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.

The Latest
“In terms of that, it kind of just is what it is right now,” Crochet said pregame. “I’m focused on pitching for the White Sox, and beyond that, I’m not really controlling much.”
Sneed is told President Joe Biden was actually warned a year and a half ago by a top top Dem pollster that his re-election was in the doghouse with young voters. Gov. J.B. Pritzker was being urged to run in a primary in case Biden pulled the plug.
Taking away guns from people served with domestic violence orders of protection would be a lot of work. “There aren’t enough sworn officers to carry out what’s being asked here,” Pritzker said.
Previously struggling to keep its doors open, the Buena Park establishment received a boost from the popular TikToker.
Bagent also said the negative publicity about teammate Caleb Williams leading to the draft has turned out to be “completely false.”