want in a pizzeria. They have a variety of different pies, from basic and traditional to some that are more off the wall (think mashed potatoes!), and every one I've tried is bangin'. Cocktails are wonderful too. Sometimes I wish they had more non-pizza items on the menu but that's not really what you come to a pizza place for is it? So it's hardly a detractor. This location is a pretty good size compared to a lot of nearby places; it's not often you'll come here and it's too crowded. read more

Got pizza for takeout, hot, fresh, great flavor! Would definitely order from Otto again.

Second only to Flatbread, Otto serves up some of the best pizza in Portland. You can't go wrong with whatever you order, as it will all be delicious pizza in a lively, rustic spot. What I love about Otto are their extensive offerings for vegetarians/vegans/gluten-sensitive diners (or conversely, meat lovers!). They go to great lengths to accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions and preferences, which is both thoughtful and a strategic move as a business in Portland. Personally, you can't go wrong with their Four Cheese, or their Caramelized Pear, Blue Cheese & Arugula pizzas--YUM. read more

The pizza is excellent. No problems with that at all. Delicious. Interesting. I will be back but maybe I'll try the other locations. Thing to be improved - the acoustics are so weird in here. Everyone seems so loud. Add some sound panels or at least put on some music. read more

Me and my partner ordered a half mozzarella and half vegan cheese pizza because of their dietary restrictions regarding cheese. after waiting 20 minutes for the pizza we hear from the back from one of the pizza makers "what the hell is this order? half vegan, half mozzarella?" . Then muttered an insult underneath his breath. We thought this was unprofessional and weird, especially because we were the only people waiting and we could clearly hear what he said. After waiting for over 40 minutes (after being told it'd be 20). we finally got the pizza. When we opened up the box it was difficult to tell what was actually vegan or mozzarella. the pizza was soupy and very unimpressive, not worth all the hassle! the girl working at the counter up front was very nice and communicative though which seemed to be the only positive of our experience read more

Went to work in Portland from where I originally work up north. Company bought us Otto's for lunch. I had the Margherita pizza. Hands down the best pizza I've had in Maine since moving here. It's so fresh and perfect crust which is hard to find. I wish I was down longer to grabbed the Spicy Pulled Pork, Jalapeño & Pineapple. Next time I'm down for sure! I wish they were up north towards Bangor. read more

OTTO offers some of the best delivery pizza I've had at a more than reasonable price. I'm used to getting greasy, soggy, disappointing pizza when I order delivery when traveling for work. This was the exact opposite experience, with my pizza being delivered in ~15 minutes after ordering (I was pretty close but too far to walk) and they knocked it out of the park. The dough was crispy on the bottom and sides but a little bit chewy in the middle and the toppings were perfectly balanced. This prevents making it a limp mess and impossible to eat with one hand, which is a metric I use on the integrity and done-ness of the crust versus the amount of toppings used. Overall, I have nothing bad to say about OTTO as they vastly exceeded my expectations. The one thing that prevented me from giving OTTO 5 stars is that while it was very well executed across the board and offers a good value, there isn't one thing that just "WOWED" me about the 'za. I'd definitely order it again but this isn't a true destination like some of the other famous pizza places in New England. Good? Absolutely. Worth your money if you find yourself close by? Without a doubt. Will it be the best pizza you've ever eaten? Unlikely, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying a well-executed, local slice or pie. read more

OTTO - Delivery in rain - Pizza Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I live in the Midwest but found Otto (at 225 Congress St.) last summer while visiting Portland, ME with my grandson. This year when my travels with my sister brought me back to Portland, I told my sister we HAD to go to Otto and have their mashed potato pizza. She thought I was nuts until she tried it, then agreed that the mashed potato, bacon, and scallions pizza was "lick your plate clean" delicious!!!! Not only is the food delicious, but the restaurant is charming, and everyone who works there are always so kind and attentive. I highly recommend this "cool joint" and would dine there on a regular basis if I lived locally. read more

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Great to see that Eric S. only responds to the positive reviews. No way to run a business and actually get better. Definitely think twice before going here! In town visiting and this place came highly recommended (4 adults and 2 kids). When we arrived there were only 2 people at the bar. It took 10 minutes to get water and menus (which should have been a tip off), but we decided to stay and order. We ordered cheese bread, 2 pizzas, and 3 salads. The pizza and bread took an hour and a half to come out. We had to request the salads to go after almost 2 hours there. No offer for anything to be taken off the bill (didn't force the issue and just paid). The place looked like it was being run by 4 teenagers. Otto, you have to do better because this was our worst experience in Portland so far. read more

staff is overworked and burned out. they refuse to budget for a good experience. you have a kitchen worker running back and forth from dine in to kitchen. horrible experience. food is subpar. i don't know why it's a relic anymore. was supposed to be a portland gem, corporate sell out, greedy owners ruined it. read more

One of my very first Yelp reviews was for OTTO a decade ago. It was crass, and cringey, and full of inappropriate innuendos -- and that just isn't me anymore. So, admittedly, I took it down because people change. So do opinions. And so do restaurants. But my opinion of this restaurant has not changed. I love it just as much as I loved it when it first opened (slices were cheaper than they are now, the space was nothing more than just a five foot long counter, and if you were the Mayor on Foursquare you got a free slice everyday [... I was the Mayor for a really long time]). Now it's got expanded space to both the right and to the left with loads of seating options, lots of great live music, happy hour deals, community nights, awesome local beer on tap, salads (the Greek is delicious), and the range of pizza toppings has expanded (cauliflower left but then came back, they seem to have ditched the roasted garlic cloves altogether, and now have both vegan cheese AND vegan beef crumble options... times really have changed). So this review isn't really for this location, but for OTTO as a local chain. They're always going to have a special place in my heart (especially this location since it was the first), they're always going to hit the spot when it's 1:30am on a Friday or Saturday night, and it's always going to feel like what Portland was right before it became what it is (locals you feel me?). OTTO, I still love you. Thanks for being you and for only changing for the better. You've aged like the fine wine you serve. read more

Ottos is hit or miss. Their pizza tastes good when it is slightly underbaked. Fresh (don't ever stop for a slice) and with loads of toppings because the use of sauce on pies is basically nonexistent. They have tons of staff turnover so that can make or break your experience too. Their known for signature flavors, bacon, mashed potatoes & scallion is the most recognizable. I'm a fan of the butternut squash, ricotta , and cranberry pie. Combos pizzas are good. Straight cheese or pep is decent too. Salads are fresh. Large sized and their red wine vinegarette is tart and addictive. Cesar salad with toasted bread is one of their best menu items. It's a decent pizza parlor. It's not craveworthy but it's not garbage either. read more

OTTO - Garden salad (no onion) - Pizza Near Me - Portland, Maine

Ordered take out Margherita and meatballs. Both were solid and seemingly some of the best pizza in the area. Good sauce, good, unique crust - not thin or thick crust, and not boutique wood fired crust (though maybe these guys are wood fired?) but solid, good texture and pull. I'd go back but I'll like to try it fresh out of the oven. I will say, the pizza has stood the test of next day cold, too, so there's that. read more

Great pizza, we had takeout and really enjoyed it! The sauce was awesome and the toppings were fresh - overall a great pie and cheese stick order! read more

Pizza was amazing! And loved the customer service. We arrived closer to closing but they treated us so well and the pizza was delicious

Very good pizza (my mom's favorite). Definitely a go to pizza spot for our family. Dough and ingredients are quality.

Food is good, service is bad; we paid for a pizza that they apparently didn't have but didn't know they didn't have for about 10 minutes after we purchased it. Cashier at front was clearly flustered, forgot orders and constantly had to ask again what customers bought which slices; this seems like a huge oversight. read more

They close at 9pm but the hipster kitchen won't sell slices at 8:15. A real work ethic is dead here. The owners need to take a good look at their staff. read more

I thought the pizza was just OKAY. I wasn't really a fan. Maybe we came on an off day or off hours (I think we were there close to closing). We were visiting from NY...if we are ever back in the area I don't think I would go back. The staff was great though and the sit down area next door where you can take your to go pizza was very cool (old pictures, nice bar area). read more

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While in Portland, we had a hankering for pizza and Otto looked and sounded like a good place to try. Walking down Congress St, the whole pies in the window will make anyone pause and at least contemplate going in. You can grab a slice to go or sit down, order, and dine in. We did the latter. I wanted to try their famous masher pizza - yep... mashed potatoes, bacon, and scallions. I was having difficulty imagining what this would taste like because I hadn't seen mashed potatoes on a pizza before. When it came out, I realized that instead of mashed potatoes being slathered on the pizza, there were dollops of it covered by the cheese. This was actually really good. It reminded me of a loaded baked potato. If it had been piping hot, so that the cheese melted and pulled, it would have been excellent. We also tried their weekly special, which was a lasagna pizza, and a classic pepperoni pizza. The lasagna pizza was topped with tortellini, sausage, red sauce, and herbs. Again, this was very inventive and delicious. The toppings here are what are most intriguing but a good pie has to have a good foundation and the crust at Otto is top notch. When they pulled our slices out of the oven after a short time warming them, the crust was warm and it had a little crunch to it. Mostly though, it was soft and chewy, which I loved. It's great that they offer pizza by the slice and whole pies. We really enjoyed our lunch at Otto and we were delighted to learn that they have restaurants in Massachusetts as well. I look toward to trying more of what they offer on future trips up north. read more

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OTTO's was recommended to us to try by two employees at the Children's museum which is in walking distance (about 5 minutes). There are two sides to the restaurant, we sat on the right. Our server Audra was just awesome, very nice & on top of things. We ordered three small pizzas knowing we would have leftovers and they all were terrific! We ordered a small plain cheese for our son and our server informed us that the sauce is traditionally on top for that pie but she knows most kids don't like it like that and asked if we would like to order it was sauce under the cheese. Simple little way to go way above and beyond in helping a family with a toddler, thank you for helping us to avoid a major meltdown! As for pizza it was crisp, well cooked and each pizza had its own distinct flavors. We couldn't of been happier with our lunch and having leftovers was such a perk to eat later on! read more

OTTO - Spicy with the right amount of kick! - Pizza Near Me - Portland, Maine

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