Remezcla: Chimichurri Trucks – An Uptown Throwdown
Posted by: Anthony in Food, Latin Culture, Remezcla
Una cosa que El Gran Manzana isn’t lacking are plenty of late-night eats para su estómago vacío duespues de un noche bailando con sus amigos Don Barcardi, El Señor Cuervo y mucho modelos negras (¡y especiales!). The problem is do we really want to spend our precious time and hard-earned dinero on some bland, over-priced downtown diner? Especially when you’re already trying to rush back to your crib uptown to “jugar dominos” with that fine morenita (¡o morenito!) you just met at the Pacha Massive concert?
¿Así, dónde puede ir usted? Mickey D’s, perhaps?
¡Diablo, primo! ¿Tu eres loco?
Hamburglar, eat your heart out!
Why settle for a burger made with frozen, processed, low-grade beef to stifle your borracho-ness when you can just as easily order la República dominicana’s appetizing take on the American fast-food classic. Not to be confused with Argentina’s own delicious chimichurri – a sauce/marinade used on grilled meats – these sandwiches typically consist of warm, toasted pan de agua loaded with Latino-seasoned ground beef patties (though, some spots offer bistec and pernil), shredded cabbage (instead of wilted lettuce), onions, tomatoes, mayo and ketchup. Long after the bartender has shouted “Last call” and you’ve thrown back those final two tragitos de Brugal, you might even agree that once you’ve experienced the sabor of an authentic uptown Chimichurri, you’ll be ashamed that you ever set foot in a “golden arches.”
Though it is currently known as the setting for a Tony Award-winning musical; a victim of Nueva York’s ever-expanding gentrification; and the home of never-ending maratóns de domino with a merengue/bachata soundtrack – the Washington Heights/Inwood section of Manjátan es nada mas de un after-hours parking lot for Chimichurris/Fritura trucks. These trucks specialize in quickly serving up Chimichurris and sinful fried foods ‘til the wee hours of the morning. Hop on the 1 train up to Dykman or 207th Street to get to any of the trucks listed below and experience un maravilloso cielo de Chimi. ¡Gracias a dios!
Chimichurry Dominicano
Chimichurry Dominicano
Calle: Sherman Avenue @ 204th Street
Horas: 5pm – 7am
Costo de Chimichurris: $3.50
También Trate: El Pollo Al Horno
Apariencia: ***
Sabor: **
Precio: ****
Servicio: **
The first stop on this Chimichurri adventure found us at a camion sin nombre. When asked for a name, la mujer cocinando los chimis said that they just got into the business a few weeks ago and created a name on the spot. Service was pretty slow and she wasn’t very social. Though the price wasn’t so bad, the chimi itself was mediocre. El pan no fue tostado, there were no onions and el flaco pedazo de bistec that she used was cooked to a crisp. Add a heavy dose of mayo and ketchup and you have a pretty sad chimi. We suggest sticking con el pollo, which was actually pretty juicy and tasty.
Chimichurri El Malecon
Chimichurri El Malecon
Calle: Sherman Avenue @ 207th Street
Horas: 5pm – 1am
Costo de Chimichurris: $3.00
También Trate: Morcilla
Apariencia: ****
Sabor: *****
Precio: *****
Servicio: *****
El Malecon, which has been in the Chimi truck business for 5 years, was our hands down winner for flavor and price. La viejita en esa chimi truck was very friendly, with a wholesome abuelita personality and recommended morcilla to go along with our perfectly prepared chimichurri. The sandwich featured all the right ingredients: the bread was toasted, the seasoned meat was plentiful and all the veggies were fresh and crispy. Additionally, the morcilla was nice and picante, while also being quite moist – anyone who’s had bad morcilla knows what it’s like to choke down dry, crumbly blood sausage! Though her fritura selection isn’t nearly as dirverse as the following trucks, she makes up for it in price and taste. ¡Ay, que sabroso!
El Boulevard Fritura y Chimichurri
El Boulevard Fritura y Chimichurri
Calle: 10th Avenue @ 207th Street
Horas: 5pm – 4am
Costo de Chimichurris: $4.00
También Trate: Yucca Fries
Apariencia: *****
Sabor: ***
Precio: ***
Servicio: ****
Tucked beneath the elevated 1 train, El Boulevard is hard to miss – its neon lights may actually be visible from yet-undiscovered solar systems. This truck specializes in diversity. The selection of empanadas, lengua de vaca, longaniza, oreja de cerdo and more, truly make this a cuchifrito on wheels. Additionally, they serve freshly made juices – a definite plus. Service was pretty quick, using a ticket/number system for all customers. While tasting our oddly hot dog-flavored chimi, un bodyguard/amigo de el owner decided to ask his own questions. Apparently he thought we were la policia or la migra or something. A bit expensive, though one can’t over look the variety. Try the yucca fries con mojito de ajo, as it was certainly a better choice.
El Peluche
El Peluche
Calle: 10th Avenue @ 204th Street
Horas: 2pm – 6am
Costo de Chimichurris: $4.50
También Trate: Mojella de pollo
Apariencia: *****
Sabor: ****
Precio: **
Servicio: ****
Easily the busiest of the four trucks visited that night, El Peluche’s 15 years in the business of fried Dominican food shines when it comes to its balance of variety, taste and service – though ellos no son baratos. Of the four trucks reviewed, this was the only one to serve chimis de pollo, res y pernil. They also carry bottled mabi: the “energy drink of the islands.” Service – though very busy – was helped along by two ticket/number setups, one for fritura and one for chimis. The owner of the truck, Henry, was more than willing to discuss his life story and even treated us to un plato de mojella. The chimi we ordered was only second to Malecon’s, but paired with some freshly made tostenes con ajo, will give the viejita a run for her money – if you’re willing to pay the price.
Remember: Chimichurri trucks are mobile and may not exactly be licensed. With that in mind, just note that they may change location from time to time, but will always remain within a block or two radius. ¡Buen provecho!
