The Today Show recently mentioned that The Counter was one of America’s top restaurants. When I heard that one recently opened in the Miracle Mile area, I was eager to take my six-year-old, because she is a cheeseburger aficionado.

The Counter’s veggie burger is made from eight vegetables, brown rice and is served on a whole wheat English muffin, for a healthier option. (photo by Jill Weinlein)

Located next to the Page Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits, The Counter enjoys a busy lunch hour filled with office workers from the surrounding buildings. On nice days, groups gather at tables on the pleasant outside patio facing Wilshire Blvd. In the evenings, the restaurant is filled with residents from Park La Brea and nearby condos enjoying Happy Hour and a burger while watching the latest sporting event on flat screen TVs.

On weekends, the burger joint is buzzing with families exploring nearby museums during the day who later stroll over for a burger, milkshake and fries in the afternoon or early evening. The kids’ menu (under 8) features mini burgers, grilled cheese, ham and cheese and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with fries or applesauce ($3.95-$4.95).

The décor is industrial-style with taupe and light sea foam green colors. Our server, Rickey, explained the 6-step process to building a custom burger. On the table is a container with little pencils and a clipboard with a 6-step order sheet. The Counter offers over 312,000 different burger combinations.

Crispy Parmesan fries, and battered onion rings go perfect with any burger you create. (photo by Jill Weinlein)

The first step is to select a protein. Beef, chicken, turkey, veggie and a market selection all come in 1/3, 2/3 and 1 lb. sizes. Market selection may be buffalo meat one month and lamb the next month.

Guests choose to have their burger on a bun or in a bowl with a lettuce blend or organic mixed greens. Next, patrons choose from 12 different cheeses, from Greek feta, Danish Blue, to imported Swiss. Burger lovers may choose up to four toppings from the list. There are 21 toppings including hard-boiled eggs, dried cranberries, and roasted corn with black bean salsa. Imagine how creative and unique your burger can be. The Counter also offers premium toppings, such as applewood-smoked bacon, chili and a fried egg for an additional fee.

A sauce can make a burger even better. Ricky suggested the honey mustard sauce. “It’s hands down the best in town,” he said with a smile. The last mark on the sheet is for a hamburger bun, multigrain bun or an English muffin. You may complete “The Counter Culture” at the bottom to receive monthly updates and exclusive offers. Twice a month, fans receive coupons for free burgers or new items.

Diners who don’t feel creative may order off the standard menu. Many of the items listed are ingenious creations, such as the 1/3-pound taco turkey burger with jalapeno jack cheese, dried cranberries, lettuce blend, scallions and a spicy sour cream sauce.

I ordered the grilled vegetable burger with 8 vegetables, brown rice and breadcrumbs. No soy or tofu is added. It was scrumptious. My daughter had the mini burgers with cheese, pickles and ketchup. Ricky brought a plate filled with Parmesan fries, sweet potato fries and thinly sliced onion rings with three different dipping sauces. The savory Parmesan and garlic aioli sauce on top of the fries were delectable. I wanted to devour the entire plate. My little one enjoyed the thinly cut and battered onion rings.

The Counter serves six different types of salads, like the Counter Cobb, Asian Veggie and a Backyard Barbeque.

Our server made me his special “Ricky’s Tropical Tea” with black ice-tea, a splash of pomegranate juice and a squeeze from a fresh orange and lemon, shaken and served frothy over ice. It was delicious.

The Counter serves beer and wine with 20 different beers on tap including IPAs, lagers and amber ales. One of the beers, the Weihenstephaner is a Bavarian hefeweizen from a brewery established in 1040 A.D. It’s amber in color with the aroma of clove and tropical fruit. Another favorite the locals order is the Lost Coast Downtown Brown from a brewery run by women in Eureka. This beer is a dark chocolate flavored ale with a hint of molasses. Some customers order it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious “beer float” dessert.

Get creative and visit the latest gourmet hamburger joint on the Miracle Mile. Ask for Ricky, he will take good care of you.

Open Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m. to midnight and Sun. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. . 5779 Wilshire Blvd. (323)932-8900.