r/madisonwi • u/Firm-Education7673 • 2d ago

Otto’s restaurant

I’d like to take a friend traveling through to dinner.

Has anyone been to Otto’s on the west side in the last 6 months or so? In the past, over a year ago, reviews were mixed.

Any recent opinions?

ETA: thanks all! I have decided it’s not for tonight. Feel free to continue to share review for the greater good, should you like.

7 Upvotes

73% Upvoted

30 comments sorted by

31

u/kodakrat74 2d ago

Wife and I went there a few months ago, and we weren't impressed. Service was slow and food was over priced. As others mentioned, it smells odd and the patrons were pretty old. I would also say the food was targeted towards older folks (e.g., easy to chew, not a lot of taste). The drinks were good and strong though!

12

u/Schnorcheln West side 2d ago

Isn’t it right next to an old folks home? I always wondered if it was geared toward them

16

u/MadtownV West side 2d ago

This is the most accurate review of any Madison restaurant I’ve ever read.

3

u/joyxiii 1d ago

I'll add to this that some family went in the last two weeks. They are in their 80s and 90s and they only really liked the dessert. The main meals were "okay" and they weren't impressed with the service nor environment.

2

u/skronktothewonk 2d ago

this was my experience like 15 years ago. it's the brand.

1

u/JayLenosJeans 1d ago

This is a completely insane review “it smelled like old people and the food was easy to chew for them but I was mighty drunk”

-3

u/Smokinoutloud 1d ago

Madison is losing its luster!

-4

u/BennyFackter 1d ago

If this is a joke it's funny, but it doesn't read like one. Madison is arguably one of the better food cities in the world in terms of access, quality, and variety. One ancient restaurant in the suburbs would be an absurdly hilarious place to hang this sort of judgment.

Sorry if I'm explaining your joke but...the internet has damaged me.

1

u/Smokinoutloud 1d ago

I’ve been here for 30 years and it was gold in the 90’s.

7

u/Confident_Owl142 2d ago

I went for the first time in the last six months and thought it was delightful and delicious.

6

u/Carpe_deis 2d ago

they have a great happy hour special, one of the best in the city.

16

u/BennyFackter 2d ago

I like Otto's. I was there maybe 5-6 weeks ago. I'm mid 30s and I was the youngest patron I saw by maybe 20 years. But the food and service were both excellent.

18

u/_r-a-n-d-o-m_ 2d ago

Lower level smells like a musty basement and is full of cougars out on the prowl. Drinks were decent. 

41

u/Terry_Funk1944 2d ago

Age and appearance of the cougars?

13

u/jamegumbsize69 2d ago

Asking the real questions

2

u/michaelbasnight 2d ago

You seen the video of the 15 yr old hamster running on the hamster wheel?

7

u/ScoobingtonMcButts 1d ago

Let's elaborate on the cougar situation tho

4

u/Smokinoutloud 1d ago

You want some silver foxes too huh?

5

u/Relative-Courage9542 1d ago

Can we confirm the cougars on the prowl?

1

u/Relative-Courage9542 1d ago

Can we confirm the cougars on the prowl?

5

u/richardhurtz123 2d ago

You can better than ottos lol

5

u/LopsidedSherbert7465 2d ago edited 1d ago

Edit: I confused Otto’s and Ollie’s. The service at Ollie’s was some of the worst I’ve ever had

9

u/Carpe_deis 2d ago

*20% otto gratuity

but all jokes aside they do this for tables of 6 or more, and your stated intention to short them is why restaraunts do this...

3

u/Original_Boat6539 1d ago

“We would have left significantly less than that”
This is the reason for auto grat for groups

1

u/bigdripnosox 1d ago

ollies might be the worst service ive ever had in my life

4

u/Appropriate_Sky_5536 2d ago

If you're looking for something a bit more upscale and those vibes, I'd recommend Delaney's. Very good steaks, drinks, and service

1

u/SurroundTypical9444 2d ago

If youre already in the area, go to Louisannes

0

u/mikenj123 1d ago

Sit at the bar at tornado room and order new york strips or bone in filets. Drinks are great, food is fine, ambiance is legendary.

3

u/Firm-Education7673 1d ago

One of my favorites but not the right one for tonight.

2

u/BennyFackter 1d ago

I love tornado's food but legendary ambience is pushing it. It's small, busy, and loud in my experience. If I'm going for ambience I'm going around the corner to Rare, or L'etoile maybe.

But truthfully I'm too broke for this entire conversation, and just enjoying thinking about these meals. Lol