SUNDAY, MARCH 27: ROUND TWO ACTION CONTINUES >>>
Beginning March 29, we’ll cut the field of 64 South Sound pizza joints to the Stuffed 16. March 31, it’ll drop to the Baked Eight. On April 4, we’ll announce the winner of Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Tacos – picked by you, of course – at the Schooner Pub in Lakewood during halftime of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. On that Monday, we'll cut the online voting at 5 p.m. and take the vote live at the Schooner, handing out ballots while you pound beers.
That's all fine and dandy, but it's Sunday and you don't have time for idle chitchat. You need to start whittling away at our 5 Things To Do today. OK, OK, here are yesterday's results and today's pizza matchups. Thanks for voting!
Spud's Pizza Parlor vs. Louie G's Pizza
In NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament history, when a ninth seed team has battled a number one seed, the ninth has emerged victorious less than 10 percent of the time. But this is the Tournament of Pizza, and number nine seed Louie G's in Fife handed number one seed Spud's a defeat the famous Tacoma pizza joint will long remember. The pizza dough tossing, all-ages rocking Louie G's stomped on Spud's with 71 percent of the votes.
Milton Tavern vs. Trackside Pizza
Trackside Pizza has something called a The Dessert Caboose. It's a fancy name for mini-cinnamon rolls, fresh baked chocolate cookies, Ben and Jerry's ice cream and several different ice cream bars. ICE CREAM BARS! Sure, this is not the tournament of Ice Cream Bars, but you can't overlook the power of ice cream on a stick. And Trackside didn't, grabbing 58 percent of the votes over the tavern, thus moving on to the Stuffed 16 and facing Louie G's March 30.
The following four pizza joints will advance to the next round:
Sponsored by al Forno Ferruzza Traditional Sicilian Cuisine
OK, time to move on to today's pizza battles.
>>> CONTEST CLOSED. FOR RESULTS OF THE BATTLES LISTED BELOW, AND NEW MATCHUPS TO VOTE ON, SEE MONDAY'S POSTS ON SPEW.
Terry's Office Tavern vs. Fondi Pizzeria
You have to hand it to the patrons of Terry's Office Tavern. Week night as they head inside to their beloved Northend watering hole, they are subjected to the hardcore exercise action across the street at Elev8 Fitness. All they want to do is pound some beer while nibbling on Terry's world-famous pizza, possible eat a gizzard or two, and sink into comfort. Instead, they witness folks dressed for summer lunging down the sidewalk (without extending the knee over their toes), busting out some jumping jacks, and pretending their bicycling while lying on their backs. The scene at Fondi Pizzeria is less intimidating. The Italian joint sits in an Gig Harbor upscale shopping center surrounded by money and properly pruned shrubbery. Some would call this the battle for the Narrows Bridge. Others would not.
Blue Cannon Pizza vs. The Fan Club Sports Bar
The Fan Club's fans fight for their tiny slice of heaven. The watering hole on the edge of the Oakbrook community in Lakewood sports a loyal following - fanatic, if you will. Check out this comment on this website left by a Fan Club cheerleader Kolby James:
Looooooove the Taco Pizza at the Fan Club. I had a dream that I ordered the taco pizza with eggs. The next day I went in and ordered the taco pizza with eggs for breakfast. HOLY COW!!!!! AWESOME!!! I have ordered it about every other week since. A way to get your vegetables at breakfast!! LOVE IT!!! If you ever get a chance, order the taco pizza at the Fan Club in Lakewood, WA.
If we were the Blue Cannon Pizza in Gig Harbor, we'd be scared to death.
Oldschool Pizzeria vs. Apollo's Pizza & Pasta
Apollo Pizza & Pasta took down the mighty Brewery City Pizza in First Round action. This can't be overlooked people. Brewery City Pizza spans Thurston County with its bitchin' delivery system. Now Apollo looks Oldschool Pizzeria square in its competitor's New York style pizza face. Apollo's thick and cheesy pies have the goods to win. And it sports a neon sign that reads "Heaven" at its place of business in Olympia. However, Oldschool is so cool it doesn't have a Facebook page, and calls its Hawaiian pie "Do Ho."
Dirty Dave's Pizza Parlor vs. Infernos Brick Oven Pizza
Number 13 seed Infernos sent popular, fancy fourth seed Mercato packing in First Round action. The Weekly Volcano Steno Pool turned oddsmakers are still puzzled over that one (it might have something to do with their regular shopping excursions to neighboring Olympia Farmers Market). Anyway, Infernos has the backing, and the pizza, to take on Dirty Dave's and its nearly 40 years of awesomeness. It might be time for Dave's to push their 3-D pizza hard. Oh yes, a pan pizza that takes 25 minutes to bake. Someone's going to get hurt.
Game 1: Aversano's (6015 Parker Road E., Sumner) vs. Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery (454 E. Main, Puyallup)
Game 2: Vince's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria (32411 Pacific Highway South, Federal Way) vs. Rollies Tavern (2404 112th St. S., Tacoma)
Game 3: Katie Downs Waterfront Restaurant (3211 Ruston Way, Tacoma) vs. Engine House No. 9 (611 N. Pine St., Tacoma)
Game 4: Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza (3518 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Puget Sound Pizza (317 S. Seventh St., Tacoma)
Game 5: Rock Brick Oven Pizza (1920 S. Jefferson Ave., Tacoma) vs. Harmon Tap Room (204 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma)
Game 6: Upper Crust Bistro & Bakery (2714 N. 21st St., Tacoma) vs. Primo Grill (601 S. Pine St., Tacoma)
LINK: What's up with this pizza tournament?
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