Photograph by Marc Webster
The sausage menu at Otto is like a trip around the world. There’s an Italian influence in the Italian Fennel sausage, flavoured with Calabrese chili flakes and Cabernet Sauvignon. The North African inspired Merguez sausage – which comes in both lamb and beef variations – is made with FUGE’s delectable Harissa paste. You can even head south of the border with the American Andouille or Cherizo Verde options. However, there’s one that you absolutely need to try, no matter what – the OTTO Dog.
First of all, know that the OTTO dog is exclusive to OTTO – so while you may see some of the other sausages on menus across the city, you can only enjoy this particular creation by chef Steve Furgiuele, the man behind the meat, at the restaurant itself. Plus, the name suggests it’s their signature – after all, it’s named after the restaurant – and you always have to try a spot’s signature dish.
The juicy bratwurst is stuffed with Sylvan Star smoked gouda, and the dog is seasoned with a generous amount of caraway and fresh garlic. The result is mouthwatering – seriously, if you’re a carnivore, we challenge you not to fall in love with this sausage. It’s a solid, classic option that you’ll want to eat every last bite of. If you’d like, you can order a sausage bun to give the true cheesy hot dog experience, but when a sausage is this good, it can also easily just shine solo.
Although, we do have one piece of advice – if you’re getting sides, you absolutely must get the fries. They’re crisp and incredibly garlicky, and you’ll be battling with your dining partners over who gets the last one. Sure, you’ve already got a healthy hit of garlic in the OTTO Dog, but doesn’t that just make it a perfect pairing?
OTTO Food & Drink, 11405 95 St., 780-477-6244, ottofoodanddrink.com
