IndyStar Pizza Bracket Challenge results: Handful of upsets as Bazbeaux comes out strong

Rory Appleton, Indianapolis Star
·2 min read

The first round of IndyStar's Pizza Bracket Challenge has come to a close, with a mix of upsets and top-seed dominance slicing through 16 of the 32 local restaurants.

More than 75,000 total votes were tallied in all contests.

Two high-seeded cheese slingers — No. 2 Byrne's Grilled Pizza and No. 3 Chatham Tap — were easily dispatched by No. 7 Greek's Pizzeria and No. 6 Ale Emporium, both of which were popular write-in choices when IndyStar asked for recommendations.

My personal choice, No. 1 I Tre Mori, had a close shave in round one against No. 8 Richard's Brick Oven. I Tre Mori won by about 300 votes, or about 54% to 46%. I chalk this up to the contrarians and personal enemies walking in my midst. You may stop the Mori, but it is not this day.

VOTE IN ROUND 2:IndyStar Pizza Bracket Challenge: The Saucy 16 are set. Vote now for Indy's best

After more than 70,000 votes, these 16 spots advanced to Round 2 of the IndyStar Pizza Bracket Challenge.
After more than 70,000 votes, these 16 spots advanced to Round 2 of the IndyStar Pizza Bracket Challenge.

Another one of my favorites, No. 5 Passione Wood Oven, lost convincingly to No. 4 Roselli's Pizza. In general, the 4-5 matchups were the closest, which is theoretically as it should be.

Bazbeaux, the No. 1-seeded Broad Ripple powerhouse, demolished No. 8 Steer-In in the first round's most popular matchup, picking up 6,277 of 7,125 total votes. A collision course with No. 2 Jockamo Upper Crust, which also cruised through round one in the same bracket section, seems likely.

One of Jockamo's founders, Mick McGrath, was once a Bazbeaux employee. Shall the student become the master?

A few intriguing matchups are now set for round two.

No. 2 Jockamo will face No. 3 Diavola, both of which did well in round one. No. 6 Ale Emporium will have the chance to take down another high seed in No. 2 Napolese. And the lowest overall seed left in the bracket, No. 7 Greek's, will face No. 3 Some Guys Pizza.

Sweet 16 voting begins 5 a.m. Monday.

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Rory Appleton is the pop culture reporter and columnist at IndyStar. Contact him at 317-552-9044 and rappleton@indystar.com, or follow him on Twitter at @RoryDoesPhonics.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Voting for best pizza in Indianapolis continues through IndyStar