Caribbean Chill Cat Crunches Crusts at Gung Ho, Annie's Pie Squared and Hutong Pizza

Michael Wester | Nov 14, 2015 1:18 pm | Add a comment | 1617 reads

With voting in the Final Four of the 2015 Pizza Cup closing Monday, Nov 16 (cast your ballot here) we continue to query Beijingers from all walks of life on their pizza preferences with our Pizza My Mind series.

In this edition, we hear from Shagi Defoe, a self-described chill cat that "enjoys long walks on the Caribbean beaches I left behind over a decade ago for this smog-infested city."

He enjoys rum and good grub and has an unparalled Beijing pizza pedigree: he was one of the first Kro's Nest customers at its now defunct Beida location, and recalls a time when Beijing's pizza was defined by the bland, fast-food options served up by Pizza Hut and Origus.

Here are his picks for some of the city's best pizza:

For a date with a significant other:
"Hutong Pizza: great pizza, great crust, a delightful Hutong setting. Impress her with your city knowledge and score you will, young apprentice."

For a pint out with the gang:
"Gung Ho Pizza. Pumpkin Sweet Potato Pizza [thin crust, wholewheat] , kale and pear salad, both lasagnas, cheese bread balls ... and all the booze. I love GHP on multple levels and they are hands down my favorite pizza spot in town for the simple fact that it is cool, healthy and fun. Great friendly service too, Gung Ho Pizza is like Cheers -- a place where everyone knows your name. Coromodo Designs whipped up magic when decorating that Sanlitun space ... wowzah!"

For home delivery when you're too lazy to make dinner:
"Annie's hits the spot on delivery. Great Traditional-ish pies at amazing prices, true to Italy. Great lasagnas, and we all have those bowls and use them for our morning muesli. Annie's is a Beijing staple for in-home dining."

When you feel like something different:
Pie Squared. It's a trek to get there hiding up in Shunyi, but those deep dish pies are tasty disasters. Its probably that far to hide the shame of eating these but I'm shameless, so bring it on."

Hungry for more? Read more from the foodies of Beijing in our Pizza My Mind profiles here; and don't forget to mosey along over to our Pizza Profiles series to get a closer look at some of the best pies in town. Got some favorites of your own? Share them with us by filling out our Pizza My Mind questionnaire here.

Photo courtesy of Shagie Defoe