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Devil Crabs Served Up With Cuban Luvvvvvv
Here's Lili, Queen of the Florida Devil Crab entrepreneurs. We had just turned south from Ybor City and were heading down to Bradenton when we spotted her tiny white scooter-style van by the side of Route 41 South.
"Hey, Mama, what can I get you?" A high energy huckster in the best possible sense, Lili has the patter and jive of the pro she is. She told us she had started up and sold a handful of businesses over the years, always taking a year off before starting the next.
This time her aim is to revive the roadside vendor tradition of Ybor City, selling deep fried devil crabs, crab empanadas, meat-stuffed potatoes, ( based on her Mom Lidia's recipes,) French fries, and, in the works, a range of desserts. Her wagon? An Indian-made white "van", brand name Bajaj, serves as vending point, kitchen and vehicle.
Oh-- did I mention that she's Cuban? 
"The Cubans coming into this country, many of them, are educated professionals, " says Lili. "But they can't get good work here the minute they arrive. They're janitors making $6 an hour. I want to offer some of them the opportunity to become self-sufficient, owning and running a franchise selling devil crab."
Lili and her family came to Ybor City from Cuba in 1970, when she was five. Her parents had been running a grocery store. Castro's people seized the family's stove, and their sewing machine. In the States her parents worked at the Arturo Fuente Cigar Factory, as well as at other jobs.
Right now Lili is training her cousin Maribelle, over from Cuba just three months, and a young friend in Florida just a month. They are intently trying to learn the customer chatter Lily has perfected--their English is raw--along with the fry technique. Maribelle bends over the fry pot, and Nomar is set to doing prep work in Lili's brother's restaurant. The little white vending van sits out front of his place, Monday through Friday, 1-6.
When traffic starts to thin, the shy and retiring Lili roars into the restaurant and zooms back out dressed in her chicken costume, wildly waving a sign that reads, " Eat More Devil Crabs." 
At $3 a pop, the plump crab croquettes are beyond good, and far better than those I praised at Columbia Restaurant. " Of course," says Lili," when I tell her that.
"These are made with lotta, lotta, lotta Cuban love. ( Three times, three times.) That's the secret."
Did I mention that Lili Peguero is Cuban?
( To buy a franchise email Lili at lilisdevilcrabs@yahoo.com)
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Posted by: Joesph | February 14, 2007 at 05:19 AM
Whatever--I'll take that as a compliment.
Posted by: foodie | February 15, 2007 at 07:58 PM
several of my friends and i would like to know who was the judge that named these so called "devil crabs" the worlds best anything. they are without a dought the worst we have ever eaten. for god'a sake they are orange inside.
Posted by: JOE LA FORM | April 10, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Hi, Joe--So what about the taste? The color surely reflects the seasonings, no?
Where do we try your favorite devil crabs?
Posted by: foodie | April 11, 2007 at 05:37 PM
Im in Sacramento Ca and im from Tampa and i would like to know i can have deviled crab sent to my house
Posted by: Eugene | June 17, 2007 at 05:35 PM
Hey, Eugene--You can email Lili at her address mentioned in the Blog entry above.
Posted by: Foodie | June 20, 2007 at 03:23 PM
I lived in Brandon FL. for a few years and now live in Arizona. I always eat out @ different restaurants, just to try something new. I came across lili's devil crabs stand and had a taste of what she sells there. I have to admit that these devil crabs are great!!! and that shocks me being a finicky eater. The taste was wonderful and very filling. Yeah I agree that the color orange inside initially is a surprise but with hispanic cuisine that's normal and flavorable. I've recommended all my friends from florida to go have some and they are not disapointed. Good job lili!!!!!!
Posted by: Margie | August 15, 2007 at 06:28 PM
Lili has the best Devil Crabs I've ever eaten! That "sangano" complaining about the color is obviously not accustomed to Latin cuisine. Que tonto...Lili, you're da bomb! I'll see you later today with a new customer!!!
Posted by: Bunnie | August 22, 2007 at 09:32 AM
Hello, I have emailed this lady several times and never got a response yet. Does anyone know of another way to contact her? Or does anyone know where I can get deviled crabs like these sent to me from??????
Posted by: John | September 07, 2007 at 06:06 PM
John--I have her phone number in a notebook I will have to track down. I will post it as soon as I can.
Posted by: Foodie | September 07, 2007 at 08:37 PM
Thank you so much. I really apprecieta your help.
Posted by: John | September 08, 2007 at 05:59 AM
Hi, I keep checking back to see if you found that phone number of Lil. I hope you do find it.
Posted by: John | September 09, 2007 at 05:50 PM
Does anyone really know how to get in touch with this lady Lil? I know that Foodie said she would get me her number, but I still have not gotten it.
I live in Ohio, and they do not make the deviled crabs here, I miss them so much, and want to see if any company will shipp them. If anyone knows of a company that does ship deviled crabs, and I do mean the ones shaped like a football, and are red inside, please post it. I do appreciate everyones help...
Posted by: John | September 12, 2007 at 08:45 PM
Does anyone know where she's set up...I will be traveling to Tampa soon and LOVE deviled crabs, it's been years since I've had them and would like to get some while in Tampa!!!
Posted by: Bonnie | September 16, 2007 at 06:08 AM
Hi Guys,
Lili's address in tampa is:
Harborside Grill
4103 Causeway Blvd
Tampa FL 33619
Tel. 813-477-2680
Her cute little scooter sits right in front of this restaurant, which is owned by her brother for years.
Hope this is helpful to all of you!!!!
Posted by: Margie | September 18, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Thanks for the rescue, Margie--I was slow in getting to this info.
Posted by: Foodie | September 19, 2007 at 09:19 AM
Your welcome sweetie, my pleasure! I've been awaiting some devilcrabs from florida. Lili is working on the adequate and safe standard on mailing frozen goods. Can't wait!!
Posted by: Margie | September 19, 2007 at 12:58 PM
Lil has contacted me a few days ago,and she is working on getting it set up, so she can send the devil crabs to all of us, that are not fortunate enough to live near her.
This lady seems like a super nice lady and I think she will make alot of us very happy soon.
Posted by: John | September 21, 2007 at 08:01 PM
Fabulous, John--I may see Lil in a few days--I am heading to the Tampa Bay area.
Posted by: Foodie | September 25, 2007 at 03:29 PM
hi, i grew up in tampa graduated high school in 82 from hillsborough. i just want to say that i love your deviled crab's and wish that i could have them sent to me in georgia. people here have never heard of them and they are delicious.if you can please e-mail me back info
thank's paula
Posted by: paula | September 26, 2007 at 07:07 PM
Lili,
Just finished eating the devil crabs you made for us fresh today. We cooked them up and served them hot for the whole family. They were AWESOME to say the least and the best we have ever had. I recommend these to anyone and everyone. If you dont know anything about Cubano foods, dont complain about the color. We also had the great pleasure to meet Lili herself and in person. This lady works long and hard hours so give her awhile to answer your emails. Lili we enjoyed the experience at your restaraunt, the devil crabs and also the potato rolls you sent home with us. Very tasty as an appetizer and highly recommended as well. We drove an hour from Sarasota to Tampa and it was well worth the trip. See ya next month Lili and keep up the good work. For all those who want them shipped, it would be cheaper for you to fly to Tampa, have some fun, enjoy this great location and eat the best Devil Crab you will ever find.
Posted by: Sean and Julie O'Brien | September 29, 2007 at 04:31 PM
BEST EVER!!! I just ate my last one and Im already wondering when i can get back to Tampa. Thank You so much for throwing in and alowing us to try the stuffed Potatoes. My cousin Lori lives in Atlanta but is a native floridian I e-mailed her about your devil crabs,and I know she is watering at the mouth..lol She also ate the devild crabs growing up from the Seabreeze..I actually think yours are better and u take the BEST DEVIL CRABS IN THE WORLD TITLE...again thanks so much and we will se u in a few weeks. Julie
Posted by: Julie OBrien | September 30, 2007 at 01:50 PM
Well, here is an update, lil is a sweetheart and she really wants to be able to help us get these wonderful deviled crabs, but the shipping is outragous. This is a shame that shipping will cost so much that most will never get to try them.
Posted by: John | October 13, 2007 at 10:54 PM
Sorry to hear that others crave but cannot get devil crab, I also grew up in Tampa and now live in Atlanta and miss that wonderful flavor. I dont think I ever had a bad one but the best place to get them for me was Anthonys on 15th street just south of Buffalo, and 2nd favorite was the Seabreeze. I never had the opportunity to try one from Lili, but they sound great. I would also like to Know how to have some shipped to Atlanta. Somebody help us!
Thanks
Bobby
Posted by: Bobby Cross | November 12, 2007 at 04:47 PM
When I saw Lil in October she was still aiming to have a shipping arrangement by January--so let's hope. I will be checking with her again in December.
Posted by: Foodie | November 13, 2007 at 11:24 AM