El Cap Restaurant

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3500 4th St N
St. Petersburg, FL 33704

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(727) 521-1314
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El Cap Restaurant - St. Petersburg, FL
El Cap Restaurant - St. Petersburg, FL
El Cap Restaurant - St. Petersburg, FL
El Cap Restaurant - St. Petersburg, FL
Reviews
( 28 )
( 10 )
( 4 )
( 8 )
( 35 )

Best

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, deliciou...

Worst

I have to agree with the extra's do add up. I would specifically like to comment on the ICE TEA issue. I visit alot of different restaraunts in the area for lunch and this is the ...

""Just the same way you love me"" 2/24/2009

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"" more
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Ugh! 1/22/2009

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 more
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What's the hype 12/5/2008

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 Cons: everything more
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Good burger...too small! AND NO REFILLS! 11/5/2008

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... more
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Good Days Gone By 9/18/2008

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. Pros: TV's-a- plenty Cons: TV's strategically placed to distract you from the imaginary hamburger patty on your bun more
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I still don't think it's good.. I am bewildered 9/7/2008

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 more
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best burgers 9/2/2008

I dont understand some of these reviews at all! How anyone can complain about the burgers here and the cost is beyond me! more
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Don't waste your time., 8/4/2008

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 more
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Avoid on days that end in ""y"" 6/18/2008

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. more
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Best burger, dog-friendly, great alfresco dining anytime 5/22/2008

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 more
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Awesome Burger, great atmosphere 5/12/2008

I have had many a burger and I must say, this is definately one of the best. They do charge for everything, but in this day and age I can accept that. For under $20 my husband and I had burgers, fries and beer... ICE COLD BEER! The place was extremely busy on this particular weekend, I can see why, and still the food was great. The service was quick and to the point. They got our order in and we sat back and watched baseball and before we knew it we had our meals. Very satisfied and I would recommend it to everyone. They are coming up on 50 years of business and I can see why!!!!! Pros: Great food, ice cold beer Cons: Busy weekends, expect to wait more
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Awful ! 5/4/2008

Terrible !! After hearing about this place for years I decieded to try it yesterday. The burgers are hockey pucks, overdone, cheap buns, etc. The fries are limp and greasy, no soft drink refills and the cups are small. Frankly, the place was dirty. Never, never, again ! Pros: Can't think of any ! Cons: Plenty ! Bad food, bad service, dirty ! more
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WOW 4/21/2008

Hey well i had a vistit at the famous EL CAP devine hamburger yummy well i read some of the reviews that was made and wow are some people dum have u ever heard of other coustmers? i mean waiters arent going to be able to sit there and just serve you ! french fries are nice and the hamburgers are like bam yummy like a party in ur mouth there is also other food like chicken wing , turkey sandwitch and of course the famous HAMBURGER i cant stop obsessin over the best tastin burger in town better than chattaways by far yummy yummy hold on im going to get another burger................before i go the red head bartender is always pleasent Pros: HAMBURGER Cons: NOTHING more
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An Over-rated & dumpy little greasy spoon. 4/16/2008

We decided to check this place out after seeing that their burgers always seem to be listed near or at the top of any Best of the Bay type lists, and though we were in for a real treat. Pros: Might not be a bad place to have a beer & watch a game Cons: Highly over-rated. more
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Just plain bad 4/14/2008

This place looks like a cool little local joint that would have great burgers. Surprise! It is awful. Hamburgers are greasy and not very big. Service is terrible. Most alarming, the place in NOT clean. A couple people told me they had St. Pete's best hamburgers. You have got to be kidding! WHile we were there, two people walked out after sitting down due to lack of service. Most important, the burgers were REALLY bad. Pros: Sorry, I can't think of any Cons: The place is filthy more
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No burger in the world is worth being treated like that. 3/30/2008

I used to be a loyal customer, but when it comes to burgers? Don't believe the hype. Pros: If you're homeless, you can scrape change together for a raw hamburger. Cons: The service, undercooked food, cleanliness and horrible management. more
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Worst dump EVER 3/30/2008

This place is great if you like raw cheeseburgers and if you enjoy getting into a verbal confrontation with the manager. When I dared complain about my raw burger I was told to go to McDonald's. Nice. This place is overrated. If you want the best burger in town, go to Chattaway Burger--not far away! And a million times better. more
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Why it's called EL CRAP! 3/30/2008

EveN Provided by Partner
It's not often I mention poor service to others. I'm a stickler for excellent customer service, and so when I'm disappointed, I assume it's me--and... more
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hamburger!!!!! 1/28/2008

IF your interested in an awesome hamburger,go to this place. the waiters are pretty bad but I am willing to forget that minor detail, for the best burger in fl. !!!!! Pros: best hamburger your gunna get. Cons: poor service more
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That was a what??? 1/11/2008

We went for the first time last night. The food was awful... there was no meat on the burger.... I should have just asked for a veggie burger... the fries? ugh... they were not good at all... the beer? Very good... Service? What service??? Pros: The ambience, sitting outside, the price Cons: the food, no highchairs more
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Menu for El Cap Restaurant


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Editorial

  • In Short
    A family-owned and run business for more than 24 years, this local legend grinds its own hamburger meat daily. The casual restaurant holds about a 100 hungry visitors. There are...

  • 9/8/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon - Sun, 11am - 11pm
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Allendale Park/Five Points
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