<<< VOTING CLOSED FRIDAY, MARCH 29 2013 >>>

It's a simple equation: Bread slices plus edible foodstuffs equals sandwich. But hidden within this simple formula is a universe of variety. Cold or grilled? Butter or condiments? Meat or turnips? Everyone who makes this classic American staple, from national fast-food joints to local mom and pops, has choices to make. And in those choices lie the path to greatness.

The field of 64 South Sound sandwiches was been voted down to 32 in the mother of all sandwich brackets. You've seen the carnage: No. 1 seeds fell, powerhouses butted heads, and Cubans are making a run at the prize. Welcome to the Second Round. ...

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Rick's Dip (Rosewood Café, 3323 N. 26th St., Tacoma) vs. Beast of Burden (Top of Tacoma Bar & Café, 3529 McKinley Ave. E., Tacoma)

East Tacoma's scrappy, gritty Top of Tacoma Bar & Café grabbed the lead early in this game and never looked back, nabbing 55 percent of the votes when all was said and done. Some believe the Top's famous Taco Thursday night could have swung the vote in the Top's favor, due to its party atmosphere. Most believe the sandwich's pile of Angus roast beef, layered with sweet caramelized onions and cherry pepper relish, creamy melted havarti cheese and just the right kick of horseradish-herb mayonnaise is the reason why the Beast moves into the Second Round.

Game 2: Club Sandwich (5th Avenue Sandwich Shop, 117 Fifth Ave. SE, Olympia) vs. French Dip (Ramblin' Jacks, 520 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia)

These two downtown Olympia spots traded pepperoni shots all day until around 4:20 p.m. when the 5th Avenue Sandwich Shop began to pull away. Rumor has it the 5th Ave got behind its awesome pies and pushed through Ramblin' Jacks wood-fired oven wall. As the clock hit 11:45 p.m., 5th Avenue Sandwich Shop had 70 percent of the votes, and a spot in the Second Round. That's the definition of a surge.

Game 3: Banh Mi (Pho King, 1020 MLK Way, Tacoma) vs. Banh Mi Dac Biet (Pho V&V Vietnamese Restaurant, 5434 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma)

Pho King, with its funny name and tender bursts of flavor from its Banh Mi sandwich put the hurt on Pho V&V yesterday. Pho King doesn't care if the V&V plays awesome jazz during operating hours. It cares about sandwiches, at its 82 percent of the votes victory margin proves it.

Game 4: Hot Italian Sub (Meconi's Pub & Eatery, 709 Pacific Ave., Tacoma) vs. Banh Mi (Nammy's Deli & Bakery, 513 Capitol Way S., Olympia)

Located downtown in the oldest building on one of the city's oldest blocks is a local Tacoma pub which boasts a true Tacoma atmosphere - part working class grit and part unabashed optimism for the future. That, of course, is Meconi's Pub. And its optimism shined yesterday when its Hot Italian Sub grabbed 77 percent of the votes against the popular Nammy's Deli.

Stick a toothpick in them! The following are advancing to the next round:

• Top of Tacoma Bar and Café's Beast of Burden
• 5th Avenue Sandwich Shop's Club Sandwich
• Pho King's Banh Mi
• Meconi's Pub's Hot Italian Sub

The daily sandwich battles here on Spew are sponsored by Subway in Orting, Puyallup, Tacoma, Spanaway and Lakewood.

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