OTTO’s Fundraiser Series – Updated Schedule for Boston and Portland

Several great reasons to eat an entire pizza without feeling guilty.

PrintOTTO is pleased to be hosting an ongoing series of fundraiser nights to benefit regional charities and community organizations. At each event, a portion of sales will be donated to the dedicated organization.

The series, which began in February of 2013, runs weekly in both Maine and Massachusetts, with Maine fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s new 574 Congress Street expansion, and the Massachusetts fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s BU location at 888 Commonwealth Avenue. The events are from 5pm – 9pm unless otherwise noted.

OTTO looks forward to partnering with many wonderful regional charities, schools, and non-profit organizations. The fundraiser series further extends OTTO’s philanthropic initiatives – the restaurant has been actively supporting charities and non-profits since opening its doors in 2009.

25945_10151427371857650_1879767039_nIn addition to raising funds, OTTO owners and staff hope the events will help raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and provide a venue for networking, brainstorming, and speaking with potential volunteers. OTTO also looks forward to working more closely with organizations and becoming better acquainted with those who dedicate their time to these causes.

The series is still in its infancy, and OTTO encourages charities, schools, and organizations to reach out to discuss opportunities. Those interested should send an email to contactus@ottoportland.com.

As of this writing the schedule is as follows (all dates are subject to change):

OTTO 574 Congress St. Portland (Arts District)salt

May 28 – Community Television Network
June 4 – SPACE Gallery
June 11 – Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
July 2 – Environmental Health Strategy Center
July 9 – Maine Youth Leadership
June 25 – KidsPeace
August 6 – Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership of Maine
August 13 – Portland Youth Dance
August 20 – International Children’s Enrichment Program

logoOTTO 888 Comm Ave, Boston (across from BU)
May 27 – Brookline Literacy Partnership

Please consider supporting these organizations by stopping by OTTO during their events. A percentage of each purchase will go directly to the organization. It’s a great opportunity to eat an entire pizza without the guilt!

The Verdict on OTTO’s Gluten-free Crust

Since we launched gluten-free crust on Feb. 28, many people have asked, “How is it?”

glutenfree3We tend to have high standards regarding the food we serve, but we figure the best critics are our guests, especially those who are either already big fans of OTTO, or who are gluten-sensitive and familiar with what’s available in the marketplace.

A few comments from those who have tried OTTO’s new gluten-free crust option:

“The crust was buttery and crunchy! My room mate even said if I hadn’t told her the crust was gluten-free she wouldn’t have even known… I ate four whole slices and didn’t get a stomach ache!…Thumbs up for OTTO’s gluten free pizza!” – Gluten Free Babe (blog)

“Probably the best gluten free crust I’ve had.” – Facebook fan

“It was awesome, thank you so so so so much for getting GF pizza dough!!! I’d say it was actually the best GF pizza i’ve had so far.” – Facebook fan

Come to any of our locations and try our gluten-free crust. We’re pretty excited about it, and we’re always looking for feedback. Our goal is to provide the best pizza for gluten-sensitive diners in all of New England (and beyond!), and your reviews will help us ensure that we meet our goal.

Happy eating!

OTTO Launches Delivery in Brookline

This week, OTTO officially ventured into the Boston pizza delivery market with the launch of full-service delivery in the Brookline area.

deliverymapWhile OTTO’s home city of Portland, ME has been enjoying delivery service for a little over a year, Boston-area pizza fans have been chomping at the bit for home delivery of their favorite signature pies.

People living and working east and south of Commonwealth Avenue (including Boston University), north of Boylston Street, and west of The Fenway, can order any of OTTO’s pizzas, salads, and beverages — with no delivery fees and no minimum order required.

Residents and workers only need to remember one phone number for delivery, regardless of which OTTO is closest to them. The number, which is also OTTO’s central number for catering, is 617-499-3352.

OTTO wants to remind its Boston that they are committed to feeding as many hungry residents and workers as possible. The initial delivery area is sure to expand in the coming months, but OTTO wants to ensure that the delivery service exceeds the expectations of those who frequent the restaurant.

In addition to delivery, OTTO provides full-service catering in the Boston area. OTTO is perfect for events ranging from business meetings to wedding rehearsal dinners. In addition to our signature pies, OTTO provides a variety of salads, beverages, and desserts. Both catering and delivery can be ordered via the same number: 617-499-3352.

Beer and Wine Now Flowing at OTTO’s BU Location

Starting today, guests at OTTO’s 888 Commonwealth Avenue location will have a broad spectrum of craft brews to drink along with their pizza, as well as a generous selection of wines.

While OTTO guests have never had a lack of beverage choices – we serve our own birch beer, root beer, lemonade, and tea – diners have been patiently awaiting this day.

The bar is equipped with six taps of craft brew, with the choices partly dictated by guest recommendations.

Our inaugural draft selections include:otto_beer
OTTO Ale (by Magic Hat)
Geary’s London Porter
Brooklyn East India Pale Ale
Lionshead Pilsner
Oskar Blues Old Chubb
Harpoon Winter Warmer

Available in bottle:
Lagunitas IPA
Brooklyn Lager
Magic Hat Circus Boy

Available in 12 oz. can:
Wachusett Green Monsta
Cisco Whale’s Tale Pale Ale
Abita Purple Haze

Available in 16 oz. can:
Lionshead
Sixpoint Sweet Action Cream Ale

The initial wine list will feature the following:
14 Hands Merlot
Haras Cabernet Sauvignon
Handcraft Pinot Noir
Indaba Sauvignon Blanc
Four Vines Naked Chardonnay

So, if our our award-winning pizza wasn’t reason enough, you now have 19 more excellent reasons to visit OTTO’s 888 Comm Ave location.

Now Serving: OTTO Ale by Magic Hat Brewery

OTTO is proud to begin serving OTTO Ale, a medium bodied golden beer produced by our friends at Magic Hat. The brew is an all-barley malt ale made with the German Hallertau hop – known for its fruity and mildly spicy character.OTTO Ale

OTTO serves wine and alcohol in all locations except for our Harvard Square slice shop. (Beer and wine sales at our BU location are imminent!)

OTTO Ale will be available for a limited time and availability may vary, so ask for it by name and give it a try while you can. It goes down great with a mashed potato, bacon, and scallion pie.

OTTO Ale is a great reason for guests to pay a visit to our new 574 Congress Street expansion in Portland, which sports a beautiful, spacious, but cozy bar crafted from salvaged wood. It will soon be a great opportunity for Bostonians to break in the taps at our BU location.

At OTTO, we pride ourselves on being the prime destination for discerning New England pizza aficionados. We also happen to think OTTO makes for a pretty great bar.

The Best Lines From OTTO Pizza Online Customer Reviews

One of the greatest things about the internet is the ability to cut through the crap and read actual first-hand comments about the food you’re thinking about eating. We can think of many times we’ve dodged a potential bullet by checking Yelp!, UrbanSpoon, etc., and learned first-hand about awful culinary experiences.

Here at OTTO, where we strive to always provide our customers with uniquely delicious pizza, a clean and cozy atmosphere, and great service, we make a point to monitor our online reviews. We’re pleased to report that they are overwhelmingly positive.

Some of these reviews are so great, that it seems criminal to not showcase them elsewhere.

Here are some snippets from the many wonderful online reviews of the OTTO experience:

From Steff, at UrbanSpoon (there is no best line — the whole thing is tremendous):

Dear Boyfriend,

I think you know this, but I’m having a love affair. With Otto’s. Oh, I know the three of us (you, me, and Otto’s) have had many randez-vous (sometimes multiple times a night), but you should know that when I leave your place . . . I stop for a quickie at Otto’s. When we’re kissing . . . I wish your beard had Otto’s crumbs in it. While you seasonally change your facial hair . . . they hourly change their options. They please me in a deep, thrilling way that no other man . . . or pizza joint . . . ever has. When I feel like I need to be loved safely and reliably, it’s their tomato-basil pizza that comforts me. When I desire that earthy, gritty kind of affection, I turn to their mushroom-cauliflower pizza. When I’m craving something a little more daring, a little more exotic and sexy, I have the white bean, roasted tomato, herb, and red flake (which is a mouthful . . . if you know what I mean). Yes, sometimes you are the more consistent lover; and, Otto’s has the tendency of teasing me so (oh, butternut-squash-cranberry, why can’t you always be there for me like I want to be for you?!). But it’s a small sin when their huge, heaping triangles of love are so reasonably priced. With their prices, it’s like they’re telling me: “from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish ’till death do us part, I hereby pledge you my faithfulness.”

I do, too, Ottos. I do, too.

Oh, boyfriend, it was only a matter of time before you realized with them it’s never forced. It’s never fake. It’s always the real deal: they are one of the best mouthgasm’s I have.

Please don’t be jealous,

Steff

From Rachel at Yelp!:

The ricotta, butternut & cranberry slice at Otto is merely a flatbread mechanism used to transport holiday cheer to my mouth, and that’s not pizza. That’s revolutionary. A $3.50 hit of “Thanksgiving essence” is now available during all seasons, forever.

From Sharkey at UrbanSpoon:

Just to be able to walk down Congress and grab a slice makes living here even sweeter. I love seeing smiley, happy faces walking the street, noshing on a slice from Otto’s. Best advertising there is!

From Matt at Yelp!:

When we get the call that there’s a meteor headed for Earth, many people will choose to be with family I’m sure.

I’ll be at Ottos Brookline (maybe I’ll invite the family along).

From Emily at Yelp!:

I need to find this Otto and have a talk with him. Who is he? What makes him tick? Most importantly, how did he become so awesome at making delicious slices of pizza?

From Christine at Yelp!:

I live in the North End of Boston and I am considering going to Harvard Square in the snow to get a slice. Its THAT GOOD.

A Baker’s Dozen: 13 Mouth-Watering OTTO Pizza Instagram Pics

Nothing makes us happier than knowing our customers love our pizza. While we love your praise when you’re in the shop, we also know that a picture’s worth a thousand words.

When our customers tweet or post pictures of our pizza (or our signature sodas and salads), we know they don’t just love it, they want others to love it too.

Here are 13 of our favorite OTTO shares on Instagram. Try not to drool on the keyboard, please.

1. From italianinboston:
otto pizza

2. From stretchandmayo:
otto pizza

3. From adewomol:
otto pizza

4. From constantlyconstance:
otto pizza

5. From just_me__just_em:
otto pizza

6. From shnrl:
otto pizza

7. From truestorycory:
otto pizza

8. From craigalansmalls:
otto pizza

9. From dibbee:
otto pizza

10. From bostontweet:
otto pizza

11. From mschafer87:
otto pizza

12. Also from from mschafer87:
otto pizza

13. And once again, mschafer87 (you really love us, don’t you?):
otto pizza

OTTO Pizza Serves up 2,200 Free Slices at New BU Location

To mark the opening of the new Boston University location, OTTO Pizza gave away 2,200 slices of their award-winning pizza on Monday between 2pm and 6pm.
OTTO Pizza Free Slice Day

(And they say there’s no such thing as a free lunch.)

It was a smashing success any way you slice it. (Sorry, that was irresistible, like the pizza.)

Here are the stats:

  • Number of slices served: 2,200
  • Number of pizzas served: 367 (six slices per pie)
  • Slices per hour: 550
  • Slices per minute: 9 (one slice every 7 seconds)

OTTO employees worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone who descended upon the 888 Commonwealth Avenue location was given the opportunity to give OTTO a try.

Otto Pizza Free Slice Day in BostonCo-owner Anthony Allen said that the shop’s ovens were continuously to capacity during the four hour stretch to meet the demand.

“We’re really proud of our employees, who did a great job under extraordinary conditions yesterday, and we had a great time meeting all the people who came through the door,” Allen said. “It was an amazing experience.”

If you were at the event, feel free to check all the photos at our Facebook page. Be sure to tag yourself or your friends.

Don’t forget that in approximately 30 days the BU location will be serving beer & wine. (Don’t count on a free beer day, though.)

OTTO’s BU Location Receives High Praise From ‘BU Today’: ‘Delicious…To Die For’

OTTO’s BU location at 888 Commonwealth Avenue received high praise from BU Today, the university’s news and information website. OTTO Pizza, 888 Comm Ave, Boston

While we think our pizza is pretty great, we’re certainly not allergic to outside praise.

When someone mentions a dish containing mashed potatoes, bacon, and scallions, it’s unlikely that you’d think of pizza. But, in fact, at Otto Pizza, the Portland, Maine–based eatery just opened on Commonwealth Avenue in the former site of Upper Crust Pizza, the mashed potato, bacon, and scallion pizza has become its signature dish and best-selling item.

The menu at Otto is notable for pairing unique ingredients and flavors, among them butternut squash, ricotta, and cranberry; white bean, sausage, herbs, and red pepper flakes; pulled pork and mango; and zucchini, summer squash, and spinach. This is pizza for a new generation of foodies, and it’s delicious.

Wait, there’s more:

Despite our crowd of seven picky eaters, the consensus on the pizza was overwhelming approval. Every flavor combination was superbly planned and executed—no excess cheese here or lack of mushrooms there. And the Neapolitan-style crust was to die for—thin and crispy with an extra bounce of fresh flavor.

Read on at BU Today.
Warning: Accompanying photos may cause excess salivation.