On California Ave., burgers meet the 21st century at The Counter. I hate to break it to you, but even burgers have become complex. Imagine the Peninsula Creamery’s juicy burgers with Pluto’s personalized option chart. Options, options, options. So what happens when burgers become modernized?

Based on my initial expectations of this burger restaurant, I naively expected a casual “burger joint” with dim lighting and middle-aged men drinking beer. However, upon spotting the avant-garde small sign outside the window, my expectations began to change.

Walking in, I was certain I had entered the wrong restaurant. The chic bar and two large flat screens further indicated that The Counter is no average burger joint. This bright, modern restaurant has a strange style, decorated relatively barebones in order to create a clean and futuristic feel. Groups of skateboards and graffiti paintings are neatly spaced out on the walls, and modern punk music quietly plays in the background. The decor strives to be cool and hip, but the skateboards seem kind of awkward.

The modern experience extends into the menu. Each diner receives a clipboard to “Build Your Own Burger.” Sounds easy right? Well, there are over 312,120 different burger combinations you could make, not including a plethora of different types of fries, drinks, milkshakes or desserts! Talk about decisions. If you’re as indecisive as I am, this menu is tantalizing to say the least. Luckily, I brought along friends with diverse appetites, so we were able to get a full read on at least 0.00001% of the menu.

Starting with the “Burger Type” section of the menu, all of them are delicious. The meat, be it turkey, beef or chicken, was particularly lean and tasty. This was a nice surprise, considering the high price ($7.95-$12.95). However, the problem starts when choosing a patty size — 1/3 lb, 2/3 lb or a whole pound. How does “I am really hungry” translate into pounds of meat? To be honest, I really struggled picking a burger size because I had no idea how large 1/3 of a pound is; I did remember, though, that the Quarter Pounder with cheese from McDonald’s leaves me feeling unsatisfied (for a number of reasons). Naturally, I decided to up the ante and go for the 2/3 pounder. This burger is huge! But, luckily, delicious. The 1/3 is likely all you need, 2/3 is a challenge (for boys and very, very hungry girls) and the one pounder would probably kill you.

But the real struggle of dining at The Counter is choosing the burger toppings. Two different types of lettuce, 10 types of cheese, 27 toppings, 13 sauces and three buns. And then there are the specials.

On the bright side, at least there’s something here for everyone. Whether you’re trying to pack on the pounds or attempting the South Beach Diet, The Counter allows everyone to go home happy. Get your burger on a salad bed for a healthier meal or add a fried egg and bacon on English muffin if you’re in the mood for a breakfast burger (or looking to raise your cholesterol).

Although it’s overwhelming, don’t become so frazzled that you neglect your “Build a Burger’s” bill. It will easily increase as you up the size of your burger (two to three extra dollars) or choose some guacamole or bacon (one dollar each). Partaking in the requisite “sweet” fries will also set you back between $3.50-$7.50. A gourmet burger, fries and milkshake could easily add up to $20, so choose wisely. However, portions are huge, so think conservatively when ordering.

Sometimes what’s best about a burger joint is getting a bacon cheeseburger with fries to hit the spot. While The Counter offers options, be aware that those options are not free by any means. With that in mind, The Counter is flavorful and definitely a special treat. Move over Peninsula Creamery and Plutos. At The Counter, the American burger meets options like never before.