The Search for the Perfect Burger in Panama
| Overall Rating |   |
| Service | |
| Atmosphere | |
| Value | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Overall Experience | |
Recently, during my daily perusal of the NY Times I saw a lengthy article on the makings of a perfect burger. While I usually spend my free time thinking about meatier things (such as the G-8 summit currently taking place), I figured if burgers were a good enough subject for the Times I could spend some time on them as well.
Until a couple of years ago burger-philes such as me, were shit out of luck here in Panama City. The offerings were rather poor and my burger escapades were populated with overcooked franchise fare. Meanwhile high end meat restaurants seemed to look down on the lowly burger preferring to focus their efforts on the USD40 cut of prime beef.
While I love a good burger I am loathe to actually make one myself. So I was over the moon when a few restaurants opened in the city that actually took their Burgers seriously.
Market, with its simple elegant interiors and bustling atmosphere, is not the typical burger joint. In fact it specializes in all types of beef dishes, but in my humble opinion the pinnacle of their menu is their burger. The focus here is the beef.
I often crassly tell my friends at dinner (especially the vegans) that when I eat a Market burger I feel the cow should be proud of itself; it died for a good cause. The chef at this place has mastered the perfect lean/fat ground beef ratio (70/30?) required for that melt in your mouth, small orgasm burger experience. No densely packed frozen meat, this stuff crumbles just right. I would love to actually ask them what their secret is (are they searing the meat and then baking it?!?).
What I love most about Market (even more than the burger itself) is the consistency. I eat there a lot (enough that the waiters are either smiling or smirking when they see me as in…”you again?”) and I have NEVER had a bad burger there. Even when travelling in large groups as young singles are wont to do the burgers have been satisfying for all the foodies at the table.
While the beef is excellent, the variety of toppings is limited. There are four different burgers at Market with the blue cheese and bacon laden Executive being the most gourmet of the lot. For burger purists, such as myself, this is actually a blessing; but given that burgers HAVE gone gourmet and variety is the spice of life you might be left wanting more condiments. If that’s the case you can now head over to Panamas first Burger lounge…
Burgues, is located on the same street as Market which is an odd choice, but hey if you ever plan to burger hop it will be a short walk. The decoration here is noteworthy as it mixes the now ubiquitous modern minimalism with some quirky details such as the slightly over the top chandeliers and gilded frames surrounding the many flat screens (which display an impressive collection of silent era porn. Kudos on that!). But back to the beef. Burgues does offer a lot of choices with regards to toppings you can toss on your patty. Starting with the basics you move from the common varieties (Mexican version) to the slightly rarer (stuffed) to the flat out over the top (Babaghanoush?) the options are very enticing. So much so, that this purist went for a stuffed burger, while my two fellow foodies went basic.
My cheese and bacon stuffed burger was delicious, the cheddar just oozed out of it with promise of flavor. Unfortunately as tasty as it was the beef got somewhat lost in the mix and the patty itself was a little dry when you factored in for the dripping cheese. Even though one of my friends still put Market firmly on top we found that overall however the burgers were satisfying and with the top notch quality of ingredients (the cheese, bless em!) this place is on its way to becoming the go to for burger joint, they might just have to toy with their ratio (60/40?). J
A word on Franchise burgers!
Before this article went to press (or net) a very good friend of mine whose opinion I respect made a sort of apologia in favor of the local franchise burgers. Namely she mentioned the Friday’s burger which is supposed to be made with prime Angus beef. My recent experiences with their burgers haven’t been great with all the patties having the tell tale densely packed nature of a frozen burger (not to mention the processed cheddar, blegh!) When ground beef gets too densely packed it gets that unsightly flaky dry appearance that just screams “I’ve been deprived of my life juices”. BUT foodie friend claims to have had some better experiences recently so they may be on the up and up. The quality of the food at TGIF in is so inconsistent though, I hesitate to give this burger my full backing (even though I indulge in TGIF comfort fare as much as the next person!)
For my money, Market is still the best. A burger joint ought to be defined by the basic cheeseburger and honestly at 6.95$ it doesn’t get any better than Market in this city. Order it medium and marvel at the fact that a hunk of beef can produce such pleasure.
If you don’t agree with Market being tops, bring it! Let me know where to go, I’m always up for a burger J.
Next I’m on the hunt for the best steaks in Panama. I have been to several of the well known steakhouses and had some great cuts, but specifically I’m looking to find a place where they dry age their meat at least 21 days. Suggestions are welcome!!
Note: Before I get some rants on this: I haven’t tried the San Carlos burger joint people murmur about… but I will follow up. Apparently that is the best burger outside the city (and depending on whom you ask: the whole country).
View EyeOnPanama.com in a larger map
Jonny B. Goode on Thu, 16th Jul 2009 8:32 pm
I appreciate your burger article, as I too have endeavored to devour the best burger possible on this little blue planet of ours. Although I have never had the pleasure or otherwise of ingesting a market or burgues burger I can say that I was pleasantly surprised by the flame broiled option at Corral located in Allbrook mall, by the rock climbing wall. Despite the 15 minute wait for the flame broiled option and the Panamenya teenie-boppers aggressively canvassing for donations for a suspect local children’s charity (I’m always suspicious of canvassers) Corral is a much welcomed oasis in what is sometimes a culinary desert.
Ted on Thu, 16th Jul 2009 8:37 pm
I agree on Market. Just came from there actually (prime rib is fantastic on Thurs/Fri). Best burger (if not market) is the Coralisimo (sp) 350gr at El Corral in the Food Court at Multiplaza. Outstanding for a “fast” (you’ll wait 15 mins for this burger) and worth it!
Vicki on Thu, 16th Jul 2009 9:26 pm
Try the burgers at Tony Roma’s in Multiplaza. We thought they rated with the best. Funny tho’ we went in for baby back ribs and they had none….weird I know but it’s Panama. We weren’t disappointed with our lunch after all.
Cynthia Mulder on Fri, 17th Jul 2009 6:33 am
The Perfect Burger is on Taboga Island at B&B Inn Cerrito Tropical.
We serve to our guests, 1/4 pound 100% prime beef burger, home shaped and spiced, with a large bun, cheese, veggies and 100% homemade hot sauce. Rare, medium or well done, you choose.
You can be a guest for the day as well
Come and try it! info@cerritotropicalpanama.com 6489-0074
Barbara on Fri, 17th Jul 2009 9:04 am
We live in El Valle so you last line caught my attention: where in San Carlos is there a good burger joint?
Also, do you have addresses on the two places you reviewed?
Gracias!
Chuck on Fri, 17th Jul 2009 9:17 am
What’s the name of the burger joint in San Carlos? I can’t wait to try it. I live in Vista Mar….right down the street.
Kathy on Fri, 17th Jul 2009 9:30 am
Well I have to say that I´m no expert on burgers (people are appalled by my love for Mcdonalds) but you should also try the one from La Inmaculada. It is rather small but has a great homemade taste.
bob on Fri, 17th Jul 2009 10:10 am
i would like to suggest that when you write about a bar or rest. that you give the barrio and address.
thanks…
Jesse Choquette on Fri, 17th Jul 2009 1:10 pm
As far as both of the burger joints that Naira wrote about, they both have been placed on our maps feature at the top of the page (we apologize, but we are just rolling out this incredible new feature, and it is going through its growing pains). In just a moment, I will be posting the map of each to this article. Check back in an hour or so.
On behalf of Naira, thanks for all of the comments. It looks like Corral is one of the places that we need to visit ASAP!
Mary Langley on Sun, 19th Jul 2009 2:58 pm
Burgers….yummm…and maps showing locations will be a fine addtion…good work Eye-guys!
Jim on Sun, 19th Jul 2009 5:34 pm
I am disappointed at the Market restaurant. All my friends love it and I want to love it too. But I can’t, and here is why:
1. More water please; All i want at my table is a plastic “jarra” of water. I drink tons of water at restaurants and I am generally an inpatient person. Knowing this in advance, I will routinely ask my table’s server to leave a jarra of water at the table so we may refill frequently. This will create less work for the server because he/she will not have to constantly come refill the glasses of water.
Simple concept right? Apparently not at Market.
In both of my times at the restaurant I have never been brought a jarra of water, even when i ask more multiple (about 5 times). Even worse, they just shake their head and say “ok” or “it’s coming”. Never do they mention that its not company policy to leave jarras of water, or having a large plastic container in the middle of the table doesn’t match the restaurants decor. Rather, they just ignore you. This gets restaurant goers like myself mad. Mad enough to complain to anyone that will listen — thank god for blogs.
I will pay $8 for your burger Market, just bring me some water!
2. Disappointing Service; The food is tasty, decor inviting, but the service is half-ass. Our last time to the Market, we were seated in an awkward location and our request denied to move tables. After 20 minutes we had to call the server over to place an order, and our burgers did not come with condiments like ketchup and mustard — we had to ask for them.
Market should outsource their service staff training to Beirut restaurant in the Banking District.
I never experienced any of these aforementioned complaints at Burgues. Ask for a women named Marisol to be your server, she is top notch.
My two cents on the search for the perfect burger in Panama; stick with Burgues.
julie on Mon, 20th Jul 2009 8:05 am
To Chuck at Vista Mar……..I think Naira meant Santa Clara……..XSmemories has the best burgers along that part of the Pacific coast
Sam on Tue, 11th Aug 2009 3:09 pm
I loved the Burgers in Burgues.
I tried the Mexican and it was music to my senses…
They have an amazing variety of beers and one of the best Mojito’s I’ve tried in a while.
The service was outstanding and fast!
Don’t hesitate on visiting this great burger joint!
Skyla on Sun, 23rd Aug 2009 11:24 pm
La Casa de Lourdes in el Valle has the amazing burgers also. They are made with a secret recipe and its good.. Gourmet Burger Style.
Sandra McNally on Sun, 1st Nov 2009 4:31 pm
I love the burgers at XS Memories as well; we are in Chiriqui and every time we drive to PC, we stop at XS–and the service is not bad.
Sandra McNally
Bea on Wed, 16th Dec 2009 12:17 am
Who cares about burgers?
Only Americans:-)
Evan Forbes on Sat, 23rd Jan 2010 12:06 pm
Cedros in Casco Viejo has a $8 double burger that is MASSIVE. Almost couldn’t finish it.
char on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 12:56 pm
Not to bust my own chops, but you should try the homemade burgers in La Musa de Chai… The Aristologa loved them!
Ericka on Tue, 2nd Feb 2010 9:06 pm
I may go out on a limb here but best burguers ive had in Panama are in Santa Clara, XS restaurant….homemade from scratch…..no comparison!
Evan on Mon, 22nd Feb 2010 10:20 pm
I just had the burger at Cedros. It is much better than the Markets.
brian on Mon, 17th May 2010 9:19 am
The swiss burger at Burgues is very good, expect your total bill to be about $18(drink, tax, tip). 2×1 drinks on Thursday
The executive at Market is also very good(total about $18).
The burger con todo at the Mojitos in Casco is excellent, cool spot to chill with a girl(all in with tax, tip, and 3 beers $12).
All of the above have excellent service.
Roberto Chocolaté on Tue, 25th May 2010 11:34 am
Hands down, the best burger place in Panama just opened last Saturday - Madame Blanche Roadhouse in Coronado - (the old Twsters) between Cochez and the new Coronado Mall, right on the highway - I had the hickory smoked burger - it was awesone - my wife had the cajan chicken burger - she loved it - and our friend had the cheezeburger - fantastic. Makes my hungry just thinking about it. Roberto
Zonian on Fri, 30th Jul 2010 2:47 am
@Jim: this is Panama. get used to it.
also, “jarra” means “jar” in Spanish. that’s why they call that big water-pitcher a “jarra”. (ie. they’re basically telling you, “we can’t leave the water-jar here with you, sir”)