<<< THURSDAY, MARCH 20 2014 - THE GAMES ARE NOW CLOSED >>>

Four years ago, the Weekly Volcano challenged 64 taco slingers to enter tournament-style culinary combat, shell versus shell, with Moctezuma's crowned best taco. The next year, pizza took center-stage in our quest for gustatory greatness, with Katie Downs' pie reigning supreme. In 2012, it was breakfast time, baby, with Moon Rise Cafe grabbing all the bacon, eggs and hot cakes. Last year, it was all about South Sound sandwiches, with Oliver's Sandwiches in Milton named the best between two slices of bread.

This year, the tradition continues.
 
We speak, of course, of the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Burgers. Sixty-four area burger joints were selected and seeded by readers throughout February, and now the time has come to see who's best.
 
Only one can be crowned king - so vote on this blog daily. Use the bracket in the March 13 print edition of the Volcano to guide you through the daily matchups (see attached pdf).
 
Then, on April 7, join us at Meconi's Tacoma Pub & Eatery in downtown Tacoma for the Official Tournament of Burgers Party - our winner will be announced during halftime of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game.

The daily burger battles on Walkie Talkie are sponsored by Ricky J's Restaurant and Lounge in Puyallup.

OK, let's do a quick cholesterol check, then dive into today's First Round burger battles. Vote for one burger joint per game. Voting for today's burger battles ends at 11:45 p.m.