Noah’s Eats {Review}: El Cap – Baseball & Burgers

How much more can be written about El Cap restaurant in St. Pete? An institution to when JFK was president and an anchor on 4th Street, just north of Sunken Gardens, another shrine that welcomed pre-Interstate travel to the Sunshine City.

It’s roots are traced to the family of Augie Donatelli, the famous (or infamous) umpire who called Willie Mays out at home plate in the 1973 World Series, sparking a charge from the dugout from Yogi Berra, then the manager of the New York Mets. Coincidentally, I frequented Augie’s Dugout in the mid ‘70s, a quaint little bar located even further north on 4th street.  Controversy aside, Augie is forever captured on the first cover of Sports Illustrated. The restaurant is adorned with some pictures of him, along with other eclectic paraphernalia.

With this pedigree, you’d expect the place to deliver, and it does. For me it’s all about the burger. Look no further, beef ground on premise every day. Juicy and delicious with pickle and onion, served with a side of steaming fries overflowing from their red basket! The Daily Double (whose name pays homage to races at Derby Lane, the local greyhound track) is my go to. Double the meat and perfect for recharging after racing the St. Anthony’s Triathlon, exactly my routine for about 15 years straight!  These days El Cap is also a bit of a sports bar, where you can grab an affordable drink or beer, and catch whatever game’s in season.  The servers are as authentic as the place, so pull up a concrete patio bench outside, take in some history and the best burger in the Tampa Bay Area, and possibly the state! From a guy that’s lived all over the US, I’d put the El Cap burger in my top three all time, anywhere, which is why visitors and locals alike will be enjoying this gem for another 50 years.