August/September 2017 87
SPIFFY BURGERS
THE COUNTER
Yet another SoCal creation, The Counter has
no high-minded goal about cutting calories,
focusing on mouth indulgence and madefrom
scratch, “custom-built” burgers using
fresh ingredients. This approach has been
so successful that locations are now approaching
40, even overseas, but most are
in the Los Angeles area. The checklist-type
menu lets guests order a huge variation in
“burgers,” which here also include non-beef
options like chicken-parmesan, crab cake,
bison, ground turkey and vegetarian. When
it comes to the cow, the meat is antibiotic
and hormone free and dressed up with an
endless array of flavorings like jalapenos,
grilled red onions, bacon and more. The
Counter has also cranked up the creativity
and quality on classic accompaniments that
include to-die-for sweet potato fries with
horseradish aioli, parmesan fries, fried dill
pickles with apricot sauce and some seriously
addictive shakes with a wide range
of flavors including apple crumble, Oreo,
cherry pie filling and salted pretzel. San
Jose, 408/423-9200; Cupertino, 408/477-
2917; Mountain View, 650/948-2333; Palo Alto,
650/321-3900; San Mateo, 650/212-3200; Fremont,
El Asado
Burger
510/796-8800. thecounterburger.com SPIFFY BURGERS
SUPER DUPER
BURGERS
Taking the fresh approach to a higher level
than most burger-centric eateries is this Bay
Area-grown chain that trumpets its focus on
local, sustainable ingredients and quality.
The grass-fed beef is “humanely raised” and
the buns come from a local artisan baker.
Even the organic ice cream for the shakes
comes from a high-end local dairy. Naturally,
the packaging is all compostable and even
the sign painters are local. Single- or double
patty, outrageously juicy burgers are
offered, along with non-beef choices such
as a veggie burger—reportedly, a very tasty
one—and chicken patty, the latter punched
up with chipotle aioli. Patrons rave about
the garlic fries, which come topped with
aged cheddar, the house-made pickles and
generous amount of bacon for those craving
a bacon burger. The thick shakes include
flavors like double chocolate with chips and
cookies and cream. With several locations in
San Francisco and the North Bay, this little
chain is bound to keep on growing. Santa
Clara, 408/985-1352; Los Gatos, 408/356-
0684. superduperburgers.com
FROM TOP: RYAN TANAKA; AUBRIE PICK
Chicken
Sandwich
