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    The Counter

    3.7 (150 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Order The Counter Takeout or Delivery

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    THE COUNTER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Romantic
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Counter

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    Sprouted Veggie with a side salad.
    Laura A.

    Such a great find! We walked in and were instantly greeted. The gentleman that sat us was warm and friendly. Our server Tammy was fantastic. She informed us of the specials and happy hour, was knowledgeable of the menu, and gave us wonderful service. The food runner was also nice and on top of it. It's rare to get such hospitality from start to finish these days so well done! The food was delicious and fresh. This is a nice place to watch some sports and relax. Definitely check it out.

    Timmy S.

    I visited this location of The Counter for lunch on a weekday. It's located in a plaza with plenty of parking. The interior has several tables and a counter as well as an enormous patio. This is a full-service restaurant where you'll be seated and order taken at the table. They have burgers, sandwiches, salads, and wings on the menu. I was brightly welcomed and seated by an energetic young woman. Various people attended to me at the table during my meal. I wanted to order from their lunch specials but I really wanted a chocolate mint milkshake, which couldn't be added to any of the specials. So I additionally ordered the old-school cheeseburger and tots. The burger, according to the menu, included Tillamook cheddar, lettuce blend, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, and relish between a brioche bun. I requested no onions and the burger cooked medium. As an aside, my first encounter with The Counter was probably 20 years ago at their Santa Monica location, where they introduced a new concept: providing pencil and paper with a long list of ingredients you could check off to build your burger to your specifications. They still have those sheets at the tables here or you can, as I did, just order off the menu. The milkshake was excellent, very chocolatey with a mild mint background flavor. I actually would have liked the mint a bit stronger but it was fine. The tots were superb! Crisp and crunchy outside and soft inside. The beef of the burger was very flavorful, obviously quality meat. I kept thinking the burger was bland though. After I was finished I checked the menu descriptions on their website. I realized my burger, which didn't have onions per my request, also didn't have pickles or relish. I didn't taste any tomato either, although I think there might have been a thin slice. My mind was distracted by other things as I ate so, spaced out as I was, I didn't add up that the lack of pizazz was the lack of ingredients. I had already scarfed the entire thing down so there was no point in complaining. I've always rolled my eyes over people who eat every bite of their meal and then complain and want it comped. I wasn't going to be THAT person. Still, I wonder what happened with the burger. Despite my disappointment I still liked my lunch "okay".

    Kevin W.

    I got The Counter burger. I accidentally ordered the 1/3-pound patty--I didn't realize it until I had finished the burger. That aside, I'd say the burger I got was cooked medium, and they did a pretty good job. The whole patty was pink throughout, just as they described. I did notice that different bites had varying levels of saltiness, which I think might be due to uneven salt distribution when they seasoned it before cooking. The inside of the patty was pretty bland. If they had somehow salted the inside more evenly, I think it would've added more flavor. That said, the patty was quite juicy. I would say though the patty was on the leaner side and I would've preferred to be a bit fattier to add more flavor. Later on, I added another 1/3-pound patty to make up for not realizing they offered 1/2-pound and 1-pound options. That helped fill me up. I paired it with a side of guac, which added a nice, juicy touch to the burger. I got a salad as a side--it wasn't bad and was pretty fresh. I also shared some skinny fries. If you're into that style of fry, they're a solid choice.

    Betty G.

    While running errands in the area, we decided to have dinner locally. We pulled into the parking of several restaurants and they were closed (on a holiday Monday?) so we drove around the shopping center looking for a good restaurant. We were so happy seeing The Counter open. It was a bit early for dinner so there weren't a lot of people in the restaurant. Great! The restaurant was full by the time we left though. Hubby ordered the classic cheeseburger, medium. The burger was nice & juicy but it was a more on the rare side though, not medium. I had the honey Dijon grilled chicken sandwich with the tater tots. It was delicious. Mango margarita was really good, spicy and strong. They gave it to us as Happy Hour price and definitely didn't cheat on the alcohol. We had Tammy as our server and she was wonderful. Super nice and quick at getting us what we need. We will be back!

    The Counter Burger
    Brian M.

    The Counter is always a nice spot to sit outside and enjoy a burger. I really like the sheet where I can select my size and type of burger meat, all my different toppings, and whether I want it on a bun, in a lettuce wrap or on a salad. This time I was craving salad so I went with the burger salad. I covered it in all kinds of fun toppings, and then used some of the garlic aïoli on the side to dip it in. It was huge, and I had enough for lunch the next day too. For my side, I always go with the tater tots, as they make me feel like a kid. We will be back when we're in the area, and we need a bite.

    Bob S.

    The grilled sandwich was very fresh, savory, juicy, flavorful, and delicious with barbecue sauce, cheese, and avocado. Also, the French fries were super tasty, crispy, crunchy, salty, and perfectly served with tangy ketchup, and the lemonade was really sweet and refreshing, too. Good service, nice atmosphere with upbeat music, and I had an excellent experience here today.

    Alvin T.

    Never disappoints, never fail & will be back for more! Good friendly service, great food and good vibes!

    Jennie A.

    This was our first time dining here. I ordered the Nashville hot chicken sandwich with a side salad. The chicken was perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. I would have loved the hot sauce to pack a bit more of a punch, but the flavors were great! The side salad was fresh and balanced out the richness of the sandwich nicely. Our server was incredibly sweet and attentive, making us feel welcomed and well taken care of throughout the meal. All in all, it was a great experience from start to finish.

    Kim W.

    I am updating my review to five stars because of the proactive way in which my concerns and recommendations were addressed. I really appreciate it Dennis the manager taking the time to not only call and email me but also to make changes to the website and also to the Doordash menu so that now there is the option to order a homemade veggie burger when you "build your own burger " that was so thoughtful and the type of customer experience that makes me want to be a repeat customer. I just am so grateful and cannot thank Dennis enough!!! So thoughtful of him!!! Now I can make counter burger, one of my starred places on DoorDash!!

    Severely undercooked "medium well" burger.
    Justin F.

    I've been here a dozen or so times, and service & food have alway been good, but it's been a minute. Based on my experience tonight, and the other recent reviews, quality has gone downhill for sure. Tonight: Host seemed untrained and unprepared for a slight crowd, but we got a table right away. We had a group of 5, he offered us a regular 4 seater table and said "you can grab a spare chair for your 5th"... I laughed it off and joked to group that afterwards I'll help at the bar or kitchen - boy was I right. 15 minutes of sitting around, no one came by with menus or to take orders (yes I actually knew the time, because my phone said how long ago I parked). I had to get back up and ask for menus and after a server brought us menus she said she'd "find out" who is serving us... but it ended up being her... don't you have predetermined areas? After order was placed, food took forever, at least 30ish minutes. Somehow all fries were cold, like they had been sitting. Both the sweet potato and regular. My burger was ordered "medium well" and it came out still mooing. No way - I had to send it back. The server said "uhhhhh should they regrill or remake?" I said, "well it'll probably take longer to take it all apart to regrill, plus probably should not put plated food back on your kitchen grill so I would say remake" Really?!? lol! The second attempt was much better and tasted good. The side of chili was really good. Or maybe I was just starving.

    Patty Melt

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    2 years ago

    Best chicken in town!!!! Allison, our favorite server, always takes such good care of us. Great atmosphere!

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    2 years ago

    Yummy burgers, and the best fries ever. Great service. Outside needs a few more sunshades.

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

    First time here and it was fantastic! We sat outside for lunch. Service was great and the food was DELICIOUS!!! Definitely coming back

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Hours are wrong. They appear to close at 9. Not 10! Need to update their hours so people don't waste time.

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    3 years ago

    The food and service is good but pricey I don't know if I would go back it was very nosey inside

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    3 years ago

    Good service and good food. Pretty casual experience. Would come back again. Thanks for reading this.

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    3 years ago

    this place is exactly what Ladera needed! great food, great service, and great ambience!

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    Page 4 of 4

    The Counter Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Counter

    Is there MSG MONOSODIUM GLUTEMATE In salad DRESSINGS OR SEASONINGS? Allergy Thanks!

    What time is their happy hour?

    3-6 i believe

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    The Stand - American Classics Redefined

    4.7(617 reviews)
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    The Stand in San Juan Capistrano exceeded every expectation, the food was everything the pictures…read morepromised and more! From the freshness to the attention to detail, the textures, and how every dish balanced its flavors, this was a genuinely excellent meal. We came as a family and ordered a little bit of everything: * Big Blu Burger (husband/dad): The dressing paired perfectly with the arugula *They also split the chili dog and loved it! * Falafel Wrap (mom): Fresh, filling, and packed with flavor -- not soggy at all * Aji Salad (sister): Delicious with a huge portion * Kids Hot Dog & Fries (son): Great size and price for a kiddo * Chimichurri Steak Salad (me): So many layers of flavor and texture -- crunchy, spicy, and delicious Appetizers: Onion rings, fries, Meyer broccolini (my favorite -- came with an amazing dipping sauce), and green beans with an almost sweet-soy flavor that was so good. Dessert: Oreo shake and strawberry shake, both rich but not too heavy, just right. Everything was phenomenal, and the customer service matched the food. We were checked on multiple times without being bothered, and the space had plenty of seating both inside and out. The AC was a welcome relief from the heat, too. We left full, happy, and already planning our next visit. Highly recommend!

    The food here is usually great, I'll give them that. But the customer service is absolutely…read moreterrible. I placed a DoorDash order and accidentally added an extra burger. An easy fix: just remove it before making it. It's happened to me a few times before with no problem. DoorDash even instructed them and myself to do exactly that. Instead, the restaurant refused. So they wasted the food, kept my money, and created a problem where there didn't need to be one. In the end, DoorDash refunded me and I got the extra food for free, but that was DoorDash making it right, not the restaurant. Good food only goes so far for a restaurant, but when the service is this bad the food doesn't make up for it. Get it together.

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    Hole In the Wall Burger - hole in the wall burger

    Hole In the Wall Burger

    4.6(986 reviews)
    5.9 mi
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    I've been driving past this place for the last 2.5 yrs wondering how it was as it around the corner…read morefrom my house. I met the owner at the bar at local tavern. He told me he owns Hole in the Wall was impressed that he told me he makes most everything fresh, Grinds his own beef for the burgers Fresh cut fries own sauces . I had to try it the next day. WAY IMPRESSED! DID NOT DISSAPOINT! Their prices are resonable They probably have the best burger around by far and BEST price their burger anywhere else would be $20.00. Ricky the owner super friendly. I've tried the carne asada tacos , carne quesadilla , bugers , and fried chicken ALL GOOD!!!! I'm super picky italian when comes to food. I give it 6 stars . If you want fancy go elsewhere and PAY MORE MONEY for mediocre food. The Name Speaks For Itself. HOLE IN THE WALL.

    (5 / 5) Hands Down the Best Burger I've Had in Years!…read more​While passing through from San Diego, I was lucky enough to stumble upon Hole in the Wall Burger, and it completely blew me away. ​This family-owned spot is small, quaint, and exceptionally welcoming. You can instantly tell it's a local favorite--the staff was actually greeting regulars by name as they walked through the door! ​The food speaks for itself: ​The Spicy Burger: Phenomenal. Perfect kick and packed with flavor. ​The Classic Burger: Stupendous. A timeless, perfectly executed burger. ​The Hole in the Wall Burger: Mind-blowing! An absolute must-try signature item. ​If you are anywhere near the area, do yourself a favor and get here as soon as possible. I'll definitely be making a point to come back!

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    4.1(347 reviews)
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    I'm somewhat of a regular here and I like the food, service, and dining area here, I want to…read moreactually share a story about an incident that took place here yesterday. I brought my little son to get a burrito and their curly fries. As usual, we enjoyed our food. But as we were eating, an elderly lady came walking in and unfortunately fell near the cash register. When I walked over with my son to see if any assistance was needed, I saw that the employees were already helping her. The lady had fallen and struck her head. One employee was sitting on the ground holding the lady the way a daughter would hold her own mother. The other employees were checking on the lady and making sure emergency responders were on their way. The kindness with which these people responded was something I am glad my son was able to witness. Yes, the food here is great. The people are even better.

    This place is fantastic! The service was friendly and quick. The burgers were delicious and full…read more The portions of fries were excellent. And the drink choices were fantastic. The restaurant was clean, including the bathrooms. We ordered: Cowboy Burger with curly fries and a small drink + Avocado Bacon Cheeseburger with regular fries and a small drink. Total came out to about $37. Not bad. The only thing we would have changed was getting regular fries. They weren't great so we wish we had upgraded to one of their other types of fries. We will definitely be back to try more of the menu.

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    The Counter - burgers - Updated September 2026

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