Monday, October 31, 2016

Day 31, 2016: Via 313 (Austin, TX)

Exterior

Eating area in Violet Crown

DAY 31: OCTOBER 31st, 2016

LOCATION: Via 313 (1111 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702)

GUEST(S): Robin Rothman

ORDER: 2 slices of The Detroiter (Smoked Pepperoni under the cheese, Natural Casing Pepperoni on top)

REVIEW: 
Detroit pizza grows in Austin. The “313” in Via 313 is an homage to the founder's childhood home in Detroit, Michigan. Fortunately, it wasn’t just the area code that owners Zane and Brandon Hunt brought to Austin back in 2009. They brought recipes, cooking techniques, and auto parts pans.  Yes, pans designed to hold spare auto parts are used to cook Detroit style pizza. The high square sides of the deep dish auto parts pan permits the dough to rise higher and the cheese to extend to the edge. It is likely that Sicilian immigrants to Michigan have been cooking pizza in this manner for generations, but only once it left the area was the term “Detroit style” applied. While it may not have been the Hunt brothers that coined the term, they definitely did their part to master it and introduce it to satisfied Austinites. I recommend “The Detroiter” which comes with two layers of zesty pepperoni and cheese topped with a copious amount a rich tomato sauce. The thick slices may have a light focaccia-esque consistency but I'd advise you to err on the side of under ordering as they tend to expand in your stomach. Located on Austin’s renowned 6th street, the original Via 313 operates out of a trailer having no tables or facilities of its own. Fortunately, the trailer is parked in the front lawn of the Violet Crown bar which welcomes and encourages ordering from Via 313. Other brick and mortar locations have opened since, as the world is falling in love with Via 313's Detroit style pizza.  I, personally, can’t wait until a Via 313 opens near me.


PHOTOS:
Ordering window

The Detroiter pie

Another view of The Detroiter

Day 31

Mario with The Detroiter
Luigi with The Detroiter

Slice of The Detroiter

Via 313 trailer at dusk

MISCELLANEOUS:
Sean, Robin
1. Robin Rothman and I went as the Mario Bros. for Halloween.

Robin
2. After pizza, Robin and I went to an open mic at B.D. Riley's on Austin's famous 6th Street.
Last night's burrito
This morning's breakfast tacos
3. Last night, I had a midnight burrito and woke up and had breakfast tacos.  I can't get enough of this Tex-Mex food!

RATING:


 4.31/5

  • VALUE:
     4.5/5

  • AMBIENCE:
     2/3

  • TASTE:
     9/10

  • SERVICE: N/A
15.5/18 = .861 x 5 = 4.31

Day 30b, 2016: Pieous (Austin, TX)


Exterior
Interior
DAY 30b: OCTOBER 30th, 2016

LOCATION: Pieous Pizza (12005 W Hwy 290, Austin, TX 78737)

GUEST(S): Robin Rothman

ORDER: 1/2 of a Margherita

REVIEW: 
VPN in Hill Country. Where the highway meets the hills on the outskirts of Austin, Texas might soon be the prime destination for authentic Naples style pizza thanks to Pieous. Certified Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) each pizza at Pieous abides by strict preparation guidelines from how the dough is stretched, to specific bake time and temperature in the wood-fired brick oven. The high quality ingredients are sourced locally and the fresh mozzarella is made in house. Something else made in house is their mouth-watering pastrami. Although it is not recommended as a topping due to its powerful flavor profile, a pizza and a side of pastrami make a great meal. Save some room for the delectable desserts if you can.  The word is out, so lines do form often, but the friendly staff and cool music makes the wait during the rush a lot more palatable. The pizza, [dessert] pies, and pastrami are such a tasty trinity, you may just have a religious experience at Pieous.


PHOTOS:
Hours

Margherita pie

underside

Day 30

VPN certification

MISCELLANEOUS:
Robin
1. Robin Rothman and I went last minute costume shopping after pizza.  

Robin at Brew & Brew
2. Afterward, Robin and I went to an open mic. She sang and was amazing. I sat in the audience and blogged about pizza.  As a matter of fact, I am writing this here now.

Junk in the trunk
3. I love halloween. 

RATING: 


 3.33/5

  • VALUE:
     3/5

  • AMBIENCE:
     3/3

  • TASTE:
     6/10

  • SERVICE: N/A
12/18 = .667 x 5 = 3.33