Burger options abound at The Counter in Ballard

You should be spending today starting your New Year's resolution to work out more and shed a few pounds. But instead, all your body wants to do is consume a big, juicy burger to settle your stomach after too much Champagne last night.

Luckily you can do both in the Ballard Blocks complex.

After a full workout at the new L.A. Fitness, run downstairs to The Counter and grab a burger. The Counter, which opened in September, is a build-your-own burger joint that uses 100 percent natural, freshly ground Angus beef, raised on a vegetarian diet without hormones or antibiotics. But if you're a vegetarian, don't avoid this place. There are options for you, too.

The menu: Their specialty changes with the patron. The build-your-own burger starts with your choice of beef, turkey, veggie or grilled chicken. The price varies with the size: $8.25 for a 1/3-pound, $10.25 for a 2/3-pound and $13.25 for a full pound. For those of you on the low-carb diet, add a dollar to those prices and it comes in a bowl on a bed of greens.

After you pick your meat, you choose one of 10 cheeses, up to four of their 28 toppings, one of their 18 dipping sauces and bread.

Be prepared for it to take a while to make up your mind; you have seemingly endless options. With so many combinations, the menu can be a bit overwhelming at first. But the staff is extremely helpful and will be happy to give you tips on what goes well with what.

Worried about not being able to make up your mind? There are also six predesigned signature burgers and one burger of the month to help you get started.

What to write home about: As good as the beef burgers were, the item that stood out was the Unique Veggie burger. This is not a Boca burger that has been thawed out and thrown on a bun; this veggie patty is made daily in the kitchen. It's topped with mixed baby greens, roasted red peppers, sprouts and onions, and served with a Dijon-balsamic dipping sauce. I'm a carnivore, but the flavors of the veggie burger blew me away.

The setting: The restaurant looks like a typical diner, with a modern feel. There is a full-service bar with big-screen TVs for those who want more than just a burger. Plenty of tables and booths to fit everyone.

Summing up: One large bowl of chili ($4.95), two build-your-own burgers ($8.25 each), one Unique Veggie burger ($8.25), a plate of sweet-potato fries and onion strings ($5.95), two sodas and tip came out to $49.72.

Jon Fisch: 206-464-8326 or jfisch@seattletimes.com