Man cannot live on beef burgers alone, so The Counter Custom Burgers has introduced a handful of new protein options.

The Kahala Mall restaurant that specializes in create-your-own burgers has launched a new menu that includes jumbo lump crab cake, buttermilk-brined Southern fried chicken and Korean BBQ grilled skirt steak that’s a new favorite of mine.

Order any of these your way with your pick of dozens of toppings and sauces, or order it their way in sandwiches such as fried chicken with jalapeno jack, coleslaw, fresh jalapenos and honey Dijon on a brioche bun ($14), or the Holy Crab sandwich with the crab cake topped with jalapeno jack, tomatoes, pickles, coleslaw, sliced jalapenos and Thousand Island dressing on a sweet Hawaiian bun ($17).

New salad options include Bison &Brie ($18), great for carnivores who want to balance their meat-eating habit with kale once in a while; and the Crab Encounter ($20.50), with the crabcake sitting atop organic mixed greens, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, apple wood-smoked bacon, scallions and chopped egg, with honey Dijon dressing.

And if you’re already a fan of tots, you’ll like them even better rolled in pimento cheese with bits of apple wood-smoked bacon, green onions and a side of buttermilk ranch sauce.

Counter Custom Burgers is at Kaha­la Mall, 4211 Waialae Ave. Call 739-5100.

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Nadine Kam, Star-Advertiser