Chimichurri El Primo

Look it up. An Argentinian moved to the Dominican Republic a couple of decades ago and started serving steak sandwiches with Chimichurri sauce in the streets. Local Dominicans took the Chimichurri (in name only) street food idea and adapted it for their own street food creation. Hence, the Dominican Chimichurri Burger. Nowadays, you'll find a late night Chimi street vendors peppered throughout the island. Ingredients vary with each vendor, but you can basically expect tomato, oregano seasoned beef patty, sauteed cabbage, secret orange/pink sauce in between Pan de Agua bread. They are very popular with late night munchers and hungry post night club crowds. It is to Dominicans, what Pizza is to New Yorkers. Outside of the DR, Chimis are very popular in a few corners of the United States where there is a Dominican community presence. For example, the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, NY. Providence, RI. Miami, FL. You guessed it, East and South Orlando too. For this, I feel privileged Orlando is part of this small club of Chimichurri purveying cities. So, in all my searching for different food trucks in Orlando that serve the fabled Dominican Chimichurri (not to be confused with the Argentinian sauce), the only truck (and last Chimi truck) I haven't visited was Chimichurri El Primo. Just when I thought I couldn't find a food truck that was serving a better Dominican Chimichurri burger than Chimi King, I came upon Chimichurri El Primo. Strange how they're less than a mile from each other. Anyway, I'm not gonna sit here and say El Primo is LEAPS AND BOUUNNDS better. BUT I will attest to the much appreciated small details which put them over. 1) Their Pan de Agua bread is sooooo fluffy and pillowy on the inside. With just barely the slightest bit of flaky crust on the outside. Press your finger into the bun.. and poof, a little bit of steam puffs right out. Heavenly. 2) They plop down a generous amount of shredded cabbage on top of the oregano, sazon seasoned beef patty. This does 2 things for you. Adds additional texture so that when you bite into the Chimi, you get a slight crunch in return. Not only this, but there is more cabbage to soak in their secret sauce. Which I want to believe is made with Worcestershire, Ketchup, Mayo and Orange Juice?? Who knows! It's lip smackin' delicious! Heavenly bread + copious amounts of crunchy, sauteed cabbage = Chimi Nirvana. They also boast a well-portioned beef patty which covers the circumference of the Pan de Agua bun. Beef in every bite people. No wimpy, thin patties here. For all the ladies out there, your Chimi comes with a fashion sensible pink plastic bag!Come here and try a Dominican Chimi Burger. When you do, make sure you eat it right there on the spot (chairs/table provided) or eat it as soon as you enter the car. You won't want to delay the beefy, saucy, fluffy, crunchy, fresh and hot experience any longer than you should.

First, make sure to bring cash only. Ok. On to the food.This chimichurri is perfection. My parents, both from Dominican Republic, say it tastes just like the sandwich they would eat on the corner of the street in Santiago at 3am after a night of dancing. The idea is to have a solid, juicy hamburger, cabbage, a ton of sauce (primarily made up of ketchup and mayonnaise), and thick tomatoes in between warm bread. The chimichurri here is always well seasoned and made to order. Don't be afraid to try the juices they have. I rotate between tamarind and passion fruit. The "chicharrones de pollo" (think fried chicken) with tostones (fried plantain) is really yummy too. They have moved location twice, so I'm not sure where they may be at present. They usually stay on OBT, however, around the other food trucks there.

Excellent service and delicious food. El primo knows how to take care of people. Don't forget to try the empanadas