Detroit style pizza... in Utah? 🍕

Via 313 is a new pizza restaurant in Orem making some unique pizza

Nov 30, 2021

Straight from Detroit (via Austin TX) there is a new pizza joint in town, slinging a new type of pizza.

Short story: Via 313 just opened in Orem, UT. They serve Detroit style pizza which is a square crust, with the sauce on top. Check them out. The chain is expanding nationally, with plans to open two more Utah restaurants in Lehi (East Main Stree & South 1200 East) and Murray (6161 State Street).

Long story: Read on… 🍕👇🏻

Google Maps linked. Just click the image. Or here.

Via 313 Pizza

Founded: December 8, 2011, in Austin Texas.

What: Detroit style pizza.

So what is Detroit-style pizza? A descendent of Sicilian-style pizza, Detroit style traces its roots to one man – Gus Guerra who ran Buddy's Rendezvous in Detroit.

Here are the essential characteristics of Detroit style pizza.

It is square, with a soft and airy crust.
Red top. Pizza sauce is ladled on after the bake. Ingredient order is opposite what you expect. From bottom to top it goes crust, toppings, cheese, then sauce. This is to make sure the crust doesn't get soggy.
Baked in a deep dish pan so you get a crunchy caramelized cheese edge.
Not 'deep dish' pizza from Chicago. Don't make that mistake. :)

Via 313 was the first restaurant brand outside Detroit to make the Motor City’s signature pizza style outside of Detroit.

Eater has a guide to Detroit style pizza if you want to learn more about how Detroit style pizza was started by Gus and how he got his pans from auto parts companies.

Is the pizza any good?

I made my own pizza when I ordered. Pepperoni, with arugula and Mike’s Hot Honey. It was super tasty and the cheese pull on this pizza was insane.

I liked the pizza. It didn’t blow my mind, but the crust was airy and light, with a nice cheese crust on the outside. I didn’t love my flavor choices, but that was my fault for choosing them I believe. I would definitely go try it again.

Stick with one the menu items if you want to play it safe. And apparently the servers are very helpful so be sure to ask them.

Why is Detroit style pizza in Utah?

So you might be wondering how does a Detroit style pizza chain founded in Austin end up in Utah? Two words.... Savory Fund.

Savory Fund is a Utah based VC company that invests in and operates restaurants in the fast casual space. They take established chains with a few locations and help them expand nationwide.

Savory Fund started as Kneaders, became Four Foods Group a private equity group that owned, operated, and franchised R&R Barbecue, Swig, and Mo’ Bettahs and some Little Casears. Then Four Foods Group got a $90 million dollar investment and partnership from Utah VC Mercato Partners and became Savory Fund. The Savory Fund portfolio includes:

Hash Kitchen
Pincho
Via 313
The Crack Shack
Mo Bettahs
R&R
Swig

Not sure if they still operate Kneaders or if they sold that.

What does the name 'Via 313' mean?

313 is the area code for Detroit. Rappers from Detroit often mention 313 in their music in reference to this area and its notoriety. One of the tracks in the 1996 Eminem independent debut solo album Infinite is titled "313". In the 2002 film 8 Mile, Eminem's character, B–Rabbit, and his friends call their group "three one third", a nickname for the area code.