When you want to know the good places to eat in a neighborhood, avoid the online restaurant guides and travel websites. Sure, they may send you to nice places, but often nice places aren't where you'll find the food that really defines a place. For that, you need to ask the locals.

We tracked down a few Ybor denizens who work and/or live in the area to find out what they crave and where they go to get it. You'll find some big names and hot spots in their responses, but you'll also catch a few tips on where to find the hidden culinary gems that make Ybor such a vibrant and historical place to chow down.

Tom Keating, President and CEO of Ybor City Chamber of Commerce

"I'm a big tapas fan. I am partial to the antipasto vegetale at La Terrazza, the ultimate romantic restaurant next to the Italian Club, and sausage & peppers" café-side at Bernini's, where you can people watch to your hearts content. Both experiences are enhanced immeasurably by a glass of the house wine and the doting service."

Hampton Dohrman, artist and event organizer

"Michelle Faedo's. That's the best Cuban and best devil crab that I've had anywhere in the universe, and they're such nice people, Michelle and her husband. Also, La Teresita — for six bucks you can eat for three days from that little lunch counter in the back. The new barbecue joint, Al's, they have a good lunch special and I like that Al is there in the place, that you can talk to Al when you're there."

This article appears in Mar 24-30, 2010.