SATURDAY, MARCH 29: SECOND ROUND BURGER ACTION >>>

Burger construction isn't rocket science. Take some beef, mold it into a patty, throw on some cheese, lettuce, tomato and condiments, serve and enjoy. But hidden within those folds is a complexity that defines the short ingredients list. Building a burger is child's play; making a great burger is another thing entirely. Opening a discussion on which South Sound burger joints offer a great burger serves as our mission for the Tournament of Burgers - that and trying to score free burgers from the competitors.

Before we examine today's Second Round burger battles, let's take a look at yesterday's burger-building results.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Eastside Big Tom vs. Steel Creek American Whiskey Co.

Eastside Big Tom's was voted Best Burger recently in the Weekly Volcano's 2014 Best of Olympia issue. Home of the "goop," a delicious blend of mayo, mustard, pickle relish and secret salad dressing sauce, Eastside Big Tom's is an Olympian favorite, and the whiskey-drinking cowgirls and cowboys at Steel Creek couldn't line dance fast enough. Eastside Big Tom grabbed 78 percent of the vote and moves into the Sweet 16.

Game 2: Chalk Talk Bistro vs. Pick-Quick Drive-In

Everyone is, er, talking about the conversation of Mary's Burger Bistro into Chalk Talk Bistro. There have been theories written, of course written in chalk. It doesn't matter. Fife's longstanding, popular Pick-Quick Drive-In snapped all the chalk with 62 percent of the vote, and moves into the Sweet 16.

Game 3: The Westside Tavern vs. Pacific Grill

Pacific Grill, the downtown Tacoma bastion of Northwest culinary staples and forward thinking dishes that explore some of the most buzzed about national food trends, met its match yesterday. The Westside Tavern might not serve meat candy and "Freaking Delicious Beef Carpaccio," but it does specialize in burgers and uproariously good times. And that combination paid off yesterday as the beloved Westside Olympia joint grabbed 59 percent of the vote and a spot in the Sweet 16.

Game 4: Bootlegger's Bar & Grill vs. Best Burgers

It isn't certain the patrons of Bootlegger's knew the Buckley restaurant was in the Tournament of Burgers. Its Facebook claims their Ladies Night is going to be "nuts," but it's void of tournament chatter. Best Burgers knows they're in, and received remarkable play from their Triple Cheeseburger. With 70 percent of the vote, Best Burgers moves into the Sweet 16.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Sweet 16:

• Eastside Big Tom
• Pick-Quick Drive-In
• The Westside Tavern
• Best Burgers

The daily burger battles on Walkie Talkie are sponsored by Ricky J's Restaurant and Lounge in Puyallup.

OK, let's dive into today's Second Round burger battles. Vote for one burger joint per game. Voting for today's burger battles ends at 11:45 p.m. 

<<< FRIDAY, MARCH 28 GAMES CLOSED >>>

Now it's getting exciting. The pickles are really starting to fly, and the patties are getting so thick you could cut it with a knife. OK, so that's a horrible analogy.

Point is: This is serious.

Today the Tournament of Burgers officially kicks off its Second Round, meaning 32 South Sound burger joints remain, and the competition is as hot as ever. Who will be crowned champ Monday, April 7? The path to burger greatness starts today.

Here's a look at today's Tournament of Burgers action and a recap of yesterday's results. Squirt some mustard on it if you know what's good for you and get rolling.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Lefty's Burger Shack vs. Bob's Burgers & Brew

Bob's Burgers & Brews, an 11th, is the youngest burger joint in the Tournament of Burgers, opening a franchise in South Hill two months ago. Inexperience could have been a factor in its loss to popular Lefty's Burger Shack in University Place. Behind solid play of its bacon cheeseburger on a warm Kaiser bun and the surprise play from their bacon dog (is that legal?), Lefty's moves easily into the Second Round with 84 percent of the vote.

Game 2: Alfred's Café vs. Twisted Kilt Irish Pub

Everyone loves a good comeback, and this may have been one of the better clutch performances in the (obviously short) history of the Tournament of Burgers. Down by a substantial margin at midday, Alfred's Café, was able to rally the troops at halftime, and by troops I mean the Port of Tacoma. By the time the final buzzer sounded the Puyallup Avenue, speakeasy-ish, often colorful characters loaded Alfred's walked away with an impressive victory, racking up 59 percent of the vote. Next up for Alfred's Café, a Second Round dogfight with Lefty's Burger Shack.

Game 3: Shake Shake Shake vs. Terry's Office Tavern

It's safe to say it would have been an upset of monumental proportion has Terry's Office Tavern somehow managed to defeat Shake Shake Shake, but - alas - it was never meant to be. Shake Shake Shake dominated from tip-off to the final seconds yesterday, collecting votes at almost a three to one ratio and securing 72 percent of the vote.

Game 4: Han's Burger & Teriyaki vs. Frugals

Fruglas has been serving custom, workingman's burgers in Tacoma since 1990. Their experience showed during yesterday's game against Han's. Ignoring the late-afternoon penalty Han's received for excessive catsup, Frugals' 66 percent of the vote victory came from the one-two punch of fresh mushrooms and a sesame seed bun. Sometimes, you have to go with what you know. Frugals moves into the Second Round for a March 31 game against number one seed Shake Shake Shake. Oh, baby!

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• Lefty's Burger Shake
• Alfred's Café
• Shake Shake Shake
• Frugals

The daily burger battles on Walkie Talkie are sponsored by Ricky J's Restaurant and Lounge in Puyallup.

OK, let's dive into today's Second Round burger battles. Vote for one burger joint per game. Voting for today's burger battles ends at 11:45 p.m. 

<<< THURSDAY, MARCH 27 GAMES CLOSED >>>

Low and behold, today marks the closing of the Tournament of Burger's First Round. After today's battles, the bracket will officially be down to 32 area burger joints. If what we learned from our taco, pizza, breakfast and sandwich tournaments holds true, the remaining burger joints will hire cheerleaders for their Second Round games. Honestly, if it gets any more exciting we'll start to understand why Dick Vitale is always yelling.

Without wasting anyone's time with patty-related basketball innuendo, on to a recap of yesterday's games and today's Tournament of Burgers action.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Flipping Out Burgers and Fries vs. Classics Cafe at LeMay

Flipping Out must have flipped out. It was quiet during its game with Classics Café, the diner embedded at LeMay - Amerca's Car Museum. Classics included a Facebook post as part of its game plan, a plan that also included cooking tasty cheeseburgers. Classics Café grabbed 78 percent of the vote and moves into the Second Round.

Game 2: Friesenburgers vs. Crown Bar

In the closest battle of the day, Crown Bar grabbed 55 percent of the vote for the win. Surprisingly, Friesenburgers team of Gluten-free burgers wasn't really a factor. Once Crown's Crispy Onion burger got hot, it was over. The Crown Bar moves into the Second Round with a March 31 date with Classic Café.

Game 3: Herfy's Lakewood vs. Herfy's Olympia

The Herfy's in Lakewood beat the Herfy's in Olympia with 78 percent of the vote. Somewhere there's photo-realistic cow's face with a tear.

Game 4: Dirty Oscar's vs. Red Robin

Yesterday, I was accused of over hyping Dirty Oscar's. It's funny. One of the highlights of my childhood, besides spending summers in Rangoon, was post-Husky games outings at Red Robin. The family would gather around ginormous burgers at the Montlake Seattle Red Robin and discuss Joe Steele's rushing plays. It was always a disappointment if the car diverted instead to the Salmon House. I guess I might have gone Vitale on Dirty Oscar's Dead Elvis Burger. Its deliciousness is hard to ignore. Anyway, Dirty Oscar's smoked Red Robin with 90 percent of the vote and moves into the Second Round to face the Lakewood Herfy's March 31.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• Classic Cafe
• Crown Bar
• Herfy's Lakewood
• Dirty Oscar's

The daily burger battles on Walkie Talkie are sponsored by Ricky J's Restaurant and Lounge in Puyallup.

OK, let's dive into today's First Round burger battles. Vote for one burger joint per game. Voting for today's burger battles ends at 11:45 p.m. 

<<< WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 GAMES CLOSED >>>

The history of the hamburger is fairly mythical. The Menches family of Ohio says they invented the hamburger at an 1885 fair in Hamburg, New York, when heat and humidity forced them to stop butchering pigs. In all probability, the hamburger was a good idea waiting to happen, and a bunch of folks stumbled upon it around the same time. Thankfully someone did invent the burger, because the forecast calls for wet weather in the South Sound through Sunday, and nothing says spring like rain and burgers. So, huddle around your comforting operating system, catch up on yesterday's Tournament of Burgers action and vote on today's four South Sound burger battles.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: The Ram vs. The Forum

In a back and forth match-up pitting two fairly evenly matched competitors (at least in the eyes of voters, it seems), The Forum was eventually able to pull ahead of the stout Ram thanks to a late run - grabbing 53 percent of the vote. The loss has to be especially tough for The Ram, as they entered the Tournament of Burgers with plenty of hype, and the large clientele to back it.

Game 2: Frisko Freeze vs. Tacoma Cabana

You will not get lei'd as much at Frisko Freeze as you can at Tacoma Cabana tiki bar, but you will find a pretty freakin' delicious burger, at least according to yesterday's vote. Frisko Freeze grabbed 62 percent of the vote, and moves into the Second Round to battle The Forum March 30.

Game 3: Gourmet Burger Shop vs. Little Jerry's

"It's more like a full-body dry heave set to music." That's how George described the Elaine dance in Seinfeld. Today, the folks at Little Jerry's, the Seinfeld-loving café in Tacoma, will probably bust out a few Elaine moves as it grabbed 52 percent of the vote over the Gourmet Burger Shop and dances its way into the Second Round.

Game 4: Mikie Burgers vs. Carl's Jr.

Right now Mikie Burgers on Tacoma's Center Street is the Center of the Burger Universe as it put the hurt on Junior with 85 percent of the vote. Mikie moves into the Second Round to face Little Jerry's March 30.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• The Forum
• Frisko Freeze
• Little Jerry's
• Mikie Burgers

The daily burger battles on Walkie Talkie are sponsored by Ricky J's Restaurant and Lounge in Puyallup.

OK, let's dive into today's First Round burger battles. Vote for one burger joint per game. Voting for today's burger battles ends at 11:45 p.m. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 25: FIRST ROUND BURGER ACTION >>>

Southern California burger chain Slater's 50/50 has spent the past couple years making a name for itself through its flagship burger patty made from 100 percent ground bacon: 'Merica Burger. The bacon patty is topped off with a sunny side up egg and more bacon, in the form of bacon cheddar cheese, "bacon island" dressing and, oh yeah, actual bacon. Foodbeast.com decided that this wasn't enough and set out to make a 100 percent bacon burger, where every single thing on the burger has a bit of bacon in it. The foodie website decided even the bun should coated with bacon bits and pork rinds, as the photo below dictates. Will a South Sound burger joint follow suit to secure a few extra votes during the Tournament of Burgers? Stay tuned. In the meantime, below are yesterday's game results and eight new burger joints up for vote.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Lunchbox Laboratory vs. The Office Bar & Grill

The nice thing about a number one seed is it usually means you have a paddy-cake game in the first round. Not so much the case yesterday. The Office Bar and Grill rallied The Steno Pool and the folks in the mailroom, surging here and there. In the end, the number one seed did prevail, and Lunchbox Laboratory moves into the Second Round with 68 percent of the votes.

Game 2: Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery vs. El Gaucho

The Powerhouse and El Gaucho battled back and forth all day, changing leads several times. Then, the Powerhouse put the Jolly Pumpkin Artesianal Ales Maraciabo Especial Sour Belgian on the guest tap. Not so fast, my fancy friend. El Gaucho's lounge pianist busted out "It's The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" and the whole restaurant laughed and clinked martini glasses. The Powerhouse moves into the Second Round with 51 percent of the votes and a date with Lunchbox Laboratory March 30.

Game 3: Boathouse 19 vs. The Spar - Old Town

Unexpectedly, this was an epic battle ... the kind of thing Tournament of Burgers "instant classic" are made of. A surprisingly low scoring affair, with much of the action on defense, sixth seeded Boathouse 19 and the 11th seeded Spar in Old Town Tacoma were in a dead heat - literally tied - going into the final hours of the competition. Tournament of Burgers officials frantically discussed what to do in case of a tie. Overtime? Coin Flip? Shotgun a beer? Then, in a brilliant move, cook Tony walked to the middle of The Spar, slammed down a catsup and mustard bottle and walked back to the grill. That display of condiments was a dagger! The Spar edged out the win, securing exactly 51 percent of the vote. This one will go down in the burger history books.

Game 4: Norma's Burgers vs. Tides Tavern

Norma's Burgers quickly comes to the lips of many when discussing the best South Sound burger. So, perhaps it isn't a surprise that the burger house next to Interstate 5 won handily, kicking the Tides Tavern to the dock while garnering a respectable 63 percent of the vote. Norma's moves into the Second Round to face The Spar March 30.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• Lunchbox Laboratory
• Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery
• The Spar - Old Town
• Norma's Burgers

The daily burger battles on Walkie Talkie are sponsored by Ricky J's Restaurant and Lounge in Puyallup.

OK, let's dive into today's First Round burger battles. Vote for one burger joint per game. Voting for today's burger battles ends at 11:45 p.m. 

<<< MONDAY, MARCH 24 GAMES CLOSED >>>

If the South Sound had a signature dish, what would it be? I think it must be the hamburger. And who doesn't adore a juicy ground patty of beef in the mellow embrace of a good bun? In fact, the most common last meal requested by death row inmates is the cheeseburger, and it's a favorite of office workers, too, who only feel like they're on death row.

Welcome to day five of the Tournament of Burgers, featuring 64 of the South Sound's best against one another in the mother of all burger brackets. Below is a recap of yesterday's burger action followed by eight new burger joints hitting the grill today.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: NetShed No. 9 vs. Harmon Brewery & Eatery

NetShead No. 9 beat The Harmon in downtown Tacoma by 270 votes. That's a mind blower.

Game 2: Five Guys Burger and Fries vs. Engine House No. 9

The buzz about Five Guys' famous burgers being the best burgers ever flipped into existence has reached the Tournament of Burgers. The thinnish, griddle-cooked patties grabbed 62 percent of the votes yesterday against E-9. Five Guys' daily-ground beef is lightly packed and grilled to a savory, caramelized crunch, then stacked into twos and loaded into a supple, sesame-seed bun. It faces off with NetShed No. 9 in the Second Round March 29.

Game 3: Meconi's Pub Tacoma vs. The Hub-Gig Harbor

The Hub in Gig Harbor led the game at noon, riding the back of its delicious Stumpjumper Burger and used a strong burger flipping style to build a working margin. The Hub took its biggest lead at 1 p.m. Then The Hub suddenly went cold, going 60 minutes without a point while Meconi's started inching back into the game. By 6 p.m., under the leadership of its Mushroom Burger, Meconi's shot ahead in the vote count. It doesn't matter The Hub in Gig Harbor has a better view and airplane rides. Meconi's grabbed 72 percent of the votes and a spot in the Second Round.

Game 4: Tatanka Takeout vs. The Swiss

"If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be a 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you." That famous quote comes from the beloved Winner the Pooh. That quote could have easily come from a regular at Tatanka Takeout speaking on his or her love for the Ruston joint's bison burgers. And while Tatanka makes a tasty bison burger, I imagine if this were the Tournament of Chalk Board Writing, Tatanka would still have gathered 75 percent of the votes. Don't mess with Tatanka, at least until March 29 when Meconi's Pub gives it a shot.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• NetShed No. 9
• Five Guys Burger and Fries
• Meconi's Pub Tacoma
• Tatanka Takeout

The daily burger battles on Walkie Talkie are sponsored by Ricky J's Restaurant and Lounge in Puyallup.

OK, let's dive into today's First Round burger battles. Vote for one burger joint per game. Voting for today's burger battles ends at 11:45 p.m. 

<<< SUNDAY, MARCH 23 GAMES ARE CLOSED >>>

Sixty-four South Sound burger joints were selected and seeded by readers throughout February for the Tournament of Burgers, which is now four days into the competition. Brackets don refrigerators, break rooms, restaurant hallways and birdcages. Birthday parties have been moved to burger restaurants. Everyone is discussing patty thickness and lettuce varieties. It's crazy fun.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: DeLong's Deluxe vs. Blazing Onion

Lakewood burger house DeLong's Deluxe sticks to a formula: good seasoning, perfect cooking and good meat. Delong's burgers are fundamentally simple and textbook perfect, whether it's a Fair Burger, Old Fashioned or DeLong's Cowboy Burger. It's just like what you could make at home, only much, much better. Lakewood doesn't mind standing outside, listening to amplified tunes while waiting for DeLong's Deliciousness. Blazing Onion came out blazing with its gourmet burgers, but at the buzzer, lost by 45 votes. DeLong's Deluxe moves into the Second Round to face Maxwell's March 29.

Game 2: Maxwell's Restaurant & Lounge vs. Famous Dave's

Maxwell's Restaurant and Lounge grabbed 86 percent of the votes over Famous Dave's. Maxwell's take on this classic tops the burger charts with an unconventional potato bun, grilled onion aioli and a patty that stays plenty juicy - a boon for both the sweetness and sturdiness of those buns and the sharpness of white cheddar. High quality arugula and tomato come standard if you swing that way, but the aioli alone does a great job of highlighting the meat. Famous Dave's might have antlers on the wall and fast take-out, but it apparently doesn't have a burger that can compete with Maxwell's A game.

Game 3: Asado vs. O'Malleys Irish Pub

Argentine-inspired steaks, seafood and an in-house ground sirloin and chorizo burger with fried provolone and Serrano ham surrounded by sunset colors, an open kitchen and toasty fireplace. That's a winning combination, at least according to the vote totals in the Tournament of Burgers. Asado put the hurt on O'Malley's Irish Pub with 71 percent of the votes. Number one seed Asado moves into the Second Round to battle with Marrow March 29. No hocus pocus, just focus on Sixth Avenue that day.

Game 4: Marrow Kitchen + Bar vs. King Solomon's Reef

Finally, in yesterday's closest battle, Marrow edged out Olympia's King Solomon's Reef with 53 percent of the votes. This one was surprisingly close. Dubbed "The Best Diner in the Galaxy," The Reef has a solid lineup of burgers, including the popular double meet, double cheese Liberty Burger. Holding the day's trend, fancy won again. Marrow's artisan cheese Beecher's Marco Polo probably sealed the deal. Marco! Polo!

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• Delong's Deluxe
• Maxwell's restaurant
• Asado
• Marrow Kitchen + Bar

The daily burger battles on Walkie Talkie are sponsored by Ricky J's Restaurant and Lounge in Puyallup.

OK, let's dive into today's First Round burger battles. Vote for one burger joint per game. Voting for today's burger battles ends at 11:45 p.m. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 22: FIRST ROUND BURGER ACTION >>>

Even in this era of kohlrabi salads, Haute Mexicanand Chinese-Peruvian, the hamburger remains America's favorite food, and burger fans - of which you are undoubtedly one - are insanely opinionated about what the consummate burger should look and taste like. Tear into the Tournament of Burgers, make a mess and dribble 'til the cows come home.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Duke's Chowder House vs. Chalk Talk Bistro

Duke's Chowder House has fancy newsletters, kick ass chowder and a gorgeous view of Commencement Bay. Chalk Talk Bistro has chalk ... oh, and delicious burgers. Formerly Mary's Burger Bistro, the sportsified Chalk Talk put the dispsy-doo double-a-roo on Duke's, and grabbed 56 percent of the votes from way at the end of the grill, BANG!

Game 2: Pick-Quick Drive-In vs. The Schooner Pub & Galley

The Schooner Pub is a dark place. It's truly one of the darker watering holes in the South Sound. Obviously, there are advantages to drinking in dimly lit joints. For one, squinting isn't attractive. Anyway, yesterday was the Lakewood bar's worst possible cave scenario. We haven't had many sunny days since early autumn. The Schooner's competitor, Pick-Quick Drive-in, offers a nice park-like outdoor eating area (albeit, with a view of I-5). The walk-up burger joint was packed with questionable open shirts and giddiness. Sunshine grabbed 75 percent of the votes and Pick-Quick moves into the next round to take on Chalk Talk Bistro March 28.

Game 3: Loose Wheel Bar & Grill vs. The Westside Tavern

If there's one thing our food tournaments has seen over the years; you don't mess with West Olympia. The community huddles around their own - more often than not with sleeves rolled up and a chew in place. The Westside Tavern grabbed a respectable 62 percent of the votes yesterday in its win over the tough Loose Wheel Bar & Grill. That's impressive. That's the Westside.

Game 4: Pacific Grill vs. South Bay Pub & Eatery

If there's a trend developing it's that elegance or unique toppings don't wow Tournament of Burgers voters. Sure, a fancy burger can get you somewhere in the Tournament of Burgers, but it doesn't guarantee anything - your burger foundation has to be sound before voters will get behind some of the fancier stuff. While Pacific Grill gushes sophistication and class, it had a tough day on the burger court. It beat Olympia's scrappy South Bay Pub & Eatery by one vote. One. Pacific Grill will need to reanalyze its game plan, as it will take on another scrappy Olympia burger flipper in the Second Round - Westside Tavern.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• Chalk Talk Bistro
• Pick-Quick Drive-In
• Westside Tavern
• Pacific Grill

The daily burger battles on Walkie Talkie are sponsored by Ricky J's Restaurant and Lounge in Puyallup.

OK, let's dive into today's First Round burger battles. Vote for one burger joint per game. Voting for today's burger battles ends at 11:45 p.m. 

<<< VOTING FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 21 GAMES IS NOW CLOSED >>>

For the past several months, I ate a bunch of burgers. It's my job, at least in terms of this crazy tournament. At each South Sound burger joint, I tried the most standard cheeseburger, fries, onion rings and shakes (for a while, at least). I also tried specialty burgers, if available, and paid special attention to secret sauces. I took notes on napkins, backs of menus, five note apps (why can't I decide?) and even receipts. This isn't something I recommend you try. My weight and blood pressure increased. Hopefully, you're basing your game decisions on years of burger eating in the South Sound. If you're a newbie, I suggest you pick a game a week. Use the attached Tournament of Burgers bracket to plot your course.

Without further ado, let's take a gander at yesterday's results, then preview today's matches.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Eastside Big Tom vs. Ricky J's Restaurant

There's something green at Olympia burger shack Big Tom - and it's not on the menu, which is bare of all vegetables save the humble potato and a few lonely burger toppings. Instead, it's just about everywhere else. Owner Michael Fritsch has taken the classic drive-in and made it green, with features ranging from solar hot water to food waste recycling to a parking spot where customers can charge their electric cars. Yes, people who drive Priuses really do eat burgers slathered in Goop, the secret special sauce. And apparently a fleet of them voted yesterday as Eastside Big Tom edged out Ricky J's with 62 percent of the votes.

Game 2: Steele Creek American Whiskey Co. vs. Oakhouse Restaurant and Bar

Deep in the northwest corner of the city of Lakewood, between the winding streets named after rocks, underneath hundreds of giant oak trees and along the back edge of the Oakbrook neighborhood sits the Oakhouse Restaurant and Bar. It's not the easiest place to find. Coach John Tartaglia took advantage of Oakhouse's hidden location, pushing his eighth seeded Steel Creek to victory with 61 percent of the votes, behind solid play from his Black and Bleu Burger. Steel Creek faces off with Eastside Big Tom in Second Round action March 28.

Game 3: Bootlegger's Bar & Grill vs. Eagon's Westside Drive-Inn

Bootlegger's opened its first Tournament of Burgers with a romp against Olympia burger shack Eagon's in yesterday's First Round action. Grabbing 63 percent of the votes, the Buckley burger king dominated the griddle for much of the game, only letting up a little when a herd of elk outside distracted the cook.

Game 4: Best Burgers vs. Nisqually Bar & Grill

Best Burgers in Lakewood grabbed Nisqually Bar & Grill by the trucker hat and gave them an ass-whooping, grabbing 80 percent of the votes. Best Burgers moves on to the Second Round, facing Bootlegger's March 28.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• Eastside Big Tom
• Steele Creek American Whiskey Co.
• Bootlegger's Bar & Grill
• Best Burgers

The daily burger battles on Walkie Talkie are sponsored by Ricky J's Restaurant and Lounge in Puyallup.

OK, let's dive into today's First Round burger battles. Vote for one burger joint per game. Voting for today's burger battles ends at 11:45 p.m. 

<<< THURSDAY, MARCH 20 2014 - THE GAMES ARE NOW CLOSED >>>

Four years ago, the Weekly Volcano challenged 64 taco slingers to enter tournament-style culinary combat, shell versus shell, with Moctezuma's crowned best taco. The next year, pizza took center-stage in our quest for gustatory greatness, with Katie Downs' pie reigning supreme. In 2012, it was breakfast time, baby, with Moon Rise Cafe grabbing all the bacon, eggs and hot cakes. Last year, it was all about South Sound sandwiches, with Oliver's Sandwiches in Milton named the best between two slices of bread.

This year, the tradition continues.
 
We speak, of course, of the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Burgers. Sixty-four area burger joints were selected and seeded by readers throughout February, and now the time has come to see who's best.
 
Only one can be crowned king - so vote on this blog daily. Use the bracket in the March 13 print edition of the Volcano to guide you through the daily matchups (see attached pdf).
 
Then, on April 7, join us at Meconi's Tacoma Pub & Eatery in downtown Tacoma for the Official Tournament of Burgers Party - our winner will be announced during halftime of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game.

The daily burger battles on Walkie Talkie are sponsored by Ricky J's Restaurant and Lounge in Puyallup.

OK, let's do a quick cholesterol check, then dive into today's First Round burger battles. Vote for one burger joint per game. Voting for today's burger battles ends at 11:45 p.m.