Neil serves up a slice of his life

Author: Kelly Janis

Nestled snugly inside a church cellar at 52 Merchants' Row lies the pizza styx world headquarters Neil & Otto's pizza parlor. A brisk autumn afternoon saw the eclectic joint abuzz with customers both young and old, enjoying their generous helpings of pizza, calzones, pasta, wraps, grinders and salads. Halloween decorations and posters of Bob Marley, Kid Rick and Frank Sinatra hang from the walls, adding to the restaurant's inviting atmosphere. One of the forces behind Neil & Otto's is the exuberant Neil Matthews, '96, who sat down with The Campus to offer his insight into life in the pizza business.

The Campus: What influenced you to establish your eatery?

Neil Matthews: I worked in a pizza restaurant in high school, so it's something I knew how to do. I saw my boss who played golf during the day and made pizza at night, and I was inspired to do that, too. I wanted to work for myself.

TC: Does any specific philosophy underly your work at the restaurant?

NM: To serve people the best I can. I want to make people have the best experience with pizza, and I want my employees to have fun. It's not always easy work, but hopefully it's fun work.

TC: What do you consider your greatest achievement in running the restaurant thus far?

NM: Just pulling it off for ten years. In that time, I've employed one hundred people. At least one hundred people.

TC: Where do you see Neil & Otto's going in the future? Do you have any big goals?

NM: This used to be very much a college place. As I've gotten older and had kids, however, it's become more of a family-oriented restaurant, and I want to continue in that direction.

TC: What would your customers be most surprised to know about you?

NM: That I deliver ninety percent of the pizzas that go out. People are always surprised to see that it's really me.

TC: What's your wackiest delivery experience?

NM: That's G-rated? No, I don't know. I guess my most memorable experience is delivering a pizza to a dorm room of eleven girls, and being asked if I wanted to stay and hang out. Other than that, I can't think of anything too wacky.

TC: What toppings would be on your ideal pizza?

NM: Bacon and pineapple, always.