Want the intel on Phoenix's most talked-about local spots?
We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to deduce which restaurants have been in the spotlight this month.
To find out who made the list, we looked at Phoenix businesses on Yelp by category and counted how many reviews each received. Rather than compare them based on number of reviews alone, we calculated a percentage increase in reviews over the past month.
Read on to see which spots are riding a trend, right now.
Giordano's
Open since September, this Italian spot, which offers pizza, salads and more, is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Pizza" on Yelp.
Citywide, pizza spots saw review counts increase by a median of 1.6 percent over the past month, but Giordano's saw a 45.8 percent increase, maintaining a mixed 3.5-star rating throughout.
It's not the only trending outlier in the pizza category: Pieology Pizzeria has seen a 13.9 percent increase in reviews, and Pubblico Italian Eatery has seen a 10.2 percent bump.
Located at 12811 N. Tatum Blvd. in Paradise Valley, Giordano's offers Italian dishes like Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, pasta and salads.
The Hatter and Hare
The Alice in Wonderland-themed The Hatter and Hare is also making waves. Open since July at 6101 N. Seventh St., the bar and New American spot has seen a 20.5 percent bump in reviews over the last month, compared to a median review increase of 1.9 percent for all businesses tagged "American (New)" on Yelp.
There's more than one hot spot trending in Phoenix's New American category: Pita Jungle has seen a 5.8 percent increase in reviews.
The Hatter and Hare offers New American fare like sandwiches, salads and bar snacks. Try the Walrus sandwich with pork belly, havarti, pickle, mustard and aioli. Over the past month, it's maintained a mixed three-star rating among Yelpers.
TEASPRESSA | Arcadia
Camelback East's TEASPRESSA | Arcadia is currently on the upswing in the coffee and tea category on Yelp.
While businesses categorized as "Coffee & Tea" on Yelp increased review counts by a median of 3.1 percent over the past month, this coffee and tea spot increased its count by 19 percent — and kept its rating consistent at 4.5 stars.
Open for business since March at 4628 E. Indian School Road, the shop offers a variety of teas, sugar cubes and special "Elixir" drops that can be added to drinks as a sweetener or enhancer.
Camp Social
This popular bar and traditional American spot, which debuted in June, is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "American (Traditional)" on Yelp.
Citywide, businesses tagged "American (Traditional)" saw review counts increase by a median of 3.2 percent over the past month, but Camp Social saw a 6.4 percent increase, maintaining a mixed 3.5-star rating throughout.
Located at 6107 Seventh St. in Camelback East, Camp Social offers traditional American dishes like burgers, pizza and sandwiches. Try the Everglade pizza with alligator sausage, cheese, housemade tomato sauce, garlic, hot peppers, parsley and Parmesan. Camp Social also serves a variety of cocktails, beers and wine.
