The Salt Lake Tribune
Friday, October 24, 2008
Counter Intelligence
There's been a buzz around the Gateway Mall in recent months as shoppers and employees at nearby businesses await the Oct. 27 opening of The Counter.

The California-based franchise lets customers build their own burgers from a massive list of ingredients including 10 different cheeses, 18 sauces and three dozen toppings from carrot strings and pineapple to fried eggs and chili. In all there are more than 312,000 different possibilities. See the menu here.

No wonder GQ magazine named it a "burger you must eat before you die."

But that was before mortgage failures and stock market plunges. In today's economy, will people still go to a place were burgers cost $8.50 and French fries and sides are extra?

During a friends and family preview on Friday, I tried (and liked) the deep-fried dill pickle chips with a sweet, pineapple tasting sauce. But I could barely finish my massive burger (the smallest patty is 1/3 pound) that included Jack cheese, grilled onions, guacamole and red peppers. Although, I think the peppers made the bottom bun get soggy.

Owner James Huntsman, younger brother of Utah governor John Huntsman, has put together a decent menu of domestic, imported and locally-brewed beers to enjoy with these gourmet burgers. Despite his connections, Huntsman said he was not granted a wine license.
posted by Kathy Stephenson @ 2:49 PM |

1 Comments:

At October 29, 2008 12:56 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's younger brother of Governor "Jon." not "John."

 

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About Kathy
   Kathy Stephenson has been the food writer at The Tribune since 2000. Prior to that she covered education and was a general assignment reporter for Utah's largest daily newspaper. A Utah native, Stephenson's first job was picking zucchini on her grandparent's Kaysville farm. Every Christmas, Stephenson's neighbors and colleagues look forward to getting a plate of her baklava. Last year, she gave away nearly 300 pieces.