WE HAVE A TACO CHAMPION >>>

After more than two weeks of voting the Weekly Volcano readers have picked the most popular taco in the greater Tacoma area.

The Tournament of Tacos Championship match pitted two longtime Pierce County Mexican restaurants against each other: Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant in Tacoma and Tijuana Taco in Lakewood. Moctezuma's was a narrow hole-in-the-wall joint (next to where JC Penney once stood) on South Tacoma Way in the '70s that eventually made its way to its current grand spot at 56^th and Tyler. Tijuana Taco was born in the late '60s, and battled McDonald's, Shakey's Pizza, and Herfy's for customers on the edge of the Villa Plaza. It's still in the same spot at 10005 Bristol Ave. SW just off 100^th Street.

Yesterday's championship battle saw the most active daytime online voting of the tournament, which ended at 5 p.m. Moctezuma's had a commanding lead by time the voting switched to the 6 p.m. Tournament of Tacos Party at Station 56. At the party people filled out taco voting ballots and rang up $12 tabs for three margaritas and three tacos (thanks Station 56!). The taco voting couldn't help but take a second seat to the outstanding NCAA Men's Championship game in which Duke just squeaked by the underdog Butler. But, as promised, we tallied the on-location votes during halftime of the hoop game and announced the winner: Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant. The loose voting during the inexpensive margarita fest at Station 56 didn't affect the huge lead Moctezuma's had going into the party.

Congrats to both worthy competitors.

Moctezuma's will be receiving the Tournament of Tacos Championship trophy once the engraving is finished. Also, look for an upcoming feature on Arturo Garcia's Moctezuma's in the Weekly Volcano. Those who didn't vote for Moctezuma's, we suggest you stop by their Tacoma or Gig Harbor locations to try their outstanding Mexico City tacos.

Thanks to all who voted in the Tournament of Tacos. We hope you had as much fun as we did.

See you next March for ... the Tournament of Pizza!