JAKE DE PAUL: SOUTHERN KITCHEN GRABS THE SPOTLIGHT >>>

The details are sketchy right now. Calls have been placed. What we do know is the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and host Guy Fieri will be taping the show Jan. 24 and 25 at the Tacoma's Southern Kitchen Restaurant. The restaurant asks as many of its loyal customers to contact them as to make sure they're part of the audience to give the joint its true flavor â€" everyone yelling back and forth in 100 degree heat.

LINK: Previously on Spew

MATT DRISCOLL: HE SHOULD BE RIGHT AT HOME >>>

Whether he’s one hundred percent comfortable with it or not, David Bazan â€" formerly of Pedro the Lion â€" is an artist made for “the round.”

Tonight at Club SOTA in Tacoma, he’ll get a chance to put this fact on display â€" at least for all of those smart enough to show up. “The round” is a format that combines a number of artists â€" musicians, poets, and in the case of Friday’s show at Club SOTA even painters â€" and shares the spotlight between them, never focusing too long on one flavor and acting more as a musical discussion or give and take than a conventional show. Along with Bazan, Friday’s presentation at Club SOTA â€" known as Tacoma Artists In The Round, and the fifth installment in the series â€" will feature music from Goldfinch and Kirsten Wenlock, as well as painting from Chris Sharp and Mindy Barker and the street savvy and socially relevant poetry of 6 Deep the Messenger.

To read my interview with Bazan in this week's issue of the Volcano, click here.

HARVEY SIDERS: MUSIG-CHRISTENSEN AREN'T TOO COY >>>

As TwoKoi Japanese Restaurant co-owner Jerry Hyman explained, koi fish represent a microcosm of his highly competitive restaurant world. “They symbolize the struggle against all odds. My partner, Jackie Young Koh (wouldn’t he be Koh-owner?) and I had this vision when we began three years ago.” That vision, Twokoi, (two struggling fish), has become a popular gathering spot for Tacoma’s hip set at 1552 Commerce St. â€" a soybean’s throw from the University of Washington Tacoma. Hyman, a self-described “jazz nut,” claims they’ve succeeded against most odds. Credit also goes to the resident Musig-Christensen Duo (Keith Musig, tenor sax; Troy Christensen, guitar) on Fridays. They’re often reinforced by bassist Lee Harris. The combo has its own struggles: the triangular-shaped restaurant is not conducive to positioning live music, but for the past 18 months, they’ve also succeeded … and without being “too coy” about it.

Since it's Friday, the Musig-Christensen Duo will be in the house at TwoKoi tonight.

[TwoKoi Japanese Restaurant, 8 p.m., no cover, 1552 Commerce St, Tacoma, 253.274.8999]

STEPH DEROSA: SLOW BURN >>>

Milton Tavern
Jalapeno Bottle Caps
Price: $9.35
Burn Factor: One out of four

There was no hesitation ordering this week’s Slow Burn meal. Any appetizer with the name “Jalapeño Bottle Caps” leads me to believe it will be delightfully spicy and easy to chow down. Easy to chow down with one of The Milton Tavern’s delectably frosty draft beers, that is.

Perfectly crispy, flawlessly breaded, deep fried slices of jalapeno made me feel as though I were nibbling on bottle caps sent down to me from a heaven located south of the border. Admittedly, nothing about these tiny bites said “heat” to me, yet the peppery flavor dipped into Milton Tavern’s cool, creamy ranch dressing had me and my friends polishing off the entire basket â€" no problemo.

[Milton Tavern, 7320 Pacific Highway E., Milton, 253.922.3340]

LINK: Previously on Spew

STEPH DEROSA: PICK-QUICK WILL REOPEN FEB. 1 >>>

More than 20 years ago Greg Burgie’s dad, Joe Burgess, bought Pick-Quick Drive In on Pacific Highway East in Fife. He had purchased it with his sister, who later sold her half to Greg Burgess, his sister and her husband, Dan and Cindy Nelson. This was after it was “almost for sale for ten years,” Greg told me. Presently, Greg and Cindy’s families each own a quarter.

Every year, my favorite drive-in EVER, closes for a few months come wintertime. This happens so that the owners can tear down, take apart, and clean this family-owned burger joint.

“Why not the winter months? One-third of our business depends on the weather. People don’t want to come when it’s cold and rainy,” Greg Burgess told me.

I quickly disagreed, stating that many times the DeRosas have visited and just eaten in our cars. He gave me a sigh of relief and thanked me profusely for being “one of those customers who are loyal like that.”

Trust me, Mr. Burgess; it’s no problem at all.

For those who have never been to Pick-Quick Drive In, the Burgess/Nelson family owns that entire acre surrounding this famous joint which hosts long lines of lunchtime burger fanatics. There are huge, beautiful trees shading well-kept and clean wooden picnic tables, making dining outside in sunny weather a must. Come Feb. 1, these burger fanatics I speak of will be able to once again get their fix of family-owned quality food.

Oh, and for the record: Yes, all five full-time employees are receiving unemployment during this annual closure. So just in case you were concerned about the income of those smiling people who flip your meat, no need to fret. They’re all taken care of, and so will we be come Feb. 1.

LINK: Where to grab a burger now

MICHAEL SWAN: PAPPI SWARNER’S ‘70S JUKEBOX >>>

Pappi Swarner’s lack of sleep finally caught up with him. He nabbed the bug spreading throughout the South Sound. He’s sick. Yet, the idiot keeps coming to the office. Thanks a million, Pappi.

He’s holed up in his office right now blasting every version of Elton John’s “Rocket Man.” I think he’s hallucinating on cough medicine. I’ve never seen him so …. High!

Below are the three versions we’re being subjected to the most. I wish I was on a different planet.