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Ethnic neighborhoods: Always check out ethnic neighborhoods to get a true flavor of a city, its people and their food. To get the lowdown on the best restaurants in any ethnic neighborhood, check out authentic markets, not chain grocery stores, and see what the vendors have to say.

Dining in the burbs: Based on my location-price index theory I find the farther you travel from the city's center, the better the value, especially if you are looking for upscale dining at a bargain price.

Before you leave or when you first arrive: Always check out "foodie" websites and blogs. Local and regional sites post restaurant reviews written by real people who live there. They can give you leads on where the locals-in-the-know like to eat and keep you from falling into tourist-traps. Some of my favorites: egullet.com, chowhound.com, donrockwell.com (Washington D.C.), grubhub.com, and hollyeats.com (Philly).

In mid air: Scope out in-flight magazines and look for restaurant reviews written by professional food writers. Their insights will help you hit the ground running once you land.

Armed with information: As a former serviceman, I know that when soldiers, sailors or airman frequent locally owned restaurants, off-base, chances are the food is good, because it reminds them of home.

Get in line: If you spot a non-chain restaurant with a line out the door, chances are, the locals know something that you'll want to find out. Like I always say, "If they're waiting in line - it's because the food is worth waiting for."

Strip malls: Head to strip malls to find creative cuisine at a bargain price. Many family-owned restaurants choose strip malls as their first location. The affordable rent allows them to spend more on the quality of their food rather than the overhead.

Chef's choice: For a hot tip on a great after-hours or bargain place to eat, talk to high-end chefs. Ask them where they like to go when they're not in the kitchen. When top chefs dine out, they won't eat bad food.

Have a seat: Look for benches outside of breakfast places, diners and restaurants in strip malls. If the restaurant has a bench, or better yet, multiple benches, that means their food draws a crowd. Strip mall restaurants will not take up valuable sidewalk space unless they need it.

Raising the bar: Look for places that serve hand-crafted cocktails made from fresh ingredients. If a place puts this much care and creativity into their cocktails, it's a good bet they're taking the same approach to cooking your food.

Native language: If you're looking for ethnic cuisine, look for places with foreign language newspaper racks outside. This usually means the place is authentic and caters to people not far removed from their homeland.

Multiple generations: Look for multiple generations of a family working in a restaurant. The recipes are often authentic and passed down from generation to generation.

Working trucks: If you want hearty food, head to working-class neighborhoods. Look for service vehicles parked outside. Hard-working people demand good food, big portions and great value.

Parking lot surveillance: If a small mom and pop restaurant has an overflow parking lot, that's a good sign the food is so popular they had to add parking to accommodate their loyal customers.

Brothers in blue: Because they are always eating on the run, and know their beats like the back of their hands, cops are a great source of intel when it comes to fast-food alternatives.

Neighborhoods in transition: Look for neighborhoods experiencing urban renewal. This usually means a restaurant renaissance as well.

Community centers: Head to community centers like churches to get restaurant recommendations from their members. They usually frequent a special local spot nearby for delicious food served up in a welcoming atmosphere.

Pictures on the wall: If you walk into a place and see customer photos on the wall this implies a loyal customer base - especially if the photos are faded. It also means the restaurant has a close relationship with its patrons.

Under the freeway: If a restaurant is located in a hard-to-access location, like under a freeway - yet it still draws a crowd - that means the food is worth the trip.

Hands on owners: If the owner of a restaurant is also the chef and he or she oversees the day-to-day operations, chances are you'll get high quality food and service.