Want the intel on Chicago's buzziest local spots?
We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to deduce which local businesses have been in the spotlight 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 increased their volume of reviews to identify statistically significant outliers compared to past performance.
Read on to see which spots are worth exploring this summer.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Open since April, this ice cream and frozen yogurt spot, which offers desserts and more, is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Desserts" on Yelp.
Citywide, dessert spots saw a median 2.1 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, but Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams saw a 57.1 percent increase, maintaining a superior 4.5-star rating throughout. Moreover, on a month-to-month basis Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams's review count increased by more than 150 percent.
Located at 908 W. Randolph St. (between Sangamon and Peoria streets) in West Loop, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams offers ice cream pints, waffle cones or bowls.
Shawarma Stop
Whether or not you've been hearing buzz about Lakeview's Shawarma Stop, the Mediterranean spot is a hot topic according to Yelp review data.
While businesses categorized as "Mediterranean" on Yelp saw a median 2.1 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, Shawarma Stop bagged a 31 percent increase in new reviews within that timeframe, maintaining a solid 4.5-star rating. It significantly outperformed the previous month by gaining 2.6 times more reviews than expected based on its past performance.
Open at 947 W. Wellington Ave. (between Wilton and Sheffield avenues) since 2018, Shawarma Stop offers a falafel bowls, kebab wraps, cheese rolls and more.
Wahlburgers
The Near North's Wahlburgers is also making waves. Open since April at 2 E. Ontario St. (between Wabash Avenue and State Street), the traditional American spot, which offers burgers and more, has seen a 34.6 percent bump in new reviews over the last month, compared to a median review increase of 2 percent for all businesses tagged "American (Traditional)" on Yelp.
Wahlburgers offers burgers, sandwiches, salads, kids meals and more. Over the past month, it's maintained a 2.5-star rating among Yelpers.
VU Rooftop Bar
VU Rooftop Bar is the city's buzziest New American spot by the numbers.
The lounge and New American spot, which offers tapas and more and opened at 133 E. Cermak Road, Floor 22 (between Michigan and Cottage Grove avenues) in 2018, increased its new review count by 25.6 percent over the past month, an outlier when compared to the median new review count of 2.2 percent for the Yelp category "American (New)."
It's not the only trending outlier in the New American category: The River Kitchen and Bar has seen a 18.3 percent increase in reviews.
VU Rooftop Bar offers seafood, fried chicken and waffles, duck tacos with black beans and salsa verde and more.
L'Ours Bakery Cafe
University Village - Little Italy's L'Ours Bakery Cafe is currently on the upswing in the coffee and tea category on Yelp.
While businesses categorized as "Coffee & Tea" on Yelp saw a median 2.4 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, this cafe, bakery and coffee and tea spot increased its new reviews by 30 percent—and kept its rating consistent at 4.5 stars. Review counts increased by more than 190 percent on a month-to-month basis.
Open for business at 1424 W. Taylor St. (between Loomis and Bishop streets) since 2018, the business offers chai tea, matcha tiramisu, chocolate cake and more.
Big Boss Spicy Fried Chicken
Open since January, this chicken shop, which offers sandwiches, chicken wings and more, is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Sandwiches" on Yelp.
Citywide, businesses tagged "Sandwiches" saw a median 2.4 percent increase in new reviews over the past month, but Big Boss Spicy Fried Chicken saw a 37.5 percent increase, maintaining a healthy four-star rating throughout. It gained 2.6 times more reviews than expected based on past performance, significantly outperforming the previous month.
Located at 2520 S. Halsted St. (between Archer Avenue and I-55) in Bridgeport, Big Boss Spicy Fried Chicken offers fried chicken with bread and pickles, a boneless chicken sandwich with coleslaw, salads and soups.
Que Onda Mexican Restaurant
Is Edison Park's Que Onda Mexican Restaurant on your radar? According to Yelp review data, the cocktail bar and New Mexican spot, which offers tacos and more, is seeing plenty of action.
While businesses categorized as "Cocktail Bars" on Yelp increased their media new review count by 3.1 percent over the past month, Que Onda Mexican Restaurant nabbed a 40.6 percent increase in reviews within that timeframe, maintaining a superior four-star rating.
Located at 6701 N. Northwest Highway (between Oshkosh and Oliphant avenues), Que Onda Mexican Restaurant offers tacos, guacamole, Mexican salads, quesadillas 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.
