WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23: EAST REGIONAL, FIRST ROUND >>>
Well whaddaya know! It's still March, and dagnabit if all that "Madness" isn't still in the air! What's one to do with all that pent up "madness?" It can make for quite a dilemma. ...
Unless, of course, you've found something like the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Pizza to help get you through. Throughout the month (and into early April, even) the Volcano's readers will be voting on the South Sound's best pizza through daily head-to-head matchups here on Spew. We started with 64 pizza joints, and only one can be crowned king.
Without further ado, let's get down to business.
Oldschool Pizzeria vs. Chuck E. Cheese
The nice thing about being a number one seed is it usually means you've got a paddy-cake game the first round. So was the case for Oly pizza powerhouse Oldschool Pizzeria, which easily handled the 16-seeded Chuck E Cheese by securing more than 80 percent of the vote. Even better, Oldschool Pizzeria survived the contest without picking up some sort of skin fungus from the ball pit ... so bonus!
Brewery City Pizza vs. Apollo Pizza & Pasta
For a relatively small town, Olympia has more than its fair share of top-notch pizza - which is going to make for some interesting battles down the road. With Vic's and Oldschool grabbing most of the headlines, Apollo can fly relatively under the radar. Oh, but the eaters of the area know - which is probably why Apollo took down the surprisingly good Brewery City Pizza, nabbing almost 60 percent of the votes.
al Forno Ferruzza vs. Dirty Dave's Pizza Parlor
Serving slices to the intoxicated masses Portland street vendor style out a window of the Eastside Club is business genius, probably why Olympia's relatively new al Forno Ferruzza does it. However, name recognition also goes long way - and Dirty Dave's Pizza Parlor has been slinging pepperoni laden food discs for three decades. In this contest, name recognition carried the day, with Dirty Dave's securing roughly 75 percent of the votes and winning easily.
Mercato Ristorante vs. Infernos Brick Oven Pizza
If there's a trend developing it's that Tournament of Pizza voters are wowed by elegance or unique toppings. Sure, and fancy pie can get you somewhere in the Tournament of Pizza, but it doesn't guarantee anything - and your pizza foundation has to be sound before voters will get behind some of the stranger stuff. While Mercato Ristorante gushes sophistication and class, voters flocked toward the down home, Tumwater-style, brick oven goodness of Infernos in this contest, awarding the decked out pizza joint roughly 60 percent of the vote.
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. SEE THURSDAY'S SPEW POSTS FOR RESULTS AND NEW BATTLES.
Aversano's vs. Big Nick's Pizza & Pasta
Aversano's in Sumner is locally legendary. Hell, growing up in Edgewood and going to school in Puyallup, even the Volcano's editor Matt Driscoll dined there on a few family outings and awkward high school dates. Amidst the backdrop of a full-on Italian restaurant, Aversano's pizza has always been a major draw. They'll be a tough pie to take down, in any round of Tournament of Pizza action. Big Nick's Pizza & Pasta, a go-to spot for delivery on Tacoma's East Side will see if it's up to the task.
Big Wheel Steakhouse vs. Powerhouse Restaurant & Brewery
Is there a sushi bar at Big Wheel Steakhouse yet? No. Well, there is pizza. We know this for a fact, and only partly because in the past the Weekly Volcano has made a pig of itself of mowing down $5 one-topping pies while playing organized beer pong. (Cue the Bon Jovi‘s "It's My Life" ...). There's no sushi at the Powerhouse in Puyallup either, but there are some fairly artfully made pies for the locale. The Powerhouse's sun dried tomato pizza fits this bill, though masterpieces like "the Overload" - featuring cameos by sausage, pepperoni and salami - erases any pretension stirred by spinach-basil pesto. Today, Big Wheel and the Powerhouse face off.
Flying Tomato Italian Grill vs. Vince's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Our readers often have plenty to say about Federal Way, but very rarely is it glowing praise. However, that's exactly what the historic Vince's in Federal Way received during Tournament of Pizza seeding, and to those who know good area pizza it should come as no surprise. Hatched by the real deal (Italian couple Vince and Ada) way back in the '50s, this is a restaurant that's stood the test of time because of quality food and a commitment to authenticity. At the Flying Tomato Italian Grill in Graham the menu calls it "Pisa," but informed mouths know what they're getting into. Untraditional pies like Thai and Philly Cheese Steak find a home on the Flying Tomato menu, but this is a joint that knows where it's from - with all the standards also well represented. Who will emerge victorious? The votes will decide. ...
Rollies Tavern vs. Right Spot
Rollies Tavern is known for a couple things. For prowling ladies, it's a good spot to catch air force types all suited up and sexy. But it's even a better spot to find pizza, which is something the popular establishment has built a name on. Speaking of "spots," Fife's Right Spot - king of bar food and regulars, not to mention home to a number of formidable pies - will face off with Rollies in first round Tournament of Pizza action. May the best dive win.
Game 1: Katie Downs (3211 Ruston Way, Tacoma) vs. Alfred's Cafe & Bubble Room (402 Puyallup Ave., Tacoma)
Game 2: Engine House No. 9 (611 N. Pine St., Tacoma) vs. Abella Pizzeria (1946 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)
Game 3: Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza (3518 S. Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. The Harmon Hub (203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma)
Game 4: Puget Sound Pizza (317 S. Seventh St., Tacoma) vs. Sidebar Bistro (1101 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma)
LINK: What's up with this pizza tournament?
LINK: Oh hell yes I want the Weekly Volcano newsletter!
