Oren’s Daily Roast

I must agree with Mark M. — nothing worse could have happened to Grand Central than the closing of this particular Oren’s location.
I was a regular at this place every morning for several years. Nothing made 8 a.m. on a Monday feel better than a stop at this place. The staff was awesome, always friendly and happy to see the customers, and they made a mean cappuccino and hot chocolate. Their coffee, their friendliness and their atmosphere made any trip on the subway, any crowded sidewalk, any bad day in your cubicle seem easier. And who can forget the «Buy 12, get the 13^th beverage free» cards that they gave out? I still have one somewhere.
Let’s not forget the music. You, oh weary commuter, thought you didn’t want to hear «Billie Jean» at 8 a.m. after a packed ride on MetroNorth? Guess again, my friend. You did. And you will want to hear it once more while you wait in line for your coffee, only this time you won’t be able to do so.
What is the harried commuter to do, now that Oren’s has closed its doors? Sure, you can grab a latte at Starbucks or fight the crowds at Zaro’s for a weak cup of coffee, but it won’t be the same. Instead of Oren’s, you’ll be getting Financier Patisserie, with its robin’s-egg-blue signs and its distinct lack of panache. I bet they won’t be playing «Billie Jean» or the Beatles for their customers. Oh no, I bet they won’t.

Will be replaced by Financier Patisserie

THIS LOCATION OF OREN’S IS NOW CLOSED.
Has anything worse ever happened to Grand Central? I think not.

This morning the cashier told me I am «like a ray of sunshine».
Then he told me they are closing up shop on Tuesday.
Way to break my heart, buddy.
I will miss your outrageously delicious coffee and muffins, how you blast Radiohead through the speakers at 8:00AM, and the way you flatter me so.
*sad tears*

Oh Oren’s, why can’t you be remotely consistent? It used to be that your rich, foamy cups of coffee would deliver, pretty much 90% of the time. So much so that I didn’t mind waiting 10 minutes in a line to pay $ 1.75 for a small coffee.
Sadly, those days have come and gone. Today was the umpteenth watery, burnt cup of crap you’ve served me and my optimism simply faded. Plus, with Joe coffee around the corner in grand central, you really don’t stand a chance. Bummer too — I mostly liked your staff and you get a star for still carrying doughnut planet. One star is free — its like 400 on the SATs.

Love the lattes! Pretty decent service — though the cashier yesterday forgot to give me my change. The service isn’t as fast as ‘Bucks or D&D, but the quality is worth the wait.
It’s buy 12– get 13^th free, by the way.

For this New York-​loving, California-​born, ex-Peet’s employee, Oren’s Daily Roast is nothing less than a blessing; I would say that these guys are hands-​down the best coffee available in The City.
For the true connoisseurs they have a fine selection of owner-​picked, high-​quality teas and coffee beans from distinct regions. They also make their own unique blends. For the common man who might not have the convenience of dwelling on such high falutin’ considerations they make a darn good cup of coffee. And for those who lean more towards the Starbucks frame of mind, their fancy drinks are unparalleled; I can’t recall having a carmel latte anywhere else that tastes as creamy, buttery, and sweet as theirs.
Admittedly, the prices are a bit steep, but hey, it’s New York.

It’s my fourth day in New York. My feet are throbbing in my flats that are half a size too small (that’s why they look so cute, ya’ll) and my kneecaps hurt from walking around the bustling city all day. My head is pounding and despite being born and raised in a city also, the noise and chaos that permeates the air around me leaves me feeling kind of lightheaded.
My friend and I grab a cup from Oren’s in the shop that’s situated in the station — she guarantees that it’s the best cup I’ll have in New York. I didn’t think much of this, I just knew that I needed a break from walking all day and some rejuvenation. We sit down on a sweeping flight of steps (there’s also a sign right in front of us that reads: please don’t sit on the stairs.) The cup is warm and slowly thaws out my iced hands that were glove-​less all day. I take a sip and slowly feel myself coming back to life. My sinuses clear up and my tongue begs for more of that smooth, creamy-​sweet, rich cup of coffee deliciousness that I wish I’d gotten a larger size of. Sips (more like gulps) later and there’s nothing but a thin layer of pale caramel colored foam resting at the bottom of my hollow cup.
I am by no means a coffee connoisseur nor am I even a big fan of it. I can’t tell you why I thought that latte was the best I’ve ever had, I just know it was. It was delicious and really, coffee expert or not, that’s what should matter about anything you consume.
After all, we’re all on Unilocal writing reviews with what we know. So, while sitting on the steps in the Grand Central Station — with its high ceilings and gorgeous architecture, I was experiencing a perfect moment. In a city that moves so fast and so hard, that latte helped slow things down just a little bit for me in the best way possible.
That’s what I know.

This place was ADORABLE, the staff was SO NICE and my macchiato (and chocolate-​covered biscotti) were PERFECTION. If I had more opportunities to roam about the UES, I’d go back in a heartbeat!

You probably have a few friends who don’t take themselves too seriously even though they’re masters at whatever they do. Oren’s is like that.
Serious coffee (and tea for the Brits and effete folks) served by seriously friendly folks, who have a serious Seattle-​coffee shop vibe even though Oren’s is in Grand Central.
Pluses:
Iced Coffee brewed as reg or hazelnut
Almond croissants from Balthazar
Donuts from all the gourmet NYC donut makers
Simple syrup bottle on the «fixins» stand
Good music
10-​stamp «get one free» card
Perfect location for grabbing a coffee if you arrive by the 4−5−6
Rush-​hour fast service*
* Don’t be scared of the line out the door; this place churns.

Coffee is nothing more than a bittersweet symphony, to borrow the parlance of our time. I just downed a cup of Oren’s coffee because I needed a generous and quick dose of caffeine, the likes of Jolt (sans unwanted sugar), in order to battle the burning sensation that has set in as a result of last night’s 3 hour nap. As per my small coffee, it tasted rancid. It required me doctoring it up with unhealthy amounts of milk and sugar, but I’m wired enough to write this crappy review. So it’s working. Forget a flux-​capacitor, this liquid is strong enough to power the Delorean back to the future. You know what I’m sayin’, McFly?

Crazy that by far the best cappucino or espresso to be had in NYC is in the bronx (La Casa Del Caffe) and this is what I judge all the manhattan pretenders against. Oren’s is by my job and it’s pedestrian. Not worth the hassle or the high price.
Walk two blocks to the Manhattan Espresso Café if you are by 3^rd and 49^th.

This is the Oren’s in Grand Central Terminal.
If you take the 4,5,6 or 7 train in the morning, here is what I want you to do:
Take the escalators (the ones that are packed) up towards Metro North and stand on the right side going up. Now, I want you to close your eyes for about 3 seconds as you make your way up. The aroma of their amazing beans brewing will make you think you are on the escalator to heaven. Your whole day will be a better day with a cup of Oren’s™ *
It is by far the smoothest and on my list of the best taking coffees around the city.
Do yourself a favor. Try to follow my directions without getting trampled and buy yourself a small cup of coffee. I promise you that you will forget about Starsucks/​Fivebucks/​whatever the hell you wanna call it after this.
* Mr. Oren — I’ve trademarked that, but send me a msg if you want to buy it from me.

Best coffee chain in NYC. No competition.

I love Orens. Beats the heck outta starboucks (or as we call it «fourbucks»). Delicious coffee.
Many branches.
Decent service — especially during the morning rush when people tend to get grumpy.

I don’t drink coffee, but I found out that Oren’s roast serves Frogurt, which is amazing frozen yogurt. They rotate their flavors (and I’ve never tried plain there), but they have vanilla, which I haven’t tried at other places like Bloomingdale’s. The vanilla is really creamy (similar to McDs’ soft serve) and for $ 2.50, it’s the perfect afternoon treat while walking around Grand Central.
They also have Ben and Jerry’s (Cherry Garcia is my favorite flavor) and they’re always willing to give me a sample, even after I’ve ordered and paid for my frogurt.

In the consumer/​commuter hub of GCT I find Oren’s to be a refreshing little oasis.
The coffee is great, and I am so surprised how fast the line moves. The decaf is also delightful, and the staff is tops. (Expect a power-​flirt from Danny if he is in the mood. Seriously, the guy can get a lot out in the time it takes you to hand over your 1.75)
This frickin’ no carb thing is getting me to. Their pastries are from Bathazar, which, let me tell you, is in the tops bakeries in NYC that delivers to the coffee houses. Have you ever seen the fabled little poppyseed danish behind that glass and not been able to rescue it from its isolation and cuddle it with your lips? TORTURE!
As a temp, I can almost see missing working as a brainless receptionist at the end of my current gig, just because I will miss Oren’s. Maybe in a few weeks I will get dressed up in my «bissniss-​time» clothes and get up really early to take the train in from Brooklyn to Oren’s and they won’t know the difference. Uhh…
Oh, and the best part! Oren’s has stamp cards! I haven’t seen these since the suburbs! Those great little logs of caffeine consumption that tell the world, «I drank enough coffee to start a car and get a free cup of coffee!» almost make you feel like your in some secret Friend’s-of-Oren’s club. Okay, maybe not, but who cares.

I love this place. Its my first stop in the morning and the only place in GCT that I go for a mid-​day coffee fix. I am a loyal 16oz-​er and there is never a drop that goes un appreciated. The coffee is always fresh and always hot.
I have worked in a building at GCT for 8 years and in all that time, this has been my favorite place. The pastries are yummy the service is awsome and they always have good music on in the morning. Its my favorite way to start a day.
Hey, there is a reason there is a line out the front door!

I really respect the ethics and philosophy of Oren’s. They’ve made it a mission through their Oren’s at Origin program to only buy coffee, whether it’s from Central or South America or Africa or Indonesia, straight from the coffee farmers themselves, instead of relying on middle buyers to conduct such business, since that often hurts the farmers in regards to getting a fair price for their product. Also through this program, Oren’s has implemented new methods to ensure proper payment to farmers, thereby forging a strong personal relationship.
Oren’s offers a wide variety of coffees and teas as well as related accessories. I really enjoy the Sumatra Mandheling (Indonesia…a truly full-​bodied flavor), Blue Mountain (Jamaica), La Minita (Costa Rica), and Italian and French roast coffees. I always buy whole beans and grind myself, which in my opinion makes early morning coffee preparation much more fulfilling and satisfying. Per pound the prices really aren’t that bad either, and are probably comparable to other places like Porto Rico Importing Company. There are about 8 or 9 Oren’s locations throughout the city.
Hey, I enjoy my coffee… so thumbs up.

The smell of this place is pretty infectious as you enter Grand Central Terminal — especially on an early morning.
I usually seek out the green circle, but Oren’s coffee aroma drew me in — I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t try any of the baked goods, but they looked tasty. All I can comment on is the coffee — it’s pretty good, if not great. I had my typical 12 oz. regular brew and it got better as I progressed down the cup.
Oren’s, I think you have a new regular.