ROGERS PARK — So what will it be, mac-and-cheese pizza or a Cajun-style turkey sandwich smothered in coleslaw?
Two of Loyola University students' favorite restaurants face off this week in the finals of Munch Madness, a competition played out on smart phones by checking in to neighborhood eateries.
Felice's Roman Style Pizza and Around the World Gourmet Sandwiches beat out other restaurants, including MorseL and the Act One Pub, to make it to the finals.
The competition is heating up.
“I’d like to win," said Around the World owner Dimitri Poulos — but his opponent, just across the street, has a big following.
"I'll tell you this much, I have full faith in our student base," said Loyola junior Vincenzo Stosito, the president of Felice's operations, which is a university-owned business wholly run by students. "I think they’re going to pull through for us at the end."
Munch Madness was dreamed up by the Rogers Park Business Alliance as a way to get more people to use their smart phone app, called RogersPerk.
The app is essentially a business directory that allows merchants to include digital punch cards and special deals, said Carolina Juarez, the alliance's office administrator.
Customers can check in at different locations.
She said the two finalists have seen "sky-rocketing" check-ins since the competition began.
The establishment with the most check-ins by Friday wins the inaugural, bracket-style competition that began in the middle of March.
"Whoever wins," said 38-year-old Poulos, "at least we’re working with the community."
