New burger joint coming to Ballard Blocks

Geeky Swedes Ballard

A burger place called The Counter is coming to Ballard Blocks this fall.

The Counter is best known in California, seen here in Santa Monica. You sit down, grab a clipboard and “build your own gourmet burger” with 312,120 different combinations to choose from. The Counter establishments also have a full bar. This is the first restaurant to come to the Ballard Blocks development on 14th Ave. — a Chipotle Grill was planning to open there, but pulled out a short time later. (Thanks Jack and Joni for the tip!)

Geeky Swedes

The founders of My Ballard

98 thoughts to “New burger joint coming to Ballard Blocks”

  2. Hmm. By the website (thanks for that, Geeky Swedes) it looks like a good concept. But no prices on the online menu and the building ingredients all look expensive. Have to see when it gets here.

  4. Thanks, Ninaf. I was just going by the menu on the main page. Yeah, the prices don't look bad at all. And it looks like they have beer. I'm sold.

  7. or GreenGo- those guys put heart & skill into their very tasty food.

    But hey- with Ballard Blocks offering large square-footage spaces with expensive lease contracts, who but a chain has the capital to move in?

  8. 12.25 (based on linked menu) for a cheeseburger with fries. not so great.

    i'll bet the prices are higher for our cool Ballard location.

  10. Speaking of food from California kind of makes me think of food that is not from California. I think I might get some Ballard Brothers tonight. I've never eaten there, does anyone know whats good?

  11. The Counter is delicious. I've eaten there a couple times in LA. I'm not a big burger fan, but they are pretty dang good! This is good news.

  12. Yikes! There used to be burger restaraunts with a similar concept called Flaky Jakes. I am suspicious of restaraunts built around “novel concepts” – usually their concepts are not so novel, and don't make up for good food or service.

  13. Are they going to have outdoor seating? Cause if they are, someone should warn them about all of the bums that constantly harass outdoor patrons. This will put them out of business for sure, just like the homeless did to every other business that has closed.

  14. It was my snarky way of pointing out its not the kind of place we need more of, and meets a need already addressed by other establishments ad infinitum.

  15. Puhhhh-lease. Homeless people don't put businesses out of business. Poor business plans and crappy loans put businesses out of businesses. Homeless people just pee on empty storefronts.

  17. Yes Neighbor,
    I agree with you..
    you are right on the money there…
    Poor business plans and crappy loans put them out of business ,not “bums”.
    If that was the case all of downtown would be boarded up.

  22. Has anyone ever noticed that garbage can on market where someone wrote “place californians here” and drew an arrow? That always cracks me up whenever I have to throw something away. I'm taking a picture next time I see it.

  23. Flaky Jakes is just what I was thinking of – it was in the UVillage when I was in middle school and we thought it was the coolest. This sounds the same but it still too gimmicky.

  25. option # 316,110 – the 8-cheeser: feta, gruyere, danish blue, swiss, cheddar, american, goat cheese spread AND jalapeno jack… hold the ketchup!

    frankly, i'd rather have in'n'out open up in seattle than the counter.

    christ, even fatburger is better than the counter. it will be interesting to see if (another) overpriced burgerjoint can survive in ballard…

  33. Granted, I'd rather have something more interesting like this than an Applebee's. Seems like more fast-casual chains are setting their sights on Ballard. Too bad it's not a local restaurant or chain. Unfortunately this is only going to be more common as condos go up and need to fill their retail spaces (with high rents). I'm all for urban density, but let's try to do it with the community in mind.

  34. Yaaaaaaaaaay! Chain store chain store chain store!!!!!! Oh man, I'm so excited for this one-of-a-kind experience. I'm certain the ambiance will be superrrrr!

  37. When talking about a place, would you please give the address or simi location. I can think of a couple of places that might be called Ballard Blocks. Several other places are mention of good places to eat, but where in the heck are they? I don't get down to the business district much so don't know where these places are.

  40. Interesting that it costs $1 to not get a bun, and the third 1/3 pound is a dollar more than the second. Also, this is the first time I've ever seen a restaurant measure their burgers by post-cooking weight instead of pre. Iconoclastic, I guess.

  41. I won't drive all the way over there for a burger (since Paseo, Scooters, and the Lockspot are much closer). However…if they have decent fries, I might think about it. The ones at Hamburger Harry's are awful (and the burgers are very spendy). They remind me of Dick's fries, only longer, and without the benefit of being able to buy a Special to go along with them.

    Dang it, now I'm craving fries.

  44. The new building is actually called Ballard Blocks. You can't miss it if you ever drive over the Ballard Bridge. There is a HUGE ANNOYING sign that says Ballard Blocks.

    It's where the new LA Fitness and Trader Joes is located. Not sure it needs and address unless you really never leave downtown Ballard. :P

  45. One word: gentrification. Haven't we been paying too much for a hamburger at Red Robin for a long time now? The water is warm, hop in folks.

  51. Looks like the tvs are just at the bar. And if it's like most other places with tvs the sound is off. Don't know. I'll try it before I diss it.

  52. I just hope they have milk shakes, cuz the other new one on Market does NOT and what kind of burger joint doesn't have milk shakes!!??

  54. It's not that great, but decide for yourself I guess. The one time I went there they totally messed up our order. I think Harry's is way better, or even Zac's.

  55. Gotta agree here! Green Go makes a pretty tasty burger. I should add that it was a simple cheese burger. The beef is local and organic. I am sure I will try the new burger place…but think these chains are to the gimicks, so I hope the taste of The Counter's burgers are not masked by the endless options you can add. But whatever floats your boat!

  57. Don't any of you get sick of complaining?

    I can't believe some of you are bitching about the televisions. This isn't the type of place where you'd go to get a nice meal. Some people like to grab a beer at restaurant and watch some hockey.

  59. Yep. If I was xenophobic, guess I'd spend my whole life in a single neighborhood in Los Angeles, complaining and insulting people from other places.

    Instead, I enjoy learning what I can from other people and other places and other cultures.

    You keep goose-steppin', tho. It's entertaining!

  66. hmmm, to be child-like is to be closer to God…
    I welcome jobs in the neighborhood. If the place is good, the jobs will stick around.
    If they aren't, they won't.

  67. Never tired of complaining, also, never tired of not complaining.
    Just depends, why are you complaining???
    Oh, and tv rots your brain! ;-)

  68. Evidently, you also enjoy reading and commenting on a blog dealing with a neighborhood several hundred miles away from your home.

    You also enjoy misusing the term “xenophobic,” which means “an intense or irrational fear or dislike of people from other countries.” It does not mean “a fear of people from California” or “a dislike of chain hamburger restaurants.”

    Since you already made a Nazi reference, though, I suppose this discussion is already over.

  69. This is outrageous! 327,256 ingredients? How long do you think it will take to order and to make the burger? Sorry, 2 weeks is too long to me.

  70. I love people who complain about people complaing about…oh, never mind. Sometimes I think all these forums are for is people complaining.

  73. Actually, I am right in Ballard. Where I donate to the food bank each week, donate to the animal rescue center, etc., participate in graffiti removal and street clean-ups, buy the homeless newspaper, buy local. I try to be a decent citizen wherever I am living, so you can be snarky at me at your own will, but what does it prove?

    Too true: the use of the word xenophobic was too broad. But I figured the word I'd use that means “irrational bitterness towards people who are from California” wasn't one you'd get.

    [No, I know you don't dislike hamburger chains. After all, you made a comment a few months ago complaining about the Denny's being taken down — which, um, started in California. ]

    I am not in a pissing contest: “my place can beat up your place.” My point is that to dismiss something, someONE out of hand is limiting to the both of us. It's true: I was born in Los Angeles. Do you think I had any control over that? I am a first-generation born American who is Tahitian, Maori, and Welsh. It was a twist of fate that I was not born in the South Pacific. I have lived in many different places since then. My family is spread out over several continents with different religions, political and cultural beliefs. Yet you've got me pegged, eh?

    I find it very troubling that you would “mark” me for being born in a given place, because that is, whether you want to acknowledge that or not, the first step towards dehumanization.

  74. 72 comments? Ballard has very strong feelings towards their burger joints.
    Well, I'll try this place. Anyplace with beer and onion rings is worth a shot.

  75. I hope some shipping and copying store opens up at Ballard Blocks soon. They have some signs on some windows indicating Marshal Art and Fresh Food!!! But who knows.

    Does any one know wha will open at the Ballard Blocks II?

  76. It's a chain – it's from California – it has to be evil! ALL THEM CHAINS IS EVIL!

    What? Red Robin? That's different. Tom Douglas chains? That's different. The Met et al? That's different. Dick's? That's different.

  77. This is awesome. Use to live in Santa Monica but never went because it was to busy but recently hopped into the El Segundo Plaza location and I loved it! Can't wait for 1 pound burgers in Ballard!

  78. Being a transplanted Californian in Ballard, I am so excited about The Counter coming to Seattle! The food is fantastic- everything from the burgers to the sweet potato fries to the milkshakes. Because they use quality local and organic ingredients, you do pay more than you would stopping in to Dick's Drive-In. However, the prices are still reasonable and totally worth it! Can't wait!

  80. Well if you can't tell the difference between a $1 Big Mac and food made with fresh ingredients, good meats and veggies, hand made fresh for you….I mean, come on.

  81. Good one, Barfly. Some folks just have trouble seeing beyond the dollar menu. Once in awhile, it's nice to treat yourself to something that doesn't come from a drive-thru window.

  82. I like Redmill, Scooters, Little Coney & Dicks for burgers

    Chain wise- we already have one of these in Wa & they are fantastic
    http://burgerville.com/

    This is not the economy to be opening up expensive/high concept places that are meat- intensive=inefficent use of resources.

    Gimme more Vietnamese food.

  83. ^
    we actually have a lot of those places in Ballard.
    We regularly frequent India Bistro, Senor Moose, La Isla, Oaxaca, Thaiku
    Hattie's Hat, The Dish, et al.

    What I really miss is Panko's, A fabulous coffee/Asian shop that made their own scones- the best I have ever had. Fresh lemonade ( even if sometimes I think they forgot the sugar)-breakfast burritos on weekends & best lattes.
    Friendly people- have no idea what they are doing now- they are missed.

    I would rather a place target what they do well- than have a huge freezer for 300,000 ” fresh” ingredients.

    Local food, served by/for locals.

  84. You have a point. I'm just saying I, myself, like doing something other than Dick's and Taco Bell once in awhile. And I'm not going to nay say the place before I try it out.
    I can't cook, so the more restaurants in Ballard the better.
    I eat at Hattie's all the time, btw. Good food at decent prices.

  85. I have been to The Counter in So Cal. Its Great. The food is fresh and the people that work there are a lot of fun. There is nothing like in Seattle. I don't think its a chain so to speak but each place is individually owned and operated. To me this sounds more like what everyone here wants. The 300,000 thing is a bit misleading. What they are saying is over 312,000 combinations of ingredients. According to a blog I read about their Palo Alto location,
    some mathematician came in and did the math with the total number of ingredients on the menu. This totaled 312,000 combos, not 300,000 ingredients. I just counted and their menu has about 65 ingredients including the beef,cheeses, sauce, other toppings and buns. I could not imagine having an inventory that consisted of 300K ingredients.

    Either way I'm glad someone is stepping up and bring some more life to Ballard Blocks. I'll certainly give them the benefit of trying the place before I pass judgment. And as someone else said here it will bring jobs to Ballard and thats a good thing.

    If you remember there were a number of people that didn't like the idea of Trader Joe's coming to Ballard. Now it seems like its always been here.

    Nothing stays the same forever. Ballard once was just a rough fishing based town, who would have thought it would be what it is today 20 or 30 years ago.

    Michelle

  86. So that is your description of a “gourmet burger” ?

    Or maybe its just another way to keep out the undesirables. I'll start the stop watch once they open and find themselves dialing 911 to get the homeless out.

  87. these kinds of comments are so juvenile. the owner will almost for sure be local. whats it matter if a restaurant that looks just like it is 1000 miles away?

  88. “the people that work there are a lot of fun.”

    Well that ain't gonna go down well with Ballard's perpetually aggrieved class.

    Next thing they'll find out it's too expensive for them. Then we'll have to hear more 'we hate people who make more money than us' rants.

  89. I have been to the counter in Santa Monica. It is one of the best burgers I have ever had. All the various options made it great. They also had really good fries. Everyone will really enjoy this place.

  90. You're right, it is different. I'd rather support a local chain where the money is going to stay in the local economy than an out-of-state chain where the profits go elsewhere. Granted, it's not a big national chain, but I'd rather give my money to Dick's or Tom Douglas, etc.

  93. We lived in LA for a short time a couple of years ago and went to The Counter frequently with our two young kids. It is awesome. You fill out your burger menu ahead of time with your choice of toppings and I believe they were about $8-9 (a lot less than Lunchbox Laboratories!). They have awesome sweet potato fries and it was totally kid friendly. I can't wait for it to get here!

  94. “we lived in LA and..”

    “im from California and…”

    ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    if you like it so much, please move back. I frakin hate it when people move out here and pull that “well, in SO AND SO we had this” or “Seattle sucks! it doesn't even have a WHITE CASTLE! where i'm from in New Jers….” ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    I'm out of handing out gold stars and one-way bus passes guys and gals

  95. Call me cranky, but if I'm looking for a burger I'm heading to Scooters. If I want a burger and a drink, it's Hamburger Harry's. I'm not interested in a California export. Thanks anyhow.

  97. We were driven away from the outdoor seating at the Red Mill on Dravus (Magnolia) by some loud drunk homeless people. So it does happen.

  98. my boyfriend and i went to the counter for the 1st time last weekend.
    we ordered: 1 chocolate shake, and 1 coffee shake. we got 2 chocolate shakes. they were very good, i will admit. $5 each they better be.
    we ordered: 1/2 sweet potato fries and 1/2 regular fries. we got 1/2 sweet potato fries and 1/2 onion rings.
    we ordered: a medium well done burger. we got an extremely rare burger. the chicken bowl however was prepared as expected. we both had upset stomachs for a few days after. not food poisoning, just it was sort of greasy and i dunno. the tab came to a bit over $40 + tip. honestly wendi's is better and it would have cost a fraction of what we paid :(

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