Want the scoop on Austin's most happening local spots?
We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to discover which local businesses have been getting outsized attention this month.
To find out who made the list, we looked at Austin 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 increased their volume of reviews to identify statistically significant outliers compared to past performance.
Read on to see which spots are getting plenty of attention this summer.
Me So Poke
This sushi bar, which offers poke, acai bowls and more, is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Sushi Bars" on Yelp.
Citywide, sushi bars saw a median 3.1 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, but Me So Poke saw a 66.7 percent increase, maintaining a sound 4.5-star rating throughout.
It's not the only trending outlier in the sushi bar category: Miyako Yakitori & Sushi has seen a 61.9 percent increase in reviews, and Sweet Chive has seen a 21.1 percent bump.
Located at 1700 W. Parmer Lane, Suite #240, Me So Poke offers a variety of poke bowls and more.
Joann’s Fine Foods
Whether or not you've been hearing buzz about Joann’s Fine Foods, the diner and breakfast and brunch and Tex-Mex spot is a hot topic according to Yelp review data.
While businesses categorized as "Tex-Mex" on Yelp saw a median 1.8 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, Joann’s Fine Foods bagged a 16.4 percent increase in new reviews within that timeframe, maintaining a sound four-star rating.
Open at 1224 S. Congress Ave. since 2018, Joann’s Fine Foods offer tacos and more.
Bird Bird Biscuit
Rosewood's Bird Bird Biscuit is also making waves. Open since 2018 at 2701 Manor Road, the popular breakfast and brunch spot, which offers sandwiches and more, has seen an 11.2 percent bump in new reviews over the last month, compared to a median review increase of 2 percent for all businesses tagged "Sandwiches" on Yelp.
Bird Bird Biscuit offers comfort food including biscuits and more. Over the past month, it's maintained a convincing 4.5-star rating among Yelpers.
Gabriela's Downtown
Gabriela's Downtown is the city's buzziest Mexican spot by the numbers.
The well-established cocktail bar and Mexican spot, which is located at 900 E. Seventh St., increased its new review count by 10.4 percent over the past month, an outlier when compared to the median new review count of 2.2 percent for the Yelp category "Mexican."
Gabriela's Downtown offers tacos, corn tortillas, cocktails and more. It has four stars on Yelp.
Picnik
Brentwood's well-established Picnik is currently on the upswing in the breakfast and brunch category on Yelp.
While businesses categorized as "Breakfast & Brunch" on Yelp saw a median 2.6 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, this New American, gluten-free and breakfast and brunch spot increased its new reviews by 5.1 percent—and kept its rating consistent at 4.5 stars. Review counts increased by more than 620 percent on a month-to-month basis.
Open for business at 4801 Burnet Road since 2013, the business offers gluten-free fare, butter coffee drinks 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.
