Chimi Corner Deli

- 5624 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220

When New Yorkers talk about delis, they usually picture the perfect chopped cheese, a classic breakfast sandwich, or a late-night turkey hero. While Chimi Corner Deli in Brooklyn offers these traditional quick-serve items, its true draw for the local community is its deep commitment to authentic Dominican street food, offering a unique flavor profile often missing from standard corner stores. Located in Sunset Park, this deli stands out as a purveyor of Caribbean comfort food, most notably the namesake Chimi and the layered casserole known as Yaroa. This unique blend of traditional New York deli convenience and rich Dominican culinary culture positions Chimi Corner Deli as a distinctive local resource, particularly for those in search of robust, late-night meals.

The deli environment, by its very nature, suggests speed and accessibility, catering to New Yorkers constantly on the go. However, as any local knows, the quality of a deli experience—from the freshness of the ingredients to the efficiency of the counter service—is what truly defines its success and standing in the community. Chimi Corner Deli’s extensive menu, which spans from familiar cold-cut sandwiches to specialty fried meats, promises a wide variety of choices for residents and visitors alike.

The name itself, Chimi Corner Deli, directs attention to the famous Chimichurri Dominicano sandwich. Unlike the Argentine sauce, the Dominican Chimi is a hearty street food sandwich, often described as the Dominican Republic's answer to the burger. It traditionally features well-seasoned, griddled beef or pork, typically dressed with a creamy, pink-hued 'Salsa Golf' (mayo-ketchup blend), and topped with shredded cabbage or slaw, all served on a crusty roll like pan de agua. This particular offering establishes the deli as a local go-to for authentic Caribbean flavor right here in the heart of Brooklyn. The deli’s menu confirms its specialization with options like Chimi Tradicional, Chimi De Pollo (chicken), and Chimi De Pierna (pork leg).

The significance of a place like Chimi Corner Deli in the New York food landscape cannot be overstated. It provides a taste of home for a large segment of the city's population and introduces unique cultural dishes to a broader audience, expanding the culinary tapestry of Sunset Park.

Location and Accessibility

Chimi Corner Deli is situated in Brooklyn’s diverse Sunset Park neighborhood, a busy area known for its mixture of residential blocks and commercial activity. The deli’s exact address is 5624 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220. This location on 4th Avenue is easily accessible via public transportation, making it a convenient stop for local commuters and residents. The accessibility of the location supports its categorization as a quick-visit establishment, ideal for those seeking a fast bite during a busy workday or a substantial late-night snack.

The deli maintains extended hours to serve the community’s diverse schedule. From Sunday through Thursday, the operating hours are generally 7:00 am to 11:00 pm. On weekends, Friday and Saturday, the deli remains open even later, until midnight, ensuring that those late-night cravings for a Chimi or some Frituras can be satisfied.

Services Offered

• In-Person Quick Visit: As a deli, the primary service model is built around fast, counter-service transactions for customers who are in a hurry, supporting the established planning category of a “Quick visit.”
• Delivery Service: The deli confirms offering a delivery service, which is a crucial convenience for New York residents, allowing them to enjoy the full menu from the comfort of their home or workplace.
• Hot Sandwiches: A selection of classic, made-to-order hot heroes, including the Roast Beef & Cheese Hero, Chicken Cutlet Hero, Grilled Chicken Hero, and the popular Philly Cheese Steak, alongside basic offerings like Grilled Cheese.
• Cold Sandwiches: Standard deli offerings for fast lunches, featuring Ham & Cheese Hero, Turkey & Cheese Hero, and Honey Turkey Cheese Hero.
• Beverages (Batidas): The menu includes a selection of simple beverages, such as Banana and Limonada, providing fresh, blended drink options beyond packaged sodas.

Features / Highlights

• Authentic Dominican Street Sandwiches: The Chimi Tradicional is a signature highlight, complemented by the Chimi De Pollo and Chimi De Pierna, offering variations on the famously seasoned, street-style burger.
• Frituras (Fried Specialties): The dedicated Frituras section is a major draw for customers seeking deeply savory, textured Dominican fried meats and sides, including Carnita Frita (fried meat), Chicharron De Pollo (fried chicken pieces), Chicharron De Cerdo (fried pork rinds), and fried cheese (Queso Frito). Other specialties include Jamoneta (Spam-like meat), Chuleta Ahumada (smoked pork chop), and Longaniza (Dominican sausage).
• Layered Casserole (Yaroa): A popular Dominican late-night creation, the Yaroa, is prominently featured with two versions: Yaroa - Platano Maduro (layered with sweet plantains) and Yaroa - Papas Fritas (layered with French fries). The Yaroa is a dense, savory, and cheesy layered dish, often compared to poutine or chili cheese fries, and is beloved for its satisfying complexity.
• Extended Operating Hours: With the deli staying open until 11:00 pm most nights and until midnight on weekends, it caters effectively to the late-night crowd common in New York City, making it a reliable resource for post-shift or post-socializing meals.
• Hybrid Menu: The successful integration of classic New York deli fare (Roast Beef Hero, Ham and Cheese) with specialized Dominican cuisine allows the deli to serve a broader range of dietary cravings and cultural preferences in one convenient location.

Contact Information

Address: 5624 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220, USA

Phone: (718) 492-0255 or +1 718-492-0255

What is Worth Choosing

For New Yorkers prioritizing authentic and unique Dominican street food, Chimi Corner Deli’s menu, particularly the Chimi and Yaroa selections, represents a valuable and rare find in a standard Brooklyn deli setting. The extensive range of Frituras also offers deep, traditional Caribbean flavor that can be hard to source quickly. These specialty items are genuinely worth exploring for their cultural authenticity and rich taste, making the menu a compelling reason to visit or order.

However, in maintaining a strictly factual and professional assessment for local users, it is critical to address the noted customer experience feedback. Recent public reviews highlight severe concerns across several non-negotiable areas of food service. Specific customer comments include reports of finding insects in food, spoiled meat in prepared dishes, unappetizing beverages (warm drinks, bad-tasting coffee), and significant service failures. Service issues cited include unusually long waiting times for simple orders, staff conducting personal cell phone calls while customers waited, and the phone line becoming "broken" when the business was presumably attempting to close or handle a high volume of calls. One customer stated, “I found a cockroach in my bacon egg and cheese and I almost threw up and there drinks are not very cold it’s really warm and there coffee taste bad.” Another noted that the food “used to be good... now the meat in chimi and fried food comes out spoiled.”

These statements indicate potential, serious issues regarding food safety, hygiene, and overall customer service quality. While the menu promises culinary excellence and convenience, the reported operational and cleanliness issues should be considered carefully by prospective patrons. For New York residents, where many local delis offer comparable quick service, these negative reports—especially those concerning spoiled food and hygiene—are severe and necessitate consideration. If the deli addresses and resolves these foundational issues of sanitation and customer service, its unique, culturally rich menu could make it a highly valuable neighborhood establishment. Until then, while the offerings are distinct and enticing on paper, potential customers must proceed with caution and factor in the current state of customer-reported quality control.

In summary, the choice to patronize Chimi Corner Deli comes down to a clear trade-off: access to one of the most comprehensive local Dominican street food menus versus the current documented risks associated with food preparation and service reliability.

Chimi Corner Deli

5624 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220, USA