I've only stopped in the El Capitan twice, on my way between LV and Reno. But I like it and other small town, older places.

Doug Saito had a story about the bugler girl on the chips. Her name may have been Betty, but I won't wager any money on it. Seems the El Capitan hired some kids from the local high school to meet the junket planes, back it the day, and give them a bugle salute on a red carpet as they got off the plane. Sounds hokey now, but that was back then. (I hope I'm remembering the story somewhat correctly. It's been years since I read it.)

My El Capitan "incident": You know how it has 2 entrances -- and the 2 facades look different? Well, BOTH times I was there I parked and entered through one entrance, only to get turned around inside and try to go out the wrong door to a strange parking lot Either I was tired both times and just got confused, or it was something about the layout inside that messed up my sense of direction. Weird, but that's what I first recall about the El Capitan.