I went to Casino for the last time on Sunday March 22nd. I have been eating and drinking there off and on since 2001. I worked the door at a bar on 6th and like many people would catch a drink or grab a burger there. Back then it wasn't as popular and despite the edgy service it was a cool hang with a great jukebox. I don't know what happened to this place. I have heard from several people that still work downtown that the wait for food had increased from 20+ to 40+and that the cooks had become more surly. The new length of time to wait for the food doesn't have any bearing on crowds or not.\r
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That turned out to be true. I had been a few months earlier for a bite before a show at Emo's and noticed that indeed the wait for food had doubled to 45 minutes. It was still good. The food was never amazing or life changing just good food for downtown. A good friend was in from L.A. for SXSW and I always take him there....it's on his list of things to do while in Austin.\r
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We went back to order and witnessed a screaming match between the cook and some kid from a bar on 6th St. He came to pick up his food and asked for a bag and the girl taking orders got upset because it wasn't discussed when the order was taken.\r
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Who's responsibility is it? How long have people been ordering ""to go"" from this bar? More importantly how big a deal is it to take the paper and foil out of the ""basket"" and tranfer it to a ""box"" while still on the paper and foil? Apparently its a big effen deal! She became rude with him and the cooks started screaming ""...great f u c*i n g time to tell us!"" The customer said he was sorry and that it would be ok. The cook again started to cuss him out and asked him if he wanted him ""... come over the counter. Then you will be f u c*i n g sorry!"" This heated exchange went on for awhile. Our jaws were dropped.\r
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I still ordered ( I was wiped out from SXSW) and it was ok. My chilie dog was warmer than my buddie's Green Chile fries but I guess it is real difficult to time out the two. The fries were almost cold and had been sitting.\r
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We bailed. Casino has always be a ""clubhouse for regulars: bartender friends, etc"" and will continue to tolerate the rest of us. It's sad what has happened to this place. I can get a better burger somewhere else.
Cons: Clubhouse for Jerks
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