The Counter. Oversized burger anyone?

I’m an American, born, bred and semi-raised with touches of Vietnamese and Chinese influence. So naturally, I’m open to any American with a twist since I’m clearly not the pot to be calling the kettle black.

The Counter sort of reminds me of that-a burger joint that has all the basics down but throws in a twist or two just to keep your mouth interested. If you’re a fussy eater or a delusional bourgeoisie, then The Counter’s custom burger menu options just might satisfy your ravishing appetites. The selection of cheeses (inclusive of Gruyere and American Cheddar to name a few) are a pleasant surprise, but the ability to have a deliciously messy fried egg or homemade guacamole as part of your ensemble, may just be what pushes both this burger and the muffin top above your pants, over the edge. From the menu selects, you have an array of sauces fit to dip sampler foods for the next 5 hours. Pick the amount of meat you want, the buns to match and how raw you want it. Hmm, while this is starting to sound more like an escort service than a burger joint, trust me it’s simple, cheap comfort food done well. The food may not leave you dreaming of meat patties covered in an avalanche of toppings late at night, but you’ll certainly be back.

1/3 lbs burger, sharp provolone, lettuce, tomato, avocado, honey bacon and a fried egg. 

I imagine that much like any custom-build-it-yourself-anything, less is more and know your flavors before you start piling the restaurant onto your poor, now invisible meat patty. Personally, feta cheese and garlic aioli on an English muffin bun just doesn’t sound very ulcer-friendly.

And what burger would be complete without a side order? I myself went for the trio of fried finger foods (sweet potato fries, shoestring onions and regular fries). Staying fit is overrated-at least it is when you’re staring fried food in the face. The sweet potato fries were pretty ho hum but the delicately battered onions hit the spot. Of the sauce trio, I was the biggest fan of the garlic aioli.

Fried sampler trio. Not on the menu, but just ask for it (sweet potato fries, shoestring onions and regular french fries)

So from my brief experience here, the burgers may not be the cat’s meow, but I’ll settle for an unpretentious and affordable purr on the west side any day.

http://www.thecounterburger.com/