WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24: FOUR BATTLES ON THE DOCKET >>>

Yesterday's Results

We don't know about you but we're dreaming in greens, whites and reds. In fact, our co-publisher Pappi Swarner had a dream last night that he was eating chips and dip from the sombrero of a foot-tall statue in a restaurant with a striped poncho on the wall as its only decoration. The tacos are starting to mess with us folks. But we press on. ...

Here were yesterday's match-ups:

Tijuana Taco (Lakewood) vs. Taco Time (every freaking where)

Taqueria La Sinaloense (Tacoma)vs. Los Amigos Mexican Food (Tacoma)

Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant (Tacoma) vs. Puerto Vallarta (Tacoma)

Taqueria El Rinconsito (Tacoma) vs. El Patio Taqueria (Parkland)

Tijuana Taco in Lakewood did it. It held a narrow lead over Taco Time all day yesterday finishing with 54.3 percent of the votes. Could it be its 300-year history in Lakewood? How about the young women behind the counter? Or that the owner's name is Rocky and he has a vicious jab? Hey Taco Time! Time to go.

Even though Taqueria La Sinaloense donned lights this past Christmas, the taco truck on Center Street might be a little Grinchy now with its loss to Los Amigos Mexican Food at 64^th and South Tacoma Way. Los Amigos will have its hands full when it battle Taqueria Burrito Loco on Monday.

We had our first come from behind win yesterday. Puerto Vallarta Family Mexican Restaurant led the popular Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant all day. Then, around 9 p.m., the tide turned. Maybe the Pina Coladas kicked in. Moctezuma's sought revenge (we have no idea what that means) and inched past PV with 51.2 percent of the votes. Moctezuma's will have to get its game face on if it wants to beat the marketing machine behind Azteca when they battle Sunday.

Taqueria El Rinconsito took El Patio Taqueria out on the patio and whipped its ass with 64.2 percent of the votes. This popular joint located on the Fred Meyer's property at 72^nd and Pacific will be tough to beat.  Its food is flavorful and cheap. If we were the flamboyant Josefina's, we'd hide on Sunday.

Let's get down to the hard shell facts. The following are advancing to the next round:

Tijuana Taco

Los Amigos Mexican Food

Moctezuma's

Taqueria El Rinconsito

Confused? Read our Tournament of Tacos introduction here.

Today's Competition

OK, time to move on to today's competition. ...

GAME 1: El Perran (131^st and Pacific Avenue, Tacoma/Parkland)  vs. El Tenampa (3121 38^th St., Tacoma)

El Perran is not your typical Tacoma Mexican restaurant.  It's more like a Mexican sports bar - and the tacos hit a home run.  El Tenampa occupies the former Great Wall of China Restaurant (we miss their almond chicken) spot on 38^th Street.  Despite its spacious interior that throws "cozy" out the window, the tacos are the real thing.    

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 2: Reyna's Mexican Restaurant (411 Garfield St., Parkland) vs. La Fondita II (2620 N Proctor St., Tacoma)

Located in the shadows of Pacific Lutheran University, not only will you find delicious tacos al carbon at Reyna's, but if you need to brush up on some chemistry or trigonometry, just check with the student pounding the books in the booth next to you. This is a tiny joint.

La Fondita represents the Proctor District. It's known for its cozy, charming atmosphere and above average service. We typically throw back a couple shrimp tacos before heading across the street to the Blue Mouse to catch a flick.

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GAME 3: The Beach Tavern (8612 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Powerhouse Restaurant Brewery (454 E Main, Puyallup)

The Beach Tavern brings a strong all-around game to the competition.  The picturesque Titlow Beach location, old-time shuffleboard and friendly regulars only accentuate the Beach Tavern's tacos.  The Powerhouse brewpub is known more for its ribs and ales, but it does have grilled bass fish taco on its menu. OK, Powerhouse will need to rally the Puyallup people to bury the Beach Tavern.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Game 4: El Pulgarcito (12134 Pacific Hwy. SW, Lakewood) vs. Taqueria Los Parados (5604 E Portland Ave., Tacoma)

We don't want to rain on Parados' parados, but El Pulgarcito in Lakewood distinguishes itself with its amazing Salvadorian tacos. And now that the El Pug sports a larger space with its recent move next door, the East Tacoma El Parados can't afford to look ahead.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Tomorrow's Taco Battles

Game 1: Hidalgo Mexican Restaurant (East Tacoma) vs. Bonita Restaurant & Lounge (East Tacoma)

Game 2: The Swiss vs. Hell's Kitchen

Game 3: Matador (downtown) vs. El Toro (various locations)

Game 4: La Huertas 2 International Market (Tacoma) vs. La Pecera Taqueria (Tacoma)