Want the scoop on Chicago's most happening local spots?
We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to analyze which eateries 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 the 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 riding a trend this summer.
Luna Empanada Shop
Open since February, this Colombian spot, which offers sandwiches, empanadas and more, is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Sandwiches" on Yelp.
Citywide, sandwich spots saw a median 2% increase in new reviews over the past month, but Luna Empanada Shop saw a 28.9% increase, maintaining a superior 4.5-star rating throughout. Moreover, on a month-to-month basis, Luna Empanada Shop's review count increased by more than 320%.
Located at 6011 W. Irving Park Road (between Mc Vicker and Austin avenues) in Portage Park, Luna Empanada Shop offers Latin-inspired sandwiches like the Havana, with mojo-braised pork shoulder, ham, Swiss cheese, diced pickles and mustard pressed on French bread. Gluten-free arepas and empanadas, maduros (fried plantains) and yuca fries are also among the choices.
Barton G. The Restaurant
The Near North's Barton G. The Restaurant is also making waves. Open since February at 415 N. Dearborn St., the steakhouse and New American spot, which offers seafood and more, has seen a 16.2% bump in new reviews over the last month, compared to a median review increase of 1.4% for all businesses tagged "Steakhouses" on Yelp.
Barton G. The Restaurant offers popular meat dishes like slow-cooked short rib (cooked in red wine and paired with mashed potatoes, carrots and mixed mushrooms), an 8-ounce Waygu filet mignon from Snake River Farm and a 32-ounce Creek Stone Farm Tomahawk filet.
Over the past month, it's maintained a mixed 3.5-star rating among Yelpers.
The River Kitchen and Bar
Lakeview's The River Kitchen and Bar is the city's buzziest New American spot by the numbers.
The New American spot and sports bar, which has been open at 2909 N. Sheffield Ave. (between Oakdale Avenue and George Street) since July 2018, increased its new review count by 15.9% over the past month, an outlier when compared to the median new review count of 2.3% for the Yelp category "American (New)." It outperformed the previous month by gaining 2.5 times more reviews than expected based on past performance. Yelpers currently give the spot a mixed 3.5-star rating.
It's not the only trending outlier in the New American category: Parson's Chicken & Fish has seen a 23.8% increase in reviews, and Hampton Social has seen a 19.7% bump.
Appetizers, tacos and flatbreads are included in The River Kitchen and Bar's plentiful menu offerings. Look for the drag brunch on Sundays featuring avocado toast, blueberry ricotta pancakes, mimosas and bloody marys.
Machine: Engineered Dining & Drink
Open since March, this breakfast and brunch spot and cocktail bar, which features New American cuisine, is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Breakfast & Brunch" on Yelp.
Citywide, businesses tagged "Breakfast & Brunch" saw a median 2% increase in new reviews over the past month, but Machine: Engineered Dining & Drink witnessed a 22.1% increase, maintaining a mixed 3.5-star rating throughout.
Located at 1846 W. Division St. (between Marion Court and Wolcott Avenue) in Wicker Park, Machine: Engineered Dining & Drink's popular brunch items include pancakes (served with blueberry compote, lemon curd and pork sausage), French toast, shrimp and grits and vegetarian chili.
Rojo Gusano
Is South East Ravenswood's Rojo Gusano on your radar? According to Yelp review data, the Mexican and Latin American spot is seeing plenty of action.
While businesses categorized as "Mexican" on Yelp increased their media new review count by 2.4% over the past month, Rojo Gusano nabbed an 11% increase in reviews within that timeframe, maintaining a mixed 3.5-star rating.
Located at 4217 N. Ravenswood Ave. (between Cullom and Berteau avenues.), Rojo Gusano offers ceviche, empanadas, tacos and desserts, plus mezcal, bourbon and tequila cocktails as part of its beverage menu.
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.
