THE COUNTER

PICTURED (top to bottom): Restaurant, Trio of Sweet Potato Fries/Onion Strings/French Fries; Chicken Breast Burger with Swiss Cheese, Black Forest Ham and Double Avocado; Chicken Breast Burger with Blue Cheese, Bacon, Avocado, Red Onion and roasted Corn/Black Bean Salsa; 2/3 LB Burger with Double Brie, Bacon, Avocado and Grilled Onions; Same Burger assembled.

In our ever continuing quest for a better burger, we decided to try the new Counter location in Newport Beach for a "Custom Built Burger". The ladies had been to the Irvine location a while back, and remembered the beef being a little lacking in the flavor department (bland and boring). But Hey! Everyone deserves a second chance.

The restaurant was clean and inviting, and the service superb. Our Custom Built Burgers ended up being a tad pricey. They charge for everything- we were even dinged fifty cents each for extra mayo! The bacon and avocado portions seemed a bit skimpy, but overall the food was good.

We started off with the Trio of Sweet Potato Fries, Onion Strings and French Fries. The Sweet Potato fries were truly awesome. The Onion Strings were also very very good. The French Fries were "pretty good", but next time we"ll make it a Duo.

Remembering their earlier experience, the ladies both opted for the chicken breast meat option and both were pleased with their choice. The chicken was tender, moist and cooked perfectly. Sweetie Pie's Black Forest Ham was a little too salty, but went well with the chicken and Swiss Cheese. Her mother's was also very good. The Blue Cheese was excellent, but it could have used more bacon and roasted corn/black bean salsa.

I was feeling lucky, and decided to gamble on the beef option-2/3 LB and cooked medium rare. Kicked it up a notch with double Brie Cheese, Bacon, Grilled Onions, Avocado and lots of Horseradish Mayo. Custom Built for Burger Boy by Burger Boy. I really liked it-no leftovers here!

Today's Counter "Burger Experience" gets two thumbs up from the 3 Tubby Tummys!