(thecounterburger.com) – Ballard

How I heard of this place: Over the summer, my friend Chris introduced me to The Counter, and it seems it has become the place to which I return nearly every second month since.

Type of cuisine: Build your own burgers – literally, any way you like ’em! Fries, fancy sweet potato, chili-topped, garlic and Parmesan infested, as well as simple traditional, shakes, malts, and other such burger joint selections.

Ambiance: The space, according to my dining companion is like a modern diner. Pristine modern tables, chairs and seating booth in whites, pewter and light sage tones. The bar is sleek with shelves, backlit, shining into the bottles of alcohol which can be seen from across the room and through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

What I ordered: Our party of eight’s attempt to go to Paseo on this sunny February afternoon failed as the Cuban sandwich shop was not set to reopen until Friday. Luckily, we were not far from The Counter!  With over 300.000 burger combinations, it is hard not try something new on each visit! On this visit, our table ordered one helping of the Parmesan cheese fries, two helpings of the chili-cheese fries, and one of the deep-fried onion strings. Also at our table were sodas including Coke, Diet Coke, Root Beer and one coffee shake.For our entrees, the three men each ordered his own one-pound (after cooking) beef burgers ($13.25 each) with their own preferred toppings. Two were topped traditionally with pickle chips, Bermuda red onions, lettuce and tomato, and served on a hamburger bun. The third opted for the burger in a bowl (additional $1) with hard boiled eggs, Bermuda red onions, bacon, garlic aioli, pesto, and pepper jack cheese. We had one 1/3 pound beef burger ($8.25) on ciabatta (the market price bread of the day), served with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle chips. I ordered a 1/3 pound chicken burger ($8.25) with horseradish cheddar, grilled onions, mixed greens, and tomato slices. Others created their own, perfect burgers to round out the table.

What I loved: The Parmesan cheese fries are hard not to love. But the chili-cheese fries made their way up to a very close second! Perhaps from here on out, each visit to The Counter needs an order of each!?!

Why I loved it: It is a spacious restaurant that has quick service, allows you to make what you want in a way that you want and the flavors are fresh and abundant.

Cost: Average to high ($8-$15 for a burger, no sides included)