<<< THURSDAY, MARCH 27 GAMES CLOSED >>>

Low and behold, today marks the closing of the Tournament of Burger's First Round. After today's battles, the bracket will officially be down to 32 area burger joints. If what we learned from our taco, pizza, breakfast and sandwich tournaments holds true, the remaining burger joints will hire cheerleaders for their Second Round games. Honestly, if it gets any more exciting we'll start to understand why Dick Vitale is always yelling.

Without wasting anyone's time with patty-related basketball innuendo, on to a recap of yesterday's games and today's Tournament of Burgers action.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Flipping Out Burgers and Fries vs. Classics Cafe at LeMay

Flipping Out must have flipped out. It was quiet during its game with Classics Café, the diner embedded at LeMay - Amerca's Car Museum. Classics included a Facebook post as part of its game plan, a plan that also included cooking tasty cheeseburgers. Classics Café grabbed 78 percent of the vote and moves into the Second Round.

Game 2: Friesenburgers vs. Crown Bar

In the closest battle of the day, Crown Bar grabbed 55 percent of the vote for the win. Surprisingly, Friesenburgers team of Gluten-free burgers wasn't really a factor. Once Crown's Crispy Onion burger got hot, it was over. The Crown Bar moves into the Second Round with a March 31 date with Classic Café.

Game 3: Herfy's Lakewood vs. Herfy's Olympia

The Herfy's in Lakewood beat the Herfy's in Olympia with 78 percent of the vote. Somewhere there's photo-realistic cow's face with a tear.

Game 4: Dirty Oscar's vs. Red Robin

Yesterday, I was accused of over hyping Dirty Oscar's. It's funny. One of the highlights of my childhood, besides spending summers in Rangoon, was post-Husky games outings at Red Robin. The family would gather around ginormous burgers at the Montlake Seattle Red Robin and discuss Joe Steele's rushing plays. It was always a disappointment if the car diverted instead to the Salmon House. I guess I might have gone Vitale on Dirty Oscar's Dead Elvis Burger. Its deliciousness is hard to ignore. Anyway, Dirty Oscar's smoked Red Robin with 90 percent of the vote and moves into the Second Round to face the Lakewood Herfy's March 31.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• Classic Cafe
• Crown Bar
• Herfy's Lakewood
• Dirty Oscar's

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

OK, let's 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. 

<<< WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 GAMES CLOSED >>>

The history of the hamburger is fairly mythical. The Menches family of Ohio says they invented the hamburger at an 1885 fair in Hamburg, New York, when heat and humidity forced them to stop butchering pigs. In all probability, the hamburger was a good idea waiting to happen, and a bunch of folks stumbled upon it around the same time. Thankfully someone did invent the burger, because the forecast calls for wet weather in the South Sound through Sunday, and nothing says spring like rain and burgers. So, huddle around your comforting operating system, catch up on yesterday's Tournament of Burgers action and vote on today's four South Sound burger battles.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: The Ram vs. The Forum

In a back and forth match-up pitting two fairly evenly matched competitors (at least in the eyes of voters, it seems), The Forum was eventually able to pull ahead of the stout Ram thanks to a late run - grabbing 53 percent of the vote. The loss has to be especially tough for The Ram, as they entered the Tournament of Burgers with plenty of hype, and the large clientele to back it.

Game 2: Frisko Freeze vs. Tacoma Cabana

You will not get lei'd as much at Frisko Freeze as you can at Tacoma Cabana tiki bar, but you will find a pretty freakin' delicious burger, at least according to yesterday's vote. Frisko Freeze grabbed 62 percent of the vote, and moves into the Second Round to battle The Forum March 30.

Game 3: Gourmet Burger Shop vs. Little Jerry's

"It's more like a full-body dry heave set to music." That's how George described the Elaine dance in Seinfeld. Today, the folks at Little Jerry's, the Seinfeld-loving café in Tacoma, will probably bust out a few Elaine moves as it grabbed 52 percent of the vote over the Gourmet Burger Shop and dances its way into the Second Round.

Game 4: Mikie Burgers vs. Carl's Jr.

Right now Mikie Burgers on Tacoma's Center Street is the Center of the Burger Universe as it put the hurt on Junior with 85 percent of the vote. Mikie moves into the Second Round to face Little Jerry's March 30.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• The Forum
• Frisko Freeze
• Little Jerry's
• Mikie Burgers

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

OK, let's 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. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 25: FIRST ROUND BURGER ACTION >>>

Southern California burger chain Slater's 50/50 has spent the past couple years making a name for itself through its flagship burger patty made from 100 percent ground bacon: 'Merica Burger. The bacon patty is topped off with a sunny side up egg and more bacon, in the form of bacon cheddar cheese, "bacon island" dressing and, oh yeah, actual bacon. Foodbeast.com decided that this wasn't enough and set out to make a 100 percent bacon burger, where every single thing on the burger has a bit of bacon in it. The foodie website decided even the bun should coated with bacon bits and pork rinds, as the photo below dictates. Will a South Sound burger joint follow suit to secure a few extra votes during the Tournament of Burgers? Stay tuned. In the meantime, below are yesterday's game results and eight new burger joints up for vote.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Lunchbox Laboratory vs. The Office Bar & Grill

The nice thing about a number one seed is it usually means you have a paddy-cake game in the first round. Not so much the case yesterday. The Office Bar and Grill rallied The Steno Pool and the folks in the mailroom, surging here and there. In the end, the number one seed did prevail, and Lunchbox Laboratory moves into the Second Round with 68 percent of the votes.

Game 2: Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery vs. El Gaucho

The Powerhouse and El Gaucho battled back and forth all day, changing leads several times. Then, the Powerhouse put the Jolly Pumpkin Artesianal Ales Maraciabo Especial Sour Belgian on the guest tap. Not so fast, my fancy friend. El Gaucho's lounge pianist busted out "It's The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" and the whole restaurant laughed and clinked martini glasses. The Powerhouse moves into the Second Round with 51 percent of the votes and a date with Lunchbox Laboratory March 30.

Game 3: Boathouse 19 vs. The Spar - Old Town

Unexpectedly, this was an epic battle ... the kind of thing Tournament of Burgers "instant classic" are made of. A surprisingly low scoring affair, with much of the action on defense, sixth seeded Boathouse 19 and the 11th seeded Spar in Old Town Tacoma were in a dead heat - literally tied - going into the final hours of the competition. Tournament of Burgers officials frantically discussed what to do in case of a tie. Overtime? Coin Flip? Shotgun a beer? Then, in a brilliant move, cook Tony walked to the middle of The Spar, slammed down a catsup and mustard bottle and walked back to the grill. That display of condiments was a dagger! The Spar edged out the win, securing exactly 51 percent of the vote. This one will go down in the burger history books.

Game 4: Norma's Burgers vs. Tides Tavern

Norma's Burgers quickly comes to the lips of many when discussing the best South Sound burger. So, perhaps it isn't a surprise that the burger house next to Interstate 5 won handily, kicking the Tides Tavern to the dock while garnering a respectable 63 percent of the vote. Norma's moves into the Second Round to face The Spar March 30.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• Lunchbox Laboratory
• Powerhouse Restaurant and Brewery
• The Spar - Old Town
• Norma's Burgers

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

OK, let's 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. 

<<< MONDAY, MARCH 24 GAMES CLOSED >>>

If the South Sound had a signature dish, what would it be? I think it must be the hamburger. And who doesn't adore a juicy ground patty of beef in the mellow embrace of a good bun? In fact, the most common last meal requested by death row inmates is the cheeseburger, and it's a favorite of office workers, too, who only feel like they're on death row.

Welcome to day five of the Tournament of Burgers, featuring 64 of the South Sound's best against one another in the mother of all burger brackets. Below is a recap of yesterday's burger action followed by eight new burger joints hitting the grill today.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: NetShed No. 9 vs. Harmon Brewery & Eatery

NetShead No. 9 beat The Harmon in downtown Tacoma by 270 votes. That's a mind blower.

Game 2: Five Guys Burger and Fries vs. Engine House No. 9

The buzz about Five Guys' famous burgers being the best burgers ever flipped into existence has reached the Tournament of Burgers. The thinnish, griddle-cooked patties grabbed 62 percent of the votes yesterday against E-9. Five Guys' daily-ground beef is lightly packed and grilled to a savory, caramelized crunch, then stacked into twos and loaded into a supple, sesame-seed bun. It faces off with NetShed No. 9 in the Second Round March 29.

Game 3: Meconi's Pub Tacoma vs. The Hub-Gig Harbor

The Hub in Gig Harbor led the game at noon, riding the back of its delicious Stumpjumper Burger and used a strong burger flipping style to build a working margin. The Hub took its biggest lead at 1 p.m. Then The Hub suddenly went cold, going 60 minutes without a point while Meconi's started inching back into the game. By 6 p.m., under the leadership of its Mushroom Burger, Meconi's shot ahead in the vote count. It doesn't matter The Hub in Gig Harbor has a better view and airplane rides. Meconi's grabbed 72 percent of the votes and a spot in the Second Round.

Game 4: Tatanka Takeout vs. The Swiss

"If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be a 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you." That famous quote comes from the beloved Winner the Pooh. That quote could have easily come from a regular at Tatanka Takeout speaking on his or her love for the Ruston joint's bison burgers. And while Tatanka makes a tasty bison burger, I imagine if this were the Tournament of Chalk Board Writing, Tatanka would still have gathered 75 percent of the votes. Don't mess with Tatanka, at least until March 29 when Meconi's Pub gives it a shot.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• NetShed No. 9
• Five Guys Burger and Fries
• Meconi's Pub Tacoma
• Tatanka Takeout

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

OK, let's 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. 

<<< SUNDAY, MARCH 23 GAMES ARE CLOSED >>>

Sixty-four South Sound burger joints were selected and seeded by readers throughout February for the Tournament of Burgers, which is now four days into the competition. Brackets don refrigerators, break rooms, restaurant hallways and birdcages. Birthday parties have been moved to burger restaurants. Everyone is discussing patty thickness and lettuce varieties. It's crazy fun.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: DeLong's Deluxe vs. Blazing Onion

Lakewood burger house DeLong's Deluxe sticks to a formula: good seasoning, perfect cooking and good meat. Delong's burgers are fundamentally simple and textbook perfect, whether it's a Fair Burger, Old Fashioned or DeLong's Cowboy Burger. It's just like what you could make at home, only much, much better. Lakewood doesn't mind standing outside, listening to amplified tunes while waiting for DeLong's Deliciousness. Blazing Onion came out blazing with its gourmet burgers, but at the buzzer, lost by 45 votes. DeLong's Deluxe moves into the Second Round to face Maxwell's March 29.

Game 2: Maxwell's Restaurant & Lounge vs. Famous Dave's

Maxwell's Restaurant and Lounge grabbed 86 percent of the votes over Famous Dave's. Maxwell's take on this classic tops the burger charts with an unconventional potato bun, grilled onion aioli and a patty that stays plenty juicy - a boon for both the sweetness and sturdiness of those buns and the sharpness of white cheddar. High quality arugula and tomato come standard if you swing that way, but the aioli alone does a great job of highlighting the meat. Famous Dave's might have antlers on the wall and fast take-out, but it apparently doesn't have a burger that can compete with Maxwell's A game.

Game 3: Asado vs. O'Malleys Irish Pub

Argentine-inspired steaks, seafood and an in-house ground sirloin and chorizo burger with fried provolone and Serrano ham surrounded by sunset colors, an open kitchen and toasty fireplace. That's a winning combination, at least according to the vote totals in the Tournament of Burgers. Asado put the hurt on O'Malley's Irish Pub with 71 percent of the votes. Number one seed Asado moves into the Second Round to battle with Marrow March 29. No hocus pocus, just focus on Sixth Avenue that day.

Game 4: Marrow Kitchen + Bar vs. King Solomon's Reef

Finally, in yesterday's closest battle, Marrow edged out Olympia's King Solomon's Reef with 53 percent of the votes. This one was surprisingly close. Dubbed "The Best Diner in the Galaxy," The Reef has a solid lineup of burgers, including the popular double meet, double cheese Liberty Burger. Holding the day's trend, fancy won again. Marrow's artisan cheese Beecher's Marco Polo probably sealed the deal. Marco! Polo!

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• Delong's Deluxe
• Maxwell's restaurant
• Asado
• Marrow Kitchen + Bar

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

OK, let's 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. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 22: FIRST ROUND BURGER ACTION >>>

Even in this era of kohlrabi salads, Haute Mexicanand Chinese-Peruvian, the hamburger remains America's favorite food, and burger fans - of which you are undoubtedly one - are insanely opinionated about what the consummate burger should look and taste like. Tear into the Tournament of Burgers, make a mess and dribble 'til the cows come home.

Yesterday's Results

Game 1: Duke's Chowder House vs. Chalk Talk Bistro

Duke's Chowder House has fancy newsletters, kick ass chowder and a gorgeous view of Commencement Bay. Chalk Talk Bistro has chalk ... oh, and delicious burgers. Formerly Mary's Burger Bistro, the sportsified Chalk Talk put the dispsy-doo double-a-roo on Duke's, and grabbed 56 percent of the votes from way at the end of the grill, BANG!

Game 2: Pick-Quick Drive-In vs. The Schooner Pub & Galley

The Schooner Pub is a dark place. It's truly one of the darker watering holes in the South Sound. Obviously, there are advantages to drinking in dimly lit joints. For one, squinting isn't attractive. Anyway, yesterday was the Lakewood bar's worst possible cave scenario. We haven't had many sunny days since early autumn. The Schooner's competitor, Pick-Quick Drive-in, offers a nice park-like outdoor eating area (albeit, with a view of I-5). The walk-up burger joint was packed with questionable open shirts and giddiness. Sunshine grabbed 75 percent of the votes and Pick-Quick moves into the next round to take on Chalk Talk Bistro March 28.

Game 3: Loose Wheel Bar & Grill vs. The Westside Tavern

If there's one thing our food tournaments has seen over the years; you don't mess with West Olympia. The community huddles around their own - more often than not with sleeves rolled up and a chew in place. The Westside Tavern grabbed a respectable 62 percent of the votes yesterday in its win over the tough Loose Wheel Bar & Grill. That's impressive. That's the Westside.

Game 4: Pacific Grill vs. South Bay Pub & Eatery

If there's a trend developing it's that elegance or unique toppings don't wow Tournament of Burgers voters. Sure, a fancy burger can get you somewhere in the Tournament of Burgers, but it doesn't guarantee anything - your burger foundation has to be sound before voters will get behind some of the fancier stuff. While Pacific Grill gushes sophistication and class, it had a tough day on the burger court. It beat Olympia's scrappy South Bay Pub & Eatery by one vote. One. Pacific Grill will need to reanalyze its game plan, as it will take on another scrappy Olympia burger flipper in the Second Round - Westside Tavern.

Let's weed through the condiments. The following are advancing to the Second Round:

• Chalk Talk Bistro
• Pick-Quick Drive-In
• Westside Tavern
• Pacific Grill

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

OK, let's 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. 

Marcus Luttrell, the former Navy SEAL whose story is presented in the movie Lone Survivor, is recruiting singers to perform the "National Anthem" at each of the 11 stops on his 2014 Patriot Tour. Contestants are encouraged to submit a video using the entry form on the Patriot Tour Facebook Page using the hashtag #PATRIOTTOUR. The Patriot Tour 2014 schedule includes stops in 11 cities across Arizona, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina. Marcus and his Patriot Tour team will select winners in each of the eleven cities on the tour.

Read more...

You know that master sergeant over at Wing Plans and Programs who everyone calls Master Sgt. Bark because he claims he could sell the brown, crunchy jerky-like crust on his ribs to Metropolitan Market and, as he says, "make a killin'. Has anyone ever tasted his ribs? (We get it. You don't want to go barking up the wrong rib.)

Seriously, though, it's time for Master Sgt. Bark to put up or shut up. The Air Force Personnel Center Directorate of Services is hosting the inaugural Air Force High Flyin' BBQ Challenge now through September. The competition is open to all active duty Airmen and sister service members at Air Force-led joint bases in the continuous United States who think their barbecue is the best in town and want to prove their barbecue prowess.

That's you Master Sgt. Bark!

Read more...

It's a little-known fact that Henry Kissinger tried unsuccessfully to resolve the Vietnam conflict with a battle of the bands. The whole deal fell apart when it proved impossible to locate an electric zen xin (a stringed instrument used by the Hmung).

The Washington State University Student Entertainment Board hosts its ninth annual Battle of the Bands Monday, March 24 and it invites qualified bands to travel to Pullman on a Monday and participate in the hottest bout since Godzilla took on King Kong.

According to a pre-show hype, "Bands will be competing for a paid performance on the daytime stage at Springfest. Audience members will be able to vote for their favorite bands and voting will make them eligible for prizes throughout the night via raffle."

Do you think your bass player can take time off from his database systems administrator job at Aflac?

Bands are encouraged to apply and send in their press kits as soon as possible. In order to apply bands must meet the following criteria: must be unsigned, based out of either Washington, Idaho, or Oregon, be a group act (no solo acts). Media kits must contain the following items: a demo CD or MP3 format compilation (must be a minimum of 3 songs with one cover at the most), genre, contact information of all band members, and a group photo or band logo. Any press kits missing the required sections will be disqualified from the selection process. Submissions are due by 5 pm on Friday, February 28^th.

Completed press kits can be emailed to wsubob@hotmail.com, or be delivered in person to the SEB Office (Compton Union, Room 304), or mailed to the Student Entertainment Board office.

Please send/deliver all expedited materials to:

• Washington State University SEB
• attn: Battle of the Bands
• 100 Dairy Road
• Pullman WA 99164

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The Army & Air Force Exchange Service wants to know the vivid details of the homecoming celebration with your servicemember honey.

"We are excited to hear and share stories of support and homecoming," said the Exchange's Chief of Staff Col. Tom Ockenfels in a news release. "We are grateful for military families' service and sacrifices. We've been with service members on the frontlines and with their families on the homefront. No one is happier than us to celebrate as loved ones are welcomed home."

Oh, wait. It's a contest. The Exchange is hosting a contest to find the best homecoming stories and photos. 

Authorized shoppers can share their special moments from Feb. 7 to 28 by submitting a story in 150 words or less for a chance to win one of two LenoxThomas Blackshear sculpted figurines valued at $195. The two collectibles, a female version called "Home at Last" and a male keepsake titled "Coming Home," are available in black or ivory.

Five winners of the Exchange's Thomas Blackshear figurine giveaway will be notified on or about March 14. No purchase is necessary and entrants must include their name, email and home address, name of the nearest Exchange, daytime phone number, rank or occupation of sponsor. There is a limit of one entry per family.

OK, that's more cool than creepy. For complete details visit www.shopmyexchange.com/patriotfamily.