Want the dirt on Chicago's most happening local spots?
We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to discover which restaurants have been on the tips of diners' tongues this month.
To find out who made the list, we looked at Chicago 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 have the momentum heading into summer.
Stone Fox
Open since March, this cocktail bar, which offers burgers, pizza and more, is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Burgers" on Yelp.
Citywide, burger spots saw a median 2.4 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, but Stone Fox saw a 38.2 percent increase, with a slight upward trend from a 3.5-star rating a month ago to four stars today.
Located at 5721 N. Clark St. (between Edgewater and Hollywood avenues) in Edgewater, Stone Fox offers wood-grilled wings, carrot masala, vegetable fritters and more.
La Mejikana
Whether or not you've been hearing buzz about the Heart Of Chicago's La Mejikana, the bar and Mexican and New Mexican spot is a hot topic according to Yelp review data.
While businesses categorized as "Mexican" on Yelp saw a median 1.5 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, La Mejikana bagged a 28.1 percent increase in new reviews within that timeframe, maintaining a superior 4.5-star rating. It significantly outperformed the previous month by gaining 1.8 times more reviews than expected based on its past performance.
Open at 1820 S. Ashland since 2018, La Mejikana offers Mexican-inspired cuisine, including carne asada taquitos, spicy prawns, queso fundido and more.
Parson's Chicken & Fish
Parson's Chicken & Fish is also making waves. Open since 2018 at 2439 N. Halsted St. (between Lincoln and Fullerton avenues), the bar and New American spot has seen a 27.3 percent bump in new reviews over the last month, compared to a median review increase of 1.9 percent for all businesses tagged "American (New)" on Yelp.
Parson's Chicken & Fish offers fried chicken, fish fry, chicken and waffles, hush puppies and more. Over the past month, it's maintained a mixed 3.5-star rating among Yelpers.
No Bones Beach Club
Open since 2018, this bar and traditional American and vegan spot is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "American (Traditional)" on Yelp.
Citywide, businesses tagged "American (Traditional)" saw a median 1.5 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, but No Bones Beach Club saw a 15.9 percent increase, maintaining a sound four-star rating throughout.
Located at 1943 W. North Ave. (between Milwaukee and Damen avenues) in Wicker Park, No Bones Beach Club offers a vegan menu with items like the panko-breaded tempeh, the baby kale Caesar salad, the stuffed poblano pepper and more.
Square Biscuits
Is North Center's Square Biscuits on your radar? According to Yelp review data, the breakfast and brunch spot is getting plenty of attention.
While businesses categorized as "Breakfast & Brunch" on Yelp increased their media new review count by 2 percent over the past month, Square Biscuits nabbed a 12.5 percent increase in reviews within that timeframe, maintaining a sound 4.5-star rating.
Located at 4160 N. Lincoln Ave. (between Berteau and Warner avenues.), Square Biscuits offers omelets, biscuits and gravy, pancakes 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.
