Let’s be honest: sometimes the sides are the main event. A great burger is a joy, but a pile of loaded fries buried under melted cheddar and bacon, a mountain of nachos, or a basket of crispy tenders can steal the whole show. In Panama City, the burger boom has brought a matching wave of seriously good sides, and knowing which ones to order (and how to share them) makes any meal better. Here’s your guide to the best burger sides around the city and where to find them.
Loaded Fries: The Reigning Champion
Regular fries are fine. Loaded fries are an event. The formula is simple but ruthless: crispy fries, a generous blanket of melted cheese, crumbled bacon, and whatever else the kitchen wants to pile on. When they’re done right, the fries stay crisp under the toppings instead of turning to mush, and every forkful gives you cheese, salt, and crunch at once.
A standout version in the San Francisco area comes from Dopamina Grill at Plaza Lupita on Calle 50, where they’re called Dopapitas, fries loaded with cheddar and bacon. They’re built for sharing, which makes them the natural centerpiece of a group order. And they’re just one part of a genuinely fun sides lineup: alongside the Dopapitas you’ll find chicken tenders, onion rings, Dopa Nachos, mozzarella sticks, and spicy wedges. It’s the kind of menu where you end up ordering “just one more thing for the table” and nobody complains. With delivery and takeout available, a spread of loaded fries and nachos travels surprisingly well to movie night, too.
Nachos, Tenders and the Rest of the Lineup
Loaded fries get the glory, but a good burger joint’s side menu has depth. Here’s how the usual suspects earn their place:
- Nachos: the ultimate group food. Cheesy, crunchy, and endlessly shareable, they’re perfect for a table that can’t agree on a single side.
- Chicken tenders: the reliable crowd-pleaser, great for kids, picky eaters, or anyone who wants a break from beef.
- Onion rings: sweet, crunchy, and a classic burger companion that never goes out of style.
- Mozzarella sticks: molten cheese in fried form, best eaten hot and pulled apart at the table.
- Spicy wedges: heartier than fries with a little kick, ideal if you want something with more substance.
How to Build the Perfect Shareable Spread
Ordering sides for a group is an art. A few rules that never fail:
- One loaded item per two people. Loaded fries and nachos are rich, so one shared order between a couple of people is usually plenty.
- Balance textures. Pair something creamy and cheesy (loaded fries) with something crunchy and dry (onion rings or wedges).
- Add a crowd-pleaser. Tenders keep everyone happy, especially mixed groups or families.
- Save room, or don’t. Sides this good can easily turn into the meal itself. Order a burger to split if you want to try more of the menu.
Don’t Forget the Milkshake
No burger-and-fries session is complete without something cold to wash it down. A thick milkshake, Oreo, chocolate, strawberry, or the Pitufo, is the traditional partner, while a natural fruit smoothie offers a lighter, fresher counterpoint to all that cheese and salt. Either way, a good drink rounds out the meal and gives your palate a break between salty, crunchy bites.
The bottom line: in Panama City, the sides have gotten as exciting as the burgers. Whether you’re chasing the perfect plate of loaded fries, a shareable pile of nachos, or a basket of crispy tenders, the San Francisco and Calle 50 area is a great place to start. Gather a few friends, order generously, and let the sides have their moment in the spotlight.
