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Houston is poised to get a new style of pizza when Pizza Motus stretches its dough in the West University neighborhood. A fast-casual restaurant specializing in "Roman-style street pizza," Pizza Motus is expected to open in summer 2018 at 6119 Edloe in the former Edloe Street Cafe.

"The Pizza Motus concept takes inspiration from the Roman-style street pizza I grew to love while living there for many years," said Will Gruy, owner/operator. According to Gruy, this type of pizza is rarely seen in Texas.

So what is Roman-style street pizza? It's typically rectangular, and described as more airy, thicker and heartier than Italy's more famous Neapolitan style, which is thin, chewy and round. According to a press release for the new endeavor, it is "light and airy in the center with a crisp bottom and a moist, flavorful top." Gruy said that Roman pizza does not get soggy and that "each pizza is baked in a steel baking pan and cut into rectangles" with a "crisp, light bite."

In addition to pizza – made-to-order whole pies and also available by the slice -- the restaurant will offer salads, grain bowls and sandwiches. Pizza Motus also will be BYOB.

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Gruy is originally from Dallas but lived in Rome as a child and young adult. It was there he fell in love with street pizza and missed it when he returned to Texas and could not find pizzerias that made the Roman style.

The restaurant takes its name from the Latin word for movement or impulse. According to the press release, Gruy is a "former Italian-based professional motorcycle road racer."