Food trends come and go. So how can you tell which tastes are trending right now?
We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to deduce 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 increased their volume of reviews to identify statistically significant outliers compared to past performance.
Read on to see which spots are extra hot this winter.
Lips
Open since August, this bar and traditional American and cabaret spot is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "American (Traditional)" on Yelp.
Citywide, traditional American spots saw a median 1.2% increase in new reviews over the past month, but Lips saw a 28.6% increase, maintaining a convincing four-star rating throughout.
Curious about this business? We found this in its Yelp history section: "Lips started as a small drag restaurant in the West Village of NYC. The restaurant has grown over the years and today Miss Yvonne Lame rules over her 'drag empire' with show palaces from coast to coast. Today Lips has show palaces in New York, Georgia, Florida, California and Chicago Dinner with The Divas, Twisted Broadway, Dragalicious Gospel Brunch, Glitz and Glamour, Superstar Sundays and Taboo - The Dirty Show are just a few of the many shows that grace the Lips stages nightly. So join the ladies for a fabulous night of food, drink and laughter at Lips — The Ultimate in Drag Dining!"
In terms of specialties, "Lips is Chicago's ultimate in drag dining. The only true LaCage experience in the Windy City. Dinner, drinks and fabulous drag shows. The best place to celebrate everything. Chicago's #1 drag shows. Drag show palaces from coast to coast for over 25 years!" — that's according to its Yelp page.
It's not the only trending outlier in the traditional American category: Wahlburgers has seen an 8.6% increase in reviews.
Located at 2229 S. Michigan Ave. (between Cermak Road and 23rd Street), Lips offers cocktails, salads and pasta.
Lips is open from 7–11 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 6 p.m.–midnight on Friday, 6 p.m.–2 a.m. on Saturday and noon–11 p.m. on Sunday. (It's closed on Monday and Tuesday.)
Café Cancale
Whether or not you've been hearing buzz about Wicker Park's Café Cancale, the French spot, which offers seafood and more, is a hot topic according to Yelp review data.
While businesses categorized as "Seafood" on Yelp saw a median 1.2% increase in new reviews over the past month, Café Cancale bagged a 17.5% increase in new reviews within that time frame, maintaining a mixed 3.5-star rating. It significantly outperformed the previous month by gaining 2 times more reviews than expected based on its past performance.
What does this business focus on? "An urban escape set in the center of Wicker Park's historic neighborhood, Café Cancale presents an elevated hospitality experience that allows guests to be whisked away to the quiet, serene French coastal town of Cancale." — that's according to its page on Yelp.
Open at 1576 N. Milwaukee Ave. (between Damen and North avenues) since May, Café Cancale offers scallops, steak frites and beef tartare.
Café Cancale is open from 4 p.m.–10 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m.–10:30 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.–10:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.–9 p.m. on Sunday.
Shinya Ramen House
Bridgeport's Shinya Ramen House is also making waves. Open since August 2018, at 3240 S. Halsted St. (between 33rd and 32nd streets), the cocktail bar and izakaya, which offers ramen and more, has seen a 9.6% bump in new reviews over the last month, compared to a median review increase of 1.6% for all businesses tagged "Ramen" on Yelp. Moreover, on a month-to-month basis Shinya Ramen House's review count increased by more than 170%.
Curious about this business? We found this in its Yelp history section: "The authentic Japanese restaurant named Shinya Ramen was built in 2018. We not only serve ramen but also authentic snacks, grilled food and rice bowls. We also serve cocktails and beers."
Shinya Ramen House offers shrimp tempura, grilled mushrooms and sausages. Over the past month, it's maintained a superior four-star rating among Yelpers.
Shinya Ramen House is open from 5 p.m.–2 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m.–2 a.m. on weekends.
Amaru
Bucktown's Amaru is the city's buzziest cocktail bar by the numbers.
The well-established cocktail bar and Latin American and Caribbean spot, which opened at 1904 W. N Ave. in July , increased its new review count by 20.4% over the past month, an outlier when compared to the median new review count of 2.3% for the Yelp category "Cocktail Bars."
Curious about this business? We found this in its Yelp history section: "Amaru represents the revolutionary spirit of a people defending themselves and their culture from oppression. At Amaru, we are proud to showcase our Hispanic American roots with a tour of the eclectic avors and ingredients that encompass who we are: Latin, Caribbean and American. We invite you to share our love of food, hospitality and culture. This is our American dream."
What's the business known for? "Pan Latin eats and cocktails. Food and drinks influenced by Central and South America and the Caribbean." — that's courtesy of its Yelp page.
Amaru offers ceviche, octopus and gnocchi.
Amaru is open from 5–11 p.m. on Tuesday-Thursday, 5 p.m.–midnight on Friday, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.–midnight on Saturday and 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–9 p.m. on Sunday. (It's closed on Monday.)
AceBounce
The Loop's popular AceBounce is currently on the upswing in the New American category on Yelp.
While businesses categorized as "American (New)" on Yelp saw a median 1.3% increase in new reviews over the past month, this cocktail bar, venues and event space and New American spot increased its new reviews by 5% — with its Yelp rating declining slightly from 4.5 stars to four stars. Review counts increased by more than 370% on a month-to-month basis.
Here's more about the business, from its history section on Yelp: "AceBounce was born out of a need to cater to groups looking for a great experience without compromising on quality. Since 2012, the AceBounce concept has been widely regarded by the industry as a game-changer in social entertainment venues, combining three elements of hospitality: bar, restaurant and entertainment activity — all set against stunning design and the highest standard of finishes. AceBounce is an immense ping pong playground with award-winning chefs and mixologists, creating an unprecedented party experience."
Open for business at 230 N. Clark St. (between Haddock Place and Wacker Drive) since June 2016, AceBounce offers cheese sticks, fried mushrooms and pizza.
AceBounce is open from noon–midnight on Monday-Thursday, noon–1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon–11 p.m. on Sunday.
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.
