WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24: FOUR BATTLES ON THE DOCKET >>>

Yesterday's Results

We don't know about you but we're dreaming in greens, whites and reds. In fact, our co-publisher Pappi Swarner had a dream last night that he was eating chips and dip from the sombrero of a foot-tall statue in a restaurant with a striped poncho on the wall as its only decoration. The tacos are starting to mess with us folks. But we press on. ...

Here were yesterday's match-ups:

Tijuana Taco (Lakewood) vs. Taco Time (every freaking where)

Taqueria La Sinaloense (Tacoma)vs. Los Amigos Mexican Food (Tacoma)

Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant (Tacoma) vs. Puerto Vallarta (Tacoma)

Taqueria El Rinconsito (Tacoma) vs. El Patio Taqueria (Parkland)

Tijuana Taco in Lakewood did it. It held a narrow lead over Taco Time all day yesterday finishing with 54.3 percent of the votes. Could it be its 300-year history in Lakewood? How about the young women behind the counter? Or that the owner's name is Rocky and he has a vicious jab? Hey Taco Time! Time to go.

Even though Taqueria La Sinaloense donned lights this past Christmas, the taco truck on Center Street might be a little Grinchy now with its loss to Los Amigos Mexican Food at 64^th and South Tacoma Way. Los Amigos will have its hands full when it battle Taqueria Burrito Loco on Monday.

We had our first come from behind win yesterday. Puerto Vallarta Family Mexican Restaurant led the popular Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant all day. Then, around 9 p.m., the tide turned. Maybe the Pina Coladas kicked in. Moctezuma's sought revenge (we have no idea what that means) and inched past PV with 51.2 percent of the votes. Moctezuma's will have to get its game face on if it wants to beat the marketing machine behind Azteca when they battle Sunday.

Taqueria El Rinconsito took El Patio Taqueria out on the patio and whipped its ass with 64.2 percent of the votes. This popular joint located on the Fred Meyer's property at 72^nd and Pacific will be tough to beat.  Its food is flavorful and cheap. If we were the flamboyant Josefina's, we'd hide on Sunday.

Let's get down to the hard shell facts. The following are advancing to the next round:

Tijuana Taco

Los Amigos Mexican Food

Moctezuma's

Taqueria El Rinconsito

Confused? Read our Tournament of Tacos introduction here.

Today's Competition

OK, time to move on to today's competition. ...

GAME 1: El Perran (131^st and Pacific Avenue, Tacoma/Parkland)  vs. El Tenampa (3121 38^th St., Tacoma)

El Perran is not your typical Tacoma Mexican restaurant.  It's more like a Mexican sports bar - and the tacos hit a home run.  El Tenampa occupies the former Great Wall of China Restaurant (we miss their almond chicken) spot on 38^th Street.  Despite its spacious interior that throws "cozy" out the window, the tacos are the real thing.    

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 2: Reyna's Mexican Restaurant (411 Garfield St., Parkland) vs. La Fondita II (2620 N Proctor St., Tacoma)

Located in the shadows of Pacific Lutheran University, not only will you find delicious tacos al carbon at Reyna's, but if you need to brush up on some chemistry or trigonometry, just check with the student pounding the books in the booth next to you. This is a tiny joint.

La Fondita represents the Proctor District. It's known for its cozy, charming atmosphere and above average service. We typically throw back a couple shrimp tacos before heading across the street to the Blue Mouse to catch a flick.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 3: The Beach Tavern (8612 Sixth Ave., Tacoma) vs. Powerhouse Restaurant Brewery (454 E Main, Puyallup)

The Beach Tavern brings a strong all-around game to the competition.  The picturesque Titlow Beach location, old-time shuffleboard and friendly regulars only accentuate the Beach Tavern's tacos.  The Powerhouse brewpub is known more for its ribs and ales, but it does have grilled bass fish taco on its menu. OK, Powerhouse will need to rally the Puyallup people to bury the Beach Tavern.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Game 4: El Pulgarcito (12134 Pacific Hwy. SW, Lakewood) vs. Taqueria Los Parados (5604 E Portland Ave., Tacoma)

We don't want to rain on Parados' parados, but El Pulgarcito in Lakewood distinguishes itself with its amazing Salvadorian tacos. And now that the El Pug sports a larger space with its recent move next door, the East Tacoma El Parados can't afford to look ahead.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Tomorrow's Taco Battles

Game 1: Hidalgo Mexican Restaurant (East Tacoma) vs. Bonita Restaurant & Lounge (East Tacoma)

Game 2: The Swiss vs. Hell's Kitchen

Game 3: Matador (downtown) vs. El Toro (various locations)

Game 4: La Huertas 2 International Market (Tacoma) vs. La Pecera Taqueria (Tacoma)

TUESDAY, MARCH 23: FOUR BATTLES ON THE DOCKET >>>

Yesterday's Results

Favorites or underdogs, fancy restaurants or dive bars, it's all the same. In the end, they all have one chance to put some meat in a shell that can take the prize.

Here were the match-ups:

Taqueria El Guadalajara (Lakewood) vs. Taqueria El Guadalajara (Tacoma)

Duke's Chowder House vs. Anthony's At Point Defiance

The Funky Iguana vs. Taco De Mar

MI Taqueria vs. Puerto Del Sol

In the battle of the Guads, the Lakewood version smoked the Tacoma restaurant with 64.7 percent of the votes. Could the fact that the Tacoma store is in the process of moving affected the outcome? Whatever, what's done is done. The Lakewood El Guadalajara moves to the next round. The Tacoma is sent packing ... while packing.

Fried fish, corn tortillas, shredded cabbage, salsa, crema: Fish tacos sound easy enough, but alas, there's not. We cast our fishnets far and wide in search of greatness, tasting tacos at every turn. Muchas margaritas were required to wash down some of the dried out, less-than-fresh samples and fried fish that had lost its crunch. But we quickly sobered up when we came across two particularly good versions at Duke's Chowder House and Anthony's At Point Defiance. Yesterday, voters agreed with our findings - Duke's won with 70 percent of the votes. The waterfront restaurant now moves on to battle Top of Tacoma's meat version.

A trend has emerged in the Tournament of Tacos. Go local. When up against the chain restaurants, the local taco slinger has emerged victorious. Yesterday, the trend continued as The Funky Iguana off 38^th Street walked all over the Taco Del Mar chain with 77.8 percent of the votes. The Funky Ig will practice its moves while waiting for the outcome between Matador and El Toro.

Last, MI Taqueria on Hosmer Street put the hurt on Puerto Del Sol capturing 76.5 percent of the votes. Inside, MI Taqueria looks sparse like many restaurants in Mexico itself. Nothing fancy - a few tables spread around with vinyl chairs. However, their pork taco on a classic soft corn tortilla is a beautiful thing.

Let's get down to the hard shell facts. The following are advancing to the next round:

Taqueria El Guadalajara Lakewood

Duke's Chowder House

The Funky Iguana

MI Taqueria

Confused? Read our Tournament of Tacos introduction here.

Today's Competition

OK, time to move on to today's competition. ...

GAME 1: Tijuana Taco (10005 Bristol Ave. SW, Lakewood) vs. Taco Time (various locations)

A Weekly Volcano Facebook friend labeled Tijuana Taco as having the "best fast food taco in Tacoma."  The long-time Lakewood business, owned by a guy named Rocky, will need all the friends it can get to clock the national juggernaut that is Taco Time. 

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 2: Taqueria La Sinaloense (4002 Center St., Tacoma) vs. Los Amigos Mexican Food (6402 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma)

Both competitors serve authentic tacos with tasty steak versions. Both caught the attention of Weekly Volcano staff foodies. Both will not win design awards from Architectural Digest.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 3: Moctezuma Mexican Restaurant (4102 S 56^th St., Tacoma) vs. Puerto Vallarta (3834 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

This game could elicit riots.  Both Mexican restaurants have large fan bases. Who will have the bigger home court advantage? Tough call.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 4: Taqueria El Rinconsito (72^nd and Pacific Ave., Tacoma) vs. El Patio Taqueria (14506 Pacific Ave., Tacoma/Parkland)

El Patio might fly under the radar with most Weekly Volcano readers but the quaint Parkland restaurant brings with them a strong and loyal following. El Rinconsito, with several locations in Western Washington and sporting a new Tacoma location in the Fred Meyer parking lot at 72^nd and Pacific, will be a tough competitor for the Patio. The taco truck serves dishes typically not found in mobile Mexican joints such as menudo. Its beef tacos are spicy good.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Tomorrow's Taco Battles

Game 1: El Perran (131st and Pacific Avenue) vs. El Tenampa (38th Street)

Game 2: Reyna's (411 Garfield St., Parkland) vs. La Fondita II (Proctor District)

Game 3: Beach Tavern (8612 Sixth Ave.) vs. Powerhouse (Puyallup)

Game 4: El Pulgarcito (Ponders Corner in Lakewood) vs. Taqueria Los Parados (5604 E. Portland Ave.)

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2010 >>>

1. The Garfield Book Company will celebrate Pres. Abe Lincoln's 200th birthday by hosting Dr. William Breitenbach from University of Puget Sound who will speak to Lincoln's accomplishments while serving as the 16h president from 861 to 1865, from 10:30-12:30 p.m.

2. The Hub in Tacoma's Stadium District hosts Trivia Night with cash prizes at 6 p.m.

3. Danny Vernon brings his Illusions Of Elvis show to the Red Wind Casino at 6:30 p.m.

4. Tough Guys Tuesdays action film double feature begins at 7 p.m. inside the Urban Onion Restaurant and Lounge.

5. The Brothers Comatose play an all-ages Americana concert at 7 p.m. inside the Mandolin Cafe.

LINK: Movie showtimes in the South Sound

MONDAY, MARCH 22: FOUR BATTLES ON THE DOCKET >>>

Yesterday's Results

The voting yesterday in the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Tacos competition didn't have an upset such as Kansas falling in the NCAA Men's Basketball championship. Your votes matched our projected winners.

Here were the match-ups:

Taqueria Burrito Loco vs. Taqueria Las Torres

Dave's Meat and Produce vs. Tacoma Golf & Country Club

Anahua Mexican Restaurant vs. Tacos Guaymas (Lakewood)

Santa Fe Mexican Grill vs. Taqueria El Antojo

Taqueria Burrito Loco turned out the troops to propel it into the next round of the tournament, despite new comer Taqueria La Torres' exceptional traditional tacos. Although hidden in a strip mall, Burrito Loco treats diners like family, and that had to be a factor against the new Sixth Avenue taco truck. With 71.4 percent of the vote, Burrito Loco moves on.

North Tacoma loves Dave's Meat and Produce. And what's not to like? The meat is always fresh, the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful and the selection is top notch. So it's a bit of a surprise that the plaid knicker-wearing taco lovers of the Tacoma Golf & Country Club came very close in beating Dave's Meats. Dave's moves to the next round by grabbing only 57 percent of the votes. Taco lovers might consider a TG &CC membership. Something good is going down behind those golden doors.

No surprise here. Tacos Guaymas in Lakewood destroyed Anahua Mexican restaurant with 87.5 percent of the votes. Very few will be surprised if T.G. isn't in the Final Cuatro.

Last, Taqueria El Antojo knocked off Santa Fe Mexican Grill by capturing 71.4 percent of the votes. Not surprising since El Antojo uses a full-court wooden press to make its tortillas. A wooden press always wears down opponents.

Let's get down to the hard shell facts. The following are advancing to the next round:

Taqueria Burrito Loco

Dave's Meat and Produce

Tacos Guaymas

Taqueria El Antojo

Confused? Read our Tournament of Tacos introduction here.

Today's Competition

OK, time to move on to today's competition. ...

GAME 1: Taqueria El Guadalajara (7421 Custer Rd., Lakewood)  vs. Taqueria El Guadalajara (110 N Tacoma Ave. but moving to 3002 Sixth Ave., Tacoma)

It's a Guad off! El Guadalajara's North Tacoma and Lakewood restaurants square off today.  The result is sure to make this year's Christmas party a little strained.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 2: Duke's Chowder House (3327 Ruston Way, Tacoma) vs. Anthony's @ Point Defiance (5912 N Waterfront Dr., Tacoma)

In Mexico, tacos are generic, like sandwiches. Americans may expect flour tortillas stuffed with meat, salsa, shredded lettuce, cheese, and maybe a dollop of sour cream, but a true taco is defined only by its design. It requires a tortilla and a filling. In this match-up the filling is all about the fish.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 3: The Funky Iguana (2941 S 38^th St., Tacoma) vs. Taco Del Mar (various locations)

The soft chicken taco at The Funky Iguana comes with many Facebook recommendations. Can it beat out Taco Del Mar's marketing machine?

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

GAME 4: Mi Taqueria (8424 S Hosmer, Tacoma) vs. Puerto Del Sol (8045 Pacific Ave., Tacoma)

Mi Taqueria is getting some great play from its kitchen in the weeks leading up to the tournament. But now, the Mi T. are going to need strength from the front of the house against Puerto Del Sol, which is known for friendly service.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Tomorrow's Taco Battles

Game 1: Tijuana Taco (Lakewood) vs. Taco Time

Game 2: Taqueria La Sinaloense (Center Street) vs. Los Amigos (South Tacoma Way)

Game 3: Moctezuma's (56th Street) vs. Puerto Vallarta (Pacific Avenue)

Game 4: Taqueria El Rinconsito (72nd and Pacific) vs. El Patio Taqueria (145th and Pacific)

SUNDAY, MARCH 21: FOUR BATTLES ON THE DOCKET >>>

Yesterday's Results

The past few days saw mainly blowouts in the Tournament of Tacos. Yesterday's competition finally witnessed a close battle.

Here were the matchups:

Taqueria El Grande vs. Taqueria La Carreta

Taqueria y Restaurant vs. Los Reyes Del Taco

La Palma vs. MIS Tres Amigos

Blazing Onion vs. Engine House No. 9

Who advances to the next round? Which tacos took the popular vote?

Find out after the break:

Read more...

SATURDAY, MARCH 20: FOUR BATTLES ON THE DOCKET >>>

Yesterday's Results

The second day of the weekly Volcano's Tournament of Tacos featured the undisputed popular favorite - Vuelve A La Vida- up against a golf course clubhouse. What can we say, we rated all the restaurants and taco trucks then fed them through the computer program Taco Tycoon to seed the tournament. This is science, people.

Unsurprisingly, Vuelve A La Vida received an astounding 80.8 percent of the votes in the readers' poll over The Grill at Meadow Park Golf Course. One voter said of Vuelve, "Their carne asada tacos are a step above cuz they use fajita meat and not ground beef." The Grill now has to carry Vuelve's clubs for life. Although Vuelve has little atmosphere, its authentic Mexican food is top notch.  The kitchen, open for view, prepares unbelievable carne asada, tasty tortillas and its tongue tacos are the best in the area.

Vuelve advances to the Second Round and will take on the winner of today's battle between Santa Fe Mexican Grill and Taqueria El Antojo. This humble, tiny restaurant could go all the way!

Taco Bell beat out Jack in the Box in the battle of the fast food franchises. Even though one voter said of Jack in the Box - "This is the "Best" substandard taco ever! Crispy and chewy in the same bite" - Taco Bell took the game with 56.3 percent of the votes. Taco Bell advances to the Second Round and will wait for the winner between Tijuana Taco and Taco Time.

One of the most popular taco joints on wheels Taqueria La Fondita parked at 38^th and G Street drove over Tiende Y Taqueria Zomora with 76.7 percent of the votes. La Fondita's tacos might be small, but their traditional thin corn tortillas rule.

Yesterday's last battle was between the local chain restaurants Mazatlan and Azteca. The Weekly Volcano favors Azteca, but that's mainly due to their strong margaritas. The voters also picked Azteca with 61.7 percent of the vote, although commenting on the great service more than the tacos.

Let's get down to the hard shell facts. The following are advancing to the next round:

Vuelve A La Vida

Taco Bell

Taqueria La Fondita

Azteca

Confused? Read our Tournament of Tacos introduction here.

Today's Competition

OK, time to move on to today's competition. ...

GAME 1: Taqueria el Grande (7202 S Park Ave., Tacoma) vs. Taqueria La Carreta (8302 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma)

It's East Tacoma vs. South Tacoma in this day three match-up.  If you're into tongue tacos, it's hard to beat Taqueria el Grande's version.

GAME 2: Taqueria y Restaurant (4002 McKinley, Tacoma) vs. Los Reyes Del Taco (6308 McKinley, Tacoma)

McKinley Avenue bragging rights are at stake in this game. Taqueria y Restaurant recently has taken over the space held admirably by El Compadre. The demise of El Compadre sent Ranger co-publisher Ken Swarner into a deep depression. His regular appearances at El Compadre earned him a "Norm!" status.

GAME 3: La Palma Mexican Restaurant (5701 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd., Lakewood) vs. MIS Tres Amigos (8013 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood)

Lakewood bragging rights are at stake today. La Palma, which for years featured delightful German waitresses, is a Lakewood mainstay.  MIS Tres Amigos has carved a nice niche for itself near the Oakbrook neighborhood.

GAME 4: Blazing Onion (4701 Point Fosdick Dr., Gig Harbor) vs. Engine House #9 (611 N Pine St., Tacoma)

Gig Harbor's lone entry in the competition features a killer fish taco against the Engine House's Famous E9 Soft Taco - a stud for more than 30 years. We see someone going down in blazing flames.

>>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Tomorrow's Taco Battles

Game 1: Taqueria Burrito Loco (5502 Orchard St. W) vs. Taqueria Las Torres (Sixth Avenue and Fife St.) 

Game 2: Dave's Meat and Produce (1312 N. i St.) vs. Tacoma Golf & Country Club

Game 3: Anahua Mexican Restaurant (9002 Pacific Ave.) vs. Tacoma Guaymas (10105 S. Tacoma Way)

Game 4: Sante Fe Mexican Grill (Frieghthouse Square) vs. Taqueria El Antojo (3801 McKinley Ave.)

DAMN! >>>

I leaned back in my chair and looked up at the water spots on my office ceiling. The drips turned silent, and seemed to be working in unison. Suddenly, the drips took on the aspect of sand in an hour glass, bringing to mind the idea of time.

I thought of the passage of time - time's role in the measurement of our personal achievements, time as an ever-diminishing quantity in our lives.

I thought of an old Pink Floyd song.

Then Intern Ted jauntily bound into my office, like a leprechaun. He sat opposite me and asked, "What's up, Pappi?"

"Oh, just thinking about my life, you know, failures, successes, that sort of thing," I replied.

"Well, speaking of success, I have some big news: Did you know Jamal from MSM Deli won the trip to Dublin on Doyle's dime?

I peered out the window and saw several of my employees catching snowflakes on their tongues. I thought of the two Jameson bottles I was lucky enough to have had the last shot of within the last year - thus entering me (twice) in the annual Doyle's drawing for a free trip to Dublin - the same trip that Jamal from MSM Deli has apparently scored.

"Get out!" I yelled at Ted.

CLAW CARES >>>

There are those who dread going home to an empty house, and there are those who revel in it. Those in the second category usually have large families. Or just families. Or maybe they're just antisocial, which is fine. But the point is to scheme new and innovative ways to achieve that empty house. To this end, perhaps you should perhaps encourage your artsy kid to apply for the 2010 Cartoonist's League of Absurd Washingtonians Young Cartoonist of the Future Scholarship. The Tacoma-based art organization has $368 with your kid's name on it - if they are worthy. The application must be turned in by March 15, 2010. Download the application here. Then sit back and dream about the piece and quiet. Ahhh. ... art scholarships.

WHAT WE FOUND TODAY >>>

Nestle is giving away five new Golden Tickets inside their new line of candy bars. Instead of touring the Nestle factory, winners will get a free trip around the world and $12,500 to buy chocolates!

Kingdom of the Little People is populated by small adults in fairy costumes.

The disastrous wave of earthquakes continues in Taiwan, which recorded a 6.4 magnitude quake on Thursday. So far, no one has been reported killed.

A man was arrested when his plane "touched" down in Denver for masturbating next to his female seatmate, whom he didn't know. For the record: If you do it by yourself, you have not joined the Mile High Club.

Why are acting awards still based on gender?

It's Catherine O'Hara's birthday!

THE INCREDIBLE, EDIBLE BOOK >>>

Collins Memorial Library at the University of Puget Sound dedicates itself to protecting books, but come April 1 (no joke) it will eat them at the University's fourth Edible Books Festival.

What is an edible book? Duh. An edible book is made of food and inspired by literary titles, characters or authors - such as Lord of the Onion Rings.

Collins is calling all culinary artists to participate in the event. Prizes will be awards for most literary, most artistic, most beautiful and other categories.

For details, call the library at 253.879.3669.

Be sure to drop by Collins on April Fool's Day and browse for a story you can really dig into.

[Collins Memorial Library, Thursday, April 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., entry drop-off 8-11 a.m., people's choice voting 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., awards ceremony 3:30 p.m., University of Puget Sound, 1500 N. Warner, Tacoma]