By Jessica
A vegetarian isn't the first person you would probably go to for a burger joint recommendation, but I am a recent convert with a remaining healthy appreciation for a good burger joint. I also am perfectly happy to nosh away at a veggie burger while those around me get their carnivore on, so I like to find places that do both and do them both well.
We grabbed lunch at The Counter with our friends Johnny and Lindsay recently (at their behest, this is technically their find, not mine) and lo' a new burger love has been born. We started our meal with an order of the Parmesan French Fries (top photo) and I would've been happy to just slide the bowl in front of my place at the table, with my fork, and inhale them all. Even though coated in a garlic aioli, herbs and topped with melted parmesan cheese, these thin cut fries maintained a nice crispy outside with a creamy interior, no soggy fries here.
From that, we were off to the main event, the burgers! You can either order one of their Market Selections*, signature burgers or do a custom burger from the provided checklist of patties, sizes, toppings and other options. We all went the custom route and each of us chose a completely different burger. I went with a 1/3 lb veggie patty (they are house made vegan patties so you actually select a size, not some frozen Boca patty tossed on a grill) herbed goat cheese, mixed organic greens, tomatoes, avocado, garlic aioli, grilled onions and scallions on a standard hamburger bun. My husband went with a beef patty (cooked to pink all the way through) grilled onions, cucumbers, green chiles, plain mayo and jalepeno jack cheese on the multi-grain bun.
Prices for burgers range from $7.50 (completely plain, no substitutions) to $13.50 (1lb AFTER COOKING) and can also be affected by adding additional items like avocado, extra cheese, extra sauce etc.
It's been almost two hours since we left and I am still totally full. I didn't even get dessert. That is nearly unheard of in my world. We will defintely be back and if you are in the Houston area, I highly recommend checking it out. Be sure to check for locations in your area as well.
*Market Selections are locally sourced and sustainable ingredients, they can either be ordered as one complete menu option (like a restaurant's daily special) or piece-meal off of the checklist.
{Bottom three photos courtesy: The Counter}
I have to been to the one in Chicago and it's seriously one of the best burgers I've ever had! SO YUMMY!
Posted by: Kristabella | June 23, 2011 at 01:46 PM
I...I want to go to there.
I clicked through and looked at their checklist, and it sounds fantastic, like just my kind of place. (I love toppings AND burgers AND local food!) They coat the fries with aioli?! I've never seen that anywhere! I love innovative ideas like that - and I love even more that they carried it out so well!
There IS one in Virginia, so I will have to check it out!!
Posted by: Caitlin | June 24, 2011 at 12:09 PM