The Counter

12117 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604, United States
$$$ Hamburger restaurant
(498 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Welcome to The Counter, a standout hamburger restaurant nestled in the vibrant heart of Studio City, CA. If you're on the hunt for a burger experience that combines quality ingredients with unlimited customization, look no further. This establishment prides itself on serving up gourmet burgers with a casual, inviting atmosphere that's perfect for families, friends, or a solo meal indulgence.

The Counter specializes in all-natural Angus beef burgers that are perfectly cooked to your liking. One of their featured items, the Pub Burger, is a delectable masterpiece that balances pub cheese with fresh toppings on a toasted pretzel bun — truly an experience for the senses. Accompany your burger with White Cheddar Cheese Curds served with a smoky chipotle ranch for dipping, an appetizer that stands out for its rich taste and creamy texture.

The menu doesn't stop at burgers. Indulge in the refreshing Orange Dream Shake, which is a delightful blend of vanilla bean ice cream, orange juice, and soda, topped with whipped cream. This sweet treat will transport you to a sunny afternoon, making it the perfect companion to your meal.

For families, there's an excellent kids' menu featuring Mini Cheeseburgers and Chicken Tenders, designed to please the taste buds of the younger diners without breaking the bank. Parents can enjoy a moment of peace while their little ones dive into these kid-friendly plates, all while experiencing the warm, community-focused service that The Counter is known for.

Customer reviews echo the sentiment of quality and flavor at The Counter. Patrons like Edward Mirzakhanian rave about the high-quality ingredients and friendly atmosphere, noting Sherry, the manager, who enhances the dining experience with her engaging Persian culture and warmth. Another guest, goldenlunafish, was particularly impressed with a fried chicken sandwich, calling it “delicious,” highlighting the restaurant's commitment to freshness and flavor.

While some diners have pointed out that prices can edge toward the higher side, others, like Cary Brown, appreciate the customizable options that allow for creative expression in your burger choice—over a million combinations to be exact! This diner's delight ensures you’ll never get bored with your burger choices, such is the allure of The Counter.

In summary, The Counter is a gem in Studio City, offering an extensive variety of gourmet burgers, delightful shakes, and an inviting dining atmosphere that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re a burger aficionado or a casual diner, come on by and craft the burger of your dreams at The Counter. With each visit, you have the chance to explore a new flavor combination and strengthen your love for one of America’s favorite dishes.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Has no-contact delivery
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Has live music
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves happy-hour food
Serves organic dishes
Quick bite
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Popular with university students
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free parking lot
Paid street parking
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

498 Reviews
Edward Mirzakhanian

23 Sep 2025

High quality and fresh material, tasty sauces as well as everyone making their own burger  the way they like, so friendly staff, and Sherry the manager with Persian culture and attitude.

goldenlunafish

21 Sep 2025

Delicious fried chicken sandwich (including the freshest, juiciest, reddest tomato) and fried pickles! Burger was above average and super friendly staff. Will definitely return.

Maria G

13 Aug 2025

The food here was just “okay”. The prices are actually wild. Even going during happy hour for their deals the burger combo is $15.50 and that doesn’t include a drink. Then to order their other burgers everything is over $15 and they do not come with any sides.

Jeremy Ziegler

28 Jul 2025

I’m not exactly sure why other locations have closed because this was quite a good burger. Really, it’s hard to have a bad burger when you can build your own—if it’s bad, that’s mostly on you! Everything really tasted good, was fresh and flavorful. The shoestring fries were perfect, too.

Devin Diaz

24 Jul 2025

EDIT: They increased the portion size of the fries and the food quality had actually gone UP. I actually really like this place now and definitely will be a more frequent customer. Pretty yummy, but pretty expensive. The burgers can be over $20 for a 1lb patty. Fries are $7 for a "large" (but not really large) serving. Very customizable. (4 stars)

Cary Brown

03 Jul 2025

THE COUNTER is part of an international chain of casual, mid-century, American diners. The high-end eatery's gourmet burgers and extensive list of toppings and sides combine into over a million combinations.* (So you can order a different burger combination, for lunch, for about 2,700 years, without once repeating.) Sherri, the franchise owner, stopped by to tell me about her eatery. Reminiscent of a 50's malt shop, it's designed with comfortable booths and space between tables. (The only thing missing is a jukebox.) Place settings are simple. Condiments and extra napkins are displayed on every table. A beer and wine bar stretches across the restaurant's east wall. (Sherri is proud of the selection of "Reds.") The menu offers 9 animal and vegetable proteins. The buns: wheat, gluten free, vegan, and a lettuce wrap are interchangeable. There are 28 toppings, 12 cheeses, 20 sauces, and 12 sides. Mix and match as you like. Organic products are used whenever possible. The menu is annotated with dietary information. I ordered a vegan Impossible Burger with several toppings, prepared medium rare. Lots of restaurants offer Impossible Burgers but not one, so far, has been able to cook it medium rare. In short order the tallest burger I've ever seen arrived. I don't have a ruler, but my best guess is that the sandwich is about 6 inches tall. It arrived open-face, loaded, as ordered, with a thick, medium rare, Impossible Burger, shredded lettuce, tomato, fried onions, and cucumber slices, piled high on a lightly toasted Ciabatta roll, gently spread with a refreshing vegan mayo. Before closing the sandwich, I added a dollop of ketchup. Then holding the middle of the sandwich, I took nibbles along the edge. The nibbles turn into bites as I devoured the sandwich. The chef prepared it perfectly. I had also ordered Shoe String Fries. The combination is absolutely delicious. But, try as I might, I left quite a few fries. The well trained staff is gracious, and friendly. They checked to see if everything was okay. It was. Expensive, yes. Worth it, definitely. STUFF: Easy free parking in the rear of the eatery. Walking up the ramp or a few steps takes you to The Counter's rear entrance. Follow the hallway into the dining room. The code, to unlock the large, clean restrooms, can be supplied by any staff member. Everything is ADA compatible. *Jeff Weinstein opened the first "The Counter" eatery (2003) in Santa Monica California. During the following twenty-three years the chain has grown to 45 locations worldwide: United States, Mexico, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, and Japan.

Tim Murphy

17 Jun 2025

Amazing shoestring french fries, the best! Good burger joint, nice and messy sandwich. It's a bit of a dive, but probably nice after dark with a sidewalk patio and wine and beer available. Reasonable prices, good service.

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