<<< VOTING CLOSED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 4 2013 >>>
For the last two weeks the Weekly Volcano presented you with a compelling question: What is the best sandwich in the South Sound?
Well, we're closer than we've ever been to finding out - at least based on the voice of you, the readers and voters.
Today is a very special day in the Volcano's Tournament of Sandwiches - the Grilled Eight. Yes, only eight out of an original 64 area sandwiches remain, each doing battle today to stay alive and fight on toward ultimate Tournament of Sandwiches glory.
If we were you we'd just call in sick, grab some Rolaids and watch it all unfold.
Short of that, a good place to start would be by voting below.
Game 1: 5th Avenue Sandwich Shop vs. Reuben (Eleven Eleven, 1111 S. 11th St., Tacoma)
You can get a sandwich just about anywhere, but if you want to wrap your muzzle around a monument, then you need to go to the new masters of sandwich-making - Peterson Bros. 1111. Justin and Robbie Peterson opened the "Eleven Eleven" this summer in the Hilltop Tacoma neighborhood. From the moment the idea sparked, the brothers set out to make the best sandwiches in the South Sound. Man, we think they have done it, at least according to the voters. The Reuben nabbed 61 percent of the votes over what thousands call the best sandwich shop in Olympia - 5th Avenue Sandwich Shop. Eleven Eleven could hang it up right now and be damn proud. Instead, the brothers and their powerhouse Reuben face the biggest challenge of their lives today - MSM Deli's Mike's Deluxe.
Game 2: Cuban Fish Sandwich (Asado, 2810 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Lobster Sandwich (Oliver's Sandwiches, 900 Meridian Ave. E., Milton)
The little town of Milton has a hidden gem. Oliver's Sandwiches has the same set-up as franchise sandwich shops with one glaring exception - customer service. The owners, a husband and wife team, are hands-on and work the counter. The lobster sandwich alone is worth the drive ... and worth calling your friends around the nation. The amount of votes logged into this game is larger than the population of Milton. With a shocking 86 percent of the votes, the Lobster Sandwich moves on to battle The Lobster Shop's Dungeness Crab & Shrimp Melt.
Game 3: Farmhouse Philly (Dirty Oscar's Annex, 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Stinker (STINK - Cheese & Meat, 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma)
STINK, the heavy favorite to win the Specialty Region after perceived contenders such as Varsity Grill and Babblin' Babs Bistro were dismissed in earlier rounds, won another game beating Dirty Oscar's Farmhouse Philly with 58 percent of the votes.
Game 4: Hot Italian Sub (Meconi's Pub, 709 Pacific Ave., Tacoma) vs. Steak Torta (Vuelve a la Vida, 5310 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)
Despite an early lead from the heralded Meconi's Pub, Vueve a la Vida poured it on late in yesterday's action, sneaking into the Grilled Eight by six votes. At one point Vuelve considered breaking its house rule and provide free chips and salsa to help garner votes. It didn't need to and its popular Steak Torta won and battles the other Meconi's today.
Stick a toothpick in them! The following are advancing to the next round:
>>> 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 Grilled Eight sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich joint per battle. Voting for today's sandwich battles ends at 11:45 p.m.
