The first round is complete and we're now down to the final 16 competitors! We're doing the first half of the bracket today as host Phil Friend is joined by Krystal Nurse and Kara Berg to pick the two winners in the International Region, and then by Mark Johnson and Craig Lyons to determine the final two foods in the Mexican Region. 

The matchups: 

International:

• (8) Altu's Ethiopian Cuisine - Spicy Drumsticks vs. (5) La Cocina Cubana - Ropa Vieja Sandwich
• (3) Zaytoon Mediterranean - Chicken Shawarma Plate vs. (2) Naing Myanmar - Pad Ke Mos

Mexican:

• (1) El Oasis - Big Burrito (subbed in for Breakfast Burrito) vs. (4) Pancho's Taqueria - Birria Tacos
• (6) Maria's Cuisine - Birria Tacos vs. (2) Pablo's Old Town - La Torta

Krystal's story from March on the birria tacos boom: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/life/food/restaurants/2021/03/30/where-to-get-birria-tacos-lansing-recipe/7003875002/