This is a nice old little restaurant, literally. It is a little cramped but that is part of it's charm. The area, building and decor should strike a spark of nostalgia for you.
I went for lunch and had the oven roasted turkey with cranberry sauce and sweet potato fries. The sweet potato fries were outstanding, but that is the first time I have ever seen them served with honey instead of some type of mayonnaise based dipping sauce (which i opted for).
Ive been here 3 or 4 times with friends. I live right around the corner and this is definitely the first place i think about when I have a friend in town and we're eating lunch. I recommend their fried green tomato sandwich, with a side salad. so good. friendly staff, super cute place.
Review Source:I love Otto's, but breakfast isn't in their wheelhouse. Â My wife got the casserole and it was cold. Â Not warm. Â Cold. Â You could tell it was made very early AM or day before. Â Flavor was nonexistent. Â My sons waffle was bland and I got the bagel with salmon. Â The cream cheese overwhelmed every other taste and the bagel was equally disappointing. Â Short of the coffee and the goetta I give it 2 stars. Â
I like ottos, but not for breakfast/brunch
My husband and I had dinner at Otto's last night for Valentine's Day. It was our first time eating there. Wasn't sure what to expect but wanted to give it a try based on a recommendation from a friend. We had a wonderful evening there. We had a reservation and were seated immediately upon arrival. Our server, Jamie, was very friendly, knowledgable, and attentive. Our food was delicious! We began with the fried green tomato appetizer and it did not disappoint us. The serving was more than enough for two people. We had to stop ourselves from eating all the tomatoes so we would have room for our entrees. My husband had Steak Oscar for his entree and I had the Braised Short Ribs. They were both wonderful. My husband said his steak was cooked exactly the way he asked for it and my short ribs were fork tender and delicious. For dessert we shared the Amerreto Cheescake with pistachio crust with coffee and hot tea. The cheesecake was great and they had a good selection of teas and my husband, who loves good coffee, had a refill. All in all we had a wonderful evening and are looking forward to our next dinner at Otto's.
Review Source:Easily one of my favorite places to eat in the region. A great blend of ambiance, amazing food, and excellent staff make every brunch/lunch/dinner I've ever had here a fantastic one.
I haven't had a single bad thing on the menu, and would wholeheartedly recommend Otto's to anyone looking for a quiet evening out with friends or a great date night dinner.
Dear Otto's,
I don't know why I don't go visit you more often! No hard feelings. I love you.
In all seriousness though, Otto's never lets me down. The last time I went, I had the famous tomato dill soup and muffuletta sandwich. Technically, I don't like olives, but the mix of all the goodness in the sandwich drew me in and I had to get it. Happily, I was excited to find out that the olive tapenade wasn't as strong of a flavor as I might have thought, and even better, they put on fresh mozzarella! Not slices! I'm a cheese lover, and knowing that a restaurant takes that little extra effort to give you something a little more quality makes me excited. Awesome.
In terms of service, we were greeted right at the door from some of the servers who joked with us until the hostess came up to the front. A little entertainment to start makes for a good day. Also Our waitress throughout our meal was very attentive and never broke stride sharing her perky energy as we were eating.
All in all, I hope you check this place out! If you can't decide on what to get, ask for the waiter/waitresses's opinion. They're usually right on.
We had the opportunity to eat here during Mainstrasse Oktoberfest, as an escape from the crowds a block away. Â The food was great, and the servers friendly and attentive. Â We ate at one of the tables outside on the sidewalk, and were treated to live music while we ate. Â Overall, an enjoyable experience that I would be happy to repeat in the future.
Review Source:I've been a few times and haven't been disappointed yet. Â The specials are fresh and eclectic and the food has never been less than well presented and cooked to perfection. Â The servers are friendly and cheerful and I really have nothing bad to say about it. Â The Steak Frites was seared with a perfect crust and the inside of the steak was juicy and tender. Â My daughter and I had the Brown sugar pork which was so tender, the incredibly light drizzle of sauce was just enough for the taste of sweetness that was foiled by the also sweet baked apple with sharp goat cheese.
Review Source:Cute, little restaurant in Mainstrasse! Â Great outdoor patio during the warm months. Â If going on a weekend, make a reservation.
Food is a bit on the pricey side, but unusual with good portion sizes. Â We both had dinner-sized salads that were very good. Â My tomato soup was great. Â The real winner was the fried green tomato appetizer! Â Its pricey at $10, but is a nice sized portion and tastes great to make it worth the splurge.
Service was great when we went. Â Atmosphere was very romantic. This would be a nice first date spot. Â Parking can be a little tricky as with all Mainstrasse restaurants. Â
Definitely recommend you try this one out if you are willing to spend a couple extra bucks.
I wrote a review not too long ago complaining about the staff...
I went this past Saturday, and am happy to say that the staff (Brett) was very friendly and attentive. Not to mentioned my BLT with fried green tomatoes was incredible. I always enjoy my food, and would suggest anyone stop by for a quick bite.
We went with friends for sunday brunch, it was delicious and the service was great. We all tried some of each others dishes and each was as good as the next. I loved that we were able to eat outside. I'm always a little apprehensive about taking kids new places because I never know how they will be treated, but our server was so great with them, she  drew cute pictures on their beverage cups which I thought was a nice gesture. They didn't have a kids menu so I had my kids share a meal. I expected them to bring an extra plate for me to split it, but they did it for me, another nice gesture they didn't have to make but did. I absolutely recommend this restaurant and can't wait to return!
Review Source:I was told the tomato dill soup was the best so I tried it. So much better than Cambells! I loved the croutons in the soup, absorbing the flavor and softening up but still with crunch. Nice touch. I was hoping for breakfast when I was taken there so I got the closest thing by ordering Cathy's tomato pie. I thought it might be a quiche, but it wasn't. The filling of tomatoe and cheese was good, but too much crust in the little pie. It was more crust than filling. Don't get it if you're starving and really just want the middle. But it did go well with the soup so it was enough for me.
Review Source:We've been coming to Otto's for a couple of years now. Â It WAS one of our favorite places. Â We like the food and the atmosphere. Â Problem is, the last time we were there, we had a terrible waitress. Â I notice several other reviewers mentioning a rude waitress, and I wonder if we had the same one. Â She ignored us for a long time, and when we finally tried to get her attention she came over with a rude attitude. Â That rude attitude continued throughout the meal. Â She was very "snippy" and slammed things down on the table.
We used to come to Otto's feeling sure about a nice experience. Â This waitress has soured our attitude about Otto's. Â I can't remember her name, but she was blonde. Â If we ever have her waiting on us again, we will probably leave.
First experience here was really great! Came for lunch and sat outside. Our server was really friendly, so no complaints there!
I'm sure I'll be back. Why? Their tomato and dill soup is DELICIOUS!! I ordered this as a side with the special which was a pulled pork sandwich. The sandwich was ok - not as good as Eli's but definitely better than average. Their soup though may be one of the best soups I have ever tasted. MMMmmmm!!
Haven't checked out the decor but this is definitely a good spot for a lunch and even when it's pricier, I'm happy to pay the price for the quality food I got.
See you next time, Otto's!
At the office, we have started "Try It Fridays". Â Each Friday, a different person in the office chooses a place for us to go. Â It has to be one that no more than 2-3 people have been to. Â Today it was Otto's and today it was AWFUL!
We got there and one employee told us to seat ourselves if we wanted to sit outside, so we did.. Â About 10 minutes later, a server came out and gave us a dirty look then complained that we didn't let them know we were there. Â Um, we were told to seat ourselves, but okay. Â Strike One.
After many dirty looks from her, she came and brought our menus. Â As she was passing them out, she asked if we would like to start with our drink order. Â We said sure. Â Then, after a second, the server said "well, anyone want a drink? If not, I'll leave." Â Strike Two.
Finally she came back with the drinks and took our order. Â Then we waited, and waited. Â The food finally arrived. Â And it was STRIKE THREE, FOUR and FIVE!
First - I ordered the chicken salad sandwich. Â All other sandwiches stated it came with tomato, so I didn't bother saying "no tomato", and maybe I should have asked. Â Well, it came out with two large ooey-gooey slices of tomato, which I had to pick off (I have a slight fresh tomato allergy). Â Our server's attitude was so terrible with us that I didn't bother asking for a new one - plus I had read a few of these reviews while waiting. Â Second - I'm eating my safe portions of my sandwich and it was soooo bland. Â I mean, I didn't really taste anything - the chicken, the nuts, anything. Â Third - I ordered a side of chili with my sandwich, and while good, it tasted identical to Wendy's chili. Â And I mean, in a blind taste-test, I wouldn't have known the difference. Â Seriously. Â A co-worker needed hot sauce just for extra flavor. Â Others loved it. Â It was tasty, but fast-food tasty to me.
She brings our checks and we pay and leave. Â But her attitude the whole time was just terrible. Â If I was the type of person who didn't leave tips for poor service, this would have been one of those times. Â But, I am generally a nice person, so I left her a small tip. Â I won't be back though.
I quite enjoy the eclectic yet classy atmosphere here. I was elated to see a hot brown on the menu. I am happy to say that the hot brown was great. It was really a large portion. It was topped by bacon and a wonderfully crispy fried green tomato. This entree comes with a side of your choice - salad, sweet potato fries... I will stop there because that is where my mind stopped when I was offered the options. I am happy to report the fries were good. They even brought them out first so I could nibble on them while waiting for my entree.
Service was fine. Food was great. Atmosphere was great as well.
Otto's is on my list for another visit.
Oh Otto's. You're so charming and cozy, and you're food is tasty - so why have I had so many bad experiences at your tables.
Otto's is a staple of Covington. Cute quirky restaurant where menus come in old song books and there's mismatched chairs inside. Many different menu items for both lunch and dinner and the food is good. It seems like it should be a winner.
However, there have just been too many times where the service has been terrible. Not just bad, but terrible terrible, where it just knocks off a few stars. The last time I was there, I brought friends for a quick lunch before an event which turned into a disaster.
It's a small space and when they get overcrowded, they tend to break down. The servers become angrily abrupt and get angry with you for asking simple questions like getting a refill on a diet coke (I had to actually ask twice and when the waitress came back with it, she stormed over and slammed it down on the table before turning and leaving as fast as she could, spilling coke all over my jeans. Really? Come on.)
Last time I was there, they also messed up my friend's order, when he specifically asked for no mayo and they brought him a sandwich with mayo. When he asked for a new one, they tried to take the whole plate back. When he asked if he could keep the plate to eat the side salad since he was starving, the waitress (a different one than the girl who slammed the coke), gave him a weird look and some attitude about it before letting him keep it. They did take the sandwich off the bill, which was solid of them, but to be harassed about it first seems a bit frustrating.
I also ordered a cup of the legendary Tomato Dill Soup (which is indeed amazing) as an appetizer and then a sandwich as the meal. It took a very very long time for the food to come, and when it did, the soup came with the sandwich, even though I specifically asked for it to start (since I too was starving.) Ugh.
So here's the thing, this is a really cute little place and the food is wonderful, but next time I come by and see them busy, I'm turning around and going somewhere else. I promise, I'll be back when you're calmer.
I loathe writing negative reviews, and I sincerely hope that my experience at Otto's is totally different from the norm. If not for the very poor service we received, this would've probably been a three or a four star review.
Even though this review isn't exactly shining, I want to make it clear that I wouldn't write this place off forever because of one bad apple. The food was solid and the charm is obvious, and I hope that most people have much smoother sailing when it comes to the service here. I want to believe that, anyway.
I'll break it down.
The good:
-Lovely sidewalk patio to spend a beautiful spring day in historic Covington
-The BLT with avocado, egg and a fried green tomato. Excellent, though it would've been much better if the bread had been toasted.
-Tomato dill soup. SUPERB.
-Charming interior, including a little collection of antique mounted bottle openers under the bar
The not-so-good was basically just one thing---our server.
When we arrived, we asked the patio server if the table outside was open. She brusquely told us that we should go inside to be seated by someone, which is totally normal... but there's no need to be mean about it. Her brusqueness continued through our whole experience.
We went inside and another waitress seated us at the table we asked after. As she set down the menus, she asked us to "bear with them." I appreciate that communication and I beared with them to a point... but all things considered, there was no excuse for the kind of service we received from the patio server throughout the whole lunch. As a former waitress, I'm more forgiving than most people when it comes to slow service, but it wasn't just slow---it was bad.
Just when there was a moment where it seemed like things were turning around, she'd ignore our table for 30 minutes or slam a Coke down on the table. In the end, it took the other waitress that seated us to make things right when m'friend Jon A's sandwich came out wrong (you can read his review for more on that ordeal that shouldn't have even been an ordeal at all). Anyway, I just can't help thinking that we would've had a wholly different and more positive experience had we just been served by a different person.
Otto, let's just get this out of the way, eh? Eh.
"OK, but please bear with me."
Imagine if that's what someone said to you as the first thing on a first date... (it may be endearing at first, yes), but that's what Otto said to us when we walked in. I had never been to this downtown Covington Main Street thing that looks like a bucolic block in London. But in Kentucky. Fun.
With it being 80 degrees... a Friday... lunch hour... I was miffed that they were overwhelmed. That's something to plan for isn't it? I can completely-completely understand when service is typically solid but just happens to be overwhelmed on this day. I completely understand that, "hey, these things happen." Like when someone asks for no mayo and is clear as to how repulsed they are by mayo, but their sandwich still comes out with mayo weaved into the turkey. Then, asks for another sandwich without mayo, but they want to keep their plate so they can eat their wimpy salad & gets a weird look. "Oh, it's okay, you can just keep your sandwich, here's your new one."
So here's the situation then... I completely understand these things happen... unfortunately that turkey was no good. I ordered the turkey cranberry... a solid staple right? A can't miss, right?
Unfortunately, the whole situation was all out of whack (there was an incredibly interesting moment where a Diet Coke was slammed onto the table) -- well, other than sitting outside on a sunny day in a pretty place. Otto's definitely has that going for them.
They were working really hard to overcome their difficult situation. And, I'm thankful for that. If somehow that second turkey sandwich came out and at least made me relax with "hey, look, this is at least a solid turkey sandwich." They did knock the turkey sandwich off the bill, which is awesome. Thank you, Otto, but that's sort of like paying for me on a date even though the date was awful, right? You're cute Otto, totally, unmistakably cute and because of that I'd go again with the hope you've shaped up for maybe a long term thing.
I have gone there several times a over past few years. Â Always loved the tilapia sandwich and salad. Â Recently had a delicious burger. Â it is easy to get to and is a bright and cheerful atmosphere.
Unfortunately the prices have skyrocketed. Â That burger with salad and coffee was $15 plus tip. Â This meal would have been $10-$11 a couple years ago.
Charming restaurant with lots of great menu options. Went here with two other couples for dinner and everyone was pleased with their drinks and meals. Lots of options on the drink front: wine, cocktail, and beer drinkers all found something to please (half price bottles of wine on Wednesday and Thursday nights).
The place is kind of small, so don't count on much personal space. The eclectic, mismatched chairs are fun and funky, but not all super comfortable. Service was good, she didn't tell us anything about the menu, but pacing and attentiveness were well done.
I got the Brie berry salad to start. I'm not sure I've ever had the experience of feeling like there were too many toppings on my salad, but this one seemed like only 40% greens and the rest: nuts, berries, and cheeses. Having both goat cheese and Brie was a little much for me personally. All the flavors were good and I liked the salad overall, but it was all just a bit much.
For my entree, I went with Steak Frites (after much debate, so many things on the menu looked good!). The frites were good--classic, thin, crispy shoestring fries. There was a small side of French green beans that came with it too that were either not fresh or massively overcooked--most of those just stayed on the plate. The steak itself was a narrow, thicker cut and was a little overcooked (ordered as 'Medium', definitely came out much closer to 'Medium Well') and therefore, dry (needed the dipping sauce that came with it). Despite all that, it was a pretty good piece of beef and with the accompanying sauce and fries, I pretty much polished it off.
Other items to try: one couple raved about their fried green tomatoes appetizer, which looked fantastic and the couple of bites I snagged of my husband's seared scallops and risotto were amazing. Great smoky flavor on the scallops and good sear; super rich and creamy risotto.
For desserts, they only had three options and none of them looked super tempting to me.
Overall, a lovely place with lots of tasty-sounding starters and mains. Good for a date  night or friends get-together (they do take advance reservations via phone). I'd probably order different things next time, but my experience in total was very positive.
I love this restaurant. Friendly staff, amazing food, and fun atmosphere.
I bring my friends, family (when they're in town), and business associates here whenever I can. It helps that my office is directly across the bridge in Cincinnati...
My most recent trip was the worst I've had, but the staff did everything they could to remedy my table's issues. I am convinced it was an isolated incident.
Can't beat the sweet potato fries...
UPDATED - I'm not a huge fan of the dinner. Seems like the same dishes, just more expensive.
I have never had a bad meal, drink or experience at Otto's. The decor is classy and quirky. Â The chairs are mismatched, the artwork is interesting and the salt and pepper shakers are kitschy. Â The dinning room is the perfect size for feeling intimate without also feeling cramped. Â On my way to the Aronoff or to a movie, I've never felt over or under dressed here.
And now for the meat and potatoes. Â There is a nice amount of variety on the menu but I always end up ordering the same things. Â For brunch- the BLFGT on croissant is heaven. Â Their Blood Mary's are tangy. Â For lunch- tomato dill soup is amazing. Â I also order a side salad that is simple but has everything I like (mixed greens, olives, tomato, feta, balsamic vinaigrette) and sweet potato fries that come with a delicious honey dip. Â For dinner - the fried green tomatoes and glazed salmon with asparagus and (yes, more) sweet potatoes fries. Â Now that I think about all of this food that I order, it's no wonder that I've never had room for dessert.
The servers are either friendly or very friendly. Â The food comes out on time, drinks are refilled before the glasses are empty, and the check never feels rushed or slow.
I visited Otto's Wednesday night. I recommend this place!
An old boss from Cambridge, MA flew into town on Wednesday night. Â He was on a diet, so goetta, barbecue and chili were all out. Â I wanted a place that was right off the highway, close to me and between CVG and West Chester. Â Otto's fit the bill! Â There is easy parking right behind the restaurant and had a varied and interesting menu.
I arrived around 6:50 and got a table for 2. Â Ed arrived 20 minutes later and all of the wait staff was gracious. Â The waiter even charged Ed's phone while we had dinner!
We started with the tomato dill soup. Â I chose it based on the reviews here. Â It is delicious! I never thought I would like soup with chunks of tomato in it, but it is the best tomato soup I have had. Â We both then had scallops, which I chose because the waiter recommended it. Â The scallops were large, but grilled to perfection! Â It was served on a risotto and spinach mix. Â All delicious!
The downside is space. Â It is a small store-front, but you have to turn sideways to get to the tables against the wall. Â I carry a big bag, and it barely fit under the table. Â I wish there were fewer seats. Â I am tall and felt like a bull in a china shop. Â I can't imagine taking my 6' 4" brother in there for dinner at a table. Â Fortunately, there is a bar :-).
I would also enjoy a few vegetarian options. This is just me and I wouldn't blame Otto's for not catering to me :-).
Otto's is quickly becoming one of my favorite restaurants in the Greater Cincinnati area. I've been there for both brunch and dinner and have been blown away both times. Brunch/lunch focuses on affordable $10-ish a plate comfort food (think friend green tomato BLT), while dinner is primarily in the $20 or so range. The ingredients are fresh-tasting, with great presentation.
Service is above average and the ambiance is comfortable. You could probably get away with jeans even at dinner. The space is a little small, so to be safe, you might want to grab a reservation. Their beer selection is a tad over average, but who needs beer when they serve Van Winkle bourbon.
I couldn't recommend Otto's enough, either for a great, casual lunch, or a more romantic dinner. Great food, booze, and environment. I put it in very lofty company in the Cincinnati area.
I love this little spot in Main Strasse. It's cozy and comfortable all around. The food and service are great, and the ambiance is warm and inviting.
I've been a frequent Otto's lunch patron. My faves are the Tomato Pie and the Fried Green Tomato sandwich--hold the bacon, add a fried egg. Prices are reasonable for a fancy lunch and the food is SO good.
Over the weekend I had my first dinner experience at Otto's. I was happy to find they accept reservations, and our table was ready as soon as we arrived. The specials sounded so great, but they sold out just before we ordered. Bummer! The portions were perfect for my husband and i to get salads and share an entree. They even split the meal for us. There were plenty of fish options on the menu (i'm a pescatarian), but I was disappointed to find no vegetarian entrees. Soup and salad is great, but my only flaw found with the place is the lack of veggie options for a real meal!
I went to Sunday brunch with the family this weekend at Otto's and I might have expected too much.
The staff was unprepared to gather and seat my party of 6, even though we had a reservation. The place is small and three of the staff members made us feel very uncomfortable for taking up space by the door while waiting for the host to take us to the table. There literally isn't anywhere else to wait and it was not a good way to start a meal.
The staff other than that was very attentive to our empty cups (although with as much coffee as we were drinking, they could have let the carafe and I wouldn't have blinked). Our waiter was friendly and prompt.
I got the BLFGT (Bacon, Lettuce, Fried Green Tomato, Egg/Cheese, Bacon on a croissant) and it was really tasty. To cut the calories, I cut the sandwich in half and took the rest home (not a big deal because it is a large breakfast sandwich). I especially enjoyed the fried green tomato reheated.
It came with a cup of tomato dill soup. The broth was really flavorful but the chunks of tomatoes tasted out of a can. It made for a good dipper with the BLFGT.
I had the Bloody Mary with my meal and it was good. I love a solid Bloody Mary and this was serviceable to be sure but it didn't knock my socks off, like other reviews mentioned it might.
The decor is old timey quirky; mismatching chairs, weird metal bottle openers, thrifted tchotchkes, etc. Cute and open, with tall ceilings and windows at the front.
Bottom Line: The food was tasty but with all the places to get a good breakfast and brunch in Cincy, I don't think I'm going any time soon.
Otto's is a very neat little bistro in Mainstrasse Village. Â They don't take reservations, I think, so it can be pretty difficult to get in during lunch on a weekday or dinner on a weekend. Â I went for lunch and managed to snag a table somehow. Â The menu is small - not sure if it changes with the seasons or not. Â The food was good. Â Also went for brunch on a weekend - brunch was very unique and very good. Â Atmosphere is pretty crammed and noisy and a bit nuts, but I was overall happy with the service.
I need to go back to Otto's to give it another chance for a 4-star.
Thought the brunch was fantastic.
Ordered the BLFGT (Bacon, Lettuce, Fried Green Tomato, Egg/Cheese, Bacon on a croissant), with a side of Goetta. Found it very tasty, great addition of the fried green tomato, and filling. Paired it with a bloody mary, which was good, but nothing special. All in for $16, not bad!
Nice and cozy atmosphere and the waitress was very friendly.
Otto's is one of my favorite places to go for a business lunch. It's classy casual and has a small menu that offers a lot of variety. They also have a daily soup, fried green tomatoes, and giant salads. I'm a sucker for giant salads.
On my most recent trip, I ordered the Cobb, which came out with a heaping plate of greens mixed with black beans, corn, cucumber, tomato, red onion, and grilled chicken. Now, most places would just toss some cubes of Tyson on this salad; that's not the case here. Otto's chef grilled a chicken breast and sliced it into long strips, the presented it on top of the salad in it's original breast shape. Absolutely delicious.
My dining companion ordered the Brie Berry salad: greens, brie, strawberries, grapes, crumbled bleu cheese, and candied pecans. It was devoured. I also had a cup of the seafood soup. Wasn't impressed with this. I was expecting chunks of  shrimp or crab, but instead it was creamy broth with shredded salmon. Meh.
Other delights I have sampled include the BLT with fried green tomatoes, a curry chicken salad wrap, and the turkey cranberry sandwich with smoked gouda. Pretty much everything here is good. Always be sure to check out the sandwich board out front to find out the daily specials.
Price per person: $15.00
My review of Otto's may be summed up thus: Â "OH GOD MY MONIES!" Â =(
Some restaurants are worth the money. Â Lowrey's in Chicago? Â I don't even bat an eye at paying a hundred dollars a plate. Â Between the experience, the atmosphere, the presentation, the quality and the sheer quantity; every customer walks out the door with the satisfied confidence that their meal was *well* worth the price.
At Otto's? Â Not so much.
Lunchtime Otto's is fine. Â The prices are high for solo fare, but perfectly in-line for a business lunch. Â The menu is solid, the atmosphere is bright, clean and conducive to eating well and moving on.
Dinner Otto's is a totally different animal. Â The menu totally changes -so your favorite item from the lunch menu you were looking forward to in the evening? Gone! Â They will not fix it for you, even if you ask. And when the sun goes down, you can barely see the person across the table. Â Oh, and the prices damn near DOUBLE.
I was used to Lunchtime Ottos, and had a good feel for their prices and the food, so I thought it would make a good date-night spot. Â I sat down unsuspecting at Dinner Ottos, picked up the menu, and the lady and I just about fell out of our chairs. Â I was so glad I already knew I'd be taking the check, because I would have felt *ashamed* to have accidentally made a date -or any dinner guest!- pay prices like that for so little return. Â
You cannot complain about the quality of the food, per se. Â The quality is good! Â It's just that the quality-to-price ratio is grossly out of line. Â
If you want to pay the better part of seventy bucks for a dinner for two, there are much, MUCH better places to spend it in this city. Â
Lunchtime Otto's? Â I'll be back. Â I like it a great deal, actually. Â Four stars!
Dinner Otto's? Â I will never again darken their door. Â Two stars, to be generous.
Every now and again, I pop over to Otto's for a quick lunch. My favorite place to sit is at the bar, against the wall immediately as you enter. I have a good view of the people coming and going but I'm out of the traffic pattern and remain relatively incognito.
Otto's is best described as "kitschy." The decor is country/provincial with nostalgic touches like a set of Coca-Cola salt & pepper shakers (which is a no-no given that they serve Pepsi products) and mismatched pastel-color chairs.
The food is anything but ordinary. The signature tomato and dill soup is a fan favorite. Looking for a filling meal? Then try the Kentucky Hot Brown smothered in gravy. The also have daily specials. I enjoyed a delicious pulled pork sandwich. I CRAVE the sweet potato fries! They even have KY Bourbon Barrel Ale on tap and a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle in the liquor cabinet!
The service is always terrific and the atmosphere very casual. There's outdoor seating in the summer and the room is well-designed to get large groups seated.
Scrumptious brunch and bloody mary's that will leave you needing to wander around Covington Main Strasse before you can drive home!
I stopped in here on a slightly rainy Sunday morning, on a weekend I was visiting Cincinnati. Â It had been years since I'd been in historic Covington and I was enticed by the good reviews for Otto's. Â My fellow Yelpers did not disappoint.
The ambiance in Otto's is down-home, the decor is ecclectic and fun. Each of the tables has a different set of kitchy salt and pepper shakers -- ours had two panda bears in different poses, another table next to us had a hamburger and fries.  The whole restaurant must have had two dozen different types of chairs, which didn't necessarily match the tables they were at.  There is a gorgeous old wood bar  (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/i4ycw1I1abLSihpgXnn0WQ?select=1Pp9jrr8LrO5O_XWzP0ezw">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>) that you can sit at for drinks or food.
Otto's claims their bloody marys are the best in town, but I have to disagree given that I had an even better one at Keystone Bar & Grill (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/keystone-bar-and-grill-covington">http://www.yelp.com/biz/…</a>) in downtown Covington the day before.  Otto's was very good though, and definitely recommended if you're looking for some hair of the dog.
I had the crab hash with a cup of tomato dill soup (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/i4ycw1I1abLSihpgXnn0WQ?select=ZNgZcATrAfHe8mZVyImp1g">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>).  The hash had good flavor with large chunks of crab meat,  crunchy potatoes (I hate hash where the potatoes are all mush!), and a perfectly poached egg.  The sauce was tangy with a little kick, definitely a good addition.
My brunch-mate ordered the Benedict Otto's (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/i4ycw1I1abLSihpgXnn0WQ?select=KaQ_QipTw3-g8AqiMG2Rnw">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>) with a potato cake.  The benedict was a twist on classic eggs benedict that adds smoked salmon and uses crispy-baked flatbreads instead of an English muffin.  While I didn't try it, there certainly wasn't anything left when my companion was finished.
I had my first trial of Otto's through a client meeting, where we were crammed in with everyone else like a pack of sardines. That would be my biggest complaint. I also was not impressed by the menu list-- but went with the "can't ever go wrong dish" of chop salad.
I thought it was wise. When it I got my dish, the salad was definitely a bit frost bitten-- and the waiter was no where to be found to let them know. Plus I didn't feel like pushing for it since I was in the middle of a pitch.
And that concludes today's rant.....brought to you by, Yelp.
I ate here for lunch just before Thanksgiving with some coworkers. Â Oh man, everything looked delicious and everything I ate was scrumptious. Â The lunch prices were reasonable considering the quality of food; I don't mind paying a little extra to ensure I'll have a tasty meal. Â People rave about the tomato & dill soup, and the cream of mushroom soup was nice and rich. Â This is a nice local spot with a good feel and tasty food. Â You're missing out if you've never been.
Bottom Line: Â I'll definitely be back.
Just had Sunday brunch at Otto's and it was fantastic. While my previous experience at this stylish Covington bistro was focused only on tasting the myriad martinis, today was all about the food. Our server described the day's special, a "Southern Reuben," as a mile-high sandwich made of fried catfish, thinly sliced country ham, Swiss cheese, slaw, a spicy tartar sauce, served on light rye and garnished with sweet pickles. Yep, I was sold!
My boyfriend ordered the breakfast casserole, which was comforting mix of thinly sliced potatoes, eggs, sausage, sour cream, cheddar cheese, topped with diced roasted red peppers. While I'm sure I'd never want to know the calorie-count, I did frequently bat my eyes and ask sweetly for another bite.
Each entree was included a side item; we ordered a fresh salad (mesclun, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette) and tomato dill soup (creamy broth of chunky tomatoes and understated dill). Our bill only came to $19.02, which was impressive considering the attention to detail of the cuisine and the warmth of our service. We just may make dining at Otto's a Sunday tradition.
Rarely, if ever, do I have the opportunity to dole out a 5-star review. Otto's definitely deserves it though.
I've gone to Otto's twice now, and they top themselves each time. On the first go round, I had a Ahi tuna steak on top of a spicy Alfredo bow-tie pasta with fresh peas. It was delectable. Also, I'm used to get a very small cut when it comes to fish or steaks of any kind. Such was not the case with the offering I found on my plate that night. This steak was huge and almost had to be taken home in a box.
Next up I went with their special of the night. A salmon filet on top of sweet potato fries with a sauce that defies explanation. It is my belief that Otto's simply can't make a bad dish.
The waitresses were quick and very pleasant to talk with and the wine list was short but top-notch.
Should you get the chance, take your date to Otto's, it won't disappoint.
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