Step Up to The Counter in Santa Monica

Whale introduced his friends to The Counter Burger in Santa Monica and many of them have become regulars of this fine burger joint. If Whale could pick one establishment on the west side and move it to Los Feliz, the Counter would be his No. 1 draft pick. It's a unique place. You go up to the counter, grab a clipboard, fill out the form and build your burger. Their awesome website boasts that you can create more than 312,120 burger combinations. If you're on a diet, you can skip the bun and order a Burger in a Bowl. The burgers are amazing. They always win awards. Whale and his friends are fans of the 50-50: It's a combo of fries and onion rings. They're very thin, crunchy and good. The ambiance is also sweet. The windows are actually garage doors so they can open them up on a warm day. There's also local art for sale on the walls. This place is so popular that it's always packed during lunch and dinner time. Get there early or late.