Let's get this out of way first thing. Casino El Camino is a bar. Yes, they serve food and the food is good. But it's not a cocktail lounge.
It's a bar.
Okay, let's get started here. Casino El Camino is located near 6th and Red River in downtown Austin. It's really difficult to describe this place, as it's really an experience more than a place to describe.
It's your typical dark bar, but there are some very unique things they do. For instance, the jukebox is amazing. The staff selects which CDs are placed for play. And, the staff are all alternative/punk/goth/rocker individuals. The jukebox includes The Cramps, The Misfits, The Ramones and early Van Halen. But it also features Loretta Lynn, Tennessee Ernie Ford (On my birthday I put five dollars in the jukebox and put on 16 Tons a bunch of times in a row.) and Johnny Cash. There's a bunch of stuff that I've never heard of as well. Sing alongs have been known to break out. I wish they'd add Tom Jones.
The other fun thing is that horror movies are played on the telly. I've seen Teeth, Lost Skeleton of Cadavra, Tusk, a lot of straight to DVD features and Sharknado here. During the holidays they swap over to Christmas horror movies. The subtitles are always on, so you can follow along while you chow down on your burgers and fries and listen to the jukebox.
Now, let's get to the food. Casino El Camino refers to their fare as "Pub Grub". Burgers, dogs, wings, big sandwiches and fries with a variety of toppings. They even have vegetarian options.
Everything is fresh and made to order, so be prepared to wait a little while for your eats. Nothing comes out of a freezer. They're worth it though. The burgers are big and cooked to your liking. The fries, crispy. I highly recommend the chili-cheese fries.
When you order, you can look right into the tiny kitchen which is staffed by a crew of big guys who are usually pretty jolly but can be a little surly if they're having an off night. When you're order is ready they call your name so you can run back to get the stuff you've been waiting for.
They've recently started carrying cane sugar sodas including Mexican Coca-Cola. The choices of beers is wide and they carry just about every liquor you could want.
This is probably my favorite place in the city. My dining companion had a whole career managing some very fancy-schmancy restaurants, so I was a little nervous taking him to this dive the first time. But, he converted immediately and it's one of our go-to places.
There's always something fun going on here. Whether it's a guy dressed as Mario standing up to cheer when the guy in Sharknado chainsaws his way out of the shark that just swallowed him or the twenty-something next to you yelling "This place is AWESOOOOMMMEEE!" or the female bartender telling the drunk customer "You know? You don't have to be a dick to me!" and then walking away grinning, it's always fun.
www.casinoelcamino.net
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