Want the scoop on Chicago's most happening local spots?
We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to deduce which eateries have been getting a noteworthy increase in attention 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 have the momentum heading into back-to-school season.
Ava's Italian Ice
Open since April 2018, this Italian and gluten-free spot, which offers shaved ice and more, is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Italian" on Yelp.
Citywide, Italian spots saw a median 1.8% increase in new reviews over the past month, but Ava's Italian Ice saw a 17.3% increase, maintaining a sterling five-star rating throughout. Moreover, on a month-to-month basis Ava's Italian Ice's review count increased by more than 700%.
It's not the only trending outlier in the Italian category: Lou Malnati's Pizzeria has seen a 7.9% increase in reviews.
Located at 1814 N. Western Ave. (between Moffat Street and Bloomingdale Avenue) in Logan Square, Ava's Italian Ice offers flavors like mango, lemon and strawberry.
Dakota 94
Whether or not you've been hearing buzz about Edgebrook's Dakota 94, the New American and breakfast and brunch spot, which offers burgers and more, is a hot topic according to Yelp review data.
While businesses categorized as "Breakfast & Brunch" on Yelp saw a median 2% increase in new reviews over the past month, Dakota 94 bagged a 28.6% increase in new reviews within that timeframe, maintaining a healthy four-star rating.
There's more that's trending on Chicago's breakfast and brunch scene: Cira has seen a 26.9% increase in reviews, and Casati's Pizza Vino and Bacon and Jam have seen 14.1 and 10% increases, respectively.
Open at 5304 W. Devon Ave. (between Minnehaha and Spokane avenues) since May, Dakota 94 offers nachos, salads and fish and chips.
Tiny Tapp & Cafe
The Loop's Tiny Tapp & Cafe is the city's buzziest bar by the numbers.
The cafe, bar and New American spot, which opened at 55 W. Riverwalk South in June 2016, increased its new review count by 9.9% over the past month, an outlier when compared to the median new review count of 2% for the Yelp category "Bars." It outperformed the previous month by gaining four times more reviews than expected based on past performance.
Tiny Tapp & Cafe offers sliders, sandwiches and beer.
Carson's
Streeterville's Carson's is currently on the upswing in the steakhouse category on Yelp.
While businesses categorized as "Steakhouses" on Yelp saw a median 1.3% increase in new reviews over the past month, this steakhouse and traditional American spot, which offers barbecue and more, increased its new reviews by 7.6% — and kept its rating consistent at four stars.
Open for business at 465 E. Illinois St. (between McClurg and Peshtigo courts) since March 2018, the business offers ribs, salads and burgers.
Beatnik On The River
Open since July 2018, this cocktail bar and New American spot is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "American (New)" on Yelp.
Citywide, businesses tagged "American (New)" saw a median 2.5% increase in new reviews over the past month, but Beatnik On The River saw a 23.8% increase, maintaining a mixed 3.5-star rating throughout. It gained 0.4 times more reviews than expected based on past performance, significantly outperforming the previous month.
Located at 180 N. Upper Wacker Drive in the Loop, Beatnik On The River offers chicken and waffles, sandwiches and hummus.
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.
