Hamburgers in Orange County

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Comment by Brent Courier on August 9, 2010 at 10:26pm

Counter-intuitive--to my worst previous folly--and last entry in the "Hamburgers in OC"--I had to try "The Counter" that recently opened in Westcliff Plaza in N.B.

I, of course, had high expectations of the much touted burger "joint??" from it's unabashedly grandiose reviews (Yelp, et. all.) I prepared myself to be underwhelmed--so that I could appreciate the product for what it was. . .

I pause. . .and I have to ask: What the heck? Have people not had great burgers in their lives? I snarl at In and Out, but their product, for what it is, is leagues ahead of what the Counter Burger purports, and is purported-to-be.

I give great kudos to the masters of marketing for coming up with a burger place that can grab the deep pocketed American, and drag them in for a "Counter Burger" w/ single sweet potato fry order for about $16--w/ tip and tax.

The Good:

Their service was very pleasant for how busy they were on a Monday eve at 7:30pm. Cute, smiling help--I mean that in a good way. Their accoutrements were very delicious. Not "off-the-charts" unique, but the everything "but the patty items," were the best part of the final product. Nice bun, charred perfect, deep fried onion strings, mushroom, lettuce and a most simple sun-dried tomato vinaigrette were the highlights.

The Bad: The Burger. "Come on Man. . ." It was a good size at 1/3 lb. That's it. I ordered it medium, as the employee assured me it would be pink throughout. It was done as she described.

The ground beef burger had absolutely no character, no flavor, no fine texture, and no juice. It had nothing to do with me having a bad day. I had a great day off today. I ordered their signature "Counter Burger" during the heat of the Kitchen Battle Hour and I was really hungry--since I hadn't eaten since breakfast. The conditions were prime for a great review.

Not to be.

The Counter, oddly missed the mark in the ultimate test--which is the medley of components--each complimenting and accentuating the other ingredient leading toward burger stardom.

T.K. gets it, on a small scale, as does the "I-love-to-hate-but-get-it" In and Out. (I don't hate "In and Out," I just think their greatness is, per chance, a bit overrated.) Their (In&Out) balance, though, for an everyman burger, puts "The Counter" into an "abyssful" place called: "Why drop $16 for that??" I can go to the "A" Restaurant or Bayside or The Landing (for their excellent burger) during, or not during, HH and leave double the tip for double the product quality output for barely more dollars--along with a beer, or soda.

I challenge any of my fellow OC foodies to counter my evaluation. I would send four unmarked people to four agreed-upon, best-in-class burger joints in the N.B. area, have all arrivals timed to return to the table at the same time with represented product, and do a blind tasting.

The Counter would get good reviews for condiments & bun, and get blasted for the boring, chewy, non-juicy (no "hunch" required) beef.

The Counter is so close to my humble dwelling--I was excited--but will exile myself back to one of the afore mentioned great stand-by burger palaces, or tuck into catacorner La Cave for something much more "religious."

--TheBC

Comment by Brent Courier on June 6, 2010 at 12:22am

I just had the worst burger, and I want to crawl down in shame for my folly. I was starving, but didn't want to ruin lunch by having a big b-fast, so I stop at a Jack-in-the-Box, and ordered a Dollar menu burger of shame. (whatever it was, it was what the rich feed the poor--that makes them feel good about themselves today, while the poor feel worse, the next day.) I actually ate the inside of it, and was disgusted with myself.

So disgusted, I pondered for moments, and thought, "I'm going to go have something decent, and untried, for lunch." It worked out well.

Since the title of this blog has the moniker of "who has the worst," included in the title, I, hereby, nominate Jack in the Box as the worst dollar burger in America. No fault of the workers, (they can only do so much to make the corporate product better,) but, ultimately, all the fault lies squarely upon myself. I know better. Yuck.

If you got a laugh out of my folly, or took even an ounce of pity from this--I appreciate it.

I know, I know.

Comment by Justin Moore-Brown on April 10, 2010 at 6:56pm

One of the best burgers I've had in OC is at Habana's Cuban restaurant @ The Lab.

Go on Thursday for lunch for one of the BEST Kobe Beef burgers in town. served with a huge helping of shoe string fries and tropical slaw.

Comment by Andrew Davey on February 10, 2010 at 10:47am

I'm still trying to figure that out, Brent. And believe it or not, Southern Nevadans seem to be even MORE infatuated with In-N-Out. I just don't get it. Their burgers and stuff are good for a fast food joint, but I've never really had a life-altering experience at any of them here or in Vegas.

I'll have to try yours and everyone else's suggestions soon to see if I can find something here that stacks up to LBS or Burger Bar in Vegas. So far, my favorite veggie burger here has been the one at Native Foods. It's SO YUMMY, I forget that it's vegan! :-D

Comment by Brent Courier on January 15, 2010 at 1:21pm

Why is it that we Californian's love In-N-Out Burger so much?

It's greasy fill with lots of cheese and onions---tender beef, on the average---and a cheap tab. Yup, that's it. Good, if you're in the mood for it, but not Great. Nutty, that it is rated so high by so many consumers. Try the burger at The Landing in Newport on the Harbor. It works. It's way closer to burger greatness--without hype--but you have the sights--.

BC

Comment by Brent Courier on January 15, 2010 at 1:12pm

Mike, your review was great. I never got the third sentence, but that's because I'm getting old. Everything else, lines up--to me. I'm looking forward to trying their product--I just have a hard time ordering a high dollar burger--at times--to have a transcendent experience--since we can go to Mr. Promeli's--ask him to ground some "real" chuck and, then, lightly pat 'em down to grill or fry to perfection. Hard to beat your own creation, most likely. Tale be told: Hate to say it, no burger in OC is worth a diversion/ neither a great bowl of asian noodle / banh mi. Bring it to NB, it's Crab Cooker chowdah, or else. (Joke)

Comment by Shelly Borrell on November 10, 2009 at 3:31pm

I can't wait to try www.25degreesrestaurant.com now. I'll report back. Thanks for the info! Ciao.

Comment by Mike Chiavetta on November 9, 2009 at 6:55pm

I am with Jules. I've been to 25º twice and the burgers are ridiculous. You can rock 4 house burgers or BYO. The yellowtail burger is delicious the bun is almost perfect, my buddy thought it was a tad greasy but hey. One order of fries is good for 3 people and is served in a kitchy open chinese take out container...get the horseradish sauce freaking yummy. And wash all that down with $2 PBR hell yeah. Burgers are like 9 bucks and worth every penny.

Comment by sara yi on September 29, 2009 at 11:50am

in-n-out and the counter in irvine! the counter makes the most amazing veggie burgers i have ever had-i choose it over meat anyday and i'm not vegetarian!

Comment by Brent Courier on September 28, 2009 at 10:39am

Thanks for the rec on the Goodell's latest project. HB has done a nice job of classing up the downtown area. So, Jules how does 25deg. match up to The Counter or any other local faves? Also, you're telling me it's possible to have a great burger that's not made with ground chuck?? Hmm. I'll have to check them out. . . .

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