Budget Bites: Via 313 Pizza

• Whole pies range from $11–$33 depending on size and toppings.

My experience: In a world of artsy, beautiful, Instagrammable restaurants, a casual pizza joint with red booths has become rare.

• Via 313 has a Detroit-industrial aesthetic, but it felt warm and comfortable. It wasn't trying to be anything other than what it was, and I instantly felt at ease.
• The thick, spongy-crusted pizza was great. I enjoyed the added fig preserve topping on the jalapeño pizza. The cheese bread was skippable, but the simple cinnamon sticks surprised me. I was on a carb high and generally delighted.
• The servers were young and incredibly sweet and made a good meal even better.

The bottom line: It was casual and normal, in the best possible sense of the words. Sometimes, that's exactly what the heart — and stomach — wants.

If you go: A few locations in the region, including 1541 N. Shepherd Drive.