Tracks Raw Bar and Grill to open soon at Grand Central Madison, owner says
Justin Vonashek, Metro-North Railroad president, and LIRR President Rob Free speak at a news conference at Grand Central Madison held by the MTA Monday to promote upcoming events at the station. Credit: Marcus Santos
Hungry Long Island Rail Road commuters could soon slurp down some oysters while waiting for their train at Grand Central Madison.
Tracks Raw Bar and Grill — long a staple in and around Penn Station — will open its second location at Grand Central, near the LIRR ticket windows on the concourse level, sometime next month, owner Bruce Caulfield said Monday.
"Definitely July," Caulfield said. "I’ve already hired staff. There’s managers I’ve been paying to sit down and do nothing."
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority first announced plans for Tracks in March 2024, and hoped to have the new eatery open by last fall. But Caulfield said several "hurdles" have held up the opening, including coordinating with the State Liquor Authority.
"It’s a lot of heavy lifting," Caulfield said following a news conference at Grand Central held by the MTA to promote upcoming events at the station. "Thank goodness the MTA has been great in cutting a lot of red tape for us."
Although the MTA hoped to have several signed vendor leases by the time Grand Central Madison opened in February 2023, two and a half years later, all 32 retail properties inside the 700,000-square-foot station remain empty, as MTA officials acknowledge having received less interest from businesses than they originally expected.
One challenge: Ventilation restrictions inside Grand Central Madison, which is below the existing Grand Central Terminal, mean that eateries are limited to warming food, rather than cooking it.
Caulfield acknowledged that, because of the restrictions, Tracks will feature a "smaller plate menu" than its Penn Station predecessor, with lobster rolls, salads, its signature selection of oysters, and other meals they can serve "without heavy cooking."
The new restaurant will have a "more modern" atmosphere than LIRR commuters are used to from Tracks, according to Caulfield, who likened it to "an airport bar, but cozier."
MTA’s real estate chief, David Florio, said that in addition to Tracks, the agency is in negotiations to bring three other businesses into Grand Central Madison, and has four other leases out to bid. "We’re hoping to slowly roll these out over the next year or two years," he said.
LIRR president Robert Free said the railroad is "very excited" about Tracks moving into Grand Central, through which about 40% of LIRR Manhattan commuters travel each day.
"Ridership is increasing, so I think businesses see the value in setting up shop in Grand Central Madison," Free said. "I think Tracks is just the beginning, so we’re extremely excited."
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