Top 10 Referring Chicago Blogs, Q1 2011

Many many moons ago, I arrived at university with all intents of studying math. I like math. Statistics in particular. Two semesters later, and I switched to English Lit. But that still didn’t cure my love for numbers. I was the only English Lit major taking every stats class I could.

All bloggers love their stats. But me in particularly so. I use Google Analytics, StatCounter, and Sitemeter. Because you know…three stats packages isn’t enough. Wait — make that four — because Wordpress comes with its own stats. Sheesh.

I thought it would be fun to take a look at the 10 blogs in Chicago that have brought me the most traffic so far in 2011. Here they are. And here’s hoping they introduce you to a new blog or three.

1. Restaurant City: S includes big bold photos on her Chicago restaurant blog, which just turned 1 in February.
2. Chicago Bites: Possibly the original Chicago restaurant blog? Blogging since 2006. Chicago Bites has a clean and crisp layout, and Tammy takes awesome photos of everywhere she’s been.
3. Chicago Fare: George and Kate are a married couple who managed to get a booking at Schwa. One of these days, I’ll get around to dialing for dollars all afternoon long, in the hopes the dudes at Schwa pick up.
4. BYO Bandits:  Possibly my favorite Chicago restaurant blog, if I’m allowed to play favorites. These guys go to some random places and there always seems to be a lot of liquor involved. They also wear masks, which is frightening. I knew immediately that at least one of them had to be a graphic designer. Slick stuff.
5. Chicago Alphabet Soup: Gino was on the other side of the world recently–in Doha, Qatar. Just like me! (Not that I was in Doha. I was in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait.)
6. Jeff Eats Chicago: Jeff holds the title of the #1 Chicago restaurant blog on Urbanspoon. I will be honest and say I totally am reaching for that crown. Watch out, Jeff!
7. Let’s Go Ride a Bike: Not a restaurant blog, but a great blog about biking and fashion (sort of) and Chicago.  A definite daily read for me.
8. Chicago Foodies:  They had a much better experience at Fish Bar than I did. It’s almost like we were in alternate universes.
9. I Like to Eat:  My new neighbor! I’m waiting for the day I run into Jeff in a restaurant because we seem to hit the same places within a week or two of each other. Very odd.
10. Broke Wino: Sam writes a great blog about wine and Chicago, but he’s been mysteriously absent as of late! Come back, Sam!

Thanks everyone for welcoming me back to Chicago. Looking forward to seeing everyone sometime soon!

Krista