An award-winning Detroit-style pizzeria makes its Arizona debut. Here's what's on the menu

Bahar Anooshahr, Arizona Republic
·3 min read

Detroit-style Via 313 Pizzeria opened the doors to its first Arizona restaurant in Tempe, near the Sun Devil Stadium and Desert Financial Arena, on June 26.

Owners and brothers Brandon and Zane Hunt are from Motor City, and after moving to Texas, they founded Via 313 in 2011, serving classic, rectangular-shaped Detroit pizza from a trailer. They have since expanded it to 15 restaurants and two trailers in Texas and Utah.

Since then, they've garnered a loyal following of fans and accolades like a spot on Food Network's “Top 10 Pizzas in America” list, and nods from Food and Wine Magazine, which dubbed it “one of the very best pizzas" and Pizza Today, which recognized it as “Independent Pizzeria of the Year.”

“Via 313 is proudly family-owned, and we can’t wait to grow our pizzeria family with a city as great as Tempe,” Brandon Hunt said. “With our previous locations, mainly throughout Texas, we’ve developed a cult following among college students. We’re excited to continue that tradition with ASU.”

What the cluck? Southern to spicy Thai, 7 new fried chicken restaurants are now open

What makes Detroit-style pizza different?

Detroit-style pizza is made in an oiled, rectangular steel pan, similar to what mechanics used to carry auto parts. The metal sides heat up and create crunchy, almost fried edges all the way around.

Via uses two types of cheese, which go on the pizza before the red sauce, which is only added after the pizza is baked to ensure the crust stays crispy.

What's on Via 313's menu?

The menu offers appetizers, like cheese bread and roasted artichokes, 14 Detroit-style pies and seven bar-style thin crust pizzas, salads and desserts. Gluten-free and dairy-free options are also available. Some examples of Detroit-style offerings, which come in 8 x 10-inch or 10 x 14-inches sizes include:

  • The Carnivore, made with natural casing pepperoni, smoked pepperoni, sausage, ham and bacon ($16, $30).

  • The Ambassador Bridge (Inspired by Jeff Smokevitch), made with sausage, natural casing pepperoni, Italian oregano, fresh garlic, house-made ricotta ($17, $32).

  • The Cadillac (Inspired by Tony Gemignani), made with gorgonzola, prosciutto, fig preserves, parmesan and balsamic glaze ($17, $32).

Simply the best: Don't skip the mind-blowing sandwich at this new metro Phoenix Italian restaurant

Here are a few examples of the 12-inch round pub-style pizzas:

  • MC5, made with whole milk mozzarella, asiago, fontina, provolone, parmesan ($13).

  • The Stooges, made with baby spinach, shallot, marinated artichokes and parmesan crisps ($14).

  • Funkadelic Chicken, made with chicken, gorgonzola, red onion, bacon, ranch drizzle and no red sauce ($15).

How to visit Via 313

Via 313 opens in Tempe on June 26.

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday.

Details: 715 S. Rural Road, Suite 101, Tempe. via313.com.

Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter.

OFFER FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS: $1 per month for 12 months of access to azcentral.com. Subscribe at azcentral.com/NewsSale.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Try Detroit-style pizza in metro Phoenix at Via 313 pizzeria in Tempe