OTTO Food and Drink & Tulip Sandwich Shoppe — Restaurant in Avenue District

I came twice thusfar and have been blown👏🏻away👏🏻!

First time I arrived, my friends and I showed up without a reservation on a busy Friday evening. The staff managed to find some seating at a communal table for a quick meal before the next set of customers with a reservation were to show up. Staff were communicative between us and the other waiters. They informed us of time restrictions/expectations right at the door, so we could decide if it was the experience we wanted. Once seated, we were promptly set with menus and drinks. The staff checked up on us in a very timely manner so we could slide in our orders while they were still hustling and attending to a full house. Unfortunately, there was an error in ringing our orders through, and both our waiter and the restaurant owner came out immediately to apologize. Owner said that due to their error would allow us to stay where we were and enjoy the environment, instead of rushing though dinner or changing seating. They checked up on our drinks, and told us our food would be out in about 25min. In the meantime, staff kept up their pace to stick to the reservation that the next customers booked. A few guests were politely asked to make a small shift for some space, while the staff quickly cleared and prepared the bar. When the customers with the reservation arrived, they were promptly seated with cutlery, water, and glasses already waiting for them. Our food was on the table within 40 minutes from sitting down despite the hiccup (kept to the time they gave us as well), bravo🌟! The restaurant was buzzing with conversation and laughter despite what the staff was working with. It shows that Otto knows how to run their business seamlessly through mistakes, and place their guests first by treating them with consideration and respect.

We had a full platter with sausages and sides (the Otto, Bavarian, and Jerk Chicken sausages, potato salad, mac and cheese, and coleslaw). Each item was delicious and well made. The spices in their sausage, the chill of the pickled items, and clean presentation of the platter all seemed carefully tailored for both a feast of eyes and the mouth. The tavern-esque atmosphere with shared food made for a cozy, intimate, yet lively dinner. We had a WONDERFUL experience, and never once felt rushed or treated any differently than if we hadn't placed a reservation. We were able to soak in the experience, and we enjoyed it so much ❣️

I brought a new friend a few weeks later due to the great first experience. We came on a less busy evening, and the food was just as great, the energy just as welcoming, and staff just as attentive despite the slower pace.

To me, the consistency in quality of the entire experience shows some real dedication and care for the work they do here. I cannot stress how effectively their staff work together as a team, how communicative and respectful they are, and how hard they work on a busy night. The effort in friendly service, handling errors with grace, and fostering great vibes despite stress... top notch 👌🏻

Otto has jumped way up into one of my favourite places to eat, despite only being here twice so far. Thank you for the wonderful place, people, and food.

I look forward to...

Went here on October 5th, 2019 for the Oktoberfest. I was told they have a different menu during the Oktoberfest and to be honest, I don't know what the original menu looks like or what was on it. My friend did mentioned to me that there were a few items on the menu for Oktoberfest that was a regular item on the original menu.

It was my first time here so I really didn't know what to expect. After reading so many positive reviews prior to coming here, I was expecting some really amazing food. My friend arrived before I did and when I arrived, they seated her at the table right by the front door. The seat I was in was right in front of the doorway. I don't like to have people come in and stand beside or behind me while I eat, so we requested a different table. Service was quick as we got our water after we switched tables. It took about 7 to 8 minutes before I made up my mind with what I wanted to order. My friend knew what she wanted as she's a regular here. She got the Weisswurst with a side of Braised Red Cabbage, while I got the Currywurst with fries, a pretzel roll and a Wild Mountain Hefeweizen Bier. When the food arrived, it looked and smelled so good. Unfortunately, the first disappointment was that the sausage was not hot enough and was only slightly warm on the inside. When the server asked us how our meal was, we told the truth. She apologized to us and took our sausage back so they can put it back on the grill to get hotter. In the meantime, I was eating away my pretzel roll, but again I was left a bit dissapointed. Having been to Germany and really enjoyed the pretzels there, I just wish there was salt on top of the pretzel roll I got here. The mustard sauce was amazing though. My smoked bratwurst came back out and was perfectly heated all the way through. Ok, my apologies, but here is another disappointment. I love eating Currywurst in Germany, because you actually taste the curry. They actually dust the top of the bratwurst with curry powder and that's why it tasted so good. I found no taste of curry in the dish here, and all I tasted was cumin from the tomato curry sauce. The sauce was just overpowering everything else for me. The fries was good, but it didn't wow me either. The beer though was really good.

Overall, I think the food was okay and overpriced for the amount you get. I understand that everything is made local, but with 1 bratwurst and about a handful of fries for $19, it should have tasted amazing. Unfortunately not for me. I only gave 3 stars because service was...

My other half and I tried OTTO recently, and it's my favourite find in ages. The menu is simple but well-executed, and very reasonably priced, seeming to lean in the direction of German pub food, but there's also something very Dutch about the place. You have a variety of tempting house-made sausage, amazing fish and chips (or fish and greens), and what's perhaps the best schnitzel I've had in Edmonton. Sides are things like pretzels, sauerkraut, pickles, salads, fries and roasted Brussels sprouts. There are also many vegetarian options, including sausages. And, they have a rather diverse drink selection with a good range of craft beers, cocktails, wine and non-alcoholic beverages.

Despite being located where I'd never expect a restaurant to be, it's really charming. OTTO is a great place to go with a group, and loading up a board with shareable stuff. It's especially good in the summer, because instead of a mere patio they have a rather remarkable garden which is just a lovely place to spend the warmer weather, and it certainly seems to be popular with locals.

The bicycle logo is quite apt, because reaching Otto is actually a fairly nice ride thanks to 114 Avenue's counterflow bike lane. We went up 92 Street from the LRT multi-use path, riding along calm, tree-lined streets. Apparently improvements are coming to the segment from the MUP to 112 Ave as part of the Boyle Street neighbourhood revitalization.

Everything about the place is just so well-considered. I just wish...