I might get flat-out fired for saying this, but screw the Weekly Volcano's Tournament of Tacos.  Please, allow me to inform you I'm a self-proclaimed taco expert (for the length of this column, at least), and I'm here to crown the Corner Bar as BEST TACOS in Pierce County.  No need to vote. No need to count ballots. The Corner Bar wins the contest. Period.

Go ahead and scoff at my words and hate me as you wish, but until you taste the Corner Bar's large soft tacos stuffed with meat, cheese, spicy sauce and lettuce, you haven't tasted anything nearly as delicious.  For a swift $2.25 my belly was full all day and my burps became a constant reminder of just how tasty Taco Tuesdays at the Corner Bar can be. 

Drink One: Electric Watermelon (bartender's choice) - Staying in true immature spirit, it wasn't long before Bandito Betty and I started in on the "That's what she said" jokes when referring to anything "taco."  Luckily, our bartender/server/taco-maker, Stephanie, decided on our first drink in record time. Without batting an eyelash she ran her butt behind the bar, whipped up our drinks, slapped together some tacos, and presented it all to us as if we were a time bomb about to self-destruct from lack of food and alcohol.

Stephanie's speedy roadrunner style will most likely impress you more after hearing there are at least 76 types of liquor in the Electric Watermelon. Think of the upper-arm strength one must have to tip that many liquor bottles up without immediate muscle fatigue. 

I, for one, was impressed. 

Drink Two: Washington Apple (most popular drink within last hour) - Stephanie asked if I'd like my Washington Apple in the form of an iced drink or a shot.  Of course, I said a shot.  Something about her lack of laziness made me feel challenged.  I needed to hurry my drinking up if I was going to keep up with her rapid one-woman-taco-and-booze-show.

Drink Three: Jackrabbit Pale Ale (my choice) - Local brewmaster and Jackrabbit creator, Rhett Barris, always keeps a back-up keg on hand at the Corner Bar, making this place the only bar in town to always have the beer in rotation.  Other bars may run out of this amazing local pale ale/IPA blend, but just like Stephanie's tacos - the flavor here will never run dry.

(That's what she said.)

The Corner Bar

(formerly known as Hank's)
524 North K St., Tacoma
253.627.3480