<<< VOTING CLOSED FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 26 >>>

Favorites or underdogs, fancy restaurants or dive bars, it's all the same. In the end, they all have one chance to put some tasty morsels between two slices of bread that can take the prize. Sixty-four South Sound sandwiches were selected and seeded by readers throughout February for the Tournament of Sandwiches, which is now six days into the competition. Apparently sandwiches were on the minds of South Sounders yesterday as it was the second largest voting day for the Tournament of Sandwiches behind Thursday's opening bell.

Yesterday's Results

GAME ONE: TLT (Quickie Too, 1324 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma) vs. Fishwich (Spar Tavern, 2121 N. 30th St., Tacoma)

Cod filet rolled in crispy panko breading served on a Kaiser roll: The Fishwich at The Spar sound easy enough, but alas, it's not. Coddies - those who live for cod filets - claim The Spar has one of the best fish sandwiches in the South Sound. Yesterday, voters agreed. Tacoma's oldest tavern moves into the Second Round after beating Hilltop's beloved Quickie Too by 20 votes.

GAME TWO: Catfish Sandwich (Fish House Café, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma) vs. Lobster Sandwich (Oliver's Sandwiches, 900 Meridian Ave. E., Milton)

Oliver's Sandwiches turned out the troops to propel it into the next round of the tournament, despite Fish House Café's exceptional Catfish Sandwich. Although it's what sandwich experts call a "hidden gem," Oliver's Sandwiches treats diners like family, and that had to be a factor against the Hilltop Tacoma cafe. With 93 percent of the vote, Oliver's moves on.

GAME THREE: The All Star Grilled Frenchy Cheese and Ham (Babblin' Babs Bistro, 2724 N. Proctor St., Tacoma) vs. Nutty Chicken Sandwich (Varsity Grill, 1114 Broadway, Tacoma)

Babblin' Babs Bistro doesn't have a mini theater in the middle of its restaurant. It doesn't have a huge happy hour menu. And kids don't eat free. Those are the attributes of the Varsity Grill sports bar in downtown Tacoma. What Babs does have are gourmet sandwiches and an ownership that can squeeze ever bit of goodness out of a Chardonnay seed. Babblin' Babs and its famous All Star Grilled Frenchy Cheese and Ham moves into the Second Round after grabbing 64 percent of the votes over the Varsity Grill.

GAME FOUR: Stinker (STINK - Cheese & Meat, 628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma) vs. Papa Bair (Bair Bistro, 1617 Lafayette St., Steilacoom)

STINK owner Kris Blondin has found the perfect formula. Create gourmet comfort food recipes, teach hip kids how to recreate them, play kick ass music and serve big beers and soft wines to movers and shakers in Tacoma. Yesterday, this formula paid off when STINK's famous Stinker sandwich beat Bair Bistro's delicious Papa Bair - and all the history the town of Steilacoom could muster up - by 70 votes.

Stick a toothpick in them! The following are advancing to the next round:

• The Spar's Fishwich
• Oliver's Sandwiches' Lobster Sandwich
• Babblin' Babs Bistro's All Star Grilled Frenchy Cheese and Ham
• STINK Cheese & Meat's Stinker

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 First Round sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich per battle. Voting for today's sandwich battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

<<< VOTING CLOSED FOR MONDAY, MARCH 25 2013 >>>

Sixty-four South Sound sandwiches were selected and seeded by readers throughout February for the Tournament of Sandwiches, which is now five days into the competition. Brackets don refrigerators, break rooms, restaurant hallways and birdcages. Birthday parties have been moved to delis. Everyone is discussing tempeh and bread thickness. It's crazy fun.

Yesterday's Results

GAME ONE: Ricky J's Philly Cheesesteak and Farrelli's Pizza's 3 Sauce Italian Meatball Sandwich battled back and forth all day, changing leads several times. It's our guess that Ricky J's Sunday night "Spin The Wheel Drink Specials" made the difference as the Puyallup restaurant ended up edging out the local pizza chain's tasty meatball sandwich with 54 percent of the votes.

GAME TWO: The blowout of the day happened in the matchup between Pacific Coffee House's Big Tacoma and The Office Bar & Grill's California Club, each anchoring the current Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project construction. The new coffee joint on the ground floor of the Wells Fargo Building grabbed the most votes of the day, smoking the sports bar that is The Office with 91 percent of the votes. The Big Tacoma sandwich moves on to the Second Round to face Ricky J's Cheesesteak March 30.

GAME THREE: "If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you." That famous quote comes from the beloved Winnie the Pooh. That quote could have easily comes from a regular at Legendz on Spraque Avenue speaking on his or her love for the drive-thru joint on the edge of Hilltop Tacoma. It doesn't matter that Engine House No. 9 is historically famous, and its Baked Italian sandwich has an amazing garlic pesto spread. Legendz's Lamb Beef Gyro looked in great shape as its edged out the Baked Italian with 53 percent of the votes.

GAME FOUR: The other blowout really wasn't a surprise. Meconi's Italian Subs in Lacey was born to make great sandwiches. Its Italian Sub put the hurt on Little Da Nang's Prok Banh Mi beating it by 60 votes, and moves on to face Legendz's Lamb Beef Gyro in Second Round action March 30.

Stick a toothpick in them! The following are advancing to the next round:

• Ricky J's Philly Cheesesteak
• Pacific Coffee House's Big Tacoma
• Legendz's Lamb Beef Gyro
• Meconi's Italian Subs' Italian Sub

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 First Round sandwich battles. Vote for one sandwich per battle. Voting for today's sandwich battles ends at 11:45 p.m.

WE SCENE IT >>>

Jeanne Hopkins, the singer and songwriter better known as simply Jeanlizabeth, plays host to an open mic every Sunday night at Steilacoom Pub and Grill. The night has become a playground for musicians to tinker and receive feedback from their peers. It's almost a guarantee to hear a mix of punk rock songs on a ukulele, indie covers and folk originals every Sunday. In addition to the talent, the Steilacoom Pub open mic will occasionally be blessed with a random drunk strummer or sheet music reader making it one of the more entertaining music nights in the South Sound.

I dropped by the Steilacoom Pub last night to snap a few shots.

LINK: More photos from Sunday's open mic in Steilacoom

LINK: All-ages open mics

LET'S DO SOME SCROLLING >>>

Sunday morning, we'll be yelling at the top of our lunges, stuffing ourselves into a purple-hazed food coma and throwing adult temper tantrums during commercials, all in the name of cheering the Seahawks to a win Sunday against Atlanta, then on to the NFC Championship game.

Where to watch the game?

Good question. Ideally, the Weekly Volcano wants a combination of multiple televisions, good grub and drink specials. Good grub could be sacrificed.

We searched Facebook looking for Seahawk breakfast specials in the South Sound so you don't have to.

Burs in Lakewood

Cheers West in University Place

Farrelli's Pizza Tacoma

Johnny's At Fife

Masa on Sixth Avenue

Pints & Quarts Pub in Lacey

O'Blarney's Irish Pub in Olympia

The Office in downtown Tacoma

The Ram on Tacoma's Ruston Way and South Hill Puyallup

The Red Hot on Sixth Avenue

Spring Lake Cafe

The Swiss in downtown Tacoma

Topside Bar and Grill in Steilacoom

Varsity Grill in downtown Tacoma

Where else?

I LOVE THIS JOB >>>

In case you haven't notice I have bourbon fever. I've applauded local distillery endeavors and reported on bourbon dinners. Because the Weekly Volcano is an equal opportunity rag, I turn my attention to the translucent liquids.

No, no, not H2O silly. I'm talking to you vodka and gin.

As mentioned in my local distillery piece, there is a new distillery in Pierce County - Port Steilacoom Distillery. Kevin and Jennifer Laughlin Stewart opened the distillery Friday. Situated in the idyllic community of Steilacoom the Laughlin Stewarts are now concocting Chambers Bay vodka and gin from their charming distillery space.

PSD's vodka and gin have unique flavor profiles. Due to federal restrictions, craft distilleries are required to use 51 percent Washington-grown product. For most distillers, the products are grains. At PSD, Chambers Bay vodka and gin are distilled with blackberry honey and dark cane sugar. As a result, the vodka and gin are gluten free. You gluten-free kids on the crazy train can indulge with no negative consequence, ignoring bad dancing and wicked little hangovers from overindulgence. The honey and sugar combination also distinctly different flavors from many similar products. In other words, I think PSD's vodka and gin are tasty.

Chambers Bay Vodka carries a nice sweetness with a smooth clean finish. The honey and sugar lend this sweetness that is pleasant and light with just a hint of honey. The products are not syrupy, such as flavored vodka. It's mixer friendly, too.

Chambers Bay Gin also has this playful sweetness with a finish teasing with the herbal finish that lends itself to a nice aroma. I myself am not a fan of gin. Thankfully, Chambers Bay Gin lacks that uber-juniper berry flavor that can overwhelm some drinkers. Port Steilacoom Distillery uses a traditional London dry technique with its gin.

In six weeks, or so, PSD will add a rum type liquor to its product line. Though technically not rum since it's not produced from cane sugar Wicked Wind Spiced Rum will be made with Laughlin Stewarts' special recipe of spices and buckwheat honey, which consistency much like molasses.

PSD's tasting room is open Wednesday-Sunday, offering free two-ounce samples, by law, and a limit of two bottles per day.

When you visit the distillery be sure to keep a lookout for its mascot. "There's a tabby cat that is always nearby and on occasion will come in and take a seat. One day while I was labeling he jumped right up, I decided to read his little tag on his collar and get his name ... Martini," Jennifer Laughlin Stewart says with a laugh.

If that isn't a good omen, I don't know what is.

PORT STEILACOOM DISTILLERY, 3:30-6:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY, 1601 LAFAYETTE ST., STEILACOOM, 253.212.0090

LINK: The scoop on local distilleries Heritage and Parliament

Barring any new Movember drunken people donning mustaches photos, the Weekly Volcano is going to use the holiday as an excuse to take a rare day off. So, please people, for our sake, dig out that ol' music box that plays "Born Free," open a new doughnut shop or start your own Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project.

And we totally want photos of your family's fight to the death over who has the damn Tupperware. The Weekly Volcano knows every year someone brings Tupperware to collect leftovers and every effing year it disappears.

We'll all see you back here tomorrow for 5 Things To Do, The Weekend Hustle and other glorious posts.

Remember: baste often.

LINK: Movies

Calling all brides and grooms! Here's a chance to share your unique wedding stories in a one-of-a-kind exhibit at the White River Valley Museum in Auburn.

The museum wants to hear your wedding stories in correlation with a new exhibit, I DO! Traditions of the American White Weddingsponsored by Auburn's own Nelson's Jewelry and Gifts .  The exhibit uses antique wedding gowns and accessories to explore the histories and myths surrounding the traditions of the American white wedding. 

Do you have a special wedding tradition in your family?  Will people not believe what your "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" was?  If your "white wedding" has a unique twist, the White River Valley Museum would like to hear from you and possibly use your story in an exhibit!

To submit your white wedding story: Please mail a short description of your unique wedding tradition or happening, no more than 250 words, and a photo copy of one of your favorite wedding photos to the museum. Please do not include original photos-no submissions will be returned. Please include your: name, address, phone number, email address and the year of your wedding.

Please Mail all Entries by December 1^stto:
White River Valley Museum
918 H St. S.E.
Auburn, WA 98002
attn: White Wedding Stories

ABOUT THE WHITE RIVER VALLEY MUSEUM
The White River Valley Museum combines history and culture to create an exciting and educational experience for visitors though a series of award-winning exhibits. Museum collections focus on Puget Sound history, Northwest Indian culture, Japanese immigration and the Northern Pacific Railway. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and is located at 918 H St. S.E. in Auburn. Regular admission is $2 adults, $1 seniors and children. Admission is free on Wednesdays and the fourth Sunday of the month. Call 253-288-7433 or visitwww.wrvmuseum.orgfor event information.

THE VIEW IS BACK >>>

With the weather warming up, there's a new option for dining with a view. Topside Bar and Grill opened March 23in the former Jake's Bar and Bistro location.

The restaurant seems to be off to a great start. On a recent visit for dinner, there was a line at the door all evening of customers waiting for a table.

Though it just recently opened, Topside has a distinct neighborhood feel, where everyone appears to know each other. Owners John and Niki O'Reilly believe the view from their deck really makes them stand out from other area restaurants.

It does.

Overlooking Chambers Bay, the deck is open with limited service during the winter/spring months, and will be open with full service during the summer.

Read my thoughts on Topside Bar and Grill's food in the Restaurants section at weeklyvolcano.com.

Topside Bar and Grill, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to Midnight Friday and Saturday, 215 Wilkes St., Steilacoom, 253.212.3690

HELP US FIND THE SEXIEST PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

Once again, the Weekly Volcano is unleashing The Sexy Issue, giving one and all the chance to gaze at the sexiest people in the South Sound - as voted on by all of you, our dear readers. The great thing about the Volcano's annual Sexy Issue, if we do say so ourselves, is how it manages to prove, year after year, that you don't have to be on a Kia Super Bowl ad to be smoking hot. Our annual Sexy Issue is the Weekly Volcano's way of showcasing the South Sound's sexiest denizens - and by denizens we don't mean celebrities; we're talking about regular dudes and dudettes who just happen to look sexy as hell when taking us on test drives, trimming our meat or brewing our beer. These folks can be just as hot - and a hell of a lot more accessible, theoretically - as anyone you typically see on TV and in magazines. 

This year, we are asking you to nominate the person who makes you all hot and bothered in the following categories: Actor/Actress, Artist, Brewer, Karaoke Host, Lead singer, Lawyer, Butcher, Car Salesperson, Blogger and Personal Trainer.

On Thursday, June 7, the Weekly Volcano will publish The Sexy Issue, immortalizing the sexy, chosen few forever.

Help us find them.

Voting ends May 11 at 5 p.m. - so help the Weekly Volcano find the South Sound's hottest citizens. Vote today!

Vote for the South Sound's sexiest people

SUNDAY, FEB. 19, 2011 >>>

1. Argentine singer-songwriter Maria Volonte's tango mastery met expatriate blues harmonica player Kevin Carrel Footer in a Buenos Aires café and it was magic. The result of that fateful meetings is The Blue Tango Tour - a celebration of the deep spiritual bond that joins tango and the blues, as two genres steeped in sin, born in brothels, censored yet always resurgent and speaking directly to our souls at 2 p.m. inside Madera Architectural Elements in downtown Tacoma.

2. Museum of Glass visiting artist Michael Taylor will discuss his art and career during this conversation and slide presentation in the Hot Shop beginning at 2 p.m.

3. The Olympic Wine Merchants in Olympia will pour organic wines to taste from 2-4 p.m.

4. The Pierce County Gospel Sing will reach great heights beginning at 6 p.m. inside the mammoth Life Center in Tacoma. Hallelujah.

5. Jeanne Hopkins, the singer and songwriter better known as Jeanlizabeth, hosts an open mic at 8 p.m. every Sunday in the Steilacoom Pub and Grill. The night's entertainment can include poetry readings, original songs and rock covers from Pink Floyd to modern hits. Past crowds ran the gamut of age groups, but many, including seniors, wore hoodies.

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight

LINK: South Sound happy hours