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.)

Filed under: Food & Drink, Contest, Gig Harbor, Tacoma, Lakewood, Tournament of Tacos,