Brooklyn brims with restaurants, including trendy hangouts helmed by star chefs celebrated in the food press. These are the antithesis: neighborhood spots that are consistently delicious—even if they're located at the back of a bodega.

3 Under-the-Radar Brooklyn Restaurants: Lucky Eight, El Tenampa, Purple Yam

1. Lucky Eight

5204 Eighth Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11220

Get driving directions to Lucky Eight

Lucky Eight's has an extensive seafood menu displayed in multiple tanks filled with live shrimp, crab, and eel.

Customers view, select, and order food. Also, this eatery has a menu that includes roasted meats, as well as pulled noodles and stir-fry dishes.

2. El Tenampa

706 4th Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11232

M-Su 12p–10:00p

CLOSED ON WEDNESDAYS

A few blocks away from where it is now, El Tenampa Deli had humble beginnings in a tiny deli. Chef and proprietor Vincente Neri has been making true, traditional Mexican street tacos since 2002. You can find a variety of options within the El Tenampa Grocery, from his delectable handcrafted cemitas to the traditional tostadas and burritos.

Handmade sopes, huaraches, complimentary fresh guacamole, verde and roja salsas, and various garnishes are additional traditional Mexican favorites.

3. Purple Yam

1314 Cortelyou Rd.

Brooklyn, NY 11226

Get mapquest directions to Purple Yam

Romy Dorotan and Amy Besa, a husband and wife partnership, have combined home cooking from the Philippines, Korea, Cantonese, Kerala, Vietnam, and Indonesia to create this restaurant's Pan-Asian menu.

They collect recipes as they gain patrons. They operated a comparable restaurant in SoHo called Cendrillon for ten years before moving their business to Brooklyn, where their target market is receptive. Filipino deep-fried pig belly, tamarind shrimp with caramelized onions, and pancit, a typical rice noodle meal with chicken, pork, and veggies, can all be enjoyed at the bamboo-detailed eatery.