About Via 313 — Our Story
From Detroit roots to Houston streets — discover the passion, the people, and the via 313 pizza story that started it all.
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Born in Detroit, Raised in Austin, Beloved in Houston
Via 313 was born from a simple craving and a deep respect for craft. Brothers Brandon and Zane Hunt grew up eating Detroit-style pizza — the kind with the thick, airy focaccia-like dough, caramelized cheese edges, and big bold toppings — but couldn't find it anywhere outside of Michigan.
In 2011, they started out of a trailer in Austin, TX with a handcrafted recipe and a commitment to doing it right. The name "313" is Detroit's iconic area code — a nod to the city that inspired it all. Via 313 pizza quickly earned a loyal following, celebrated by food critics and pizza lovers alike as the most authentic Detroit-style pizza in the South.
Today, via313 has grown to multiple locations across Texas, including our Houston home at 1541 N Shepherd Dr. Every pie is still made with the same obsessive attention to detail — the same dough recipe, the same cheese blend, the same signature sauce-on-top approach that started it all.
Our Mission & Core Values
Everything we do at via 313 pizza is guided by a clear purpose — to create food and experiences that genuinely matter.
Made with Passion
Every via 313 pizza is crafted with genuine care. We don't cut corners — from hand-pressing the dough to carefully layering each topping with intention.
Quality Ingredients
We source fresh, high-quality ingredients and never compromise on the components that make our Detroit-style pizza worth every bite.
Community First
We're proud to be part of the Houston community. Via 313 supports local events, partners with local suppliers, and gives back wherever we can.
Authentic Craft
Detroit-style pizza has a real tradition behind it. We honor that tradition in every square pie we bake — respecting the roots while adding our own creative stamp.
The Via 313 Journey
From a food trailer dream to a thriving multi-location restaurant — here's how via313 grew into what it is today.
Brothers Brandon and Zane Hunt launch Via 313 out of a modest food trailer in Austin, TX. Armed with a family recipe and a borrowed Blue Steel pan, they serve their first Detroit-style pizzas to an immediately enthusiastic crowd.
Overwhelming demand pushes the team to open their first permanent location in South Congress, Austin. The restaurant earns an instant cult following and media recognition as the best Detroit-style pizza in Texas.
Via 313 pizza is featured in Bon Appétit, Eater, and Food & Wine as one of America's top regional pizza styles. The story of two brothers bringing Detroit's culinary heritage to Texas resonates nationwide.
Via313 grows beyond Austin with new locations in Dallas and San Antonio. The expansion stays true to the original model — every location uses the same dough, the same cheese, the same uncompromising process.
Via 313 celebrates its 10th anniversary by opening in Houston, TX at 1541 N Shepherd Dr. The Houston location quickly becomes a neighborhood staple, loved by families, pizza enthusiasts, and first-time visitors alike.
Via 313 surpasses half a million pizzas served across all locations. A milestone that humbles and motivates the whole team — because each one of those pizzas was made for a real person, and that matters deeply to everyone here.
The Principles Behind Every Pizza
Via313 isn't just a pizza restaurant. It's a philosophy — about what food should taste like, how a business should treat people, and what it means to build something worth being proud of.
No shortcuts, no pre-made shortcuts. Every dough ball is hand-pressed. Every pie is built to order. The craft comes first — always has, always will.
We treat every guest the way we'd want to be treated. Warm, genuine, and without pretension. Great pizza should feel welcoming to everyone.
We partner with trusted suppliers who share our standards. Fresh produce, quality meats, and dairy that you can actually taste the difference in.
We proudly carry the heritage of Detroit-style pizza while embracing the vibrant food culture of Texas. The best of both worlds in every square slice.
Meet the Via 313 Team
Our team brings together decades of culinary experience and a shared love for authentic, handcrafted pizza. These are the faces that make Via 313 what it is.
The elder Hunt brother and the business mind behind Via 313. Brandon keeps operations running at every location while staying true to the vision that started it all: great pizza, served with heart.
The pizza visionary. Zane is the keeper of the recipe — the one who ensures every single via313 pie tastes exactly the way it's supposed to. His obsession with dough and cheese is legendary in the team.
Maria runs our Houston location with precision and warmth. With 10+ years in restaurant management, she's the heartbeat of the N Shepherd Dr location — beloved by staff and regulars equally.
James ensures that Via 313's quality standards are consistent across every location. From supply chain to kitchen protocols, he makes sure that the via 313 pizza you get in Houston matches the one in Austin — perfectly.
Loved by Houston Pizza Fans
"I've been a fan of Via 313 since the Austin days. The Houston location is just as good — same amazing crust, same caramelized edges. It's consistently the best pizza I've ever had."
"Via 313 pizza genuinely changed how I think about pizza. The Detroit square style is something else entirely — that crispy cheese edge is absolutely addictive. Worth every drive across town."
"The team here is incredible — friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate. You can feel the love that goes into every via 313 pizza. My whole family is obsessed."