TheBeiijnger 2013 Burger Cup: Round of 32 Voting Now Open!

The first round of voting for theBejinger 2013 Burger Cup is completed, with a few surprises in who was shown the door in the 64. Most notably, new entrant 3sums, which recently lost co-founder Zachary Lewison to last year's champion Home Plate Bar-B-Que, went down to Flamme International Grill. The Local, formerly last year's runner-up Brussels, took out one of the city's finest steakhouses, The Cut at Fairmont Beijing. Burger Counter defeated Canadian-owned American Steak & Eggs, while Burger Counter's founding burger chef, now at Temple Bar, went down in defeat to Home Plate.

Now we're down to 32. Your favorite burger joint needs you and your vote more than ever! Make sure they sail into the sweet 16 by clicking here to cast your vote! Voting will remain open until Monday, July 29 at 10am.

This year, we're doing things a little bit differently. Our bracket was based on last year's final voting, after which we included a list of worthy newcomers. We've removed all international chains from competition. China competitors are fine, but those international interlopers are out. Also, this year, we'll have three rounds of voting, followed by a live cook-off in August, where the Great Eight will cook-off, head to head, with final voting taking place on site. Who will crack under the August heat, and who raise the cup?

You will decide. It's a public vote and the first round is live right now. We'll be offering prizes to you, our readers, as the competition goes on. Our downloadable bracket will follow in a later round.

Click here to begin voting. May the best burger win!