**Counter Burger is now closed**
If you’re in any doubt that the American chain The Counter burger has come to town, take a peek at the menu. For the first thing that my eyes rest upon is a Peanut Butter Shake. If that isn’t American I don’t know what is. Today we’re having lunch at The Counter burger, where you can get a fully customised burger that your heart or tastebud desires. I was first tipped off about The Counter by an NQN reader-got to love tips!
It’s table service here and when you sit down, you get a clipboard with a 5 part checklist of items that you can choose from starting from the patty (Beef, Turkey, Chicken or Vegetarian), then a cheese (from a list of 10 including horseradish cheddar, Gruyere and Danish blue), then some extra toppings (from a list of 18 regular toppings and a list of 10 premium toppings) and then a sauce (from a list of 17) and then a bun (hamburger bun, English muffin or wholemeal). This gives us a potential for 312,120 plus burgers! For low carb eaters, there is also the breadless option where instead of having it in a bun, you’re given the patty and toppings on top of salad leaves. We are literally staring at the menu, pencil paused in our hand, for about 10 minutes. For the terminally indecisive there are burger combinations already laid out.
Surfboard decorations
We are not sure what size patty we’d like so we look at the table next to us. Theirs looks like a fat juicy burger patty and they tell us it’s a 150g one and very filling (in fact they leave some of it behind). My husband rises to the challenge and chooses a 300g burger, despite being egged on to try the 450gram burger by the other customer who wants to see how big it would be. I am relieved to see that the item that I saw on the website, the Maryland Crab Cake burger is indeed the burger of the month here as I had presumed that it was a US only burger but everything there seemed to marry up exactly with the other locations.
Oooh Angus beef!
We ask the waitress about the shakes, apparently the peanut butter one is rather large and rich and she suggests sharing it and she also suggests combining a peanut butter and chocolate shake with malt which delights me as I am a big Reese’s peanut butter cup fan. We also share an order of 50 50 fries with half onion strings and half sweet potato chips.
Peanut butter and chocolate malted shake $5 (one of the two glasses)
The peanut butter and chocolate malted shake is surprisingly delicious. I had expected something cloying and thick and stuck to the roof of my mouth but this is perfectly peanut buttery and smoothly liquidy. It is rich though so sharing it isn’t a bad idea.
50 50 fries with half onion strings and half sweet potato chips $5.50
The 50 50 fries with half onion strings and half sweet potato chips are huge. In fact I wonder if they’ve accidentally doubled our serve but no. It’s served with a sweet BBQ sauce, garlic aioli and thousand island dressing sauces (all fabulous, particularly the Sweet BBQ which is made on the premises-we asked as we wanted to buy some). However there is one drawback. After getting through the vast amount of fries, you may find your hunger rapidly diminishing.
Maryland Style Crab Cake burger$15.95
My Maryland Style Crab Cake burger comes topped with Bacon Cole Slaw on a Bed of Lettuce Blend, with Tomatoes and Bermuda Red Onion on a Hamburger Bun with Lemon Basil Tartar Sauce. The bun is soft and fresh and perfectly toasted (a strange thing to notice but I did notice it) and the aroma of crab is so prevalent as soon as it is set down in front of me. For crab lovers like me, this is delicious and I enjoy every bite. The lemon basil tartar is fragrantly lemony and all sauces are served on the side so you can add as little or as much as you want.
300g Turkey burger with black olives, sweet red hot peppers, grilled onions and dill chips with Mexican Caesar sauce $14.50 + Country Buttermilk ranch sauce $0.50.
My husband’s burger is a ground turkey burger (chosen because Turkey is a healthy low fat meat and because we don’t often see Turkey on the menu here). He chooses olives, hot sweet peppers, dill chips and grilled onions to go on top of it along with a Mexican Caesar and a Country Buttermilk ranch sauce. The Country buttermilk ranch isn’t bad at all but the Mexican Caesar is fantastic, bursting through with Mexican spices. The burger itself is enormous with a generous serve of the additions.
Another look at the burger under the patty
I can’t finish my burger, between the fries, the shake, the massive burger and my jeans I can’t fit another bite in. In fact we go for the rest of the day without being hungry at all. But the thought does creep into my mind…how would the 450gram burger go?
In fact the thought won’t leave my damn food obsessed head all day and night, even while watching “He’s Just Not Into You” that evening (not a good movie, I was Just Not Into It), all I could think about was a) this movie is really, really boring and predictable and b)how would that 450gram burger go? So that night, I told my friend M all about it, my husband didn’t eat a thing for dinner or breakfast the next morning, and at 12noon the next day we were back, sitting with M and her boys, who I knew would love the whole concept. My husband was indeed ready for the 450gram burger now.
Making the Apple pie shake
As we’re late, the boys have already started the task of choosing their own burger. M is going for the Maryland Crab Cake style burger and I see their checklist. Uh oh, they’ve selected the 300gram size burger. I tell them that despite their hungry eyes, they won’t be able to finish one, especially since all S can talk about is the Apple Pie shake. “They put a real Apple Pie in it!” he shrieks happy. We confirm this with the waiter who says that yes indeed they put a piece of the Apple Pie, the same Apple Pie that they serve on the dessert menu, in the shake. We get a photograph of him making it too.
I’m going for a burger in a bowl, aka a salad, which is actually exactly how I like to eat: protein and salad. Hubby gears up mentally for the 450gram burger and we also order a side of french fries with chili beef and cheese.
Apple Pie Malted Shake $5
The Apple pie shake arrives in a tall glass and the boys can hardly wait to take to the straws but the best way of approach with it is actually with a spoon. It’s thick and with pieces of apples and pie crust, it can’t make its way up the straw so we devour this with spoons. And it is indeed so, so, so damn good.
Beef Chili cheese fries $6.50
The fries arrive and they are spicy with the beef chili, sour cream and diced spanish onion. They’re gooey and good but the french fries aren’t particularly crispy due to the chili beef on top (much like Nachos chips not being crisp under all of the topping). Out of the two, I have to say that I still have a stronger hankering for the 5050 onion strings and sweet potato chips.
S’s burger: 150g beef, tomato, dill pickles, lettuce, grilled onion, American cheese and thousnad island dressing $12.50 + avocado $1.50 extra
I try some of S’s burger and the beef is delicious.
I’s burger: 150g beef burger with carrot strings, beetroot, onion and BBQ sauce $12.50 + bacon $1.50 extra
I is chuffed with his burger and boldly declares that he could have another. We stop him, of course.
Mr NQN’s burger: 450g turkey burger with grilled pineapple, boiled eggs, sweet hot red pepper and black olives with horseradish cheddar and Mexican Caesar dressing $17.50
The burger that my husband saved his stomach for is needless to say, huge. He takes a deep breath before plunging in….
I take a bite. It is, despite the odd combination of our choosing, very good indeed. He’s impressed that for the price of that burger, it is all he needs to eat in a day and I imagine he has boy fantasies of living on a burger a day. He does wish that the bun was bigger and as the patty is bigger than the bun, the amount of extras doesn’t match the patty size (16.5cms wide and about 2cms thick, yes we measured).
And of course nothing is worth doing unless a comparison test is made between that of a 150g burger and a 450g burger.
Visual comparison of 150g burger vs 450g burger
My burger in a bowl 150g chicken with grilled pineapple, dill pickles, corn and pepper relish, Danish blue cheese and a caramelised onion marmalade $12.50
My burger in a bowl is deceptively large and filling. I get a very generous serve of Danish blue on this and the caramelised onion marmalade is delicious when scattered throughout the salad.
And stuffed to the brim what else do two brothers have to do but play slap fights with each other while I contemplate my next burger combination.
The Counter
118 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9436-2700
Open 7 days
Tuesday-Wednesday 5pm-9pm
Thursday 12pm-9pm
Friday-Saturday 12pm-10pm
Sunday 12pm-9pm
**Counter Burger is now closed**
http://www.thecounterburger.com/crowsnest/
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68 Comments | Add your own
I had so much fun reading your post I decided to find out where in the US the Counter was, since I’d never heard of it. Only to find out we have one in Salt Lake. It is now on my to do list. Thanks!
hooray for new saturday lunch venues!
oh and that burger is massive… MASSIVE! (i’m still getting my head around it)
ooo yum sweet potato and onion fries! Definitely dragged the boy to try this place on the weekend! I think i will have to choose what i want before hand. I am one of those undecisive people who will just go crazy when given far too much choise. Thank u for the review! A voguette had recommended this place and I have been curious ever since
We waited for months for this place to open, checking their progress every time we walked past. It is nice to have some American comfort food in the neighbourhood, but you have to be careful ordering because the portions are American sized. It’s very easy to over order.
Where??!?!?!?!? I’ve never seen this! I’m missing out!
Those burgers look awesome! I have trouble holding a normal sized burger together whilst I try to eat it so I can’t imagine how your hubby managed it with the 450g burger! Have got to try it for myself now
but the real question is do they have pumpkin pie flavour shakes too??
and who won the slap fight?
Oh I am definitely going to have to take the kids here – looks delicious. There used to be a place, many years ago, at Macquarie Centre which was kind of like this – build your own burger, very American. I was quite fond of it before or after a movie … ah the good old days.
And wow, a photo of your husband’s hat! I feel like I know him now … LOL
You had me at onion strings and sweet potato fries. Oh and the peanut butter and choc shake. And the 450g burger too.
L, this was a great outing! This is a place we will go back to as a treat after school on Fridays. I was very impressed with the value for money you get in this place. Much Love M
I can’t believe there’s a Counter Burger in Sydney! I go with my family in Los Angeles often, but I didn’t realize the chain was so far reaching. I’m glad to hear everything was tasty. You guys don’t need another bad American import…
wow, that post made me hungry!
i would totally go just for fries and a shake. if only there was a branch this side of the bridge. ;P
looks so good but so so bad
oh. my. goodness. YUM! i love the idea of really getting to personalise your burger. and all the sides/additions/sauces options seem pretty delicious. not your standard tomato or bbq sauce option
also love the burger in a bowl concept. the wheat-free amongst us will revel in that
i am soooo considering going here for dinner tonight.
Wow! I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to make a trip all that way some time soon! Peanut butter shake! *drool*
Apple pie shake?! How strange to make put something so solid in a milkshake. Sounds like a really good flavour though.
thanks to your wonderful Plan B wagyu beef burger review that I stumbled upon a couple weeks ago, i’ve been constantly craving burgers.. but none moreso than from this place! i need to try it asap.
btw, have you tried Burger Bar (Holt St) in Surry Hills? it’s a favourite of mine that i hope you will enjoy too
We have a Counter that just opened by us recently, we’ve been twice. I like it a lot, so far I’ve only ordered the chicken in a bowl and the sweet potato/onion string combo.
That sounds amazing! I’ve been missing really fantastic burgers for a while (it’s admittedly not something Australia does well) and may have to take a special trip up to North Sydney when I’m there in March.
yum.
I’ve just shown my husband who has died and gone to burger heaven! Thanks for your post, we’ll be definitely be visiting soon!
OMG!! THIS IS BURGER HEAVEN…all the choices…it’s so exciting…it looks so good that I immediately checked out The Counter’s site to see if there might be one close to me…but alas…the one in Australia IS the closest
it is on my list of things to eat when I make a trip there…must have this burger!!
Gosh…I’m hungry now…
WAHHHH my friends had been raving on about this place for weeks haha but you still beat me to it haha too pro!
Mmmm I can’t wait to try it now looks soo goodd mmmmm PB & choc shake ^^!
I love American culinary “trash” and super sized too! Peanut Butter shakes are liquid bliss and wow…apple pie shake? (only in America)
Are there any potatio skins on the menu? That’s the only thing missing. I think I might try the 450g burger asap!
Oops I meant potato!
We went here a few weeks ago and really enjoyed our meals. The boys all got the 300g patties and the girls 150g and we were all thoroughly stuffed by the end. Unfortunately they hadn’t started their burger of the month yet because I definitely would have tried the Maryland Style Crab Cake burger.
Wow, I’m sitting here in a sugar coma after eating far too many homemade sweets and that STILL looks amazing. Especially those fries and the apple pie shake.
Ooh I hope they come to the Northwest!
oh my god – i swear that your posts get more and more torturous! that place looks like some kind of burger-laden heaven. i wish, SO WISH, that they were up here!
i sniggered to myself when you mentioned that Mr NQN abstained from eating prior to your visit. you must have been SO PROUD! hahhaha!
and i’ve never seen chili cheese fries like those. not once. how have i gone this long without them? Lorraine, do you think that you might ever post a recipe for them? ever?! ***picture my best pleading eyes***
mmmmmmmmmm chili cheese fries…
Oh, oh, oh, what a totally awesome looking place! If only I lived in Tokyo, I would be applying for a franchise… Dying to try out some of those combinations – with your wagyu burger, of course!
why oh why? why only now they opened after I moved out of Crows Nest! grrr…. now I must go back to try that peanut butter and malt shake.
Apple pie shake? I had to look twice when you posted the photo with the ingredients, just to make sure I was actually seeing it!
OMG, where to start … Though the salad with the caramelised onion marmalade and blue cheese sounds good.
Hi, haha I think we were sitting opposite you last Saturday. I don’t remember seeing you taking photos though. I had the 300g turkey and the boys had the 300g beef, I wasn’t going to share the peanut butter shake though, that was all mine. I must be a pig because although I wasn’t that hungry, did have dinner later on…
ohh the 50/50 looks so good.. I love onion rings and sweet potato. What a cool place. Going on my list of places to try…
Sounds great – would love to take my boys here!! Maybe a good place to visit in the next school holidays.
Oh my….peanut butter milkshake and apple pie milkshake in the same post…could it get any better? oh yeah…nearly half a kilo of burger! AWESOME!
Great post… the food looks fantastic!
Awesome review, and awesome concept. I work a stone’s-throw from here and dare say it is going to become a regular haunt as a result of your exceptional (and enjoyably written) description and photography! Thanks NGN and your willing family of fellow reviewers!
Hi Barbara-Thankyou! That’s sweet of you to say
Great stuff, I’d love to know how the Salt Lake one is!
Hi shez-Yes! It is truly, madly, deeply massive
Hi Maria-Good idea. I studied the menu online for a good half hour just in case I missed anything (I hate having meal regret!). I’d love to know what you think of it and what burger you get
Hi Amanda-Yes definitely, like I mentioned, we didn’t have to eat dinner that evening!
Hi Blond Duck-Oh no, there aren’t any in Texas?
Hi Forager-I would’ve had the hardest time-he had big hands! I suppose if your hands can’t hold it, your stomach won’t be able to
Hi tara-No Pumpkin pie flavoured shakes (well who knows, maybe it will be a monthly shake). As for the slap fight? Who knows!
Hi SydneyGal-The kids will love it. It’s a bit of construction for a kid and I’m pretty sure they’d love the shakes too. What kid wouldn’t? Haha he’s VERY shy my hubby!
Hi Helen-There’s too much that alluring isn’t there!
Hi Big M-I’m glad you and the boys liked it (but I had they would). Lots of love and Apple Shakes, L
Hi Brittany-It looks like it’s the first in Australia (hopefully not the last). Hehe too true that!
Hi Reemski-Remembering my food made me hungry
Hi bowb-Aww it’s worth crossing the dreaded bridge for this!
Hi Fiona-Haha yeah I think I put on a kilo or two this weekend. Must limit burger intake…
Hi lindsey clare-Yes there are so many choices – not great for the undecided but then again there are the already thought out combinations. I loved the burger in a bowl. It feels much healthier!
Did you go? What did you have? Tell me all! 
Hi Zam-It’s really, really good. I so expected something really thick and claggy but it was so nice
Hi Arwen-Funny thing is, M and I concocted other ideas for cake in a shake like cheesecake shakes etc. Believe me, if you can put a pie in a shake and it works, other cakes might too!
Hi Therese-You’re welcome!
Oh no, I haven’t tried that. Thanks for the recommendation!
Hi Sara-I love it how everything marries up with the overseas Counter burgers. I don’t feel like we’re missing out at all
Hi Caz-Definitely, and bring your appetite!
Hi Jen-Ahh cool! Haha that’s so cute. Definitely, and let me know what you think of it and what you have
Hi Alexandra-Ahh maybe an enterprising Malaysion business person might bring it out! Who knows!
Hi Ffichiban-I took a while to get here, the rec came through mid January!
You gotta have the shakes! And I know you’re one that will have the appetite for it too 
Hi Karen-Hehe you’re very game if you do a 450g burger! I could barely do a 150g and I love to eat
No potato skins that I could see though I’m afraid!
Hi Pimi-Ahh cool! I wonder how many girls order the 450g burger? The Maryland Crab finishes soon (if the month things end on the last day of the month) and it’s well worth it
Hi anna-Hehe maybe you have a good dessert tank in your stomach that can handle it?
Hi Kathy-Aww there aren’t any near you? Bummer!
Hi the projectivist-Haha why thankyou!
Yes he was in serious “training” mode. I think if you made some mexican mince or some beef chili mince, topped from french fries with it and then added some sour cream and finely chopped up some spanish onion you’d pretty much have it! 
Hi Angela-Hehe it’s lots of fun indeed!
Oh yes you know what? There’s no Wagyu burger!
Hi billy-Awww no! But the shakes are a good excuse to go back to visit no?
Hi Chris-Haha yes well when I saw it on the menu I didn’t actually realise that they put an actual shake in it til one of the kids told me
Hi Cakelaw-The salad was soo good but incredibly filling!
I’d love another right now and its 1.41am 
Hi T&T-Haha really? My husband was taking the photos
Were you at a table for 3 and one of you have grilled pineapple on your salad? Wow, I’m admiring your appetite! 
Hi foodie-central-the 50 50 was really, really good but massive. I think 4 ppl could share that!
Hi arista-Yep, great idea! It’s a kids idea of heaven
Hi Maria-There’s something so alluring about a massive burger and cakes in shakes isn’t there!?
Hi Lil-Thankyou so much!
Hi Renzo-You’re welcome! Thankyou, you are too kind
Have a great time there and if you have a chance, let me know what you have there!
aside from the baklava heaven that you posted about awhile back, this is my favorite post of yours. i LOVE burgers, and there are too many delightful possibilities to imagine. your pictures and descriptions are marvelous, and come on–an apple pie shake? be still my heart!
(meanwhile, i hated “he’s just not that into you”…)
I have not heard of counter burgers here.. those are some variations/ combinations!!
Peanut butter shake! Onion rings! Sweet potato rings! Oh wow…. looks so good. I’m really craving peanut butter banana milkshake now, it’s been ages since my last one.
I agree that they’re better shared as they get quite filling after a while though. x
P.S hunger from this post made me go in search of a snack, which ended up being the dulce de leche I made and toast… and ohmygod I never knew it would go so well together! Still sweet, but a great pairing in my opinion. It’s right up there with nutella.
ooh, i love a good shake. this has inspired me to experiment with a shake for breakfast this morning. yum.
YES. Their shakes are definitely the best. I’m a fan of their fries as well…who needs a burger?!?
As an American living in Sydney, I have always wondered where I could get a proper American burger. Now I know! Those sweet potato fries look amazing!!
Yep that was us, a table of very big eaters… God help us. I was staring at your plate of sweet potato chips so I was probably being rude.
yum! I wish I was still living in Sydney. I will definitely be putting this on the list of places to go to when we visit.
Hi grace-Oh cool! I like it when people tell me which posts they like
It’s amazing that there are that many combinations! I thought the only funny scene in it was the two ladies on the park bench that said to get some ice cream and some ribs. Someone write a movie about two women on a park bench dispensing relationship advice! 
Hi Soma-They’ve got a locations page so maybe there’s one near you or coming soon?
I wonder if anyone is trying to get every single combination? Oh hang on, just did the maths. It’s kind of difficult, ok impossible 
Hi Su-yin-yes a whole shake to yourself and you probably wouldn’t want the burger or the fries and that would be missing out!
Ah very cool. I think that’s what they have for breakfast! Perhaps it’s their version of Nutella?
Hi reddoorred-Ooh yes, how did it go? Next time I have a pie or cheesecake I’m going to make a shake!
Hi justJENN-I love the burgers though but it is hard to fit all 3 in and as the shakes and fries come first, I can’t resist…
Hi SarahKate-This is definitely the American burger place. I’d love to know how this Counter compares to other Counters overseas!
Hi T&T-How funny! Maybe I’ll see you guys there again sometime. Well when I can muster up the stomach space to go back
Hi jess-Ah cool, if you’re ever starving it’s the place to visit
haven’t been yet, but am planning to take my husband there on the weekend. it’s a surprise, cause i know he’s going to absolutely DIE of happiness. i can’t wait
Hi lindsey clare-It’s a total man joint I think. The size of the burgers will ensure there are no complaints of hunger
I showed this post to my husband and we immediately had to go and try the burgers ourselves. We loved it – the meat was fantastic and it was a lot of fun. We were wondering though – did your husband finish the 450g burger? We only had 150g patties for our lunch and now we’ve only been able to fit in 3 pieces of turkish delight each for dinner!
I dragged a bunch of people there this weekend. Place was full at 2pm! Asked the server and she said that its kind of unusual. Told her that it was probably all thanks to your blog. She said that they had all been given printouts of it to read. So way to go NQN.
I had the Crabcake burgers and the peanut-choc milkshake. Gastronomic orgasms!!!
Thanks for this find.
ok. i finally got to The Counter on the weekend. hooray!
i was very impressed. i had the 150g beef burger in a bowl (with pickles, carrot strings, the bean + corn salsa, grilled onions and red relish sauce).
shared 50/50 onion and potato chips with husband, as well as a peanut-choc shake.
thumbs up for: the burger in a bowl. the shake (amazzzzzing). the freshness of all the ingredients. the extensive menu. the friendly staff.
slight thumbs down for: the red relish – i was expecting it to be all chunky and homemade-ish, but it just looked and tasted like Heinz ketchup with chilli added. the onion rings – too thin, they really just tasted like batter with a tiny bit of onion. also, i like my fries thick not thin but that is personal preference i guess.
anyway, i’m totally hanging out to go back. i wish i could make it this week so i could get the crabcake burger, but i don’t have time. wahh
Hi Renee-Fantastic! Yes he finished the whole 450g thing but he didn’t eat for 24 hours before or after it
How you felt was exactly how I felt!
Hi Shants-Oh wow! You’ve made my day! Thankyou so much for mentioning NQN, that’s really wonderful of you and thanks for letting me know! Great combo with the crab cake and milkshake. Mmm I’d love both right now!
Hi Lindsey clare-Great, your salad sounds good. Thanks for letting us know about the red relish. Might try something else then! I quite liked the onion strings but they are much thinner than onion rings and they are a bit harder to eat I agree (but by my reasoning, it slows me down
). Oh yes, only a few days left for the burger. I wonder what next months is going to be?
We dropped into the Counter Burger today and oh my the 350g beef burger is massive! There will be no dinner for me tonight! We also shared the crabcake burger- i found this a bit too rich so when I moved to the beef burger is was moorishly good with cheese and bacon.
Love love loved the sweet potato fries and dip that came with it.
I did find it odd that the first store they opened was in Crows Nest. I am sure they would do really well in locations such as bondi or manly. There were people still eating and wandering in at 3.30 in the afternoon.
You know, I thought I was stuffed after eating a huge roast dinner, loads of cake and then ice-cream… but suddenly I find myself absolutely ravenous!
Those fries… the sweet potato and onion ones… I would walk over hot coals for them. They look absolutely amazing! And being able to choose burger sizes would make me very, very happy indeed. This is one chain that I would love to see come to the UK!
Hi Maria-Hehe yes it’s so filling isn’t it!
I love those sweet potato fries and the sauces *drools*
Crows Nest is an unusual area/ Hubby and I were discussing it as we thought it was an interesting choice for a first store but every time we go there on a Saturday night places are buzzing and really busy. We had no idea!
Hi Angela-I’m amazed there isn’t one near you! Yes it’s so good to have all that choice-and very American too!
I recently ordered take away burgers from the Counter. Sadly in no way did it live up to my expectations. It looked like the burgers had been pulled out of the garbage bin and thrown into the container. The burger patty was rare.. my husband felt unwell the next day. The vegie burger I had was uneatable. When I called to complain they had no hesitation in refunding the full price. They were not surprised IMO that I was unhappy.
Thanks for your review, before which I didn’t know this place existed – I wandered up the road to the Counter today and it totally lived up to expectations! Fantastic!
Hi JOS-Sounds like a terrible experience. It’s good that they gave you your money back though but that’s terrible about your husband feeling sick.
Hi DM-Cool! That’s excellent to know! Thanks so much for letting me know
I went once in March and the chili was Tex Mex stuff I hadn’t tasted in 12 years. Heaven!
I dragged my husband from Penrith to Crows Nest last week and we were both so disappointed. The staff didn’t particularly care about our experience because the place was literally empty and our orders were all just that much off that it wasn’t a pleasant experience. The waiter I asked advice about what the food was like just wrinkled his nose at the Americanisms (fried dill pickle slices) and the chili. The 50/50 onion strings and sweet potato were cold soon after they got to the table and the sweet potato was more burned than orange. I got my chili without cheese and when I asked if I was supposed to get cheese with it, he apologized and came back out with… a slice of square cheese on a plate – I could see the plastic indentations on the slice from the wrapper. I looked a bit incredulous, I’m sure. So they take the chili back to the kitchen (which already has the sour cream dolloped on top), add some shredded cheese (the white stuff not the American orange stuff) on top of the sour cream and nuke it all. Then the “chef” brought it out to the table.
I was planning on ordering shakes and desserts as well but I was totally put off by the store attitude.
Went there today… Was so excited!!! When I got there (45 minute drive)…. It was closed!!! Who knew they close Monday???? Tried a place further up the road called ‘Grilled’ which was excellent but was still sad….
A group of friends and I went up to try the Counter Burger last night (April 2011)after reading this review and I think it’s closed for good – it was closed on a saturday night at 7pm and a sign outside just read ‘the Counter Burger is now CLOSED, thank you to all our customers’. We too, went up the road to ‘Grill’d’ which was excellent and the staff are SO friendly! They even gave us a free pack of french fries, and we asked about COunter Burger and they said it had been losing a lot of business and shut down. Such a shame as there aren’t many true American restaurants around Sydney where you can get a great burger!
thanks
I walked past The Counter yesterday and was surprised to find out it has now closed! I had been there a number of times and always found the service to be friendly and the burgers very good. I was planning to go again with my family soon, but now they’re closed, obviously we won’t be going. I like Grill’d which is up the road from The Counter, but I don’t think they’re as good. Sad to see The Counter go. And no other stores in Australia either.
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[...] Nest for weeks and weeks and then having to drool over the saliva-inducing photos and review at NQN, I made a promise myself to visit this place as soon as possible. The next chance I had at deciding [...]
[...] finish that in no time”. He was after all, the man that faced off with the 1 pound burger at Counter Burger and lived to tell the tale. It’s beefy and cheesey with a layer of spread which is like a [...]
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