Burger Recon: HAMBURGER HAMLET
Posted by: Mallory Sacks in New York City on Jul 14, 2010
Caliente: Pepperjack cheese and caramelized onions balance each other out well. The Serrano chili spread (looked like pesto) oozed out a little on the sides. It tasted like a taco- but it was a burger. But it tasted like a taco! It was all very confusing.
Hickory: Excellent smoked flavor with crisp bacon. Not quite as strongly flavored as Apple Pan, but still an excellent choice.
Classic: Played right into my love of American cheese on a burger. It was the definition of its name with great flavor and texture.
Steakhouse Bleu: I like bleu cheese, but not quite this much. If you are a bleu cheese fan, this is YOUR burger, you’ll be in heaven. I just brushed a little off and ate some more!
Each burger had a dense, doughy bun, grilled to add texture. Loved the shredded lettuce, and a few of the burgs had red onions, which were just too strong to keep on the burgers. My dad pointed out that the tomatoes were the perfect size and cut in such a way that they seemed to cap whatever sauce or cheese they rested on. Fries were absolutely delicious. You can have regular or mesquite, and I love a nicely seasoned fry, so mesquite it was. They come with ketchup but you can ask for whatever you prefer, and the ranch was excellent. They have a few specialty sodas and shakes on the menu, but I was headed to the spa and didn’t want to consume too much.
Service was superb. The maitre d’ was kind and gracious; waiters and busboys were polite and efficient. We ate on the patio, but the inside is all leather booths and has a separate dining room where a pianist plays at night. It was about $15 for each of us, but if we’d been looking to get shakes and appetizers, it would have been a little higher. The restaurant was pretty empty to be honest, but I’m sure it’s packed during the week days since it’s surrounded by office buildings, right across from BOA. I’d recommend making it a lunch spot or coming at night for the piano. Given the choice, I always want the option with the full effect, and sometimes the crowd can make or break a place.
The fries are great. Golden and crisp with an excellent crunch- the ranch goes great with them, but there’s ketchup on every table for you die-hard ketchup folks. Samantha’s sweet potato fries were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. She said they were the best part of her meal (which is what happens when you go healthy.) Drinks are the usual fountain sodas, Odwalla juices kept in a little fridge and then smoothies for the health-minded.
The staff is efficient and friendly and the line runs right down the center of the joint. All their oils are trans-fat free, they use angus beef and free-range eggs. After we ordered we noticed a small specials board tacked up behind the counter which offered a grass-fed lamb and buffalo patty. I considered trying to change my order but the line was so long, there was just no way, so check the specials board before you order! The place also offers sandwiches and salads but even if I went there with the intention of having a salad, I think I would end up with a burger. I can’t resist.
The crowd ranged from teenagers to seniors, but a lot of young professionals were clearly on their lunch breaks looking for that mid-day pickup. We each paid a little less than $11 and it was absolutely worth it. The walls are painted with murals and one of their slogans is “Fresh and Healthy since 1979,” clearly their thirty-plus years in business has given them a leg up on the competition.
THE BURGER BLOG: BURGER LOUNGE
Posted by: Mallory Sacks in New York City on May 19, 2010
THE BURGER BLOG: THE COUNTER
Posted by: Mallory Sacks in New York City on Apr 22, 2010
Now for the sides: I loved the fries! They were skinny and crisp and seasoned. Samantha and Kunu preferred the sweet potato fries, which were good, and crisper than most sweet potato fries, but I like the saltier taste of the skinny fries. The Counter’s onion strings are light and crisp. They cut the onions super thin, and the batter is on the lighter side, making 'strings' an appropriate name. They came with ranch and barbecue sauce- excellent choices- and the sweet potato fries came with a chipotle aioli we all enjoyed.
The atmosphere is exactly what you’d want out with friends: Cheerful, fun and sociable, with attention to detail at every turn. They played classic rock and the art on the walls was all rock n roll. (The Santa Monica location has painted skateboards on the walls!) Of all the joints we’ve been so far, I would say their service was the best. They were friendly and attentive, and the manager checked in on us twice. Samantha actually bonded with our waitress over their North Carolina roots. I think good service can make or break a dining experience and The Counter made me feel valued. That location has only been open for less than a month, so it’s definitely a good sign. You can park in the back lot, and its two hours free with validation.
The other patrons ranged in age from kids to seniors, but leveled out to mostly groups of friends aged 15-40. Even though we staggered in at all different times there wasn’t a wait until around 7:30 when it started to get pretty crowded. We ended up sitting at the counter (ha!) and enjoyed our views of everyone else’s burgs. Since we were sitting at the bar and came straight from work, it was only logical to order some delicious Blue Moons served with a thick orange wedge. They also have wine, fountain soda, floats, shakes and malts, so basically everything that goes with burgers. (The Santa Monica location does a shake of the month!)
Cost is reasonable, most burgers are around $10, depending on how many fancy toppings you get, beers were $5-8 and the sides are all around $5. I have to say, I also really like the way The Counter’s menu is organized. You literally fill out your own burger paperwork, and can include special instructions if you like. I think this limits burger errors and saves time and money. The menu has a few sandwiches and more appetizers I’d like to try the next time around.
I’d like to go to 8 OZ again and order one of their burgs (as opposed to building my own) but at the moment, for my money and my taste buds, I like The Counter better.
The Counter
7919 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA, 90046
323 436 3844
