After more than two weeks of voting Weekly Volcano readers have picked the most popular taco in the greater Tacoma area.

The Tournament of Tacos Championship match pitted two longtime Pierce County Mexican restaurants against each other: Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant in Tacoma vs. Tijuana Taco in Lakewood.

Moctezuma's was a narrow hole-in-the-wall joint (next to where JC Penney once stood) on South Tacoma Way in the ‘70s that eventually made its way to its current grand spot at 56th and Tyler. Tijuana Taco, on the other hand, was born in the late ‘60s, and battled McDonald's, Shakey's Pizza, and Herfy's for customers on the edge of the Villa Plaza. It's still in the same spot at 10005 Bristol Ave. SW just off 100th Street.

Monday night's championship battle saw the most active daytime online voting of the tournament, which ended at 5 p.m. Moctezuma's had a commanding lead by the time voting switched to the 6 p.m. Tournament of Tacos Party at Station 56. At the party people filled out taco voting ballots and rang up $12 tabs for three margaritas and three tacos (thanks Station 56!). The taco voting couldn't help but take a second seat to the outstanding NCAA Men's Championship game in which Duke squeaked by the underdog Butler.

As promised, we tallied the on-location votes during halftime of the hoop game and announced the winner. Drum roll please. ...

The winner of the Weekly Volcano's 2010 Tournament of Tacos is: Moctezuma's Mexican Restaurant!

The loose voting during the inexpensive margarita fest at Station 56 didn't affect the huge lead Moctezuma's had going into the party.

Congrats to both worthy competitors.

Moctezuma's will be receiving the Tournament of Tacos Championship trophy once the engraving is finished. Also, look for an upcoming feature on Arturo Garcia's Moctezuma's in the Weekly Volcano. Those who didn't vote for Moctezuma's, we suggest you stop by their Tacoma or Gig Harbor locations to try their outstanding Mexico City tacos.

Thanks to all who voted in the Tournament of Tacos. We hope you had as much fun as we did. Follow how it went down here.

See you next March for ... the Tournament of Pizza! - Weekly Volcano

The Loose Wheel

Since quietly opening March 31 in the spot formerly held by the 6th Ave. Bar & Gril, owners and staff at The Loose Wheel Bar and Grill have seen an overwhelmingly positive response from patrons. The ownership team of Shawn and Emily DeCicco and Dennis and Taressa Krumwiede have a history in hospitality. DeCiccos own Puyallup's Summit Pub. The Krumwiedes own coffee shops in Puyallup and Orting. Shawn DeCicco grew up in the Sixth Avenue/Narrows area and wanted to create something nice for the neighborhood. The remodeled sports bar feels like a rich friend's rec room: pool tables, padded chairs, darts, foos ball, pull tabs and sports and racing on 20 flat screen TVs.

Bubba in the kitchen serves up hand-dipped pressure fryer chicken and hand-cut jojos, ribs, salads, big meaty burgers, nachos, sandwiches, New York steak, seafood and wraps. Deep-fried dill pickle slabs are hand-breaded in panko/spice blend. Also try six different wing types (mild to stupid hot), housemade soups, Ivar's clam chowder, gizzards and deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos. The full menu is served all day, with a weekend breakfast coming soon. Bartender Peter Hernandez also pours 21 beer taps (15 are micros) - in addition to liquor and wines.

"Our whole goal is to find out what customers want and give it to them," says DeCicco.

On Saturday, that quest results in The Loose Wheel Bar and Grill's grand opening celebration at 8 p.m. The evening will include a Funky Monkey 104.9 FM remote broadcast, Miller and Jager Girls, lots of giveaways, $1 off drinks and half off all food.

DeCicco anticipates one hot party. "It's not about us making money; it's about making friends," he says.

[The Loose Wheel Bar and Grill, open daily 10 a.m.-2 a.m, 6108 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.301.1647]