Pizza Cup Round of 16: Italian Brands Suffer Biggest Losses
Sorry, Italy, you lose this round. But only just.
*aggressive handshaking*
There was almost a huge upset as our pizza hopefuls were cut down from the Round of 32 to the Sweet 16, with major contender Tube Station narrowly averting their earliest exit ever, nearly falling to newcomer La Villa.
Elsewhere, in the battle of the international megabrands, Papa John's eliminated Domino's, whereas local deep-dish heroes Yummy Box sent Pizza Hut to an early grave.
In the closest match of the round, Haidian pizza slingers Pyro Pizza, a #3 seed, was almost knocked aside by Dongzhimen powerhouse Paddy O'Shea's, seeded 6.
That means after a gnarly duel, only these 16 remain to battle it out till the end:
Gung Ho! ousted Legend Beer
Pie Squared bested Lievito
Great Leap bested Mao Mao Chong
Pizza Saporita edged Pizza Marzano
Bottega won out over NbeerPubl
Annie's minced The Veggie Table
Pyro Pizza squeaked by Paddy O'Shea's
Papa John's showed Domino's who's their daddy
Tube Station narrowly survived a scare from La Villa
Q Mex handily put down Lakers
Kro's Nest won out over Tiago
The Local bested Xian
La Pizza flattened Tavola
Eatalia roasted Tribe
Ramo overcame Lily's American Diner
Yummy Box sent Pizza Hut packing
Interesting matchups in the Sweet 16 to look out for
Can Bottega stop the onslaught from the only remaining megabrand left in the contest, Papa John's? Will Yummy Box's Chicago deep-dish pizzas be deep enough to overcome the homegrown traditional Neopolitan pies served by La Pizza? Does last year's champ Pie Squared still have the power to overcome downtown juggernaut Great Leap Brewing? Only your vote can decide – so, get in there and cast a ballot in the Sweet 16!
Scan the QR Code below to vote in 2018's Pizza Cup Sweet 16 Ballot!
Official Sweet 16 matchups
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Stats breakdown
Our panel’s knowledge of some of Italy’s most iconic food and beverage brands leaves a lot of room for branding for these Italian companies. Only two (S.Pellegrino and Lavazza) were known by more than half the voters; meanwhile, Italy’s largest pasta manufacturer Barilla is only known by one in three, and the country’s largest beer brand, Birra Moretti, was recognized by only 32 percent.
S.Pellegrino (67 percent)
Lavazza: 53 percent
Illy: 44 percent
San Benedetto: 35 percent
Barilla: 33 percent
Birra Moretti: 32 percent
Acqua Panna: 29 percent
Cinzano: 26 percent
Parmalat: 21 percent
In the epic battle of crusts, thick varieties won out over thin 45 percent to 30 percent (while the remaining 25 percent of you preferred whack-job crusts such as bagel, pita, or French bread).
Likewise, our panel was solidly divided on veggie pizza, with the plant-eaters winning out 54 percent to 46 percent.
Meat lovers responded with a barrage of negative comments, characterizing veggie pizzas as boring, bland, disgusting, soggy, weak, and generally not worth eating. Some even went to so far as to say it was a complete waste of pizza and really only suitable for losers. Strong words.
Meanwhile, veggie lovers sang loudly about pizza sans meat, saying they were delicious, healthy, and fresh, with a taste that is “off the hook” (an interesting analogy for an herbivore).
With that, let the showdown begin in this round of Sweet 16, due to close at midday on Friday!
Knockout Round Schedule
The Sweet 16 is announced Tue, Oct 23 and closes Fri, Oct 26
The Elite Eight is announced Fri, Oct 26 and closes Tue, Oct 30
The Final Four is announced Tue, Oct 30 and closes Fri, Nov 2
The Championship round is announced Fri, Nov 2 and closes Mon, Nov 5
And finally, our winner of Beijing's Best Pizza 2018 will be crowned on Monday, Nov 5!
Rankings so far
33. Pizza Factory
34. Stuff'd (closed after voting started)
35. VSports
36. Luga's Villa
37. Eudora Station
38. The Rug
39. Fellas
40. Grandma's Kitchen
41. Le Fromager de Pékin
42. Tim's Texas BBQ
43. Bocca Della Verita
44. Nasca Cafe
45. Mrs Shanen's / Green Cow Cafe
46. LMPlus
47. Mio, Four Seasons Hotel
48. 1st Floor
49. Scott's Family Ristorante Italiano
50. Andy’s
51. Joe’s Bar & Kitchen
52. QS
53. Mr Pizza
54. Assaggi
55. Pizza Buona
56. Flypizza & Hoodakdak Chicken
57. Peter Pan
58. Panda Brew
59. Nine Road Pizzeria
60. Buddy Bar
61. PBD Pizza Bar
62. Fratelli Fresh, Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel
63. Via Roma, Kempinski Hotel
64. 789 (A-Life)
65. Radici
66. Peiping Machine
67. Pizza Now
68. Bene, Sheraton Grand Dongcheng Hotel
69. Uno Bar & Grill
70. Passby Bar
71. Red Rose
72. Charlie's
73. Max Pizza
74. Mix's Italian Grill, Crowne Plaza Zhongguancun
75. Four Ace
76. Botany
77. Leos Pizza
78. Elisa's
79. Jazz-Ya
80. Prego, Westin Financial Street
81. Casalingo
82. Kitchen Igosso
83. Agrilandia
84. Hisewel Brew-pub
85. Pizzagram
86. Loft Eatalicious
87. Yun Brew
88. Blufish
89. Pinvita
90. Whale's Pizza
91. Miss Pizza
92. Byone
93. Jushi Pizza Just in Time!
94. Atta BJ
95. Ebeiguo
96. BK's Tavern
97. Pomona
Photos: the Beijinger
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