hip to be square

Austin's favorite Detroit-style pizzeria opening second Houston spot

Detroit-style pies are coming to Webster in August.

Courtesy of Via 313

One of Austin’s favorite pizza joints continues its push into Houston. Via 313 will open its second Bayou City location in Webster on Friday, August 9.

Founded in 2011 as a food trailer by brothers Brandon and Zane Hunt, the restaurant serves Detroit-style pizzas — rectangular-shaped, deep dish pies that are baked in traditional steel pans, are “cheesed to the edge,” and have sauce added after the bake.

The menu also includes a Midwest-style, thin crust, bar pie as well as salads, appetizers, and desserts. They’re paired with beer, wine, cocktails, or two sodas that are staples in Detroit — Faygo and Vernor’s Ginger ale.

Via 313 Zane and Brandon Hunt Brothers Zane and Brandon Hunt founded Via 313 in 2011Courtesy of Via 313

Speaking to CultureMap earlier this year, the Detroit natives said that they opened Via 313 when they discovered that Austin didn’t have any pizza that reminded them of the places they grew up eating. They developed a recipe in their home kitchen that remains at the heart of the restaurant.

“Our version of that style of pizza is a culmination of a lot of different places we ate growing up,” Zane said. “We took the things we liked most about each place and brought it all together. It’s always been our version of what we liked the best. We hoped it would resonate with people, and it has.”

Located at 1065 W. Bay Area Boulevard, the pizzeria is located near the Shake Shack that opened in December. It joins an outpost that opened near Memorial City Mall in March. As part of Via 313’s partnership with venture capital firm Savory Fund, locations are also under development for the Heights, Pearland, and Cypress.

The restaurant will open for lunch and dinner daily beginning at 11 am. In addition, it will host a weekday happy hour from 3-6 pm and a late night happy hour Monday-Thursday from 8-10 pm.

“Via 313 takes pride in bringing authentic Motown flavors to pizza lovers all across the country,” Zane added in a statement. “We are especially thrilled to expand further in Texas, where our journey first began, because every Texan deserves to indulge in our award-winning Detroit-style pizzas.”

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there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

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there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress