Restaurant Wars: February

It’s tough to run a restaurant these days, but not for everyone. Through economic woes and fickle food trends, some eateries remain in high demand–at least on the Internet. Each month, we’ll give you a rundown of the ten most-viewed restaurants on CenterstageChicago.com, along with Twitter-friendly commentary on possible reasons for each spot’s strength. Will your favorite make the list? Read on to find out.

1. Silver Palm

Anthony Bourdain called this train-car restaurant’s Three Little Piggies the “best sandwich in the country.” Worth an investigation, no?

2. Sweet Mandy B’s

This one’s always popular ’round these parts. Guess mini-cheesecakes and banana pudding cups never go out of style.

3. Burt’s Place

“No Reservations” strikes again.Anytime you can get a New York chef (Bourdain) to enjoy a deep-dish slice, you deserve some attention.

4. Ed Debevic’s

What can we say? People love intentionally rude service and classic American food.

5. Bongo Room (South Loop)

Because nothing cures the condo blues like a heaping pile of pancakes topped with cookies, chocolate and frosting.

6. Butterfly Sushi Bar & Thai Cuisine (West Town)

Just because the economy’s in a rut, it doesn’t mean sushi cravings disappear. Thank god for BYOBs.

7. Grand Lux Cafe

The wild mushroom “burger” is so good, even folks who hate unnecessary quotation marks can’t resist.

8. Table Fifty-Two

When the First Couple chooses your restaurant to celebrate Valentine’s Day, yeah, you’re gonna get a bump.

9. Hamada of Japan

Spring training has begun…and we’ve got Fukudome on our minds.

10. Art of Pizza

The best antidote to Punxsutawney Phil’s grim projection? A huge, cheesy slice of comfort.