Popular L.A. Burger Chain ‘The Counter’ Coming to Times Square

If you were wondering what was going to take over the now shuttered Juan Valdez on 41st and Broadway, we finally have an answer, and it’s more burgers! Thanks to Lunch’er Douglas for sending along this article in the WSJ (gated, requires subscription) which tipped us off to the news… apparently The Counter, a 7 year old Los Angeles based burger chain with locations all over California (and a few other states) is taking over the space. Combine that with the new Shake Shack coming to 8th Ave., 4Food opening on Madison, the new Bill’s Bar and Burger coming to Rock Center, BLT’s Go Burger Truck and planned brick and mortar franchises, plus-according to the same WSJ article- a new Goodburger opening in Columbus Circle, and what we’ve got is a full fledged burger onslaught.

What makes “The Counter” different? It’s a “build your own burger” situation, featuring 4 kinds of burgers in 3 sizes, 4 different buns, 12 different kinds of cheese, 30 toppings, and 21 different sauces (they boast over 300,000 different combinations you could make.) Construction hasn’t started on the location, but they’re hoping to open “Fall of 2010”.

14 Comments

  • Variety may be the spice of life, but i’ll stick with my Pat LaFrieda burgers. Thanks very much.

  • yet another burger place.

  • Zach, a review please of the LA location. Thanks

  • I have 4 Fresh Direct Pat LaFrieda Fresh Direct Brisket Burgers in my freezer… I am on weight watchers, however, and they are 15 points each. Alas, I wish they had a good home

  • Was at one in Santa Monica, CA this past April. It was ok. Maybe even “good”, but certainly nothing amazing. Would rank Five Napkin better.

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    “It’s a “build your own burger” situation, featuring 4 kinds of burgers in 3 sizes, 4 different buns, 12 different kinds of cheese, 30 toppings, and 21 different sauces”

    Yes, but can you add a scoop of hummus to the hole in the middle of your burger? Will your order be twittered to a 20-foot screen in realtime?

  • I second Fresh Direct as the Pat lafrieda burger source. F Shake shack!

  • OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM FREAKING OUT!!!!! THESE ARE MY FAV BURGERS EVER!!! AND IT’S RIGHT BY MY OFFICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Poor Schnippers has major competition now.

  • I had one of these burgers in CT on Sunday night. Its such a gimmick. The burgers are completely under seasoned, there is no crust or crunch, and the meat tastes like absolutely nothing. The only redeeming quality IS the variety. A shake shack burger at literally 1/3 the price is a much better option.

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    I’ve been to the one in Palo Alto. It was a decent burger place, but I’m no burger aficionado. They had sweet potato fries–always a plus. But there are way too many burger places in this city already. BORING.

  • User has not uploaded an avatar

    If my memory serves me right, the Counter makes a wicked peanut butter milkshake.

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