The Counter, Walnut Creek

You may have noticed The Cured Ham eating at chain burger places recently. My belief is, that if you're going to commit a mortal sin, you might as well commit them all in a short space and time. Eating burgers and eating at chains, therefore should be undertaken with vigor and haste. Forgive me father for I am about to sin again. It has been several days since my last confession. And I'm still sorry I ate at Habit Burger.

The Counter hadn't come up on the radar screen until a took a wrong turn in Walnut Creek. I noticed a new strip retail center with a modern looking facade and The Counter signage. Looked cool. I consulted Urbanspoon and my brother, a frequent shopper in the area. Sure enough, it's a chain, not a local, and obviously, build your own burger. Their website has also done a little math for patrons, over 312,000 combinations of burger can be made from their selections. Sounds like I figured out where I was eating lunch.

I dined at the counter and built a burger.  2/3 of a pound of humanely raised and handled (I think they mean slaughtered), antibiotic and hormone free bovine cooked medium rare was delicious and bloody. I combined my cow flesh patty with yuppie lettuce, grilled onions and mushrooms, tomato, and a garlic aioli on a regular bun. This two handed burger made an absolute mess; I soiled a total of 4 napkins in the consumption of this flesh between two buns. Delicious! Exactly what I expected from a real American Hamburger. I had a half order of fries with the meal. The fries were fine.

As with all sins and their confession comes penance. I believe some sort of physical penance is appropriate in combination with dietary restraint. Luckily, I don't consider vigorous hiking and yogurt penance. I consider it more of a cleansing. I'll try and not eat at a burger joint for a really long time. Yes father, you're right, foie gras and pork belly are healthier. Amen.