The Counter

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2901 Ocean Park Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405

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(310) 399-8383
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Burgers

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Food & Dining

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The Counter - Santa Monica, CA
The Counter - Santa Monica, CA
The Counter - Santa Monica, CA
The Counter - Santa Monica, CA
The Counter - Santa Monica, CA
The Counter - Santa Monica, CA
The Counter - Santa Monica, CA
The Counter - Santa Monica, CA
The Counter - Santa Monica, CA
Reviews
( 58 )
( 39 )
( 19 )
( 5 )
( 7 )

Best

Our food came out on time and was prepared just right. I would recommend this place to a hungry person the portions are huge! Service as ok but the food made up for it! I

Worst

This place is over priced and not that big a deal. I went in for a burger (they weren't that busy) but a problem developed with my order. First, a guy who wasn't my waiter bro...

Burgers are soooo good 3/9/2006

Burgers and fries were fantastic but the place is definetly crowded and staff is kinda slow. Still I'd go back any day ... ironically it's on my way to the gym cause this ain't diet food. more
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Where the locals go for a burger 2/17/2006

We finally checked out this place on Valentine's Day. It was a great meal! The veggie burger is so tasty, and the toppings are fresh and delicious. Our server was so accommodating and friendly. It has a very good local vibe to it-- like you're in the know when you're there. And it's relatively inexpensive for a meal out in Santa Monica. I dig! Pros: veggie burger, ambiance, price Cons: somewhat crowded more
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Best Burger ever 2/8/2006

I first went to the counter when they had first opened. I have been hooked ever since. I've never had such a delicious burger and love all of the choices for toppings. The french fries are average, but the onion strings are delicious. I have recommended these burgers to several friends and they all agree it is also their favorite burger in town. I no longer live in the area, but this was one place I had to fit in during my last trip back. The food was just as great as I remember. Cons: busy after work more
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Best Burger in LA and around 1/18/2006

This place is great. The service food and quality are outstanding. I build my own burger and enjoy it everytime I am there. Great for a date too. A little crowded at prime times but easy to eat at a little before or after peak times. Pros: Food, Quality, Value Cons: Little Crowded more
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Seriously, it's just a burger spot... 1/18/2006

... that seems to want to be more than it really is. I just went there, so at least I'm not hungry or cranky, but I don't know what the hype is. It's easy to get to, parking's not a problem, there were plenty of tables, but it really is lacking in warmth or fun character. The service was pretty weak, on average, the burger was mediocre, nothing really that special, the regular fries were hot, but nothing to write home about. On the plus side, they do have beer and wine, so at least you can get a cold one with your burger. I gave it a chance, but it totally didn't live up to the hype or the CitySearch rating. Pros: They serve beer., They serve wine. Cons: Weak service., Not hype-worthy. more
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Great Times Great Burgers 1/18/2006

I have now visited The Counter twice and both times we had great experiences. The servers were very friendly and attentive. The burgers were great and juicy. I loved building my own while my husband got the Old School. It was fantastic. A real community feel because people were talking to us and asking what we got. I will be back and kudos on the originality. Pros: Burgers, Creativity, Service Cons: Crowded more
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Greasy Meat and Cold Fries 1/14/2006

Recently went to The Counter and burgers were very greasy - but not in a good way. Also the fries were cold. It took forever to get the service issues cleared up. True that you can build your own burger - but what good is that if it is awful? Avoid. more
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Block Busting Burgers 12/26/2005

The Counter is fantastic. I have been no 5 or 6 times in the last month or two and every time I have had a great burger and great service. Not to mention that I get exactly what I want. The burgers taste like meat and not like LA smushed fried burgers. They cook on a char grill so it taste like burgers do in your backyard. The atmosphere is hip and the music is a perfect fit for the environment. No more old school vibe...The Counter is the new generation of LA Burgers. Pros: Food, Environment, Price Cons: Crowded more
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Good food, horrible service 12/21/2005

The decor and The Counter is great, the food is okay, but the service is bad! I phoned in my order several times and when it was time to pick up the order it was ALWAYS incorrect. I last time I ate in the restaurant, I was half way through my meal and was turned away from my plate speaking to the person sitting next to me. When I turned around my plate was gone and there was my check. There are just too many good restaurants in LA to put up with bad service and okay food. Pros: Cool decor, good fries Cons: Horrible service, loud more
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Finally a good burger! 9/25/2005

Really great burgers made-to-order using a convenient check-off list. All the ingredients are really fresh. Service is a little slow and location could be better, but all in all, worth the visit. Pros: Excellent burgers, Easy parking Cons: Service is slow more
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Toppings good, burger...eh 9/16/2005

This is the Santa Monica version of Islands. The setting is a little trendier (modern and skateboarding, instead of Hawaiian kitsch) and the burgers are a little healthier. Therein lies the problem. The burger toppings are excellent, but the lean meat has the, well, gamy taste that very lean meat often has. I liked the options, but didn't care for the burger itself. Note that the parking meters on 29th Street are 20-minute meters. Pros: Attractive, Variety Cons: Parking, Flavor more
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A Good Burger Might Not Be So Hard To Find 9/4/2005

""The Counter"" is a streamlined corner restaurant serving up a piece of culinary Americana between two buns, with a twist for the 21st century. My first time was Labor Day, and I went with a group of 5 after hearing raves of their burgers. We were first to arrive, and they easily accommodated my group. The ""Build a Burger"" section is their biggest draw, where you can choose such toppings as fried egg or dried cranberries. Their fries are nothing to scoff at either. Piping hot and all the potato goodness a french fry should have. The place quickly began to fill, and the food arrived relatively quickly. The burger was excellent, and well worth the effort it took to get there. My only tip would be to call ahead to check the wait, because The Counter craze is catching on. Pros: easy parking, friendly staff, great food Cons: can get crowded more
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User review by bohrshead 9/1/2005

I recently ate at The Counter for the first time and I have to say I was quite impressed. I ordered the burger in a bowl per my friend's suggestion, it's a weekly lunch spot for her and co-workers. Because of their customizing ordering concept I created a delicious salad of grilled chicken breast over baby greens with feta cheese. dried cranberries, avacado and tomatoes. My friend and I shared the sweet potatoe fries which came out in a heeping pile of crispy golden goodness, they were served with a horseradish mayonaise which was outstanding. The service was great, we sat at the counter and were greeted by a friendly young girl who helped me order and recommened different cheese and topping combinations. She topped off our wonderful experience by making us a deliciously sinful peanut butter and chocolate milshake. I will definitly be back!! Pros: great food, friendly service, ordering concept Cons: crowded more
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Great burgers, vacant waitresses 8/19/2005

The burger hype is true (just specify how you want your burger cooked so it's not too dry) and the toppings are perfect. Amazing sides, too. It's pretty crowded most of the time but I suspect that if it weren't for some incredibly incompetent service they could move customers through there a little quicker. I can't count the number of mis-entered and forgotten orders I've endured, not to mention some of the just plain stupidest actress/waitress/models in LA...and that's saying quite a bit. It's a testament to the food and the vibe that I just keep on coming back...it's that good. Pros: Burgers, Toppings, sides Cons: Service, Crowds, Service more
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Excellent burger place 7/27/2005

Citysearch User Provided by Partner
I absolutely love the thick, juicy, create-your-own burger offered at The Counter. You fill out a slip of paper picking your cheese (if you... more
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Great burgers 7/16/2005

If you go to The Counter order a Do-it-Yourself Burger. As soon as you receive your clipboard with the topping selections you'll be salivating. The options are overwhelming and cause you to return many times to try all of the various possible combinations of a truly exceptional burger. These things are huge so don't fill up on the fries and onion rings because you'll be rolling back home. I'm a big fan of the turkey burger but all of the options are delicious including the vegie burger. This place gets crowded so if you can arrive at off hours or pre-dinner or pre-lunch madness you'll be golden. Lastly, if you managed to save any room or if you have a sweet tooth like mine the chocolate shakes are fantastic. Pros: Great burgers more
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A nice place for lunch 6/28/2005

The Counter was a neat, clean restaurant in Santa Monica. It was clean, the service was fast and the food was excellent. You can make-your-own burger, burger bowl or chicken sandwich. One thing I will recommend is getting their regular french fries. There are only $2 and you get a big helping of them. And they taste great! A+ Pros: Great food, Fast Service Cons: Pricey more
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Fried Pickles, need I say more! 5/22/2005

When my husband and I come to LA to visit we eat here atleast once a day! The food is fantastic and the service is great! Overall...The Best! more
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Great for Groups 12/12/2004

We went to the Counter last night for a friend's birthday. They easily accommodated a group of 16 (we had made reservations a few days ahead of time). Service was very personable. Make-your-own burgers was great. All-in-all a fun, relaxed, casual place to have a get-together. I'll defintely go back. Pros: Menu, Food, Service more
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Made the burger, ate the burger 9/5/2004

My girlfriend has been bugging to me to come here even though she's a vegetarian because she knows how much I enjoy a good hamburger. We finally went, and I'm glad I did. The meat was a good juicy quality, finely ground as if to prove that yes, it was indeed ground on the premises. The buns were bakeryish looking, but could have been a bit more spongy. The build your own burger concept worked well, and I was pleased. There are your standard burger toppings, but some gourmet-ish ones as well. The decor is nice, w/ comfy chairs and the ubiquitous, albeit appreciated plasma TV. My girlfriend thought her homemade veggie-patties were tasty, but mushy. Oh yeah, there is a low-carb burger in a bowl of salad greens option. I'll definitely go back! Pros: juicy burgers, low-carb options more
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Menu for The Counter


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Dominating the corner of an upscale mini-mall, this minimalist burger restaurant features pale-blue walls, Formica furniture and modern light fixtures. Burger selections are...

  • 11/5/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: M-Su 12:00am - 12:00am
  • Payments: American Express, Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: West LA, Sunpark
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