El Cap

02/24/2009 Posted by scottytheplumber

I was born in St PETE in 1964 - my folks brought me here in the "early days", & it was a treat for my sisters & myself to visit then. We moved to California in 1978. I just returned home this year to live (FEB 2009) & started visiting my old haunts - there on 4th was El Cap. Pulled in with my daughter (17 years old) & ordered 2 double cheese w/the works, onion rings, cold beer & root beer. No fancy onion roll, bottled water and/or tofu - just a couple of kick butt burgers in a familiar place. And yes, the service was the same - the best it can be with as busy as it is. Bottom line - if you want a great old fashion burger experience the way it was meant to be, i only have 2 words - EL CAP.

Pros: OLD SCHOOL burgers, patio, "friggin' cold beer

Cons: when busy, be "patient"

01/23/2009 Posted by BurgerPro

This place is horrible. Call me stupid, but I went twice just to make sure I wasn't dreaming about this horrible burger experience. How this place has a reputation for having a good hamburger, I will never know. First, the burgers are greasy beyond belief. Second, the service is beyond bad. Third, they charge for drink refills, making them the only restaurant in the world to do that. Finally, the place does not look clean. The menu is very limited (probably a good thing). Don't walk thru the back entrance, as you will get a full view of how dirty this place is. Anyway, don't waste your time with this pathetic joint. The management apparently does not care because there are plenty of regulars sitting at the bar, so they are making plenty of money off the poor grease suckers who don't know any better.

Pros: I have health insurance

Cons: Everything

12/06/2008 Posted by AllaboutmeJ

Bad....Just bad...Greasy fries....Greasy burgers...Dirty....Bad service...And whats up with charging for drink refills...Will never go back...And the prices....BADDDDDDDD

Pros: none

Cons: everything

11/05/2008 Posted by notrodmot

This is ther best SMALL burgerin own..horrible value for the size. Frank...why the refill chat=rge on the sodas? A $1.25 refill on a 10 oz glass is HORRIBLE!!! Most of the wair staff is friendly, but Frank needs a lesson in human kindness. I can'r believe the number of people who are faithfull to this place...treat people like you WANT them back.

Pros: Close to home

Cons: I have to pass by it too often...

09/18/2008 Posted by porty

I lived in this town for an eternity without having an El Cap burger. I could live another eternity without one. As I drove past the other options on 4th St today, something drew me here- maybe all the times I was invited but couldn't make it. When I found a parking spot adjacent to the front door, that little something went off inside my head (I hate it when that happens). The only good part was that I knew the bartender from one of my previous haunts. I ordered a cheeseburger with cole slaw. The slaw was fairly salty and heavy on the mayo- tasted more like some sort of cabbage salad. Ordered my burger with lettuce, tomato and mayo- good thing, or the bun would have been looking around the restaurant for company. Had to remove the condiments to get a taste of the miniscule hamburger patty., which was ordered medium rare as the menu suggested. it was cooked on one side and then flipped for about 5 seconds, as best as I could judge. The bun was like some grocery store's private label. If you want a fresh-grilled generic burger, stick to Five Guys. For a broiled Angus burger, look up the Country Skillet on Roosevelt in Clearwater. Sorry I missed the good days at the El Cap.

Pros: TV's-a- plenty

Cons: TV's strategically placed to distract you from the imaginary hamburger patty on your bun

09/07/2008 Posted by amberlynn72

I have been there at least 3 times...in the last 5 yrs. Once with my sister and a couple of times for takeout orders. Honestly, I am originally from San Francisco. The people in St Pete haven't a clue what good food is. I have given this place 3 chances. Just ate there again tonite. And I said to my eldest son. I make better burgers than this. They had absolutely no flavor, the bun is ALWAYS soggy. And when I got a beer , I looked at it and wondered if it was for a child it was small not like big glasses that we are all used to. Harvey's 4th street grill really makes a great burger, even steak n shake is way better. It's just no good. I don't know who the heck is saying it is? I am stunned

Pros: Outside seating

Cons: small beers and bland hamburgers and soggy buns

09/02/2008 Posted by whatithink0000

I dont understand some of these reviews at all! How anyone can complain about the burgers here and the cost is beyond me! I'm not even much of a burger person so I almost didnt try one the first time I went. I'm so glad I did! It was the best burger I've had around here. Extremely juicy and great tasting. The fries are just regular skinny fries but I liked them. My boyfriend and I are from Tampa and we make sure to stop here everytime we come into St Pete, and we stop on the way out too if we have time. No, the place is not a 4 star restaurant, so if that's what you're expecting, dont. If you want a casual place that's fun, layed back, has several TV's playing all the different sporting events, great tasting burgers any way you want them, this is the place to go.

08/04/2008 Posted by jenszin

What a disappointment. We have been going here for years and it WAS the best....NO MORE. Burger with everything and fries, how hard could that be? The meat was grey in the center and tasted like the stuff you got back in school. Full of cereal. The fries were limp and barely warm. We asked what the deal was and the waitress said the cook told her they got he lowest fat beef you could buy. So much for the guy who said the beef was hand ground daily. They also use to have great fries about ten years ago but decided to cut the cost and get some cheap ka-ka. One of the long time waitress told us when we inquired. Then when a reviewer was sitting next to us, the owner told he waitress to give the reviewer 'the good' fries. They have only gotten worse. We will NOT be back or will we send people there like we use to. McDonald's is better...ICK.

Pros: Beer

Cons: It looks like people are on work release

06/18/2008 Posted by GrandPrix

What a joke. Forget the hype. This dirty little grease pit has lousy service, lousy hamburgers and charges for refills. Oh, and the fries are nasty as well. And don't get me started on the cleanliness (or lack of) in this place. Its a shame people just believe the hype and eat there actually thinking those hamburgers are good! Babalu, Chattaways and Toojays (yes, I am not kidding) have much better burgers.

05/23/2008 Posted by rcarp

Juicy burger on a cheap bun makes this one of the best in the bay area. They grind their own meat daily which makes the difference. Their own recipe for the spicy mustard is outstanding but you have to make sure you order it as it doesn't come unless requested. Sure, they charge extra for lettuce and tomato but its still cheap. For 2 people w/burgers and a beer each, sometimes fries or onion rings (onion rings are awesome), you're still out of there for $20. The only rude encounter we ever had was when we showed up 5 minutes before closing - go figure. Still, we got the reliable, juicy burger and fast service. Whenever we're in St. Pete, the first meal (and sometimes our departing meal) is always El Cap. Note: cold beer! Never order a glass of wine.

Pros: Consistent juicy burgers

Cons: none, unless you're a snob