Sweet 16 Cut in Half, Leaving Cheesy Crumbs and Salty Tears of 8 in Its Wake

The Beijingers | Nov 1, 2019 3:00 pm | Add a comment | 258 reads

As most of us know, the innocent, laughter-filled days of Sweet 16 only last so long. In the blink of an eye, carefree frolicking quickly turns into looking for a job and weathering the grind of caring for a family. A metaphor for life? Perhaps. In actuality, something altogether more doughy and cut-throat: admittance into the 2019 Pizza Cup round of the Elite 8!

Scan the QR Code below with WeChat to vote
in 2019's Pizza Cup Elite 8 ballot!

Where there are eight victors, there must be eight casualties, which this year includes farewells to a whopping four contenders from last year's Top 12. Big upsets include the ousting of 2018's #6 rank and overall winner of 2017, Pie Squared, who appears to have had a falling from grace of sorts, as well as that of perennial favorites Annie's (#5 last year) who has been booted by Great Leap. Last year's #4 The Local has also been stiff-armed by that feed-an-army pizzeria, #12 Tube Station. Having just entered the pizza game, Jing-A (unranked) is off to a strong start this year, pushing out newbies Turkish Feast.

Less surprising are the dominant showings by 2018's #3 and the kings of Neopolitan pizza Bottega, who shut out Eatalia (#7). Elsewhere, last year's winner Gung Ho! put an end to Baozza's cheese dreams despite their having a seemingly endless line at this year's Pizza Festival. Likewise, many will be sad to say goodbye to Oh Yeah! Brewing, who wooed the crowd with an incredible mushroom and truffle pizza at the event.

The results as they happened

  • Gung Ho! beat back Baozza
  • Great Leap stomped Annie's
  • Pizza Saporita slammed Pie Squared
  • La Pizza squeaked by MIAM MIAM
  • Bottega pummeled Eatalia
  • Jing-A Taproom outpaced Turkish Feast
  • Q Mex roundhoused Oh Yeah!
  • Tube Station ousted The Local

In our poll, we also quizzed voters as to which of Beijing's craft beers they enjoyed knocking back with a slice. Jing-A cut a strong first place followed by Great Leap and Slow Boat.

Beijing's most popular craft beers (percent of voters that have tried this beer):

  1. Jing-A Brewpub (35 percent)
  2. Great Leap Brewing (32 percent)
  3. Slow Boat Brewery (24 percent)
  4. Boxing Cat Brewery (24 percent)
  5. Panda Brew (16 percent)
  6. Arrow Factory Brewing (16 percent)
  7. Beersmith  (15 percent)
  8. Legend Beer (12 percent)
  9. Peiping Machine (9 percent)
  10. NBeer (8 percent)

The rankings so far

The losers of the Sweet 16 then join the other 2019 knockouts for a final tally that looks something like this.

17. Kro's Nest 
18. Pizza Hut 
19. Papa John's 
20. 3 Little Pigs by Andy's Craft Sausages 
21. Pyro Pizza 
22. Domino's Pizza 
23. Pizza Marzano 
24. TIAGO
25. The Rug
26. Paddy O'Shea's
27. Laker's 
28. Saizeriya 
29. Yummy Box 
30. The Cheesecake Factory
31. Green Cow City Cafe 
32. Lily's American Diner

33. Plan B     
34. Luga's     
35. 1st Floor     
36. Georgia's Feast     
37. Tribe
38. Big Pizza     
39. Mao Mao Chong     
40. The Veggie Table     
41. Pizza Factory     
42. Grandma's Kitchen     
43. Xian at East, Beijing     
44. Mr Pizza     
45. Fiume     
46. Scott's Family Ristorante Italiano     
47. Legend Beer     
48. Eudora Station     
49. Tavola Italian Dining     
50. Lievito Gourmet Pizza and Bar     
51. Jazz-Ya     
52. NBeer Pub     
53. Assaggi     
54. Charlie's     
55. The Mozza     
56. Bocca Della Verita     
57. MIO, Four Seasons Hotel     
58. Fella's     
59. Pizza Now     
60. Cafe Ruhe     
61. La Cucina     
62. Pizza by LMPlus     
63. Ponte     
64. BUONA BOCCA Italian Bistro     
65. Ummm Kitchen     
66. Joe's Bar & Kitchen     
67. La Mezzaluna     
68. QS     
69. Peiping Machine     
70. Peter Pan     
71. Casa Gusto     
72. Nine Road Pizzeria     
73. Via Roma, Kempinski Hotel     
74. Red Rose     
75. Unico     
76. Dongli Brewery     
77. Nasca Cafe     
78. Jushi Pizza     
79. PIZZA FUOCO     
80. CUP ONE     
81. MustGuette     
82. PBD Pizza Bar     
83. Bene     
84. Passby Bar     
85. Pinvita     
86. Flypizza & Hoodadak Chicken     
87. Leos Pizza     
88. Hisewel Brew-pub     
89. Pomona     
90. Agrilandi     
91. Casalingo     
92. Whale's Pizza     
93. BLT     
94. Byone     
95. RADICI     
96. Tomcado     
97. Atta BJ     
98. Four Aces     
99. PIZZAgram   

Knockout Round Schedule

  • Elite Eight: Opens Friday, Nov 1, 3pm; closes Tuesday, Nov 5, midday
  • Final Four: Opens Tuesday, Nov 5, 3pm; closes Friday, Nov 8, midday
  • Championship Round: Opens Friday, Nov 8, 3pm; closes Tuesday, Nov 12, midday
  • Beijing's Best Pizza crowned: Tuesday, Nov 12, 4pm

So what are you waiting for? Get voting before midday Tuesday!

Sherpa’s, the official sponsor of the 2019 Beijing Pizza Cup, are offering new users RMB 50 off (min. spend RMB 99) food delivery and RMB 10 off any movie ticket purchased through the Sherpa's App. Simply scan the QR below and follow the instructions.

Photos: the Beijinger, Uni You