Experience a world renowned delicacy from Turkey in the heart of downtown Charlottesville. Our authentic and delicious Doner Kebab is prepared in the Turkish street food tradition. Doner is a type of kebab made of seasoned meat that's stacked in an inverted cone shape and cooked slowly on a vertical rotisserie.
As the meat cooks, the outer layers are shaved off for our delicious dishes. Doner was first found in the 18th-century Ottoman Empire and has inspired similar dishes such as the Arab shawarma, Greek gyros, Canadian donair, and Mexican al pastor.
As the meat cooks, the outer layers are shaved off for our delicious dishes. Doner was first found in the 18th-century Ottoman Empire and has inspired similar dishes such as the Arab shawarma, Greek gyros, Canadian donair, and Mexican al pastor.
Services
Ali Sevindi and Haldun Turgay are Turkish natives and the owner operators of Otto Turkish Street Food. They arrived in Charlottesville in 2013 and worked together at local prestigious properties Clifton Inn and Oakhurst Inn. Ali and Haldun are Hospitality Business School graduates and always missed their beloved Turkish street foods.
With that, Otto will be implementing the relevant portions of the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 Level AA as its web accessibility standard to the greatest extent feasible. Please be aware that our efforts are ongoing. If at any time you have specific questions or concerns about the accessibility of any web page on our website, please send us an email at info@otto-cville.com.
Reviews (28)
Yulia Novikova-Wythe
Jan 20, 2022
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What an absolute treat! My kiddos wanted french fries, I wanted something healthy. When I called the restaurant, the response was, “We have the best fries in town.” It turned out that that they were delisc: with a hint of rosemary and perfectly crunchy!
The portions are generous. And everything was very fresh! That’s when you understand that the owner cares. Thank you.
The portions are generous. And everything was very fresh! That’s when you understand that the owner cares. Thank you.
Cj Wallington
Dec 15, 2021
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John M.
Dec 09, 2021
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I'm not exactly sure what took me so long to get here. Maybe it's the location? Maybe, the no outdoor seating even though its proximity to the Downtown Mall. Well... All that has changed. I stopped in on their first birthday last Saturday. Having never been there, I walked in asking for recommendations. They gave me a quick rundown of the restaurant and then suggested the Ottobun, a wonderful pita that I choose to get with beef doner. The Ottobun includes Hummus, Ezme, Red Cabbage, Sumac Onions, Pickled Cucumbers, and Tzatziki. So good and so filling... I sampled their fries,
Jackie V.
Dec 01, 2021
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Emily L.
Nov 29, 2021
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Amanda C.
Nov 29, 2021
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This is such a great take out restaurant (although there is seating inside). I always build my own bowl and it definitely is enough for two meals if you get the maximum number of toppings. The portion of meat is the most generous of any build-your-own-bowl place I know of. It is on the downtown mall but there is a pull off area near it so you can run in and grab your food. There also is a big parking lot right next to it (but you have to pay).
Souraiya Attai
Nov 18, 2021
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Karen Kobayashi
Nov 17, 2021
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Marc G.
Nov 13, 2021
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Chrissy C.
Oct 29, 2021
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Zaidoon Almassad
Oct 11, 2021
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R. M. L.
Sep 25, 2021
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Amazing Turkish food!!! My husband and I wanted to try something new as we were strolling along downtown Charlottesville, versus having the same old stuff so we came to Otto to try Turkish cuisine for the first time. Ali, was super friendly as he greeted us waking in. He asked if this was our first time in and he kindly guided us on his menu. I picked a bowl and my husband a pita, we each tried one of their meats and both were delicious. The salad bowl I had was fresh with amazing vegetables and homemade dressings. They have vegetarian, vegan and dairy free options as well. Their rosemary fries
L. L.
Sep 18, 2021
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Love Falafel and build my own in front of me meals
Falafel is crushed Chick Peas aka Garbanzo Beans mixed with Spices and Fried like a Hush Puppy. They are high in Protein
This is Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Version of Chipotle/Chopt/Cava
Otto's was suggested to me by the Owner of the Middle Eastern Market a couple of Blocks away. They are very friendly and helpful. The Market is full of unique products and Perfume Oils and Soaps.
It was so good that I returned again a couple of days later
They are friendly and give great Customer Service!
Owner offered hot Pita and dessert
Falafel is crushed Chick Peas aka Garbanzo Beans mixed with Spices and Fried like a Hush Puppy. They are high in Protein
This is Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Version of Chipotle/Chopt/Cava
Otto's was suggested to me by the Owner of the Middle Eastern Market a couple of Blocks away. They are very friendly and helpful. The Market is full of unique products and Perfume Oils and Soaps.
It was so good that I returned again a couple of days later
They are friendly and give great Customer Service!
Owner offered hot Pita and dessert
V. A.
Aug 28, 2021
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Chris H.
Aug 21, 2021
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Bit of a misnomer to say street food when it's inside but hey it's still great Turkish food! Only three choices - pita, wrap and bowl with prices increasing for each (and I expect the amount of food). After you select that, pick your "mean" - doner style steak, doner style chicken or falafel. Last you get to pick what else goes on it and they have LOTS of options I won't even try to list them all... Wife really just wanted a salad so we ordered the bowl with chicken and all options (except beets we don't like them) along with extra tzatiki sauce ... It may not have
Victoria Hirsch
Aug 17, 2021
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Curtis Ide
Aug 16, 2021
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Great customer service for our first time visit and helping us figure out our options. My wife had a bowl with chicken and I had the beef pita. Both were really good, I liked the beef a little more. My pita had hummus, onions, cabbage salad, and tzatziki. I think it would have been good with a little cucumber salad (I think they called it that). Very tasty!
Justin N.
Aug 08, 2021
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Came here for lunch with friends. The inside is very casual, and customers order Chipotle-style.
I've been craving some good falafel so I was excited to try Otto. I ordered a Falafel Bowl-- Bulgur, Beet Salad, Celery Dip, Mixed Greens, Red Cabbage Salad, Fried Eggplant, Coban Salad, Lentil Ball, and Hummus with Tahini and Tzatziki. I wasn't impressed with the falafel. Compared to my favorite falafel spots in DC and NYC, theirs' lacked flavor and didn't have a great bite to it. I felt like the falafel mixture needed more herbs and spices because of the lack of strong flavors
I've been craving some good falafel so I was excited to try Otto. I ordered a Falafel Bowl-- Bulgur, Beet Salad, Celery Dip, Mixed Greens, Red Cabbage Salad, Fried Eggplant, Coban Salad, Lentil Ball, and Hummus with Tahini and Tzatziki. I wasn't impressed with the falafel. Compared to my favorite falafel spots in DC and NYC, theirs' lacked flavor and didn't have a great bite to it. I felt like the falafel mixture needed more herbs and spices because of the lack of strong flavors
Christina D.
Jul 29, 2021
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This place is AMAZING. I have gotten the chicken bowl here with almost all the fixings. Highly recommend to get extra fried eggplant and the celery dip. I believe you can get two sauces so I opted for the tzaziki and hot sauce for a kick.
They give big portions, and the flavor is dynamite. Additionally, the staff is super friendly and can help steer you in the right direction if you get overwhelmed with all the toppings (tip: there is no wrong direction here).
They give big portions, and the flavor is dynamite. Additionally, the staff is super friendly and can help steer you in the right direction if you get overwhelmed with all the toppings (tip: there is no wrong direction here).
Alison W.
Jul 21, 2021
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So happy to have finally stop in to Otto's to try out their food after walking by multiple times when recently visiting the downtown mall. With the Build Your Own Bowl option you can fill up on their many delicious salads/sides. I opted for the falafel as my protein option and it was delicious. The sides were healthy and filling, without the heavy feeling. My favorites were the beet salad, cabbage slaw, and fried eggplant. Service was excellent too! I can't wait to go back and try the doner kebab next time I visit.
Zunair Khokhar
Jun 17, 2021
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I stopped by Otto today and was warmly greeted by Ali, one of the owners. The restaurant was very clean and the menu items were labeled very clearly. The place has a lot of vegan and vegetarian options.
Since it was my first time, Ali gave me a free pita and drink. He encouraged honest feedback. I got to try out the Turkish coffee, which was the best I’ve ever had. Additionally, I suggested additional menu items such as smoked baba ganoush and grape leaves. Ali was very receptive to the feedback and wanted to make sure I had the best experience possible. The portions are large.
Ali showed me
Since it was my first time, Ali gave me a free pita and drink. He encouraged honest feedback. I got to try out the Turkish coffee, which was the best I’ve ever had. Additionally, I suggested additional menu items such as smoked baba ganoush and grape leaves. Ali was very receptive to the feedback and wanted to make sure I had the best experience possible. The portions are large.
Ali showed me
Gi S.
Jun 01, 2021
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Grabbed a quick lunch at Otto Turkish street food last Tuesday. Got a chicken doner bowl, a falafel bowl, rosemary fries and Efes beer. We chose the same toppings for both bowls - bulgur, beet salad, bean salad, red cabbage, hummus, fried eggplant, cucumber, lentil and had tatziki and tahini as sauces.
The bowls were quite filling and delicious. The fries were warm crunchy and the rosemary flavor comes through nicely. Not much of a beer drinker but my date liked it fine.
The bowls were quite filling and delicious. The fries were warm crunchy and the rosemary flavor comes through nicely. Not much of a beer drinker but my date liked it fine.
Margaret H.
Mar 05, 2021
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It was my first visit and I will be back, probably tomorrow...?? Loved this place! I love the fact that you can make a bowl with a bunch of healthier goodies so that's what I opted for.
I ordered a bowl with chicken, radishes, beat salad, farro,hummus, tzatiki, and a ton of other stuff that the server recommended. One word. Amazing!! And SO.MUCH.FOOD. Slightly embarrassing but my arm got tired carrying it back to the office... I set the rest aside when I was full and it hardly looked like I took a bite. I could barely finish the rest for dinner! Definitely get your bang for your buck. The
I ordered a bowl with chicken, radishes, beat salad, farro,hummus, tzatiki, and a ton of other stuff that the server recommended. One word. Amazing!! And SO.MUCH.FOOD. Slightly embarrassing but my arm got tired carrying it back to the office... I set the rest aside when I was full and it hardly looked like I took a bite. I could barely finish the rest for dinner! Definitely get your bang for your buck. The
Abi M.
Feb 24, 2021
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Got a falafel bowl, curbside, on my way back home after some errands last Saturday.
Truly a satisfying and beautiful meal. So glad I tried Otto.
The falafel was delicious and plentiful, and I was able to choose 9 other things to fill my bowl with. Standouts were: the eggplant, I LOVE fried eggplant; the sumac onions, and the beet salad. The only thing I felt lacking was the hot sauce I wasn't getting any real heat from, but I also had pepperoncinis so I still had a kick to my bowl so we're all good.
Can't wait to visit and try their doner kebab to compare to the Turkish style
Truly a satisfying and beautiful meal. So glad I tried Otto.
The falafel was delicious and plentiful, and I was able to choose 9 other things to fill my bowl with. Standouts were: the eggplant, I LOVE fried eggplant; the sumac onions, and the beet salad. The only thing I felt lacking was the hot sauce I wasn't getting any real heat from, but I also had pepperoncinis so I still had a kick to my bowl so we're all good.
Can't wait to visit and try their doner kebab to compare to the Turkish style
Jack Staples
Feb 08, 2021
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This place is awesome! The food was really good (I got a bowl and it was like a healthier and tastier version of chipotle)! The owner, Ali, is a really kind guy who I could tell wanted to do whatever he could to make sure I had a good experience. If you're wondering if it's worth the stop, go! I don't write reviews often, but Otto's was really good all around, and they just opened during the pandemic. Thanks Ali for the great food!
Jesilyn G.
Jan 12, 2021
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I ate a bunch of Doners in Europe, so I was excited when this place opened! I got a falafel wrap and my friend got the chicken wrap. The chicken one was STUFFED! Lots of food in that one, so it was a great deal!
The food was pretty good overall - I hope halloumi cheese wraps are an option in the future!!
The food was pretty good overall - I hope halloumi cheese wraps are an option in the future!!
Allison M.
Jan 05, 2021
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A solid new and refreshing player in the restaurant scene. I was really sad to say goodbye to the previous occupants of this space, but I am elated that Otto's is there to fill the gap in my heart.
Amazing selection of meats that are incredibly tender and flavorful. You can get wraps or bowls and just stuff it to the brim with additional toppings. There is a great selection of toppings and dressings, honestly you can't go wrong so order what you love. Think of it as a chipotle type of establishment where you pick a base, protein, and toppings. Can't wait to try all the combinations
Amazing selection of meats that are incredibly tender and flavorful. You can get wraps or bowls and just stuff it to the brim with additional toppings. There is a great selection of toppings and dressings, honestly you can't go wrong so order what you love. Think of it as a chipotle type of establishment where you pick a base, protein, and toppings. Can't wait to try all the combinations
Kevin W.
Dec 14, 2020
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Great group of guys here, the nicest ever!! Pretty good prices in relation to the portion sizes of their dishes.
All I knew is that I was in the mood for a wrap with beef or chicken doner (I like Falafel too but not today). After taking too long making up my mind I ended up chosing the Beef Donor option and had Ollie custom make my wrap. I asked for it spicy and told him to go to town with his own creation. In conclusion, I ended up with a tasty beef wrap topped with sumac onions, rosemary fries, red cabbage salad, fried eggplant and a perfect mix of Otto's tzatzki and arabesk hot sauce.
All I knew is that I was in the mood for a wrap with beef or chicken doner (I like Falafel too but not today). After taking too long making up my mind I ended up chosing the Beef Donor option and had Ollie custom make my wrap. I asked for it spicy and told him to go to town with his own creation. In conclusion, I ended up with a tasty beef wrap topped with sumac onions, rosemary fries, red cabbage salad, fried eggplant and a perfect mix of Otto's tzatzki and arabesk hot sauce.
