SUNDAY, MARCH 21: FOUR BATTLES ON THE DOCKET >>>
Yesterday's Results
The past few days saw mainly blowouts in the Tournament of Tacos. Yesterday's competition finally witnessed a close battle.
Here were the matchups:
Taqueria El Grande vs. Taqueria La Carreta
Taqueria y Restaurant vs. Los Reyes Del Taco
La Palma vs. MIS Tres Amigos
Blazing Onion vs. Engine House No. 9
Who advances to the next round? Which tacos took the popular vote?
Find out after the break:
The battle between taco truck Taqueria El Grande and Taqueria La Carreta saw the closest competition yet. La Carreta grabbed 60 percent of the vote - no doubt due to the smoky beef in their tacos. El Grande's delicious tongue tacos could hold off La Carreta, which now waits for the winner of the battle between La Huerta 2 International Market and La Pecera Taqueria on Thursday.
In the battle for McKinley Avenue, Los Reyes Del Taco grabbed 70.3 percent of the vote. The fact that Taqueria y Restaurant just moved into the spot formerly held by El Compadre certainly had to be a factor. Los Reyes will take on the winner between the two El Guadalajaras, which goes down tomorrow.
In Lakewood, the standard tacos of La Palma were no competition against those of MIS Tres Amigos, which sits on the edge of the Oakbrook neighborhood. Even though according to one voter that the La Palma cocktail waitress Brandy is "HOT!!!" MIS Tres won with 71.4 percent of the vote. One voter praised the servers at MIS Tres saying they treat the customers like family. The winner of the battle between Anahua and Taco Guaymas today will take on MIS Tres March 29.
The last game's match-up might be considered unfair if age is considered. Engine House No. 9 trounced the brand new Blazing Onion in Gig Harbor. Engine House's delicious "Famous E9 Soft Taco" has been on E9's menu for more than 30 years, which had to be a factor. E9 waits for the victor from Wednesday's Powerhouse and Beach Tavern game.
Let's get down to the hard shell facts. The following are advancing to the next round:
Taqueria La Carreta
Los Reyes Del Taco
MIS Tres Amigos
engine House No. 9
Confused? Read our Tournament of Tacos introduction here.
OK, time to move on to today's competition. ...
Game 1: Taqueria Burrito Loco (5502 Orchard St. W, University Place) vs. Taqueria Las Torres (Sixth Avenue and Fife St., Tacoma)
It's the battle of the uglies. Taqueria Burrito Loco is hidden in a strip mall in University Place. Taqueria Las Torres is an ugly taco truck next to a shabby building on Sixth Avenue. Las Torres has to step up its game on this one. University Place loves the family behind Burrito Loco and its real deal meals.
Game 2: Dave's Meat & Produce (1312 North I St., Tacoma) vs. Tacoma Golf & Country Club (13204 Country Club Dr. SW, Lakewood)
Pick you jaw up off the floor. Dave's serves tacos every Tuesday. Hey, they know meat! In regards to the country club, there's nothing more civilized than downing tacos while wearing plaid pants and a sweater vest. The millionaires at Tacoma G&CC swear by their tacos.
Game 3: Anahua Mexican Restaurant (9002 Pacific Ave., Tacoma) vs. Tacos Guaymas (10105 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood)
Another East Tacoma contender faces off against what has to be one of the tournament's early favorites in Tacos Guaymas just off Interstate 5 in Lakewood.
Game 4: Santa Fe Mexican Grill (Freighthouse Square, 430 25th St., Tacoma) vs. Taqueria El Antojo (3801 McKinley Ave. Tacoma)
This game could be one of the tightest opening round match-ups. The popular Freighthouse Square restaurant does battle with one of the most highly nominated Tacoma taco shucker - Taqueria El Antojo. This could go down to the wire.
Game 1: Taqueria El Guadalajara (Lakewood) vs. Taqueria El Guadalajara (Tacoma)
Game 2: Duke's Chowder House vs. Anthony's At Point Defiance
Game 3: The Funky Iguana vs. Taco De Mar
Game 4: MI Taqueria on Hosmer Street vs. Puerto Del Sol on Pacific Avenue