IN recent years, food stalls and food trucks have been the incubator for many successful restaurants.

Chimek started out life in the Fremantle markets, where four mates combined their love of Korean and southern fried chicken to create something familiar yet slightly unique.

Their finger-lickin’ wings, tacos and burgers went down a treat with locals and soon they were moving onto bigger things, opening up a stand-alone store in Perth.

Fast forward a few years and they’ve gone from success-to-success and now have outlets in Victoria Park, Northbridge, Southern River and Applecross.

Situated on James Street, the Northbridge store has high stools and tables, colourful signage and subway tiles.

It occupies the twilight zone between fast food and cafe – a pleasant pit-stop, but you probably wouldn’t linger there after eating.

The menu had a wide variety of dishes including fried chicken, burgers, loaded fries and nachos, tacos, waffles, and loaded mac and cheese. It was Korean-inspired with the likes of gochujang and dakgangjeong wings, bulgogi burger and dak-galbi taco.

But there was also a Southern US influence with Bible Belt classics like southern fried wings, Nashville hot chicken wings, waffles, and the Buffalo beast burger.

I kicked off with the original tacos (two for $16) with southern fried chicken tenders.

These had a nice soft taco and a delicious and refreshing pico de Gallo (tomato, onion and salsa) which really got my tastebuds zinging.

The accompanying jalapeños give it a subtle heat and the chook was nice and tender with a crispy coating. There was a bit too much burger mayo, but that’s just a personal preference.

For $8 a taco they were great value and super tasty. A top start.

I had just finished watching the excellent George & Tammy mini-series, so inspired by all-things country, I went for the Nashville Hot Chicken ($14).

The menu said it came with a “Nashville style hot sauce” but it was more like a dry rub.

These had just the right level of heat and a crispy southern coating.

An authentic touch was the pickled celery, which helped to refresh the palate in-between mouthfuls of smoky chook.

Unfortunately the original chicken burger ($16.50) was a let down. If you’re going to do simple, do it well. The core of the dish – the chicken fillet – was too thin and over-cooked.

The brioche-style bun wasn’t the softest either and the cheese was just so-so.

The saving grace was the fresh lettuce, tomato and jalapeños, but you want the chicken to be the main attraction.

Thankfully the meal ended on a high with the cajun & creole wings ($14) and crispy chips ($10).

This was a Louisiana classic with Afro-Caribbean fried chicken, herbs and a little side of pickles.

A gorgeous little chicken dish if a tad oily (get lots of napkins at the ready).

I’ve been to Chimek a few times, and I reckon wings, waffles and tacos are the way to go.

They have an interesting menu that fuses South Korea with the Good Old Boys – a bit like wearing a stetson while watching the Parasite.

Chimek
77 James Street, Northbirdge
chimek.com.au

by STEPHEN POLLOCK