2012 Downtown Madness Champion Crowned

After four intense rounds of voting that saw a record-setting 6,000 votes cast for 16 sweet Elgin eateries, the public has spoken and the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin is proud to announce that the winner of Downtown Madness 2012 is Danny's Pizza (302-D S. McLean Boulevard) Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza.

A trophy presentation was held Thursday, April 4 at Elgin Public House, the downtown Elgin representative in the Downtown vs. Crosstown final round, with representatives from both establishments present. With over 1,800 votes cast in the Championship Round of voting in the DNA's award-winning, month-long, social media-driven restaurant promotion, Danny's Pizza narrowly defeated Elgin Public House by 96 votes.

The DNA would like to offer sincere thanks to our 16 Downtown Madness 2012 participants and recognize their signature dishes:

Al's Cafe (43 DuPage Court) Roasted Salmon Mediterranean
Big Apple Bagels (561 N. McLean Blvd) Big Apple Club
Buckingham's Steakhouse (250 S. Grove Avenue inside Grand Victoria Casino) Grand Tomahawk
Colonial Cafe (600 S. McLean Blvd) Ultimate Grilled Mac and Cheese Melt
Danny's Pizza (302 S. McLean Blvd) Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza
Elgin Public House (219 E. Chicago Street) Turkey Avocado BLT
Herb's Bakery (1020 Larkin Avenue) German Pretzel Roll
In the Neighborhood Deli (185 Edison Street) Garlic Dijon Chicken Sandwich
Nick's Pizza (990 S. Randall Road) Nick's Special
Paul's Family Restaurant (1300 Lawrence Avenue) Apple Bacon Cheddar Sandwich
Prairie Rock Grill (127 S. Grove Avenue) Prairie Rock Cuban
Prime BurgerHouse (250 S. Grove Avenue) Drunken Bull Burger
Ravenheart Coffee (176 E. Chicago Street) Macadamia Nut White Mocha
The Walnut Speakeasy (214 Walnut Avenue) Ribs
Toom Toom Thai Restaurant (23 S. Grove Avenue) Nam Tok
Villa Verone (13 Douglas Avenue) Gamberi e Cappesante Scampi

The DNA also thanks the Daily Herald and WRMN-AM 1410 for your generosity as Downtown Madness Media Sponsors.

Click here to view the Downtown Madness "One Shining Moment" Trophy Presentation YouTube video >>>

Downtown Madness Score Central Evening Update - April 2

The Road to the Downtown Madness Championship ends here and only you and your team of voting friends, family, colleagues and co-workers can determine the winner.

Before we put Downtown Madness to bed for good for 2012, let's give you one LAST update before the final buzzer sounds tonight at Midnight. The voting pace is really heating up between these two Elgin rivals and the ebb and flow continues yet again...

Here are the Downtown Madness voting results thru Monday, April 2 at 9:00PM:

Elgin Public House Turkey Avocado BLT leads Danny's Pizza Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza by 33.

There's just nothing like Downtown Madness! Lace up those shoes! Get out on the floor! There's still time for one last big dance and you've got destiny on your side! Pull for your favorite team and CHOOSE THE CHAMPION NOW!

Final Round voting concludes TONIGHT at 11:59PM!

Voting totals and e-mail addresses will be officially tabulated, audited and verified on Tuesday. The winner of Downtown Madness will then be announced Wednesday, April 4 in our Downtown Neighborhood News Top 10 eblast. If you do not currently receive the DNN, visit www.DowntownElgin.com to subscribe today!

Last chance to pick up your Elgin "Eat 16" punch card at any participating Downtown Madness venue. Visit all 16 establishments and receive punches for trying each "signature dish" in the bracket. Collect all 16 punches to claim your Downtown Madness t-shirt and a chance to score even bigger prizes - including gift certificates and other great prizes! To qualify, return your completed punch card ticket to DNA, 2 Douglas Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120 by no later than April 4.

Downtown Madness Score Central Afternoon Update - April 2

T-minus 8 hours to go in the penultimate round of voting in Downtown Madness. Supporters for both teams are laying it all on the line just for the sweet taste of victory and their One Shining Moment in Elgin's Big Dance.

Here are the Downtown Madness voting results thru Monday, April 2 at 4:00PM:

Danny's Pizza Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza leads Elgin Public House Turkey Avocado BLT by 28.

Let New Orleans have it's little basketball scrimmage tonight. The Wildcats and Jayhawks have nothing on our two Madness powerhouses. After the game wraps, gather up your team of friends, family and colleagues, log on to www.DowntownElgin.com and pull for your favorite Elgin eatery! CHOOSE THE CHAMPION NOW!

Final Round voting concludes TONIGHT at 11:59PM!

Don't forget to pick up your Elgin "Eat 16" punch card at any participating Downtown Madness venue. Visit all 16 establishments and receive punches for trying each "signature dish" in the bracket. Collect all 16 punches to claim your Downtown Madness t-shirt and a chance to score even bigger prizes - including gift certificates and other great prizes! To qualify, return your completed punch card ticket to DNA, 2 Douglas Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120 by no later than April 4.

Downtown Madness Score Central Morning Update - April 2

And then there were two: the defending champs and the battle-tested pizzeria. One downtown Elgin eatery and their Turkey Avocado BLT and one crosstown eatery with their Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza. Who walks away the title? It all comes down to one thing: YOUR VOTES!

Here are the Downtown Madness voting results thru Monday, April 2 at 11:00AM:

Danny's Pizza Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza leads Elgin Public House Turkey Avocado BLT by 112.

There's less than 13 hours of Madness left to go and it's anyone's game at this point! Show your team spirit by rockin' the vote! CHOOSE THE CHAMPION NOW!

Final Round voting concludes TODAY at 11:59PM!

Don't forget to pick up your Elgin "Eat 16" punch card at any participating Downtown Madness venue. Visit all 16 establishments and receive punches for trying each "signature dish" in the bracket. Collect all 16 punches to claim your Downtown Madness t-shirt and a chance to score even bigger prizes - including gift certificates and other great prizes! To qualify, return your completed punch card ticket to DNA, 2 Douglas Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120 by no later than April 4.

Downtown Madness Score Central Update - April 1

The calendar may say April 1 but there's no fooling our Downtown Madness voters - the Madness is in full fledge! The second half of the Downtown Madness Championship Round of voting is just getting started and we have yet another change atop our back-and-forth leaderboard.

Here are the Downtown Madness voting results thru Sunday, April 1 at 11:00AM:

Danny's Pizza Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza leads Elgin Public House Turkey Avocado BLT by 13.

The shot clock is winding down! Join the Madness NOW! Don't fumble away your chance to help your team claim the title! Get in the game and help determine the winner in the battle for Elgin epicurean bragging rights. CHOOSE THE CHAMPION NOW!

Final Round voting concludes Monday, April 2 at 11:59PM!

Don't forget to pick up your Elgin "Eat 16" punch card at any participating Downtown Madness venue. Visit all 16 establishments and receive punches for trying each "signature dish" in the bracket. Collect all 16 punches to claim your Downtown Madness t-shirt and a chance to score even bigger prizes - including gift certificates and other great prizes! To qualify, return your completed punch card ticket to DNA, 2 Douglas Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120 by no later than April 4.