Casino El Camino's Burgers, Abrasive Style, and Sense of Family

Casino El Camino (517 E. 6th Street / (512) 469-9330) is a bar in the heart of Austin's infamous 6th Street District, but it's also a hot little lunch spot for people who know this part of 6th Street in the daylight rather than bar-hopping hours.  I've heard how great Casino's burgers are but wanted to taste for myself.

I loaded up the car with two of my buddies and headed downtown, where parking can be limited but not impossible to find.  Just remember to take your quarters.  The new pay meters accept coins and credit but no paper money, which for me, sent me back out to the meter after changing in my dollars for quarters.  All three of us attempted a different burger or variation of burger.

Adolfo got the Amarillo Burger with roasted serrano chiles, jalapeno jack cheese and cilantro mayo.  The burger looked a little pink but according to my friend, the flavor couldn't be beat.  In fact, he said it's the best burger he's ever eaten - and that includes a couple of Lubbock burger joints that he says puts several Austin burgers to shame.  Check out all that green on there and it's all those chiles.  "Now that's one spicy burger," Adolfo said.

Next up, my buddy John got the Chicago Burger with Romaine lettuce, tomato and cheddar cheese.  This is one of the more traditional style burgers on the menu, but definitely not one that is lacking.  "You don't just get a tantalizing burger here, there's a whole story you may have never heard, it's a family unlike any I've ever seen and a place where the cooks can express however they feel while cooking and reading up on classwork all at the same time making an awesome burger.," John said.

That brings me to the portion of the story where I talk about the people.  Our waitress, Ginger Stevens, is very much a party of the Casino family.  For the last 16 years, she's been coming to this place.  She began working at Casino about a year and a half ago.  The other workers are, well, just like family - or at least they treat you that way, at times being downright rude, but it's all just a part of the charm.  Stitch, one of the cooks, is studying for his Ph.D and had his notebook opened as he rolled up the thick hamburger patties.  When I went to order at the window in the back, I'd asked him what I should get.  He told me it was a bad time because he was busy with bookwork.  But he did end up offering a suggestion: the Chicago burger (like John) but with the buffalo sauce!  It was a perfect suggestion for me since I love spicy dishes and I wanted to get a more traditional burger.  Put the two together and that became my Casino experience.



The fries were crunch and delicious and the burger came juicy. It's hard to get it all in your mouth but somehow, some way, people find it possible and eat these delicious burgers up. Casino was even featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives as a joint where customers dig the heat, employees mix up great burger recipes and the environment reminds you of being at home among family.

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A Big Side of Fries Fills Us Up With Lots of Places to Try

Our Side of Fries continues with some burger happenings from across our great city.  I'm starting to wonder why Austin is known for music when in all honesty, it should be known for hamburgers.

A frugal Google search (Googling never costs a penny!) pulls up a delicious list of possibilities for your burger wants - er - needs - er - cravings!

So many burger places have been coming into the Austin Citysphere lately via recommendations and word of mouth suggestions, I almost forgot about some staples!  For example, Hut's Hamburgers is always delicious.  The problem with Hut's is you have to decide just how mess you want to get.  The internet search on Urbanspoon revealed a few places I've been and many I have not been.  On the have-tried list: Mighty Fine, Hut's, Five Guys, P Terry's and Phil's Ice House.  Although I've tried the Screaming Goat, I have not had the hamburger.  Do they even have hamburgers?  I've only had the chips and salsa and the tacos.  Good stuff, though.

My have-not-tried list (on this particular list): Casino El Camino, Galaxy Cafe (same story, I've been there but did not have the burger.... or did I?  Is that revealing in and of itself?), and Pecan Street Station.

Now, I have many on the must try list.  Your Mom's is high on the list.  I've heard great things about it and I must admit, right now it's causing some frustration.  So, it has to be great when I go because there's this big buildup.

I've driven by Downtown Hamburgers a lot and still haven't been!  It's been a Readers' Choice winner several times, and the burger trailer has garnered these fine reviews:

Simply the best Trailer burgers in Texas. If you are looking for propane-cooking at its best, quickly head down to Down Town Burgers. - Bubba, Texas Trailer Assoc 

No better place to impress your guests. Down Town Burgers is clearly an exceptional experience in trailer dining. The intimate lighting is outstanding as well. Delectable! - Brian Dunne, Trailer Times

Now, who doesn't want a supremely cooked propane patty?  While at Max Parfait, I got a recommendation to go to Black Sheep.  A buddy told me Casino El Camino is the bomb.  But expect a wait and if you ask where your food is, you get pushed to the back of the order list.  Texas Roadhouse in Bastrop served up a great burger, as did Moonies Burger House.  Of the chain houses, I do like Five Guys but I am not a Mighty Fine fan.  Their burgers aren't mighty (kind of puny, if you ask me) and I'm fine with eating it, but it's not my first choice.  I do like Cafe Canela a whole heck of a lot (as previously mentioned) in north Austin off Burnet and 183.

Next up on the big 7 Best Burgers of central Texas tour is Horny Toad in Cranfills Gap.  Stay tuned for that, and keep the suggestions rolling in!