If you haven't heard the news, Yelp is now searchable by emoji, which is awesome if you happen to be a tween girl looking for the closest available ice cream cone.
The new feature went into effect recently and allows users to search for food based on tiny pixelated icons. A minuscule picture of a slice of pizza will return nearby pizzerias, while the burger graphic will return every burger restaurant within Yelp's search radius. Fun, right?
Power users, though, will immediately recognize emoji's shortcomings when trying to use the app. There is no emoji for tacos for instance, and barbecued brisket is overlooked. Eggs Benedict is forgotten, too, making searching for brunch in a hungover stupor utterly impossible. What, Yelp!, you want me to use words?
There are some fun things you can search for, though. Here are a few of them, along with the results you might find here in Dallas.
Burger restaurants, obviously. The closest one to the Observer office that comes up is Hunky's
A total mess. Basically anything that involves meat, but must importantly Medieval Times.
Tei-An and other restaurants that serve ramen, of course, but really anything even vaguely Asian.
Anything and everything Italian. The number one hit in Dallas is Spaghetti Warehouse downtown.
Bakeries and anything with bread in the name of the restaurant. Think Zaguan and Bread Winners Cafe.
More hamburgers. Don't waste your time.
Every sushi restaurant in Dallas. Definitely the most reliable results in this list
If you can't figure this one out, you probably shouldn't be using emoji. Just focus on plain old txt 4 now, OK?
Chocolate shops. Chocolate Secrets and Dude, Sweet Chocolate are the first two to come up.
Click on the frying egg emoji and you'll get your closest greasy spoon, along with an errant coffee shop.
Would you believe Santa Rosa Mexican Restaurant up in Plano? You're not limited to food emojis. Just be forewarned, things will start to get a little weird.
Lots of pet stores, and any restaurant with the word "chick" in the name. Also good for finding Chick-fil-A.
Dave and Buster's comes up first, and the Arcade Bar in East Dallas is the second hit.
Lots of plumbers and just about anything to do with dogs. Also: Mutts Cantina.
