Grand Central has never been more popular as the “summer of hell’ season of repairs causes nothing but headaches at Penn Station.
This week, Taste of the Terminal is sure to make it even more of an essential stop. The annual event highlighting the station’s many food vendors with free bites and drinks alongside special discounts is both bigger and smaller than ever.
While in the past, a changing roster of vendors gave out samples on a specific day throughout the month of July, this year’s Taste of the Terminal will be a three-day food and music festival taking place July 11-13. Unfortunately for commuters, it’s only open during lunchtime hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To make up for the shorter span, the number of participating vendors each day is up from four to 10, and they’ll be taking over the the entirety of Vanderbilt Hall each day.
Freebies include Shake Shack fries, sushi from Shiro of Japan, wine at Central Cellars, and cold brew by Cafe Grumpy and Oren’s Daily Roast.
Tables will be set up so you don’t have to take your haul on the train and risk the wrath of your fellow hungry straphangers.
Adding to the ambiance (and how many train stations can claim any kind of ambiance?) will be live performances from bands with Music Under New York, the organization that auditions and licenses musicians to play in the city’s subway tunnels and platforms.
While you’re grazing, snag great deals on specialty oils and seasonings from O&Co., boxes of salted caramels, pecan chews and butter crunch from Li-Lac Chocolates and pastries by Bien Cuit.
Here’s the full schedule, with freebies in parentheses:
Tuesday, July 11
Bien Cuit (croissants)
Central Cellars (wine samples)
Juice Press (juices and smoothies)
Li-Lac Chocolates (assorted chocolates)
Murray’s Cheese (assorted cheeses, crackers, jam)
Oren’s Daily Roast (cold-brew coffee)
Shake Shack (french fries)
Shiro of Japan (assorted sushi)
Tia’s Place (jewelry)
Vineyard Vines (koozies, stickers)
Music by: Inti & the Moon (Latin fusion guitars & cajun trio)
Wednesday, July 12
Bien Cuit (croissants)
Café Grumpy (cold brew coffee)
Central Cellars (wine samples)
Li-Lac Chocolates (assorted chocolates)
Murray’s Cheese (assorted cheeses, crackers, jam)
O&Co. (olive oil & vegetable spread)
Origins (Ginzing moisturizer)
Shake Shack (french fries)
Tia’s Place (jewelry)
Wok Chi (fortune cookies)
Music by: Yaz Band (jazz/R&B trio of sax, guitar and bass)
Thursday, July 13
Aveda Experience Center (aroma sensory journey)
Bien Cuit (croissants)
Café Grumpy (cold-brew coffee)
Central Cellars (wine samples)
O&Co. (olive oil & vegetable spread)
Origins (Ginzing moisturizer)
Shake Shack (french fries)
Tia’s Place (jewelry)
Wok Chi (fortune cookies)
Music by: West Village Quartet (classical strings)
