Tampa’s Best Deviled Crab Take Two
The response to our search for Tampa's Best Deviled Crab was nothing short of remarkable.
After ranking Tampa's 12 Best Deviled Crabs, readers from across the Bay area—and well beyond—filled our inboxes and social media feeds. Some applauded the results. Others passionately defended their hometown favorites, questioned our rankings, and offered a long list of places they felt deserved a spot on the tasting table.
We love that.
AI’s rendition of what my devil crab cart might have looked like when the treat was first developed.
Many of the recommendations were simply nostalgic. Lots of people chimed in about how good the croquettes were at the infamous Seabreeze restaurant. But, as most of us know, that place is long gone and is of no help in determining Tampa’s top selection today. Some folks only complained about prices or that our picks were simply wrong, but offered no alternatives.
Few foods inspire as much local pride as the deviled crab, Tampa's signature handheld snack born from the immigrant communities of Ybor City and West Tampa. Part croquette, part street food, and entirely Tampa, the deviled crab has been fueling debates for generations.
So we listened.
Armed with your recommendations and a renewed determination to find the very best examples of this iconic dish, we headed back into dining rooms, bakeries, markets, and neighborhood institutions. Some were longtime Tampa favorites. Others were hidden gems we had somehow missed during the first round.
This isn't a correction or a retraction. It's a continuation of the hunt. It’s Part Two of our ongoing search for Tampa’s ultimate deviled crab.
Because we had never sampled the deviled crabs from these establishments, we set out to visit them in no particular order. The results were a mixed bag. Some pleasantly surprised us with outstanding examples of Tampa’s signature snack. Others left us wondering why they had been recommended in the first place.
Although readers suggested 13 additional locations, we were only able to visit eight. Several of the recommended spots are closed. One restaurant kept us waiting for more than 20 minutes without so much as a hello before we finally gave up and left. Another operates from a food truck and only opens on Saturdays. That limited schedule never aligned with ours.
Fortunately, that food truck also supplies deviled crabs to other businesses around town, allowing us to sample its handiwork through one of their wholesale partners. In the end, we added eight more contenders to our tasting table and continued our quest to determine which establishment truly serves Tampa’s best deviled crab.
Here’s how the new eight are ranked:
#8 Coco’s Sandwich Shop – $10.99 244 g | 4.5” x 3” | Oblong
In my continuing quest to find the best deviled crab in Tampa Bay, I made my way to Coco's Sandwich Shop in Palmetto Beach. A longtime neighborhood favorite, the family-owned sandwich shop has been serving homemade Latin cuisine for more than two decades.
The restaurant occupies a modern-looking building that feels bright and welcoming both inside and out. Ordering is cafeteria-style, keeping the line moving efficiently even during the busy lunch rush. The dining room was packed when I arrived, always a good sign. Service was fast, friendly, and genuine.
Coco's version of Tampa's signature snack arrives in a Styrofoam clamshell container and is accompanied by a squeeze bottle of Texas Pete hot sauce on the table. The deviled crab comes pre-sliced lengthwise, eliminating the anticipation of that first crunchy bite that is part of the experience elsewhere.
Inside, the filling is flaky and moist with a deep red-orange color, perhaps hinting at a generous dose of paprika. Large bread crumbs on the outside contribute to a crunchy bite, but there's too much dense dough. There’s a mushy texture. It is a sweet dough layer that surrounds the filling. I want more crab! While flavorful, there is very little baked-in heat, making the Texas Pete a welcome addition for those who prefer a little kick. It is one of the most expensive offerings on this quest.
There's plenty of free parking here, and dining is available both on a patio and in the dining room.
Coco’s Sandwich Shop 1507 South 22nd Street, Tampa, FL 33605
#7 Gio’s Cuban Cafe – $8.27 369.7 g | 6.3” x 2.5” | Football Shaped
The building at 411 S. MacDill Ave has long been a go-to for Latin-inspired comfort food. Originally a convenience store, it became El Pilon in 1994, then pitmaster Danny Hernandez took over in 2006 and rebranded it as Pipo’s. That name held until 2018, when Gio Pena (then owner of Ybor City’s La Tropicana restaurant) stepped in, bringing it under his umbrella and renaming it Gio’s Cuban Café.
Today, it’s a cozy, cafeteria-style spot serving up Cuban staples—picadillo, ropa vieja, and pressed Cuban sandwiches—exactly the kind of place built for a quick, satisfying plate.
Then there’s the deviled crab; it’s massive.
At 369.7 grams, stretching 6.3 inches long, it’s a lot to take in. On paper, that’s impressive. In practice, much of that size comes from excessive breading. Nearly two inches on each end is pure dough, with no crab in sight. The outer bread crumb crust is nice and crunchy. The crab filling is dry and lacks the heat you might expect in a traditional version. Crystal Hot Sauce is available to amp it up.
There’s plenty of easy parking, genuinely friendly service, and wallet-friendly prices.
Gio’s Cuban Cafe 411 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33609
#6 Liborio’s Latin Cafe – $5.98 305.6 g | 4.9” x 3.9” | Oblong
The search for the perfect deviled crab next takes me south to Liborio's Latin Cafe in Ruskin. Judging by the bustling lunchtime crowd, it's a popular destination for those seeking a Latin food fix. The cafeteria-style restaurant is warm and inviting, with stone tile accents, soft lighting, and an attractive serving counter.
Liborio's deviled crab sells for $5.98 and is one of the largest contenders in the field. Rather than being cooked to order, it is served from a hot case. Its exterior is a lighter brown than many of its football-shaped cousins, with fine breadcrumbs coating a comparatively thick bread shell.
Inside, the filling is pinker than most and delivers a pleasant crab-forward flavor accented by a noticeable amount of sofrito and a touch of mild heat. The accompanying house-made hot sauce is thin and vinegary, offering a modest kick without overwhelming the crab. While the filling is flavorful and satisfying, the thick shell creates a chewy texture and lacks the crisp exterior that helps elevate the best examples of Tampa's iconic snack.
Liborio’s Latin Cafe 8210 Causeway Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33619
#5 Silver Ring Cafe – $7.75 138.58 g | 3.3” x 2.3” | Oblong
It doesn’t get much more nostalgic than the Silver Ring Café.
The storied café began more than 50 years ago, when Angel Cacciatore bought a bar on Seventh Avenue in Ybor City and created a Tampa legend. Silver Ring became known for authentic Cuban food, including its traditional devil crab. The original closed in 1996, and a 2024 attempt to revive it in the Westshore Plaza food court also struggled and closed. But the food lives on at the Silver Ring Café in Riverview.
Staff told us the devil crabs are no longer made in-house. They now come from Earl Bush of the Sweet Tea Tiki Bar food truck in Ruskin, who mass-produces them and advertises Seabreeze Restaurant-style devil crabs. He wholesales the rolls to several area eateries.
This version is filled with flaky crab, a nice sofrito kick, and mild heat. The bread wall, however, is very thick. Silver Ring serves an unbranded hot sauce in squeeze bottles on the tables, and it brings decent heat and good flavor.
The roll is on the smaller side compared with others we tried. It delivers a tasty, crabby bite, but there is too much bread and not enough crab. Since it is pre-cooked, service is faster, but it is not as crunchy or as warm as the versions served fresh from the fryer.
Silver Ring Cafe7419 US-301, Riverview, FL 33569
#4 Mr. Empanada – $6.59- 182.85 g | 3.7” x 2.5” | Oblong
Mr. Empanada has a true mom-and-pop feel, with remarkably gracious people working the front counter. Located in a small strip center on Kennedy Boulevard just west of Dale Mabry Highway, it’s the kind of place where you could quickly become a regular. I swear they recognize me when I walk in (they are that friendly), and my order finds its way to the table with a smile.
The devil crab arrives deep golden-brown, thanks to its coating of fine breadcrumbs that fry up into a satisfyingly crunchy shell. It’s served with packets of Texas Pete Hot Sauce, and additional squeeze bottles are available on the tables for those who need more.
The bread layer is noticeably thinner than many of the others we sampled, allowing the filling to take center stage. The crust provides a mild crunch with a subtle sweetness. Inside, the crab is flaky and moist, with visible bits of onion and pepper contributing a mild sofrito flavor. On its own, the filling carries little residual heat, but a splash of Texas Pete adds the spice needed to bring the flavors together.
Mr. Empanada 3953 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
#3 Soul de Cuba– $8- 132.9 g | 4.9” x 1.6” | Football Shaped
It’s hard to find Cuban food more authentic than what’s served at the family-owned Soul de Cuba Café on Florida Avenue. Owner Jesus Puerto learned the traditions of Cuban cuisine from generations of family members, bringing those time-honored recipes to every dish. More than just a restaurant, Soul de Cuba is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Afro-Cuban culture through its cuisine, vibrant décor, and live performances that showcase the island’s rich heritage.
When ordering their entry into the deviled crab ring, I had high hopes. The digital menu appears to show several small croquettes in a single order rather than one large deviled crab. Unfortunately, no such luck.
This crunchy jewel is served pre-sliced lengthwise, eliminating the possibility of that all-important first bite. The exterior crunch comes from a golden-brown coating of breadcrumbs so crisp that delicious pieces flake off. The bread layer is evenly distributed around the edges, while the sofrito influence is moderate and well-balanced. There is no residual heat in the crab itself, but the accompanying house hot sauce adds a pleasant, vinegary, citrus-forward kick. For those seeking additional flavor, Soul de Cuba offers eight specialty sauces for a one-dollar upcharge.
Bottles of their house-made sauces are also available on the website.
Parking is generally easy, although spaces can become scarce during busy periods. Ordering is handled entirely through a QR-code menu at the table, a system that works adequately but could benefit from better organization and navigation.
Soul de Cuba 6428 N Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33604
#2 Alessi Bakery & Food Market– $9.95- 169.7 g | 4.4” x 2.3” | Oblong
The Alessi Bakery recently moved to new digs a block away from its former home. It is massive, sparkling, modern, and full of energy. There are 5 separate counters and departments for deli, bakery, coffee, sandwiches, and pizzas. The walls are topped with photos of their 114-year history. There's a counter up front that has a “Liquor Bar” over it, but I am told by an employee that Alessi's does not yet have a full liquor license. It’s a lot to take in!
But I’m here for the Devil Crab. Alessi’s version ($9.95) is 169.7 grams, 4.4” x 2.3”, oval-shaped, and served in a clear clamshell package. Oddly, devil crab does not appear on the lighted menu above the counter. I was momentarily disappointed, but then assured that it is available.
The croquette exterior is golden brown with medium-sized breadcrumbs. The crab inside is chunky and moist, with a mild sofrito flavor and peppers easily visible. The bread wall is thin, so there’s no doughy texture, and the exterior is very crispy. It comes with two packets of Texas Pete Hot sauce. Louisiana hot sauce is also available at the condiment counter. I am a little surprised that this croquette is so good. It seems an operation this size would be more production-oriented and not put the needed care into serving such a delicious roll. This one is a winner and comes in at #2 on our best deviled crab redux.
But there's something missing here. In the old spot, Phil Alessi's voice would frequently come over the loudspeaker, announcing specials and welcoming guests. It was kind of annoying then, but it was part of the old Alessi charm. Maybe there are plans to bring him back (maybe just not as frequently).
New location Alessi Bakery & Food Market 3003 W Cypress Street, Tampa, FL 33609
#1 Gaspar’s Grotto– $11.50- 238.31 g | 4.1” x 3.8” | Baseball shaped
This one was the biggest surprise of the bunch. Gaspar’s Grotto, named after Tampa’s most famous fictional swashbuckler, is a pirate-themed restaurant planted in the heart of Ybor City on 7th Avenue. The menu leans into the pirate and Ybor theme with playful names like Chicken Doubloons and Abuela’s Spanish Bean Soup. Being in the middle of the party district, I expected mediocre bar food
Their Devil Crab is made in-house and served with Crystal butter and a lemon wedge. It’s a baseball-shaped heavyweight, coming in at 238.31 grams and measuring about 4.1 inches long
Large, crumbly breadcrumbs cover a meaty, chunky crab stuffing. The dough layer is noticeable, but not too thick. It’s just enough to hold the weighty roll together. There is no real residual heat. The accompanying Crystal mixture is a tangy, melted butter with a whisper of Crystal hot sauce. It doesn’t pack much heat, but that buttery yumminess is unique and delish.
The croquette looks and tastes like a Brocato’s cousin. The shape is familiar, and the bite is really good. There’s enough flavor here between the crab, the sauce, and a squeeze of lemon to make this the top contender. It’s big enough to serve as a light meal on its own, yet still works perfectly as a shareable appetizer
Most surprisingly, it emerged as the top contender in our part two search for Tampa’s best deviled crab.
Gaspar’s Grotto 1805 E 7th Ave Tampa, FL 33605
What’s next?
Plans are already underway to assemble a panel of food fanatics and deviled crab devotees for the ultimate blind taste test. We'll bring together the top six contenders from the 20 deviled crabs we've sampled so far and put them head-to-head, with no names, reputations, or hometown loyalties influencing the results.
The goal? To finally crown the best dang deviled crab in the Tampa Bay area.
Stay tuned. The ultimate showdown is coming.