Google predicts how busy Chicago restaurants and bars will be

We've all been there—you wait upwards of an hour for a table, but as soon as you get seated, the restaurant clears out. When's the best time to visit a restaurant if you can't deal with waiting?

Recently, Google started charting how popular restaurants and bars are at a given time, using location history data (it's only on mobile for now). Wondering when the best time is to snag a table on the Big Star patio or other very popular bars and restaurants? Keep reading.

Lost Lake

It feels like there's always a line at Lost Lake, but later on Saturday might not be a bad time to try—the bar is open until 3am, so pop in for a tiki nightcap and snag seats at the bar.

The Angry Crab

Angry Crab is the hottest table in town, but it turns out there are some better weekend times to go—right when they open at 1pm or for the last hour before they close at 10.

Parson's Chicken & Fish

There's no better spot in Chicago to post up on a sunny afternoon than Parson's Chicken & Fish, but the waits for a table can be interminable. Although a new waiting area has greatly improved the experience, when you want to snag a table on the weekends, just get there early. Parson's opens at 11am, so if you head there shortly after opening, you should be set for the afternoon.

Three Dots & a Dash

On Fridays, getting a painkiller at Three Dots requires pushing your way to the bar and dealing with bachelor parties. For a calmer tiki night, just go early on Sunday, when you're much likelier to get a bar seat.

Big Star

Yeah, it's always hard to get into Big Star, but on weekends, if you head there when they open at 11am, you should be good.

Scofflaw

We love the Logan Square gin bar every day of the week, but nothing beats Sundays, when there's zero wait, light streams through the windows and you can order from the excellent brunch menu.

Honey Butter Fried Chicken

There's a bit of an afternoon lull at the popular fried chicken spot, so go for a late lunch and have the run of the awesome patio.

Au Cheval

The weekends are packed with people trying to get their hands on an Au Cheval cheeseburger, but the last hour of the day, before it closes at 1am, is slightly calmer. Bonus: That's when you can get the exceptional chilaquiles, only available after midnight.