RIVER NORTH — She’s a “hero.” She’s “doing the Lord’s work.” She’s “our savior during these dark times.”
Meet Dani Valverde, a 23-year-old consultant in River North who used her statistics degree from the University of Chicago to create a viral spreadsheet for Chicago Restaurant Week 2024. Her spreadsheet explores and ranks over 500 meal deals, answering the burning question of whether these deals are actually worth it.
Valverde's passion for numbers and her curiosity about the value of Restaurant Week drove her to dive deep into the details. Spending about 35 hours during the week between Christmas and New Year’s, she meticulously searched each restaurant and its menus, manually inputting all the information into the spreadsheet. She even considered factors like meatless options and included details such as neighborhood, cuisine type, and allergens.
The result? A comprehensive tool that ranks the top 10 brunch, lunch, and dinner deals in various price ranges, as well as a full list of participating restaurants. Some of the standout deals include brunch at Andros Taverna in Logan Square, lunch at STK in River North, dinner at Mercadito in River North, and dinner at Nia in the West Loop.
The response to Valverde's spreadsheet has been overwhelmingly positive, with Reddit users hailing her as a hero and thanking her for her public service to the food-loving city. Valverde's initial intention was simply to share the spreadsheet and see what would happen. Little did she know that her work would garner such appreciation and recognition.
An assortment of dishes at Andros Taverna. The Logan Square restaurant offers one of the better Chicago Restaurant Week deals, according to Reddit user Dani Valverde’s calculations. Credit: Facebook/Andros Taverna
Valverde's love for data extends beyond Restaurant Week. She created a separate spreadsheet to track her visits to different restaurants and bars, noting what she ordered and the overall vibe of each place. This passion for data and her fascination with the nuances of Chicago food culture are what motivated her to undertake this project.
While Valverde's spreadsheet provides valuable insights, she acknowledges the limitations of her research. Factors like changes in menu items and pricing, fluctuations in the price of ingredients, and unknown portion sizes make it challenging to compare deals between years. Dessert prices, in particular, proved elusive, forcing Valverde to assign arbitrary numbers for calculations.
So, are Restaurant Week deals worth it? Valverde suggests that the answer depends on the goals of both restaurants and diners. Is it about saving money and getting the most food possible? Or is it about attracting new customers and supporting restaurants during the slower winter season? Ultimately, it's up to each individual to decide.
Valverde's personal goal for Restaurant Week is to explore a variety of cuisines and try different dishes from various places. Her shortlist includes Ella Elli in Lakeview, India House in River North, Saba Italian Bar + Kitchen in Logan Square, and Frasca Pizzeria + Wine Bar in Lakeview. Unfortunately, her first choice, BOKA Restaurant in Lincoln Park, is already fully booked.
As for the future of the spreadsheet, Valverde is undecided. She plans to "wait and see" before committing to another year of extensive research. For now, she is content knowing that her skills and interests have made a positive impact on the city, even if it has brought her unexpected recognition.
So, if you're planning to indulge in Chicago Restaurant Week, don't forget to consult Dani Valverde's spreadsheet for the best deals. Let her expertise guide you to an unforgettable culinary experience.
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast to learn more about the Chicago food scene and Restaurant Week.
