Pizza Cup 2014: Where to Score Your Pizza in Wudaokou

To get you in the mood for the ongoing voting in the 2014 Pizza Cup, (see our round-up of pizza meal deals here) we've sent our minions out to patrol the streets for pizza. Here's a selection of what they've found:

If you've never braved the metro journey or Beijing traffic to the less-explored northwestern international playground colloquially known as Wudaokou (五道口), then you are missing out on some fantastic gastronomical experiences.

In view of the first round of the 2014 Pizza Cup ending Wednesday night, and in the interest of fair competition (or just pure indulgence), here’s a list of where to score your pizza WDK if you live there (or care to venture northwesterly).

When Size Matters

The Kro’s Nest (#2 seed in the Pizza Specialists category)
The prices on the menu might look a little intimidating with “medium” pizzas at RMB 120 and “large” pizzas around the RMB 150-170 range, but in reality Kro’s Nest only does extra-large and can’t-see-the-table gigantic. There's no way you're eating one of these by yourself, so sharing brings the average price down to around RMB 60-80 per person.
Pizza Style: American fast food – crust the thickness of a slice of bread and chewy.
Extras: a variety of herbs on the table and a delicious tomato relish to customize your own pizza.
Address: 2/F Dongsheng Dasha, 8 Zhongguancun Donglu, Haidian District

Lakers (#16 seed in the Bars/Cafes category)
When you consider there's a 1.5 kilogram burger on the menu, the size of the pizzas comes as no surprise – they are huge, tasty and great value for money. The atmosphere at Lakers is very chilled and at happy hour the open area by the bar may well be mistaken for a dance floor.
Pizza Style: American fast food – a little greasy.
Extras: Their chips (or fries – to each their own) come sprinkled with chili salt.
Address: 240 Chengfu Lu (500 meters east of Peking University east gate), Haidian District
 

See Also: Pizza Cup Deals: Where and When to Try Your 2014 Pizza Cup Contestants

Cozy Dining Experiences

Eatalia (#2 seed in the Mid-Range Restaurants category)
An Italian-owned establishment, this ravioli and pizza bar is one of the few that sells pizza “al taglio” (by the slice). The pizza is, of course, very tasty, but what leaves the deepest impression on most diners is their amazing service.
Pizza style: Italian – thin crust and light toppings.
Extras: The ingredients are either imported or made by the restaurant itself.
Address: Building 12, Chengfu Lu, Huaqing Jiayuan, Haidian District

Grandma's Kitchen (#14 seed in the Mid-Range Restaurants category)
Grandma’s Kitchen is a cozy mid-range restaurant with lots of other choices. The pizzas are only come in one size (suitable for one if you are hungry or to share between two diners pretending to be on a diet).
Style: American fast food.
Extras: Breadth of menu means its a great place if you're hankering for a pizza but your dining companion can't stand the stuff.
Address: 5/F, Wu Dao Kou, U Center, 28 Cheng Fu Lu, Hai Dian District
 

Something Different

Sugar Shack (previously Pyro) (#3 seed in the Bars/Clubs category)
If you are feeling adventurous, Sugar Shack has invented their own unique flavor – black pepper beef and kimchi pizza.
Although the name has changed (and the bathrooms significantly improved), the flavor and people have stayed the same. There is a very familial atmosphere about the place and the food is reasonably priced, especially with their great lunch-all-you-can-eat offer (RMB 55 + RMB 5 for beer).
Pizza Style: Classic New York – thin, floppy and crisp.
Extras: Every Wednesday at 8pm Sugar Shack hosts a Pub Quiz in Chinese for those who want to improve their language skills, and Thursday is their famous Beer Pong night.
Address: Basement, Building 12, Huaqing Jiayuan, Wudaokou

Tube Station (#7 seed in the Pizza Specialists category)
Although not technically in WDK, Tube Station has outlets in nearby Zhongguancun (Beijing’s Silicon Valley), Beida and Weigongcun. This American style pizza joint offers over 20 different flavors of pizzas. Tube Station is one of the places where you can try pizza with a local twist – welcome to Beijing Duck pizza with mozzarella and plum sauce.  
Pizza Style: American fast food – very cheesy.
Extras: Every Tuesday from 5 to 8pm you get free refills on Beijing Draft Beer for RMB 15
Address (Zhongguancun): 3/F Youju Beilou, 9 Zhongguancun Dajie, Haidian District
 

Familiar Names

Papa John's Pizza (#9 seed in the Pizza Specialists category)
While it might not be quite the same as back at home, Papa John’s serves very tasty pizzas and you get a choice between thin and thick crust.
Pizza Style: American Fast Food
Extras: The interesting flavors on offer include “Cheese Chicken Carbonara” and “Spicy Seafood”.
Address: No. 28, Hualian Building, Chengfu Lu, Haidian District

Pizza Hut (#14 seed in the Pizza Specialists category)
Pizza Hut in Beijing comes with a Chinese twist, as one might expect, with Asian staples such as rice dishes on the menu. Their iconic buffet salad is a refreshing addition to the familiar greasy pizzas and there is always the option of the decadent stuffed crust.
Pizza Style: American Fast Food – thick crust.
Extras: Pizza Hut offers student discount
Address: No. 35 Chengfu Lu, Haidian District
 

Unsung Heroes

The following did not make the Pizza Cup, but they're nevertheless worth a try:

The Golden Era ‘50s Dinner
Restaurant by day and bar by night, this diner serves greasy American style pizzas for around RMB 49
Address: 23 Chengfu Lu (west side of Wudaokou Workers' Cinema parking lot)

Red House
This is one of the few places with a proper wood fire pizza albeit in a bar setting that is a little grimy (the beers are cheap and they do provide take out services). The pizza style is Italian – thin crust and refreshing.
Address: Wang Zhuang Lu (20m north of Cheng Fu Lu intersection)

Jasmine Lynn is the Beijinger's Wudaokou correspondent. Got a hot tip of something going on out that way -- a new restaurant opening, a great bar or a hot event? Let her know via email here.

Images: Kro's Nest, Sugar Shack, The Beijinger