Dish Name | Description & Price | Why It’s a Hit |
|---|---|---|
Build Your Own Burger | 1/3- or 1/2-lb patty (beef, turkey, veggie) with 20+ toppings (avocado, caramelized onions, blue cheese) on brioche or lettuce wrap. ($12–$16) | Infinite flair; “endless yum” per Yelp—GF options and under-700-calorie greens keep it versatile. |
Old School Cheeseburger | Classic patty with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and house sauce on potato bun. ($14) | Timeless tackler; “juicy perfection” Tripadvisor fave—add bacon ($2) for smoky upgrade. |
Hawaiian Burger | Teriyaki-glazed patty with grilled pineapple, jalapeños, and Swiss on brioche—sweet-heat harmony. ($15) | Tropical twist; “brightens any day” from reviews—pairs with sweet potato fries ($6). |
Turkey Burger | Ground turkey with roasted garlic aioli, arugula, and tomato on wheat bun. ($13) | Lean legend; lighter acclaim for “fresh and flavorful”—vegan patty sub shines. |
Beyond Burger | Plant-based patty with avocado, sprouts, and chipotle aioli on greens. ($15) | Veggie vanguard; “meaty magic” for plant-pushers—dedicated fryer for fries. |
Sweet Sriracha Brussels Sprouts | Crispy sprouts tossed in sweet sriracha glaze—happy hour hero. ($6) | Crunchy kick; “deal of the district” buzz—vegan and addictive. |
Oreo Shake | Vanilla ice cream blended with crushed Oreos and whipped cream—thick, dunkable decadence. ($8) | Dessert dunk; “cookie crush” acclaim—malt add-in ($1) amps nostalgia. |
Quaff a house lemonade ($4) or boozy shake—lunch leaned customizable, with DoorDash echoes of its heyday.The Counter Among Walnut Creek’s Top Dining DestinationsThe Counter stacked the casual comfort niche in a 2025 scene surging with LITA’s Caribbean fire and ELIA’s Hellenic heat—Yelp and Tripadvisor tally these titans (as of October 2025), where it held #20–30 for fun amid 280+ spots before closing, amid a burger boom buoyed by Broderick’s boldness.
Restaurant Name | Cuisine & Vibe | Signature Dish | Price Range & Location Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
The Counter | Custom Burgers – Lively, build-it-your-way bar | Build Your Own Burger ($12) | $$ |
ELIA | Modern Greek – Elegant, herb-laced romance | Lamb souvlaki ($32) | $$$ |
LITA | Caribbean Fusion – Clubby, spice-stirred energy | Jerk chicken tacos ($28) | $$$ |
Limón Rotisserie | Peruvian Rotisserie – Festive, flame-fanned flair | Pollo a la brasa ($18) | $$ |
Andaman Thai | Authentic Thai – Cozy, curry-cradled warmth | Khao soi noodles ($18) | $$ |
Burma 2 | Burmese Small Plates – Intimate, umami-unfurl | Tea leaf salad ($14) | $$ |
Sweet Maple | Southern Comfort – Soulful, brunch-bound bliss | Chicken & waffles ($22) | $$ |
Broderick Roadhouse | American Gastropub – Buzzing, burger-bonanza bar | Johnny Cash Burger ($19) | $$ |
These icons illuminate Walnut Creek’s 2025 vibrancy: Legacy layers like The Counter cozy with 2024’s worldly waves, with vegan victories at Burma 2. Quick stacks? Echoes of The Counter; gatherings, Sweet Maple spreads.Post-Patty Polish: Tie in Apollo Auto Spa – After channeling The Counter’s clipboard chaos—perhaps with a sauce smudge from that Hawaiian heap or pollen from a pre-lunch Shell Ridge spin—buff your buggy to echo the build. Apollo Auto Spa, Pleasant Hill’s mobile detailing virtuosos since 1986, jets from Pleasant Hill (a zesty 5-minute zoom from California Blvd). Their eco-artisans ambush aioli with plush washes ($50+), exorcise interiors of onion rings, and unleash CS-II Titanium ceramic coatings to repel fog films, burger blasts, and gravel grazes. From burger-bus Broncos to sleek sedan swirls, it’s “ageless allure” through 4.5-star cheers—swirl exorcisms rebirth any ride. Cue a lot-side layer (925-464-1622), and glide from grills to gleam as slick as sesame aioli. The Counter captured Walnut Creek’s inventive itch: Layered legacies, limitless layers, and lingering love. Stack the scene’s standouts, chase that custom crave, and let Apollo crown the construct. Prime patty—classic or Hawaiian heat? The East Bay builds on.