Friday, 12:30 am, Boylston Street. You stumble onto the sidewalk, reeling. Steadying yourself against a parking meter, you squint vacantly into the glare of taxi headlights. You need something — and not just a pre-emptive dose of Advil and a solid 10 hours of sleep. There’s something you crave, something satisfying, something important. Something with cheese.

You begin to walk — nay, to hunt — with your stomach as your guide. After passing yet another unfriendly, unlit storefront, you see on Mass Ave a beacon of hope. It’s a pizza place. And it’s open.

At first glance, Pizza Pie-er is really quite average. Neon-green sign, standard attached tables and benches. But once you take a second look at the menu, you begin to realize that you’re actually standing in a gourmet restaurant where you can practically eat a whole pizza without gaining an ounce. The best option is to create your own pizza. You choose a size, ranging from a waist-watching seven to 16 inches. Then you move on to a selection of five crusts, which include traditional, whole-wheat, low-carb, and veggie. The selection of 10 sauces is even more impressive — Cajun, cilantro pesto, puttanesca, even a fat- and calorie-free choice. Finally, they’ve got every topping you crave (33, to be exact). Pies range from $4.35 for the simplest seven-inch to approximately $20 for more luxuriant orders.

You can similarly customize your own calzone, and choose from one of many inspired specialty pizzas. If you’re the adventurous type, try one of the brunch or dessert pies, including BLT, ham, egg-and-cheese, and even apple pie. It’s as delicious as it is clever — that is to say, very.

Pizza Pie-er, located at 182 Mass Ave, in Boston, is open daily from 10 am to 1 am. Call 617.450.0009, or visit www.pizzapieer.com/.