Forget every Best Burger survey you've seen, forget, even, your own experiences. You will have the best hamburger of your life at The Counter, an industrial sleek restaurant on the eastern side of Santa Monica. Warning: Arrive no later than 11:45 a.m. if you want a table. (The counter fills up soon too.) You can order a beef, turkey or veggie burger -- cooked medium unless you specify otherwise -- and have it served on a roll or in a bowl. What makes The Counter's burgers numero uno are not just the basic ingredients, but the extras and garnishes -- herb goat spread, grilled pineapple, roasted red peppers, Russian dressing, red relish, to name a few. The patties are 1/3 lb. ($6.50), 2/3 lb. ($8.75) and 1 lb. ($12). A must complement is french fries or onion strings. http://www.thecounterburger.com/orders_menu.shtml You place your order, with all the specifics, at the counter, then claim a table or counter seat. The hard surfaces of the interior make conversation a challenge, but anyway you'll be preoccupied with your burger production You can phone in for carryout. In or out, the service is efficient.
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