Review: Pull up to the Counter and have a burger your way

Servers sporting low-hanging jeans. A loud Killers song blasting from overhead speakers.

[show me the beef]

Way too much money. Better off at Joe's, if you want to walk away with a full stomach and slightly dented pocket book. The burger was ok taste wise, cooked to my specs, served hot...........and 23.00 later, tip included, a once only experience. Jason's cheesburger was much better. Unfortunately, Jason's is out of business. Marin Joe's remains at the top of the tast/value pile.

[Local]

We loved the concept but hated the blaring, chaotic music that made it impossible to have a conversation.

[kitty]

yes way too much $
but then outside companies seem to think that because Marin has some high wealth folks that we dont know the value of a $ and are all trendies
sorry this isnt Newport Beach
financed by some VC fund or other wall street types no doubt chasing the next shiny thing or maybe a trust fund
id give it 2-3 years before any financers pull the plug for lack of ROI

[Not the best burger]

I am presuming you visited the Counter only once before penning this review? How could you miss the problems that we, and many of our friends encountered on our visits? Briefly, our experience included such loud music you couldn't hold a conversation, the wait for food was absurdly long, it was NOT cooked to our specifications, the 50-50 fries came after the burgers and were wimpy and cold - and all this for a premium price? No thank you.

[Jan]

Except for some new gimmicky non-organic ingredients (at least not mentioned in the article), and you providing the labor, probably the same chemical laden processed, frozen, boxed, trucked, bar coded, microwaved, deep fried junk that is sold at
Round Table, Chilis, Denny's, Olive Garden, CoCo's, Chevy's, Burger King, McDonald's , Cheesecake Factory, Carl's Jr, Wendy's etc., often from the very same warehouse and drop shipped on shrink-wrapped pallets off the same trucks that make their rounds from mall to mall. J.R. Simplot potatoes and coke syrup and Iowa Beef Packers "meat" consisting of ground up cattle muscle, tumors, pus, rodents etc, are the same at every fast food terminal countrywide.
The only difference is the TV commercials, the menus and the corporate branded image.

Learn where your local farmer's market is folks. Learn to cook simple nutritious food.

Eat meat like a condiment if at all. Go organic. Grow some of your own. You'll live longer and be healthier and wealthier and look better.

[Steven Thomas]

We agree ! The Counter is awesome ! Cant wait to get back there.

[Candide]

I agree with Jan, and her message should not be ignored. Where will all this destructive gimmicry end? "Eat meat like a condiment" is such good advice.

Regardless ... why do we put up with insanely loud restaurants? We are in the age of decibel inflation, and smart people invest in hearing aid futures. I will not patronize a business with such loud sounds -- music or otherwise.

[baybum]

went here a couple of weeks ago and the service was way slow. I called in and ordered to go as I had a feeling that like all new restaurants they have a few things to work out. I waited in an unorganized line for at least 10-15 minutes just to pay and pick-up my food. After returning home less than 5 minutes away, the fries and sweet potato fries were soggy, and they forgot to include the fries that was supposed to be included in my kids slider burger meal. To top it off it appears to be over-priced, and as best as I can tell I was over-charged. My meal without any drinks or dessert was over $30 and that was for just 2 bugers, 1 order of 50/50 fries and 1 kids meal (without any fries that were supposed to be included.) For a great burger, maybe, but for what we ate there are much better values.

[Peter]

I am one of the owners of The Counter in Corte Madera and wanted to thank our local Marin patrons who have helped us get off to an absolutely awesome start. While we certainly haven't been perfect in our first two weeks of operations, the reception has been overwhelmingly amazing and positive. We know we are not for everyone and I'm sure there are people who still wish they could walk into McDonalds, and that's ok. Hopefully, you will give us a chance and see what we bring to the table.

I also wanted to clarify some misconceptions that seem to have appeared in other posts. First, while the owners dont live in Corte Madera, we live right here in the Bay Area and we don't consider ourselves outsiders, but rather part of the greater community. You can speak with other members of the CM/LS area and ask about how we have worked together with them in support of local organizations already. There are no "outside financers", just a few small business owners who have raised capital with their homes as collateral. Second, and frankly, NO, our ingredients are not at all the same as the other chains that were mentioned. If you want more details feel free to contact me and I will be happy to provide you with information about the high quality and all natural specifications for these ingredients. Almost all of our sauces, vegan burger, etc are made from scratch in our store daily. We do cost more than McD's or InNOut, but we offer a completely different choice and service.

Thanks to everyone who has already made our opening a tremendous success! And I ask, if you have an experience that wasnt up to your expectations, let us know and allow us to try to correct it. We're still new! Thanks.

[Anonymous]

The best thing about this review is that it is NOT written by Harlib (or whatever her name is)!! She was just out of touch and off base...kudos to the IJ for bringing in fresh meat...so to speak.

[NorthBayRover]

Try Pie 'n Burger in Pasadena. Worth the drive.

[Redwoods]

I'd like to know why their grill doesn't have better air pollution controls -- most days, it now looks like Town Center's on fire! It's not that hard or expensive to control greasy particulates!

[Red Diaper]

New concept ? Hardly.I will give em a try but Fudruckers has been doing the build your own thing for a while. None over here though.

[Singer]

Geez which wrong side of the bed did some of these posters get up on? Just because the internet allows some form of being anonymous doesn't mean some of you have to be mean spirited louts.

I'm definitely willing to give the Counter a try, as I have yet to find the 'great' burger in Marin County. Especially since Peter has shown himself to be a classy guy and an example of good customer service.

[John]

I've been to a couple of those in LA. It's pretty good,but extraordinarily expensive! The burgers are ala carte- so fries or anything else is another $4-$5. A cheeseburger, fries and a Coke is over $15 fergoshakes...

[John]

I think Red Robin a vastly better deal. For some reason, they aren't in Marin County. I think there's a catering company or something with a similar name that's preventing it...

[Just in Case]

love anonymous singers. i couldn't get out that place fast enough. screwed up order - forgot fries, total irritated folks eating at bar EVERYBODY, greasy eight dollar burgers - once the thrill's gone, counter's done.

[NorthBayRover]

John of Morgan Hill, sounds like you've been to Pie 'n Burger. There's only one--near corner of Lake and California in Pasadena. The burger is the only great item, but it is really good. I can live without their fries and shake, too. Yes, the place is pricey. $7.68 without tip for the cheeseburger. Also, try it with mayo instead of the dressing they normally put on.

[Bob]

My wife and I had lunch at Counter last week, food was outstanding, however some of the previous comments were right on, specifically, COST, LOUD MUSIC, and slow service. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and over all a good meal, althought a bit costly ($48 for lunch). They'll do well, and I'll return for sure, just wish they lower the loud music . . . I can put up with the cost and slow service.

[Jan]

Peter wrote:

I am one of the owners of The Counter in Corte Madera and wanted to thank our local Marin patrons who have helped us get off to an absolutely awesome start.... NO, our ingredients are not at all the same as the other chains that were mentioned.... I will be happy to provide you with information about the high quality and all natural specifications for these ingredients. Almost all of our sauces, vegan burger, etc are made from scratch in our store daily.

OK, I'm impressed with your sincerity: however, "all natural" is a meaningless term...get certified organic ingredients and carry a selection of non-meat items and you will have them out the door beyond your first few weeks. i.e.:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/camp...

"Despite the massive popularity and demand for certified organic products, retailers like Whole Foods Market, and wholesalers like United Natural Foods Inc., continue to push "natural" products at a premium price, while, in effect slowing down the growth of organics with their near market monopoly. In fact, the majority of products sold and distributed by Whole Foods Market and UNFI are not certified organic, but rather so-called "natural.” Meanwhile, independent and cooperative grocers often offer more certified organic products at competitive prices…. However, the annual $50 billion natural food and products industry is threatening to undermine the organic movement by flooding the marketplace with conventional products greenwashed with “natural” labeling. "Natural," in the overwhelming majority of cases, translates to "conventional-with-a-gree n-veneer." Natural products are routinely produced using pesticides, chemical fertilizer, hormones, genetic engineering, and sewage sludge. "Natural","all- natural," and "sustainable," products in most cases are neither backed up by rules and regulations, nor a Third Party certifier. These are label claims that are neither policed nor monitored."

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/camp...