>>> VOTING CLOSED FOR MARCH 16 <<<

Breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day. And everyone has a favorite spot for breakfast. Loyalty? No other foodstuff can inspire the rabid fandom of a true breakfast devotee. The South Sound turned out in force to vote in yesterday's kickoff of the Tournament of Breakfast competition. Car pools were diverted. Office meetings were scheduled earlier. Computer labs were invaded. Our poor little blog had to work overtime as droves voted in First Round action.

Yesterday's Results

Marcia's Silver Spoon Cafe, with its quarter-inch thick slice of grilled ham as big as a Frisbee and line out the door crushed Ben Dew's Clubhouse Grill with 71 percent of the votes. After running the numbers, it appears Marcia's Silver Spoon Scramble with its mound of home fried potatoes, four eggs, ham and peppers was the deciding factor. Unfortunately, Ben Dew's Clubhouse Grill paid little interest to the lumberjacks - a big mistake. Marcia's big portions captured the lumberjack vote, and the Nalley Valley restaurant advances to the second round.

Wha huh? Were all the Burs supporters napping, or haven't they discovered the Internet yet? The Lakewood landmark was edge out by the fairy new Spring Lake Café by 30 votes yesterday. Sure, the Spring Lake's fancy chicken fried steak has the edge on Burs. However, the freakin' Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood United and that one group of guys in the front booth regularly meet at Burs. It's surprising those groups didn't rally the troops. Congratulations Spring Lake Café. Your food advances you into Round Two for a date with Marcia's Silver Spoon Café March 23.

In perhaps the most hotly contested match of the first day, automotive-themed Carrs Restaurant blew a tire trying to take on long-time favorite Homestead Restaurant. Carrs came out of the garage strong with massive portions and booze. Homestead came to the table with its Rancher Angus Steak and Eggs. As good as Carrs is, you can't compete with home-style breakfasts served in a barn. And Homestead delivered everything ordered.

Fifteen percentage points. That's the margin of victory Babblin' Babs Bistro had over Kelly's Café in Gig Harbor. Was it Chef William's homemade sausage that advanced his Babs to the next round? Maybe it was the Proctor District bistro's own line of seasonings. Whatever it was the little gourmet treat will need it March 23 when it faces the Homestead and its loyal crowd. Families will be torn apart that day.

Let's weed through the powdered sugar. The following are advancing to the next round:

• Marcia's Silver Spoon Café
• Spring Lake Café
• Homestead Restaurant
• Babblin' Babs Bistro

The daily breakfast battles here on Spew are sponsored by Shakabrah Java on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue.

OK, let's check out today's First Round breakfast battles. Vote for one breakfast joint per battle. Voting for today's breakfast battles ends at 11:45 p.m.