The Counter® Custom Burgers is the latest company to test Glasgow’s appetite for burgers.
While pizza parlours have been picking up all the headlines of late, the great burger boom of the last few years continues to cause ripples.
Having started life in Los Angeles, The Counter® is dipping its toe in the UK market by opening a branch at The Quay on West Paisley Road on Monday 5th June.
It’s billed as ‘the premium build-your-own-burger’ restaurant. Diners are offered a checklist-style clipboard menu to design their own burger.
The Counter®: a million different burgers
Apparently, there more than a million different permutations – enough to stop even the most avid burger fan from becoming bored.
‘We opened The Counter® fourteen years ago in Los Angeles with a goal to challenge the way people think about burgers,’ said Jeff Weinstein, founder and Co-CEO of The Counter®.
‘Since opening in 2003, we’ve grown to more than 40 US locations and internationally, expanded our menu offerings… and now, we’re excited about bringing our new burger experience to the UK.’
‘We often find that international travellers take a special interest in our US locations. It only made sense to bring that excitement of the build-your-own burger concept to their markets. We know in the UK market there is an appetite for gourmet burgers. With our custom built burgers, we feel we can bring a new and unique offering.’
A sister brand called BUILT® is opening in Ilford. It is a fast casual incarnation of The Counter®.
Apparently, both serve ‘only the best of humanely-raised and handled, antibiotic and hormone-free, vegetarian-fed, 100% natural beef, all-natural chicken and turkey and vegan veggie burgers, all grilled to order’.
20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die
Given the proliferation of burger chains which have opened in Glasgow in the last few years, The Counter® will have stiff competition.
In its favour, GQ Magazine rated their burgers as one of the ’20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die. The Counter® burgers have also featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
We eagerly await The Counter® burgers getting a slot on This Morning or Loose Women.
‘Babs opening getting closer
Moving back into the centre of Glasgow, the 5pm Dining blog wandered past the ‘Babes site on West Nile Street a week or so back.
After several weeks of building work, it looks as though the gourmet kebab restaurant is very close to completion. They have certainly started recruiting staff.
Developed by the same people as the Bread Meats Bread team, ‘Babes will ‘aim to serve a high standard ‘bab with a gourmet twist, inspired by Mediterranean cultures, whilst only using the best and ethical, Scottish seasonal ingredients’.
A June opening is promised.
Finally, we think that Catch, the gourmet fish ‘n’ chip restaurant and takeaway is opening on Gibson Street.
If we are right, it joins the existing branches in Giffnock and Netherlee.