OTTO

Portland, Maine, US

Cook a Mashed Potato, Bacon & Scallion Pizza with OTTO in Portland, Maine.

How did you get started?

This is probably the best version of the OTTO story out there: https://ottopizza.wordpress.com/about/

Where are you located?

Multiple locations in Maine and Massachusetts:
Portland, ME:
576 Congress St (Arts District): 207 773 7099
225 Congress St (Munjoy Hill): 207 358 7870
Portland Delivery: 207-358-7551

South Portland, ME:
159 Cottage Road, South Portland, ME 207 517 3051
125 John Roberts Road, South Portland, ME 207 772 0900

Greater Boston:
1432 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge: 617 499 3352
888 Commonwealth Ave, Boston: 617 232 0447
289 Harvard St, Brookline: 617 232 0014
Brookline Delivery: 617 232 0447

North Shore MA:
1210 Market St, Lynnfield: 781 872 6991
202 Merrimac St, Newburyport: 978 225 6160

What are your specialities?

We specialize in thin-crust hand-tossed pizza with fresh ingredients and unusual toppings.

Our signature dish is the mashed potato, bacon & scallion pie, which has been featured on the Food Network and named one of the "Best Pizzas in America."

A few of our other signature pizzas:
Butternut squash, cranberry & ricotta
Three-cheese tortellini

What's your personal favorite thing on the menu?

If I had to put one slice in front of someone to convince them of OTTO's originality and greatness, I would have to go with the mashed potato, bacon & scallion pizza.

What's on the stereo?

Each song that is played in our restaurant is hand-picked. We approach music like we approach our food. We value sincerity and craft, but have a real appreciation for those who are fiercely independent in their vision and in their commitment to their craft. You'll hear some of the following: Al Green, Gillian Welch, Courtney Barnett, Phosphorescent, Carl Perkins, Holly Golightly, etc.

Where else should we visit in your area?

Boda does an amazing take on Thai food -- it's really unlike anything you'd expect.
Grace is a visually stunning restaurant that anyone visiting Portland should visit.
Empire, right across from the original OTTO, does amazing dumplings and Duck buns.
The Holy Donut's Maine potato donuts are really to die for. Like, you would kill someone to eat one.

Do you host any special events?

We do weekly fundraisers at many locations to support area charities, non-profits and other community organizations.
We hold the best Bluegrass Night in the Northeast on Mondays at our 574 Congress St. location.
We also have started a monthly comedy night at Enzo (OTTO's sister shop next to the original location) that is always packed.

Is there anything else you'd like us to know?

While we originated in Portland, Maine, we also have a large presence in Boston, with a Harvard Square location, a BU location, and a location in Coolidge Corner, Brookline. We have also branched out in Maine and in the North Shore area of Massachusetts. As much we dislike the label, we are now a chain of sorts. But you would never confuse one of our locations for another. Each one is designed for the space and the community in which it exists. Our original owners are very involved, and we remain independent to this day, despite having 10 locations. We don't see that changing.