SATURDAY, APRIL 6: IT'S DOWN TO TWO >>>
Over the past three weeks, the Weekly Volcano challenged 64 of the South Sound's best sandwiches to go bread-to-bread in a showdown of culinary combat. Some fell easily by the wayside, either due to inferior condiments or simply because they faced a superior sandwich. Bite by bite, we ate our way down to yesterday's Final Four: MSM Deli's Mike's Deluxe, Oliver's Sandwiches' Lobster Sandwich, Vuelve a la Vida's Steak Torta and STINK's Stinker. It was do-or-die, win-or-ditch, bring-your-best-sandwich. After the last sandwich was sliced diagonally, two winners emerged for a showdown in the championship game Monday, April 8.
Game 1: Mike's Deluxe (MSM Deli, 2220 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Lobster Sandwich (Oliver's Sandwiches, 900 Meridian Ave. E., Milton)
Mike's Deluxe received a number one seed by our readers through preliminary voting in 
February. And the Sixth Avenue deli proved worthy of the title, knocking out Embers Restaurant, Doyle's, Pacific Coffee House and Eleven Eleven to grab a Final Four slot. The Lobster Sandwich, the crown jewel of Milton, secured a number nine seed in the Meatless/Seafood Region, and putting the hurt on Fish House Café, Spar Tavern, Asado, The Lobster Shop, before facing Mike's Deluxe in the Final Four. The Weekly Volcano Steno Pool called it the game of the tournament, which is hard to argue with two major vote getters battling it out. When the last sandwich dropped into the bag, and a lead it never gave up the entire day, Oliver's Sandwiches' Lobster Sandwich grabbed 77 percent of the votes and a spot in the championship game.
Game 2: Steak Torta (Vuelve a la Vida, 5310 Pacific Ave., Tacoma) vs. Stinker (STINK - Cheese & Meat, 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma)
Two years ago Kris Blondin of Vin Grotto Cafe & Wine Bar fame opened STINK - a shop specializing in cheeses, old world meats, soups, sandwiches, beer, wine and "a whole lot of stinkin' attitude." The Tacoma Triangle district super deli offers 30 rotating cheeses and salamis, prosciutto and other cured meats, weekly gourmet mac 'n' cheese and toasted cheese sandwiches specials - and a peanut butter, bacon and bleu cheese sandwich called the Stinker that authentic Mexican restaurant Vuelve a la Vida and its über popular Steak Torta just couldn't beat. With 57 percent of the votes, and a lead it never gave up, the Stinker moves on to Monday's championship game to face Oliver's Sandwiches' Lobster Sandwich.
Sponsored by SUBWAY in Orting, Puyallup, Tacoma, Spanaway and Lakewood.
Here we go. Oliver's Sandwiches' Lobster Sandwich out of the Meatless/Seafood Region will face STINK's Stinker, the top sandwich of the Specialty Region, Monday, April 8 when the polls open around 8 a.m. Online voting will run until 5 p.m. At 6 p.m. the voting opens back up live at the Tournament of Sandwiches Championship Party at Masa on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue. Ballots will be handed out, which will also serve as raffle tickets for random prize drawings throughout the party. The live vote will close at halftime of the NCAA Men's Tournament final and the South Sound Sandwich champion will be announced. Bonus: Masa will offer happy hour prices during the party.
So, pack the car and eat at STINK today and Oliver's Sandwiches tomorrow. Compare notes with your neighbors. Then come Monday, vote here on Spew or join us at Masa.
Thanks again everyone for voting. Love you massive!
STINK - Cheese & Meat, 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.426.1347
Oliver's Sandwiches, 900 Merdian Ave. E., Milton, 253.927.2341
Masa, 2811 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.254.0560
LINK: Tournament of Sandwiches explanation
LINK: Hot Damn! Yes, I want the Weekly Volcano's Afternoon Delight newsletter!
