Via 313 Pizza

The sign on the exterior just says Pizza and Beer, simple and to the point, no slogans, and no logos. I figured a place that couldn’t care less about marketing probably had good food.
Here’s a lengthy review because I don’t have anything better to do.
The Restaurant…
Atmosphere — This place has plenty of air inside which is great because I’m not sure how long i can hold my breath and I’m too lazy to try to find out. Five stars
Décor — They have all sorts of animal heads on the wall which is cool. I assume the rest of the animals were used to make the pizza toppings? Five stars
Ambiance — I have no idea what this word means. Five stars
Customer Service — The guy called me sir and I asked him to please call me bro or dude and he totally did after that. Five stars
Parking — You know what, I just remembered what ambiance means, it’s the same as atmosphere. Five stars
Now the food…
Crust — It’s crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, so people tell me. I wouldn’t know because I don’t chew my food, I swallow it whole. Sort of like how a snake eats. Five stars
Sauce — Not too acidic with a hint of sweet. Kinda tastes like tomatoes but in liquid form. Five stars
Toppings — I got several types of meat because putting vegetables on pizza doesn’t make it healthy. Eat a salad tomorrow, we’re eating pizza now, put meat and cheese on it. Five stars
Box — It had a good bit of melted cheese and sauce on it so I ate part of the box. Don’t judge me. Five stars
Due to high demand most restaurants in Austin can do fairly well offering mediocre food. Via 313 is a notable exception. While a bit pricey, this may prevent a line from forming outside the door. Even if you don’t prefer Detroit-​style, the superior taste and quality of their food is enough to distinguish Via 313 from other pizza within hundreds of miles.

Let me tell you– I LOVE pizza. Via 313 pizza is my hands down favorite.
The Detroit style is great but funny enough, my favorite pizza here is the bar style! Specifically, the MC5. Five cheeses baked to perfection atop tangy marinara sauce and a perfect crust. Every bite is good but the crunchy cheese crust at the end is the best thing about the whole pizza!
Y’all! I am normally a meat loving crust tossing pizza eater and here my favorite is the cheese pizza and the crust! What the heck?
You have to try it!

Absolutely THE BEST PIZZA in Austin. Great thin crust – but even better is the Detroiter! WOW.
I m originally from Ohio and remember Vernor’s Gingerale. Haven’t see it in years. What a treat. Great decorate. Great friendly service.
Nobody else’s pizza even comes close-​if I can’t have VIA 313. The I will go have tacos!

Best pizza in Austin. Hands down. The herbivore is my favorite– worth the long wait!!!

Keep austin weird… Detroit style Pizza in texas is pretty weird but I will take it!
Saw this on a food network before and heard they started off as a food truck.
Well…it’s hot in austin and I wanted an actual restaurant setting so we made sure to come to the location here.
5 of us… we ordered 2 salads… beet and spinach.
Both have Bleu cheese or gorgonzola fyi. I missed that part thus spent time picking it out.
Beet salad was a salad with beets. For some reason, I anticipated just beets.
Decent but not great. Spinach I heard was better.
Pizza Pizza Pizza Pizza… we ordered 4 or maybe 5.
Fun names and circle thin crust or square amazing thick Detroit crust. You can half the toppings so you can try more of the varieties. We did that with 2 of our circle pizzas.
Square pizzas are the total bomb… did I just say that?
Some kind of sugar in the crust… it’s just fantastic.
Small has 4 square slices and large has 8.
They do have a lot of meat toppings and apparently their «Natural casing pepperoni» is a signature topping. Doesn’t sound appetizing but it’s great.
Servers were awesome… they were training one so we had 2. Very knowledgeable and gave good recommendations.
Good beer and wine selection also.

I am an extreme fan. Having grown up in ‘the 313′ visiting this place beats a flight back to my homeland hands down. The décor shows some serious Detroit/​Michigan roots and it reminds me of my childhood.
The pizza itself is great. Our family is always trying and sharing different pizzas and the have some seriously good Michigan beverages — if you’ve never tried «Vernor’s» you are missing out on a great treat (careful — sugar is crazy in that drink, so don’t get hooked).
The servers are terrific. Patient, quick and willing to adapt to make everything fun.
Only warning, this place is popular, so at peak times you might be waiting for a bit, so be patient.
313! 313! 313!

We order 2 bar style pizzas and were not pressed with either one. The pizzas reminded me of a frozen pizza and not a freshly mad pizza with fresh ingredients. It was not worth the 28+ I paid for these pizzas. Not only were the pizzas tasteless, they charge extra for online orders but won’t take phone orders.
I am updating my rating due to the great customer service I received from the manager and the opportunity to try Via again. We tried a Detroit style pie and it was good; no New York style that prefer but the one was fresh, hot and tasty. I saw of the fresh bar style pies and they looked good — better than what we originally ordered the first time. I would recommend dining in and eating the pizza while it is fresh out of the oven.
Still disappointed in online ordering and the extra charge for an online order.
If you are a fan of a Detroit or Chicago style pizza, this is the place to go.

It’s just not fair. I mean, we were in the Pizza Twilight Zone for a decade or so, with Austin Pizza Garden, Mangieri’s and Yaghi’s. Then about a year ago, some brothers from Detroit opens this place in a strip center just down from a dive bar, under renovation now, and non-​descript other stores. I think there’s one of those places where folks sit around and paint stuff and drink wine? Something for the suburban mums to do. Anyhow, VIA is the star of the show. So here are some pointers. Get there early. We generally pop in on the weekends around 3.45pm– 4pm. Get a couple of drinks at the little bar area, munch on some cheese sticks and then order a pie. The place will then start rocking soon enough. It’s about then when your pie will arrive ready to go. It’s a quick hop back to the casa, where we eat a slice or two and put the rest in the fridge. Here is the trick. The next day, recovery Pizza is in order. Do not microwave it, put it in the toaster oven and pure bliss pops out. Or eat it cold. Or microwave it. It’s even better the next day IMHO, some how it marinates. I love this pie. Full Stop.

I can only suggest the Detroit style pizza here. It was amazing. The appetizers however were not. We got the meatball dish and the broccoli and cauliflower. The sauce on the veggies is too tart, and we didn’t enjoy it. The veggies were cooked perfectly however. The meatballs just need a whole new recipe all together. They lack flavor and the consistency is a bit mushy. Blah.
Service was great. We were there at 6:30 PM on a Thursday night.
Anyway, definitely come for the deep dish pizza!

Wow, so many pizza places to choose from in Austin. A far cry from the infancy of the sauce laden pie wars that dotted the 80’s and 90’s. I fondly remember the Swiss Alps esque Mr. Gatti’s in Oak Hill along with Gertrude’s. Then, Gattiland and near to my heart cheesesteak stromboli at Double Dave’s. Oak Hill has been nearly a one pizza town in my book. That’s right, Austin Pizza Garden.
A new contender recently arrived taking over the old Flores at Wm. Cannon and 290 West. Yes, please let me introduce you to the expensive Little Caesars. I actually got that reaction from a friend when I posted the rectangular pie on social media. Detroit Style? Muffler fired coal injection? Hamster wheel lighting fixtures? Wait so long you can use an app to tell you when to leave your house. Ok, I’ll try reppin’ that 313.
Two visits for the Rooster clan. First, a visit with the wife where I ordered the meatball Detroit Style. The crispy edge was brilliant along with flavorful sauce which seemed to be strategically placed into a lake style center. Got to mention the quality of the meatballs themselves only adding another layer to some flavorful pie. Wife also had equal praise for her Hawaiian with generous portions of ham, bacon, and pineapple.
Second visit I had my sights on the bar style thin crust. The wife again as my dining companion along with fellow Elite Walker F. and family. Some strong adult beverages were consumed. We sampled some cheese sticks and goat cheese spiked artichoke hearts. Via’s bar style brought an entirely different animal. Flavor profiles played a more important role on this pie. Fig, balsalmic glaze, and gorgonzola aka the Cadillac… wow.
OK, now onto the tattoo parlor for that «313» on the other side of my neck. Sorry «512», your pizza was so last decade. Really, 4 stars as dinner for 4 adults with dranks and one 8 year old (cheese sticks) was $ 250.

This is hands down the best gluten free pizza I’ve ever tasted, and arguably one of the best pizzas I’ve ever tasted. The GF crust was thick, light & fluffy. Had amazing flavor and texture. The toppings were fresh, cheese was plentiful. I had the Cadillac which was a great combination of flavors. I actually went hear a few ago for lunch and thought there was no way that GF pizza could be this good, so I came back last night to make sure. It was & it is… I’m in love with pizza again & I love this place! The décor is Detroit style too, lots of metal. Staff is friendly, beer selection is great… not much more a man could ask for.

Via 313’s Detroit style pizza is, in my opinion, the absolute best pizza in Austin. I usually order from their food trucks near downtown, but we decided to drive out to the restaurant to try the expanded menu. We ordered the stuffed artichokes, cheese bread, and the 500 in the larger size. Long story short, the restaurant is great if you feel like going out and having a drink and some apps with your pizza, but the expanded menu isn’t going to blow your tastebuds out of the water.
The stuffed artichokes were very good, but not anything you couldn’t make at home. The cheese bread is made with the same dough as the Detroit style pizza and was delicious. We didn’t try the thinner crust bar-​style pizza because it just didn’t look like anything special. I saw a few caesar salads go out and they looked like the average pizza joint salad.
The restaurant offers a large Detroit style pizza, which is not available at the Via 313 trucks, and is a slightly better deal than ordering two smalls. That said, I prefer the corner pieces of the pizza (small pizzas are all corner pieces). They’re just way crispier and more delicious to me with all the caramelized cheese on the edges. The large was not at all under done, but the middle pieces are obviously not as crispy as they only have one edge against the side of the pan. After years of eating just corner pieces from the smaller size pie, I would probably pass on the large in the future. I just reread this paragraph and it’s ridiculous, but maybe you’re a corner person, too.

There is no doubt that Via 313 is some of the best pizza in town. We’ve eaten at the trailers multiple times and it’s always worth the wait.
This new space is beautiful and the staff was very nice and accommodating. The reason I am giving 4 stars is because of the online ordering system. I LOVE that they have an online ordering system. The only thing is they give you a pick-​up time for the pizza, but that’s not 100% correct. Our pizza was done 30 minutes before the pick-​up time, and as we live 20 minutes away, it was pretty soggy when we got to it. Was still better pizza soggy than most places in town, though.

I love Via 313, I want to marry it and raise a family of pizzas with it!
The only Detroi-​style pizza available where I live is Little Caesars, so you’ll understand if I approached visiting Via 313 with the same hesitation one has for visiting, well, Detroit. But far from it, Via 313 is one of the best pizzas I have ever had!
The Cadillac pizza is amazing and delicious and amazingly delicious, it has a soft, flaky, almost croissant-​like thick crust topped with Gorgonzola, Prosciutto, Parmesan, and a Balsamic Glaze; if your mouth isn’t watering then you don’t have a soul!
I also tried the Omnivore, which is pretty much a Supreme pizza on their tasty crust, it is very good, it’s just a familiar flavor and I already used up all my superlatives. The stuffed artichokes are also fantastic.

Detroit style pizza? Anyone who has read my previous rants about California «style» and Chicago not-«pizza» knows that I’m pretty skeptical about calling just anything pizza that isn’t Neopolitan or NY pizza, but Via 313 is exceptional enough to that I’m now adding Detroit to the list of must try styles. At Via 313 the crust is thick, but despite the the laws of deliciousness (and how to ruin it– thanks Chicago) their pizza is somehow not overly doughy. The cheese is backed to the edges, even dripping over the edges of the dough, to create a crispy cheese twill that surrounds it, penetrates it (;P). The toppings can be customized but there are a variety of choices from traditional to hipster. I went for the rocket– arugula, spicy sopressata, and shaved parm. It was phenomenal that even the traditionalist I was eating with went back for more. The pepperiness of the arugula is a perfect complement to the spicy Italian pork sausage (sopressata) and the bitterness of the parm. The flavors melted together but somehow didn’t overshadow the slight sweetness of the sauce and the yeast of the dough. Eating it piping hot is a bucket list pleasure, but it’s still pretty fabulous even when eaten cold out of the fridge or slightly toasted in the oven.
Because this is the brick and mortar location they also now have a thin crust style they call Deli-​pizza with Wisconsin mozzarella– if you’re looking for a type to call this, I would call this mid-​west style since it’s actually prevalent in places like Wisconsin. I honestly did not prefer this pizza. Despite being thin, it was soggy in the way I would have supposed the deeper dish variety would be. The dough lacked flavor and reminded me of a half step above Gotti’s pizza or similar. I don’t personally recommend it, but some people may prefer it.
The half pound meatball was good, but could use some depth. It just tasted beefy without the veal or cheese we use at home. The marinara was a star.
The cheese bread was surprisingly not as good as the pizza. It was crispy, which is a plus, but bitter from the cheese, a definite negative. I would probably get it again to dip in the marinara sauce, but I don’t love it.
They have an excellent selection of beers on tap and bottled. Definitely a beer and pizza kind of place. There are gluten free and vegan options for all your hard to pleasers.

Woooooo!!! Mr. Smidgens has been busy dropping new albums and getting married! That’s right ladies, Mr. Smidgens is officially off the market. Enough about me, let’s talk about the Pizza Kings by way of Detroit!
The brothers Hunt are Zane and Brandon. These one of a kind brothers have over 25 years experience in the business. THEY KNOW PIZZA!
They started at an early age by learning how to use their phone to order from some of the greatest Detroit pizza joints in town as two young boys with a hunger for great pizza!
In the month of December back in 2011 they made their dream a reality by opening a little trailer full of magic! That’s right, the brothers Hunt opened up a trailer on East 6^th Street to share their passion and hunger for Detroit style pizza they grew up with.
They prepare their dough daily and they take pride in the quality of their meats and cheeses. Utilizing local farmers and butchers as much as possible.
With bellies full of pizza and dreams of opening a brick and mortar location to provide great food and great service just like when they were kids, the brothers opened up a new location in Oak Hill.
This location has thrived and it is filled with pictures of their beloved city and nostalgia from days of old. With family style seating at picnic tables in the middle, four top tables, and booths for a cozy dining experience.
The thing I love about these guys is that we wanted to have a birthday lunch for my niece and her friends and the Brothers Hunt along with their staff were more than accommodating! Her and her friends had a blast and built up an everlasting memory with delicious pizza and a great experience.
With 3 locations: Trailer outside of Violet Crown, Trailer outside of Craft pride, and their full service brick and mortar at the corner of William Cannon and 290
You have plenty of choices to fill your bellies with so much deliciousness,
Thank you Zane and Brandon. Thank you for moving to Austin and sharing your dreams with us.
Mr. Smidgens is forever grateful.

You know what I like? Violet Crown and Via313.
I also learned that their pizza is just as good when you are sober and it comes from a brick and mortar restaurant. Via313 is quickly becoming my favorite pizza in town. It is seriously that good. I have not been anywhere else since they opened. I may have a problem.
If you are not familiar with VIA313 they are Detroit style pizza meaning that the crust is thick and the sauce comes on top of the cheese. I love this style because it keeps the cheese from sliding off of the pizza. One difference between the trailer and the restaurant is the restaurant offers «regular/​bar» style pizza as well if you are not into that kind of thing but come on you came here for the Detroit style.
One major ordering difference for me with Via313 versus other pizza places is that I have learned less is more. While I generally order a variant of the supreme pizza at Via313 all you need is the Pepperoni pizza (The Detroiter). Seriously the more toppings seem to muddle the flavor for me.
Do not worry if you are a fan of drunken pizza they do serve craft beer and wine so that you can still get that Violet Crown experience without the East 6^th parking headache.
Pro tip: Get the Superman Ice Cream. It is awesome. It comes from Austin Scoops on Escarpment and is actually cheaper at Via313 than it is at Austin Scoops.

I’ve been to the trailer before but this was my virgin visit to the brick and mortar location. Same quality pizza before but with some other options. We had the 500 and the Rocket. The 500 was a great mix of sweet and spicy that was on their usual great thick crust and burnt cheese. The soppresatta on the Rocket was this awesome spicy sausage that went well with fresh arugula. The only negative was the broccoli and cauliflower. Although roasted, it still came out more tender than I had hoped for. The flavor of the balsamic though was a good complement to the veggies.
Wait staff was excellent and patient with us. Never did anything without a smile. Sorry I forgot your name really nice waitress but you were great. Thanks again

I couldn’t be more happy about Via 313 opening up a brick and mortar location in my hood! I can now enjoy Detroit style pizza without venturing too far.
My husband and I stopped in here for lunch one afternoon and had a wonderful experience. We ordered a couple of appetizers, because we couldn’t resist the sound of stuffed artichokes and a ½ pound meatball! The stuffed artichokes came out piping hot and the meatball shortly followed with a steak knife stabbed in it. The stuffed artichokes are a roasted artichoke, herbed goat cheese, broccoli pecan pesto and marinara — definitely a must get app. That big’ol meatball was seasoned well and shouldn’t be passed up either in my opinion.
Now for their pizza — it’s as perfect as you can get Detroit style pizza. The toppings and specialty pizzas they have are all exciting and delicious. I love pineapple pizza with pepperoni. The pineapples here are rings. I love that they also put the sauce on top of the cheese. It is different, but works great. Now the real show stopper here is their crust! The crust is cooked to perfection with the light golden color and the cheese goes all the way tot he edge so you get the cheese crispiness too … OMG it’s so good!
I have tried some of their things on the specialty menu over the years at the food trailer and they do not disappoint! I am curious about the thin crust option they are offering and look forward to checking that out maybe on my next visit … that is if I can skip the Detroit style … who am I kidding … guess I will just have to get 2 pizzas on the next visit! Pizza makes great leftovers right?!

We saw the Rainey St trailer location for this place on TV and right there I knew I had to try this Detroit style pizza. I’d never heard of the style, but it looked so good. We decided we wanted to go for lunch on a weekend, but the trailer doesn’t open til later. Unilocal to the rescue! I found out they have this restaurant location that is open for lunch, perfect.
This location also offers bar style pies, which are thin crust round style in addition to the Detroit square thick crust style. The restaurant has a cool Detroit theme inside with pictures of the motor city in its hey day and chrome and hubcaps on the wall. The staff is very friendly. Our waiter, Hunter, found out this was our first team and suggested we get both types of pie. That was already our plan so we got a Detroiter and a bar style with pepperoni and mushroom.
First off though, we got a large Caesar salad to split. It was really good. Nice, fresh romaine lettuce with great croutons, parmesan crisps and a great homemade Caesar dressing. Great way to start the meal.
The bar style pie arrived first and it had a great thin crust with fantastic sauce. We both thought it was a great pie, until the Detroiter showed up 5 minutes later. It has a thick but light buttery crust that has nice toasted cheese around the edge. The lightest deep dish I’ve ever had. The two kinds of pepperoni were nice and the sauce being on the top of the pie really showcased how tasty it is. My new favorite pizza. We will definately be back here and we will also visit the trailer.