Tournament of Tacos

With a week of voting behind us, what began as 64 of greater Tacoma's best tacos will be whittled down to 32 after today's Tournament of Tacos Readers' Poll battles. It's like March Madness, only with more indigestion.

Every day through April 1 visit our blog Spew and cast your vote - using the bracket in last week's Weekly Volcano to guide you through the daily match-ups. On April 5, join us at Station 56 for the Official Tournament of Tacos Party - where our winner will be announced during halftime of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game.

Only one taco can be crowned champ, and it's up to you to decide. Visit our blog Spew and cast your vote daily. - Michael Swan

1022 South anniversary

1022 South, the craft cocktail lounge in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood, will celebrate its one-year anniversary on Monday, March 29 with a party debuting its spring/summer menu featuring more than 40 innovative, and, in some cases, curative handcrafted cocktails. The new menu showcases 1022 South's respect for classic cocktails, an enthusiasm for apothecary, and a few of the favorite cocktails from the original menu. In addition to craft cocktails and apothecary infusions, the menu will feature a variety of delicious small plate items. To celebrate, all menu cocktails will be specially priced at $6 the night of the party. - Weekly Volcano

[1022 South, 4-11 p.m. Sunday-Monday, 4 p.m. to midnight Tuesday-Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 2 am Thursday-Saturday, 1022 S. J St., Tacoma, 253.627.8588]

New Hot Rod Dog

From all beef kosher dogs to a vegetarian soy option, Hot Rod Dog offers a lightning quick lunch time alternative to drive through or sit down dining in downtown Tacoma. After a four-year stint on Pacific Avenue, the hot dog purveyor opened another location at South 11th and Tacoma Avenue in the remodeled building that once held the legendary jazz joint Kelly's.

The space is small with very limited seating. It's really "grab and go." My Italian Sausage, a meatless organic tofu dog made with basil and sun-dried tomato, was still hot when I opened it back at my office. Loaded with sweet chili sauce, mustard, pepperoncinis, chopped white onion, green relish, and salt and pepper, I could still taste the sun-dried tomato. The tofu texture was not too spongy either. The bun was fresh and held up to loads of condiments (dogs are served naked, you decide on toppings).

Rod's most popular dogs are the mozzarella sausage and the kielbasa. Both are custom made and smoked by Blue Max Sausage Company in Puyallup. Blue Max also makes the andouille and bratwurst.

Cilantro chili, sodas, chips, and energy drinks are also sold.

Dogs average $3.99. - Jennifer Johnson

[Hot Rod Dog, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1103 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.593.6030]