Mystery Diner: R Grotto nachos really hit the spot

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The loaded nachos at R Grotto are listed as an appetizer, but don't let that deceive you. This is no small pre-meal snack for one or two diners - instead, it's a platter that can whet the appetite of four to six people. Alternatively, it can be ordered in lieu of a meal.

R Grotto Ristorante in downtown Ottawa is known in the area mostly as a pizza place.

They have a great deep-dish pizza, loaded with a thick layer of cheese and big hunks of sausage; they also have a good thin crust – my personal favorite.

Most residents in the Ottawa area know R Grotto’s pizza, but the restaurant has a lot more to offer.

The menu features sandwiches, pastas and starters, and I learned quickly that some of these appetizers can stand alone as their own meal. The loaded nachos have me hooked.

My dinner companion and I ordered the loaded nachos ($7.95), an order of eight medium buffalo wings ($7.50), and the homemade tortellini ($9.95). Don’t let this fool you, this is a lot of food.

The loaded nachos are listed as an appetizer. This is no small pre-meal snack for one or two diners – instead, it’s a platter that can whet the appetite of four to six people. Alternatively, it can be ordered in lieu of a meal.

As a meal for one, the nachos are filling, and there’s a good chance you’ll have some left over for round two of snacking later. R Grotto makes the nachos easily customizable – they automatically come with chips piled high with cheese, tomatoes, diced onions, black olives, jalapeños, refried beans and sour cream. Customers can ask to omit an ingredient (my dining companion requested no tomatoes or black olives), and there’s also an option to add one of three meats: ground beef, grilled chicken or taco meat. As you can imagine, those hit the spot.

I ordered my hot wings medium – and they weren’t too spicy. I could’ve probably dialed it up a notch to their “hot.” I have my limits, and I’ve been burned too much by a restaurant’s “hot,” but also disappointed by the lack of heat at other establishment’s mild. Still, medium was good middle ground, providing a little bit of kick. The wing itself wasn’t covered in breading like some places, instead the chicken skin was cooked to be crispy. Orders come in six or 12 pieces.

The homemade beef tortellini is enough to feed two people, and we shared the entree. R Grotto buries their tortellini in a meat sauce loaded with ground beef, but marinara is an option. Diners also can order the four-cheese tortellini or get meatballs with it. The tortellini comes with a side salad and bread.

We reluctantly passed on R Grotto’s signature garlic nuggets to try some new dishes. The nuggets are deep-fried squares of dough loaded with garlic-buttery flavor and are addictive. It’s hard to eat just one.

Normally open until midnight every day, R Grotto is a great late-night option if you miss the dinner hour. You can order and pay online. The restaurant delivers, but also has carryout. It’s also a good place to catch a game and have a beer once dining restrictions are loosened.

• The Mystery Diner is an employee at Shaw Media. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff when ordering or picking up the food. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a story.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: R Grotto Ristorante

WHERE: 710 La Salle St., Ottawa

PHONE: 815-431-1100

INFO: rgrotto.com