Want the inside word on San Diego's most happening local spots?
We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to uncover which local businesses have been getting outsized attention this month.
To find out who made the list, we looked at San Diego 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, and tracked businesses that consistently increase their volume of reviews to identify statistically significant outliers compared to past performance.
Read on to see which spots are getting plenty of attention, right now.
Shrimp Heads
This Cajun/Creole spot, which offers seafood and more, is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Seafood" on Yelp.
Citywide, seafood spots saw a median 1.4 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, but Shrimp Heads saw a substantial 217.8 percent increase, with a slight upward trend from a four-star rating a month ago to 4.5 stars today.
It's not the only trending outlier in the seafood category: Machu Picchu Bar & Restaurant has seen a 51.1 percent increase in reviews.
Located at 2832 El Cajon Blvd. (between Utah and Idaho streets) in North Park, Shrimp Heads offers butterfly shrimp, chicken tenders, spicy pork chops, fried catfish, hot wings, shrimp poppers and more. Diners can build their own seafood boil.
Javier's La Jolla
Whether or not you've been hearing buzz about University City's Javier's La Jolla, the bar and Mexican spot is a hot topic according to Yelp review data.
While businesses categorized as "Bars" on Yelp saw a median 1.6 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, Javier's La Jolla bagged a 100 percent increase in new reviews within that timeframe, maintaining a healthy four-star rating.
Open at 4301 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 1000, Javier's La Jolla offers an extensive selection of tequila and hand-shaken margaritas, as well as wines by the glass and by the bottle, single malt scotch whiskey and martinis.
Sugar Factory American Brasserie
The Gaslamp's Sugar Factory American Brasserie is also making waves. Open at 701 Fifth Ave., the traditional American spot has seen a 91.3 percent bump in new reviews over the last month, compared to a median review increase of 1.6 percent for all businesses tagged "American (Traditional)" on Yelp. Moreover, on a month-to-month basis Sugar Factory American Brasserie's review count increased by more than 190 percent.
Sugar Factory American Brasserie offers appetizers such as housemade guacamole, fried macaroni and cheese pops, meatballs and Sugar Factory rainbow sliders on colorful buns; salads; sandwiches; eight-ounce "monster" hamburgers; pasta; and entrees like chicken and waffles and New York strip steak frites. Over the past month, it's maintained a healthy four-star rating among Yelpers.
Farmer's Table Little Italy
Little Italy's Farmer's Table Little Italy - San Diego is the city's buzziest New American spot by the numbers.
The New American spot, which opened at 550 W. Date St., Suite A (between India and Columbia streets), increased its new review count by a massive 105 percent over the past month, an outlier when compared to the median new review count of 1.5 percent for the Yelp category "American (New)."
Farmer's Table Little Italy - San Diego offers duck wings, heirloom tomato burrata, bison tartare, charcuterie, duck liver pate jar, pear ricotta bruschetta, burnt carrots salad, smoked salmon pizza, ratatouille risotto and black and white tagliolini.
Parakeet Cafe
Little Italy's Parakeet Cafe is currently on the upswing in the cafe category on Yelp.
While businesses categorized as "Cafes" on Yelp saw a median 1.9 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, this cafe and breakfast and brunch spot, which offers coffee and tea and more, increased its by 62.8 percent—with its Yelp rating declining slightly from five stars to 4.5 stars.
Open for business at 1680 India St., the business offers specialty coffee, signature tea drinks, adaptogenic herb drinks, nitro cold brew and kombucha. For eats, the all-day menu serves overnight oats, chilaquiles, matcha waffle, avocado toast, grilled vegetable bowl, roasted kabocha squash soup and more.
This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
