Most people pick restaurants off Google reviews. That's how you end up at tourist traps with 4.5 stars and microwaved pasta.

Here's what I actually look for:

1. The menu is short. If a place does 60 things, they do zero things well. The best spots have 8-15 items and nail every single one.

2. The dining room is half-empty at a weird hour — but the kitchen is loud. That means locals know when to come, not tourists.

3. No photos on the menu. This one's almost never wrong. If they need to show you what the food looks like, they're not confident it sells itself.

4. The staff eats there. Ask your server what they'd order. If they light up, you're in the right place. If they hesitate, walk.

5. The neighborhood doesn't match the price. The best $15 meals in any city are in neighborhoods where rent is cheap and the chef puts everything into the plate instead of the decor.

I write about this every week at Plate & Pour — restaurant recs, hidden gems, and dining culture for people who take eating seriously. Join free.