The Deep Dish: Q Mex's Thin Crusts and Chorizo Toppings Make for a Unique Pizza Take

As online voting continues for the 2017 Pizza Cup, The Deep Dish previews a few of the restaurants that vied it out for the title of Beijing's most beloved pie. So take a look, grab a slice, and pick the team you want to be victorious.

Do you like living life on the edge? At least when it comes to pizza, Q Mex has you covered. The Sanlitun bar and grill branch of this ever-burgeoning brand serves up some of the best, most distinctive 'za in town by offering those slices on edgy, thin crust that vibrantly crackles across your palate.

Sure, Q Mex has been gaining greater attention lately via its bolder, more creative endeavors like its still young, authentically Mexican Taqueria in Xinyuanli, along with its championship-winning chorizo burger at its Sanlitun location. Still, Tex-Mex devotees tend to focus more on the nachos, burritos, and tacos along with the burgers at that bar and grill. The pizza really does deserve more attention, though. And that's not only because of the crust's enticing texture – the spindly dough lets the toppings pop in every sense of the word, be it the chipotle chicken option (with diced chicken, chipotle tomato salsa, roasted corn and black beans), more conventional varieties like the salami or ham and mushroom or the newer, more creative chicken and chorizo jambalaya (made with mixed beef and pork chorizo sausages, grilled chicken, mozzarella, and spicy black pepper jambalaya sauce). Each pie is priced around RMB 65-80 depending on the variety and crust, regular or thin.

Aside from tasting great, I also just enjoy the principle behind these pizzas. Chef Marcus Medina has told me a few times over the years that having pizza and burgers on Q Mex Bar and Grill's menu helped make the restaurant more accessible for Chinese customers who, at the time, might not have had the opportunity to try tacos, burritos, or other Mexican fare. This way, such first-timers could come with a few friends who were better versed, try something familiar and something new, and ease their way in.

Sure, some uppity foreign clientele would whine about that choice compromising Q Mex's "authenticity" (whatever that means), but I liked Medina's willingness to make his restaurant fun, avoiding snooty purism. And now that Beijing's F&B market has further developed, it's great to see him prove any naysayers wrong with the new Xinyuanli taqueria, while still serving Tex-Mex treats in Sanlitun like these deliciously accessible pizzas that have fun and flavorful Mexican twists.

Haven't yet voted in our 2017 Pizza Cup? Simply scan the QR code below to have your say before the winner is announced on Oct 19:

Photos courtesy of Q Mex