31 Days of Pizza: 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.

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