As part of our 10 Year Anniversary celebrations in June, we asked customers to tell us about their favorite OTTO experiences. We received hundreds of lovely comments and decided to publish a handful here on the OTTO blog. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us!
When we started OTTO in 1992, we had a few simple goals: To elevate pizza above its ‘staple’ status, and to create moments worth sharing. It was sharing that got us where we are today — word of mouth from the people we served day in and day out.
Thanks to all our customers for ten great years. We wouldn’t be here without you. We look forward to helping to create ten more years of memories with you.
My best friend and I discovered OTTO on Congress several years ago. We’d often grab a late afternoon slice on our downtown walkabouts. Over the years, when one of us needed advice, a shoulder or a serious chat, we’d declare an OTTO. We could talk anything through over a slice. Though our friendship has moved apart over the years, I know if one of us declared an OTTO, the other would show up. — P. D.
When my husband was offered a job in Portland in 2017 and my family considered making the move here, from Brooklyn NY, a place that has some serious pizza game, we came on a visit and happened upon OTTO. The first pies we ordered, Mango and Pulled Pork and Eggplant Ricotta and Basil, we’re life changing experiences and totally made us feel like we could picture ourselves in this new city. The flavor! The crust! We are now OTTO’s most devoted fans! DiFara no more! John’s is gone! Every Friday is OTTO night! — Amanda S.
Dinnertime with my family can be a real challenge but bringing my three kids, (1 vegetarian, 1 pescatarian and 1 gluten sensitive) to OTTO and watching them devour their pizzas and buffalo fries is such a gift! At OTTO, everyone can find a delicious option to fit their dietary needs and it’s a relief for a mom like me that all of your ingredients are high quality! Thank You OTTO! — Carrie C.
When I moved to Boston from Portland and saw an OTTO in Brookline, I knew it was going to be ok. — Leigh M.
Last summer, when we ordered OTTO and it never even made it in to the house…we just sat on the steps and ate it there in the dark. — Kate S.
We’ve celebrated our now-11 year-old son’s birthday twice at OTTO because it is his happy place. Friends, family and potato, bacon and scallion pizza. We know it will be a good time. 🙂 — Melissa P.
We had our favorite Mushroom and Sausage pizza from OTTO and ate it on the beach on Plum Island moments before we got engaged! — Jennifer G.
We are from NYC, just moved to Portland and had a couple of Italian-American friends visit. We had low expectations of pizza in Maine. Ok, no expectations. But a fast delivery, that weird sheet that keeps the crust crispy, and the smell of real cheese made the crowd sit up straight. First taste? One bite and the Italians stopped laughing at the bacon and mashed potatoes on the pie, and generally did not resume conversation until three boxes were empty. A few years later, the same friends came back to Portland with a list of things to do in Portland: eat OTTO pizza, and eat lobster, in that order. This year they ate lobster on their OTTO pizza. Respect. — Mary W.
The first date I had 5 and a half years ago was to OTTO with my now fiance! A memory we treasure. — Ryan J.
When we moved to Maine 5 years ago we had no idea where to get food. Didn’t even know where the grocery store was. But OTTO came through and delivered pizza everyday that first week to our doorstep and hasn’t stopped since. — Dan P.
The night before our wedding in August 2017 we had dinner with my soon to be father-in-law who was visiting from Texas. His wife was a chef who had recently passed away and he an avid foodie and (sometimes) critic. He was super impressed by the pizza and salads at the South Portland Cottage Rd restaurant and insisted we go again the next time he visited. (He also gave us a very generous gift to use toward our honeymoon!). He asks us about OTTO every time he plans a visit! — Stephanie M.
My wife and I were working very hard one humid summer evening painting the interior walls of the condo we just purchased on Washington Avenue so my son could live there for school. We had nothing left in us, no energy, no life. And we were famished…so we ordered from OTTO, which we heard great things about (but had never eaten). What a great gastronomic experience! Fresh, crisp, tasty, LITE (not chewy) pizza – what a reward for the hard work and sweat. We have since moved to Portland ourselves and have made OTTO our #1 pizza choice! — Ken S.
When I first moved to Maine my friend took me to OTTO and was like, “You have to try this mashed potato pizza.” I thought that sounded ridiculous until I tried a slice. I think I found Jesus in that moment. All my worries melted away amongst that delicious buttery potato and bacon goodness. I might name my first child Otto. — M C
