Huge crowds queue for Totti’s Mike Eggert casual sandwich and pizza by the slice bar, Oti, in Sydney CBD

When Italian stalwart Totti’s does lunch, it’s called Oti’s. And when it opened this week, crowds of hungry customers snaked down the footpath waiting for their turn to buy a sandwich or slice of pizza.

Chef Mike Eggert with some of his delicious creations out the front of his new pizza by the slice shop, Oti in Palings Lane Sydney. Picture: Adam Yip

If there is one thing this city (and now also Melbourne) can’t get enough of is it’s Totti’s. And now another iteration of the Italian restaurant is now open in the CBD … this time offering you lunch, to go.

Huge crowds of hungry customers have lined up to try a slice of executive chef Mike Eggert’s casual pizza by the slice and sandwich bar.

The shop is set up shop in the Ivy precinct, at the site of Lorraine’s Patisserie in Palings Lane. It’s a little Totti, hence, Oti.

Before opening lines had already formed and less than 90 minutes after opening, Oti sold out of sandwiches. At their peak, the hundreds strong crowd stretched all the way to Wynyard Station.

Before opening, Eggert was hoping his new venue has the same pulling power as the five other Totti’s venues.

Chef Mike Eggert with some of his creations out the front of his new pizza by the slice shop, Oti, in Palings Lane, Sydney. Picture: Adam Yip

“We want to get belted for lunch,” he said.

While you can wait at least two months to get into Totti’s Bondi for lunch on the weekend, Oti’s will be slightly easier to get into. And the menu is affordable.

Customers line up down George St for Oti’s opening.

“For me, I just want as many people to try my food as possible. I mean, whether it’s good times or bad, I know a good slice of pizza and bread is always accessible.”

Eggert said Merivale boss Justin Hemmes originally suggested he “do something crazy” and do a bakery on the site and sell cakes and cookies.

“I deflected to a sandwich and pizza menu to save myself. I’m the worst baker,” said Eggert.

And in a style similar to Italy’s panino king, Ino Panino founder Alessandro Frassica who recently held a pop up in Sydney at Sammy Jnr and Maybe King, Eggert’s sandwiches will be simple.

The line at 11am at Oti.

“Mortadella sandwich will have two ingredients on beautiful, warm crunchy bread.

“To me, that’s perfection. You don’t need much else.”

“For the past five years Sydney has been doing these giant sandwiches, which is about how much you can fit inside.

“I mean, it’s basically half a chicken in some which is ludicrous. It’s about keeping it simple.”

Sandwiches start at $15, with Roman style pizza by the slice starting from $12.