El Cap Restaurant

Well Pat F that's your loss! El Cap has one of St Pete's best burgers and it's proven by its repeat customers. Stop complaining about paying for your water and condiments and enjoy the great food! For two people you can eat there for under $20 and that's almost unheard of these days. You can tell your story to anyone you want but if you haven't even tried their food you haven't any right to remark. more

Went to El Cap Restaurant on 4th Street North in St. Petersburg, FL on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2012. Was waiting for a friend. The waitress arrived asked what I wanted. I stated waiting for friend, but would like water with lemon slices. She brought water with lemon slices, three on rim of glass. Friend arrived, he scanned menu, and we could not believe what he discovered. NO FREE REFILLS OF ANYTHING even water they charge 25 cents for the water and 25 cents for each slice of lemon....that was so thin you could see thru it. Looking at the menu EACH ITEM ON YOUR BURGER OR OTHER SANDWICH WAS CHARGED EXTRA.. Lettuce 30 cents, tomato 30 cents, onion 20 or 30 cents and it goes on and on. IT IS A WONDER THEY DON'T CHARGE YOU FOR SITTING AT A TABLE. Needless to say, I spoke to the waitrress when she came to take our order, I stated I would not pay for water and a refill or for the lemon. She stated well ""that is what SHE wants."" I guess she meant the owner. I told the waitress I realized it was not her fault...and WE LEFT. I WILL NEVER NEVER GO TO THIS PLACE AGAIN, AND I AM TELLING ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHAT A RIP OFF & CHEAP JOINT IT IS ! ! ! more

The burgers are good. Veggies pretty fresh. But a basket of Fries is not really a basket. They give you a smell helping of fries in a basket that can hold a lot more. more

We've been checking out local restaurants since moving here 3 months ago, and El Cap is one of our first big ""wins"" - friendly local place loaded with character, juicy, delicious cheeseburgers, onion rings that I don't make it home when we go there for carry out. LOVE this place! more

From what I hear, they were great with the previous owner, but the new management thinks they are God's gift to the restaurant business. I've seen this a lot and watch several good places go downhill. I see numerous comments about rude staff and it sounds like they get approval by management. $5 for a burger plus tip when mcdonald's it's $1 and a smile. Servers and bartenders act like it's the only customer service business. It is about polite service and great product whether it is food or aluminum siding. After the horror stories, I think I will stick with mcdonald's and will not being giving this place a try. more

The El Cap is one of the best burgers you can get. Since I dont get to St Pete too often anymore, when family flies in or out of St Pete, they bring one back to me. And its ALWAYS delicious. Go back to the west coast if you hate the Floridian food that much. :) more

Got a couple bites into my burger, and found that the bun had mold. The only remedy offered was to replace my burger. And they STILL Charged me for a drink refill!!! El Crap! more

I just had to add to the long list of people disgusted by this place! being from the west coast originally where the food is great and the people demand good food, its hard to find good decent meals of even basic food in Florida without dining at a 4 or 5 star restuarant. but something as basic as a good burger is simple in my book. I gave this place two or three chances and it just doesn't pan out, the burgers are terrible, the place is filthy, the service not so good, and to charge for refills on soft drinks, REALLY now? I keep hearing how fantastic the burgers are at this place and have come to the conclusion Floridians just do not know good food if it hit them in the smacker? in my opnion there are no burgers in Tampa Bay area to compare with the long list of places out on the coast, but to get by I would say Chataways on 22nd and 4th st so. Five guys, the new Burger 21 in Tampa is pretty good overall. this place must be for booze heads who are so drunk from the weak beer they think they are getting a good deal here?? I am done, finished, stik a fork in me, its over, never again will I waste good money and good time at the El Cap!!!! more

Way better than I expected. Good Classic Burgers! more

terrible...took my dad there for lunch inflated burger little bun on a tiny plate with wet lettuce makes for a soggy buger that falls a part To many other good burger joints.out there.Will not go back ever... more

Good burgers, if you like sports then go here bunch of T.V.s inside and out. more

Disgustingly filthy, dirty walls, absolutely gross bathrooms....terrible food....I think they use wonder bread buns! I live here, not a tourist, my husband and I eat out at least 2 times a week - just to try different resturants. This place is so bad I felt I had to warn others! $25 bucks (before the tip) for 2 really bad ""hamburgers"" (served on tiny plastic dirty plates), shoestring french fries and 8 really bad chicken wings (tasted like vinegar). Bottom line....don't waste your money! more

What a waste of money, and a big disappointment. We will never eat there again the burgers have NO flavor and we asked for well done and we ended up throwing them in the trash and don't order chili you will get a cup of greasy water. I was so upset I had to get online and leave a comment. more

I was last in El cap years ago when frank was ALIVE, the place rocked. I went back once after, cannot say I would reccomend it. Pros: Frank Always knew your name Cons: Frank Passed more

Its good food but, dirty walls and floors. :) enjoy, i would still come back but dont come here if you dont like insects. Pros: Hamburgers Cons: The Floors And Walls more

Good Greasy Burger! A Little Small. No Refills on a Coke....That's a Crime.. Pros: Burger Joint with History. Cons: Fountain Drinks with No Refills is that a Joke? more

I'm really surprised at so many negative reviews. El Cap makes a great homemade burger. I think too many people have gotten used to fast food burgers and don't know a good burger when they get one. They are juicy, not greasy, the way a burger should be. They remind me of how burgers tasted when I was a kid before frozen patties were used most places. El Cap may not be the prettiest restaurant around, but it is very atmospheric. Just to clarify for all of you tourists who think Floridians don't know good food, I have visited every state in this country (and 6 continents). I know good food and El Cap has always been good when I've been there. If you don't like Florida food, I would suggest that you vacation elsewhere! more

This little hole in the wall was a great date! My hubby and I are foodies, I will admit this. So, when he took me here I was apprehensive. The waitress was so nice and the burgers were just how we wanted them and the flavor was wonderful. A definite must!! Pros: The waitstaff is friendly and food is great Cons: Stuffed Jalapinos more

I have gone to El caps for over 30 years and today was my last visit. Each time the burger gets smaller and the price gets larger. They actually now charge for lemon slices 25 cents with your over priced drink ( no free refills)!! When we went to pay our tab we were told they could not split the check, we all had $20 dollar bills and we were told they could not make change for us, they did not have cash available.. Is this a business with no petty cash to break change for $60. Pros: Local hangout Cons: Item charges No split checks No change more

we heard how good burgers were and ordered largest burger and basket of fries. we are not huge eaters and never eat at Wendy's, BK, McDonald's etc. but we like a good home cooked burger. when the meal arrived it was a skimpy 1/3 LB burger and skimpy basket of fries. when we asked waitress if we could get larger basket of fries she said everything was measured to exact portions. tastes good but really skimpy portions. order two of each if you want to feel like you actually ate. Pros: good burger and fries Cons: skimpy portions more