A Day With a Barista in One of NYC's Busiest Coffee Shops | On the Job | Priya Krishna | NYT Cooking

Americanos and iced lattes and cold brews, oh my! In this episode of "On The Job," Priya Krishna dives into the daily grind of baristas.

Meet Arnaldo Hernandez Mundo, who works at Cafe Grumpy in Grand Central Terminal, one of the country's busiest transit hubs. Follow as Arnaldo shares how he got into coffee through latte art in his native Puerto Rico, what it’s like harvesting coffee beans and more.

“On the Job With Priya Krishna” is a series about labor and the people who shape what we eat and how we eat, and whose jobs often go unseen.

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[cullensmith-mnjh]

A white shirt is a sign of a super experienced barista!

[sallys]

Arnaldo is the ultimate coffee professional. Every coffee drinker needs to slow down and think about ALL of the people in the chain that bring you excellent coffee from the growers and pickers, roasters, baristas and everyone in between.

[cloud_line]

"When the storm is constantly hitting, you just get used to it."

The world's perfect barista response.

[MedicBarista]

27 years in the FDNY. retired and became a barista and opened up my own coffee trailer. I have never been happier. Thank you for this video

[mmmpr]

I go to Cafe Grumpy a few times a week and can say that the same energy Arnaldo has in this video is the same energy he has in everyday interactions. The whole staff at Cafe Grumpy is amazing.

[Laurahoch]

Beautiful quote in the end: «Success is when you're clear with yourself and in peace with yourself, and you like what you are doing» «you're successful»

[liviniloap]

I've got the stupidest smile on my face watching this, i love when people love making things! And are appreciated for it! So simple to appreciate the people that make every day better !

[itsroblaw]

as a barista, i absolutely how this was directed and how arnaldo's every day was portrayed! being a barista is a hard, hard, hard job. and what i feel wasnt discussed in the video was sometimes us baristas are having difficult days!!! sometimes just simply getting to work at 6:00am is a struggle, let alone things going on in your life, and then you have to be face to face with people for 8 hours straight on your feet! baristas are superheroes fr: we make people's days even when ours are tough!

[graciemaurine]

priya krishna is one of my favourite journalistic personalities. she really lets the heart of her story shine through with her careful choice of questions and unassuming openness. i’ve been a fan for a long time and every time i read an article and watch a video i appreciate her work a little more. as a fellow barista i also appreciate this video haha.

[PauloCoelho]

Arnaldo is a beast, worked with him back in 2018 at this very location, it gets crazy.

[audiomxr]

Working in coffee service for 8.5 years as a 40ish adult, I learned to see people for the first time. I am thankful for what it taught me, and Arnaldo has what keeps people coming back. He's genuinely interested in providing the best experience, and people are attracted to having a moment of being known and seen. Another great episode, Priya.

[paulhopkins]

I like that Priya shows that you never know who is behind the bar. Too many people assume anybody serving coffee is not a career or "real.job" but this man is a coffee master. Well done.

[balusmbox]

I love watching Priya's series highlighting all these wonderful people who improve our days. Thank you, Arnaldo, and all of the wonderful service industry workers. <3
I always had a desk job, but a few years ago, I spent a month helping a friend at their bakery during the Thanksgiving rush. The work was so hard that there were days I would come home and fall asleep before I could eat a meal. I just can't imagine how these folks do it day in and day out for decades. 🙏

[Victoriasevillaa]

As a barista who loves their job, I appreciated this so much! It's very inspiring to see people in the same industry as me, share the same passion for it too! Love this!

[joeldiaz]

Here I am feeling like crap. Then I watch this video and am brought back to life. Thanks Arnaldo, you truly have good vibes and totally get life. Your co-workers are lucky to work with someone like you.

[evolvvartstudio]

Many people would look down on someone for being “just” a barista, but many of us wouldn’t be able to handle a job like this. I have so much respect for service workers (I’ve been one). I do not believe jobs are “unskilled, ” I believe we as a culture choose to devalue subsets of workers and our mindset needs to change. I love that he is following his passion. Great video.

[colinjcjohnston]

Give Arnaldo a RAISE!! He is a Legend! What a guy

[___arqiteqt]

baristas truly make the world go round, "if you like it, you're successful" ... so beautifully put.

[gabrielansotocollazo]

I have yet to meet someone who is as hard working and passionate as Arnaldo. He’s someone who wants to continue learning and improving. For him, every detail counts. Proud to say that I know him.

Thanks to Priya and the New York Times. This is a beautiful video from a boricua in the diaspora. ❤ 🇵🇷

[outthewindow]

This is my coffee shop! I come in almost every day right before work during the busiest time and everyone is so nice and fast and the coffee always tastes great!! Arnaldo is the best!!