How Spork Works

Spork is a restaurant recommendation engine designed to eliminate decision paralysis. No lists, no reviews, no ratings. Just one restaurant at a time, matched to where you are and what you're in the mood for.

Step 1: Share your location

When you open Spork, it asks for your location so it can find restaurants near you. Your location is used in real time and never stored. You can also enter a zip code manually.

Step 2: Tap the button

Hit "Find Something Good" and Spork goes to work. It pulls restaurant data from OpenStreetMap, scores every option, and picks the best match.

Step 3: Get a recommendation

You'll see a card with the restaurant name, cuisine type, address, and a link to get directions.

Step 4: Explore or try again

Love the pick? Tap the card for directions. Want something different? Pick a cuisine category or let Spork surprise you again.

The scoring algorithm

Spork doesn't just pick a random restaurant. Every option is scored on:

• Distance — closer restaurants score higher
• Cuisine match — if you asked for Thai, Thai restaurants score highest
• Time of day — breakfast spots in the morning, steak houses at dinner
• Hidden gem factor — unique local spots are boosted over chains
• Your preferences — personalized scoring based on your past picks
• Novelty — restaurants you haven't seen get a discovery bonus

Works everywhere

Spork is a web app that works on any device with a browser: phone, tablet, or desktop. You can install it as a PWA for a native app experience, no download required.

On iPhone there is also a native Spork app, free on the App Store. It runs the same recommendation engine, opens directions in Apple Maps, and keeps your taste profile on your device just like the website does.

Spork is on the App Store

The native iPhone app is live and free. Same one-tap pick, with directions in Apple Maps and your taste profile stored on your device.

Download on the App Store