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 ...

Good burgers, don't expect too much though! 11/21/2007

This place does do good burgers, if not great. No they're not the mechanically premade mcD thing most people are used to. They serve a med-rare burger, hard to find nowadays.The fries are good, although I've had to send them back one or twice. They've really cleaned it up too. The servers aren't too nice til they know you, kids are not allowed at the bar (thank God someone with common sense in Florida!) toppings are extra(burgers are $4.00 don't complain about 30cents for cheese & toppings) and you have to pay for soda refills.(How many sodas do you need with a burger??) If this bothers you, don't go! If you want a good old fashioned burger and a cold beer, (new draft selections too!)then this is the place. If you want white glove service, go elsewhere. Pros: Good burgers, very casual Cons: other patrons who think they're above it (why are they here then?!) more
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Best Burgers in St. Pete. 6/1/2007

The hamburgers are the best around!! You go there for the great food and not necessarly great service. They do not have changing tables or high chairs so be prepared. Great choice for burgers and great prices too!!! Pros: Great food Cons: No high chairs or changing tables more
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Be prepared to wait on weekends 3/7/2007

I've lived in the Tampa Bay area for over 20 years and have been going to El Cap the entire time. It's consistant~~that's the BEST review anyone can get! Yep. The burgers ARE greasy....that's part of the LUV! The atmosphere is fun, you can always get a good tip on a dog or horse race here!, and the outdoor seating is worth waiting for, when the weather is nice. The only complaint....the basket of fries HAS gotten smaller and the quality has gone down there, too. BUT SEND THEM BACK. They'll come out right the second time around. Shouldn't have to ask twice, I know.....We'll still keep goin' back for more!!! Pros: Great service, great food, fun all around! Cons: On weekends, you'll wait. Kids cry, sports fans yell, but you gotta love it! more
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""Best burger in the Bay""...you have got to be kidding me... 1/23/2007

My wife and I went to this ""burger"" joint after we had heard it was the ""best burger in the Tampa Bay area"" as rated by a local free publication. As the saying goes, ""you get what you pay for"" (Free advice). The burgers were small, full of grease and almost tasteless. The fries were average at best. The service was so bad it was actually funny...in a sad sort of way. Our former NYC waitress couldn't have cared less about customer service...and it was a slow night. I'll never go back. I wish I could comment on the positive reviews, but the rules prohibit such. Nevertheless, there is a better burger joint to be found elsewhere. Pros: Looks ""cute"" from street Cons: Looks can deceive more
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I travel 700 miles for an El Cap burger 11/9/2006

El Cap has the best burgers in the country. more
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I doubt they even noticed....... 10/31/2006

Good to see I'm not the only one that doesn't appreciate the place much. Last time I was there (last March when Chris and I came down to St. Pete) I saw a couple of cucarachas crawling around behind the counter. Sadly, I was supremely hungover (having just walked there from Bill's place after pulling an all nighter) and between the sour alcohol gut and seeing those cucarachas I hurled in the bathroom before I even left the joint! more
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By far not the best cheese burger in town 10/19/2006

If your looking for an under cooked tasteless slab of ground beef than this is the spot for you! Pros: Convient location Cons: Terrible food & service more
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A thing of the past 10/17/2006

Was told this was the best hamburger joint around. A group of us found out this might have been in the past but things sure have changed. Very small burgers, terrible service and to boot for a small place they wouldn't allow five people to have seperate checks. Add one more log and there are no refills on sodas. Don't drink them but always see friends getting free refills from the cheapist to most expensive type restaurants. This place is off bounds for us! Pros: Outdoor seating Cons: Too many to list more
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Rude Owner 10/16/2006

Rude, Rude, Rude. Asked him to split a bill down the middle and he threw a tantrum. First time in a very long time I did not leave a tip. Go here if you want to give your money to an unappreciative oaf. more
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oh my gosh delious 8/29/2006

I LOVEDDDDDDDDD It delious ,cheap, and good.you taste there hamburgers your mouth will melt your taste buds pop mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm !!!!!!!!!! And it has the best owner her name is mary jean there french fries are realy good and if you want cheap and good come to the el cap for cheap food !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pros: everything Cons: nothing more
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El Cap is bad for you. 8/7/2006

The review of El Cap says it fresh grinds its beef daily. I am a former employee and know for a fact that this is not so. It is ordered in bulk from a wholesale distrubutor and left to sit in the walk-in for days dripping brown bl00d on other food products. Pros: I can think of none. Cons: Unhealthy food practices. more
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smell fishy? 8/7/2006

I drove all the way to El Cap from Tampa for a famous grouper sandwich.What I got for $6.75 was a tiny filet of whiting on a large sesame bun that did not come with any dressings or any sides for that matter.Furthermore,I was astounded to discover that my fish sandwich could not have been anymore spoiled even if it sat out in the sun for 3 days.To add to that they charged me for every single glass of tea and every slice of lemon.I showed the owner and proprieter of El Cap,Mary Jean Bonfili,and was dismayed when she still persisted that it was not only grouper but fresh.Neither of which are true.I was still forced to pay for this garbage.I could have gotten a better sandwich for half the price at McDonalds 1 block away.Furthermore,McDonalds gives you a slice of cheese with it at no charge,fries at no charge,free refills on drinks.My advice is stay as far away from the El Cap as possible,or you may get a disease.How in the heck is this place #1?I would rather starve. Pros: smoking on the patio Cons: food, service, smell more
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BEST HAMBURGER EVER 7/9/2006

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE GOING TO THE YANKEES/RAYS GAME AND DECIDED THE NIGHT BEFORE TO GO TO EL CAP. SO I LOOKED IT UP ON THE INTERNET AND READ THE REVIEWS. WE ALMOST DIDN'T GO TO EL CAPS--THANK GOODNESS WE DID. THE FOOD IS EXCELLENT. MY FAMILY CALLS ME THE HAMBURGER QUEEN AND THIS WAS THE BEST. IT SHOULD BE RATED #1. THIS IS TRULY THE BEST HAMBURGER I HAVE EVER EATEN AND WILL MAKE THE DRIVE FROM PASCO COUNTY ANY DAY FOR IT. THANKS FOR A GREAT MEAL. THIS IS WHAT A HAMBURGER IS SUPPOSE TO TASTE LIKE. Pros: BEST HAMBURGER more
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Very disappointed 6/4/2006

Drove down from Palm Harbor based on one of the older reviews. I would have to say things have changed! Service and food was below average. It reminds me of the restaurant that was sold and the new owners are trying to get milage from the old place. No more El Cap for me. Pros: ???? Cons: Food, Service more
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EL CAP - USED TO BE GOOD 2/7/2006

El Cap used to be a great place for a burger. No LONGER! It is unbelivable to me that this place is still rated period! Burgers are small, help is rude. It used to be really crowded when I drove by, now it is rare that the tables are filled. That tells you something about the food and the service at El Cap... more
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Not so kid friendly 1/19/2006

It has been quite a while since I last went. I have children and the fact that they do not have high chairs or booster seats is a HUGE turn off for me. I also find it irritating to pay extra for any condiments you would like. The plain burger may be cheap, but expect to pay extra for each thing you add on. Cons: No high chairs, Condiments xtra more
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Great, CHEEEEEEP food! 11/12/2005

We ordered 2 burgers, fries, wings and beers. All for under twenty bucks! The burgers were kinda small, but very tasty. I should have gone with the half pounder. Fries were pretty good, I prefer McDonalds fries, though. Wings were awesome too. Very casual, friendly atmosphere. Worth the 40 mile drive! Pros: price, burgers, wings more
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Think it's great! 10/9/2005

The burgers are GREAT in that 50's kind of way! If you're expecting a fancy burger, this is not the place. But if you want an old school, greasy cheeseburger - you can't beat it! I've also ordered the philly cheesesteak and I thought that was really good, too. Great for watching sports! It's just that they reserve the big screens for Florida games ONLY, if one is playing. The only real drag is that if you have a wheelchair, you have to go through the rear of the restaurant. The problem with that is the door to the dining room isn't marked any differently than the door to the kitchen, so it's easy to end up with greasy tires on your wheelchair if the kitchen staff isn't at the kitchen door. Pros: Good Burgers, Great Service, Great Value Cons: Inaccessible more
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Living on an old myth 8/11/2005

First of all, if you are going to take temperatures on your burgers, than they should be cooked that way. Medium rare cooked to Well done. Also, the burger was quite a bit average at best. The bun seemed like a Wonder Bread piece and the burger was dry. I did like the pickle slices though. More importantly was the value. For 1 Cheeseburger with fries, and 2 sodas, I ended up spending $9.00!!! At least be honest and take me out on a date first. Pros: Old Landmark Cons: Old Landmark more
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Grease Burgers 8/6/2005

Give me a break, how does this place get rated #1? Come on people, you have Hardees at what #5, does anyone know what good food is? who decides on these rating? Give me a break. 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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