On the Job
Commuters fuel up daily at the Cafe Grumpy in Grand Central Terminal. Here is the man who keeps the coffee flowing.
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Most co-workers see one another only after they’ve had their morning beverages. Arnaldo Hernandez Mundo doesn’t have that privilege.
As a barista at the Cafe Grumpy in Grand Central Terminal, where droves of commuters pass through at all hours of the day, he is not only on the front lines of providing New Yorkers with their daily energy boost, but he also has little to no down time. Here, there is only extremely busy and slightly less busy.
Mr. Hernandez Mundo, who came to New York from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island in 2017, makes the coffee, whether it’s an Americano or an iced decaf vanilla oat latte with an extra shot of espresso. He also runs the cash register, cleans the machines, serves scones and keeps customers happy even as they wait in long lines.
Baristas face the challenge of having to both interact with customers and be the one behind the scenes making their orders. And there’s no place to hide when your workplace is a tiny niche in the corner of a crowded station.
Mr. Hernandez Mundo’s relentless gratitude and quiet confidence have made him a beloved barista with a steady drumbeat of regulars who love his personality as much as they love his coffee.
Priya Krishna is a reporter in the Food section of The Times. More about Priya Krishna
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