Chickpea

- Penn Station 34th St., AMTRAK Concourse Level, New York, NY 10123

In the fast-paced environment of Penn Station, a place where time is of the essence, finding a high-quality and satisfying meal can often feel like a challenge. Chickpea, a Middle Eastern restaurant located on the AMTRAK concourse level, stands out as a welcome and reliable option. This eatery specializes in serving classic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on quick service, making it a perfect fit for commuters, travelers, and locals on the move.

Chickpea's menu is centered around fresh, wholesome ingredients, offering a variety of options that cater to different tastes and dietary needs, including healthy, vegan, and vegetarian choices. The core of their menu revolves around a choice of protein—such as falafel, grilled chicken, or kebab—which can be ordered in various forms: a pocket, a wrap, a platter, a grain bowl, or a salad. This versatility ensures that every customer can find a meal that is both delicious and tailored to their preferences.

While the atmosphere is designed for speed and convenience, reflecting its location in one of the country's busiest train stations, the food itself is anything but generic. Chickpea provides a much-needed alternative to traditional fast food, offering flavorful and comforting dishes that feel fresh. Its existence inside the station is a major plus for those who need a quick, substantial meal while waiting for a train. Though a customer mentioned a negative experience with a hot chocolate and pricing, the consensus for the main food items is that they are a good option for food inside the station.

Chickpea is situated inside Penn Station at 34th St., on the AMTRAK Concourse Level, New York, NY 10123. This location is one of its biggest selling points. As a major transportation hub, Penn Station is easily accessible from all five boroughs and beyond. It is the primary station for AMTRAK, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and New Jersey Transit, as well as multiple subway lines including the A, C, E, 1, 2, and 3 trains.

Being located directly within the station’s concourse makes Chickpea an incredibly convenient option for travelers who need to grab a bite before a long journey or a quick meal upon arrival. The restaurant’s setting is designed to serve a transient crowd, with a focus on counter service for fast ordering and pickup. While seating within the restaurant itself may be limited or nonexistent, there are often designated waiting areas and seating scattered throughout the concourse for ticketed passengers. This means you can still find a place to enjoy your meal, even if you can’t sit down inside the shop.

The restaurant also offers takeout and delivery services, providing flexibility for those who are in a rush or simply prefer to eat elsewhere. Its wheelchair-accessible entrance ensures that all customers can easily access the counter to place their order. For anyone navigating the complexities of Penn Station, having a quick and dependable food option like Chickpea is a huge advantage.

Chickpea provides a concise but highly functional set of services tailored to its customer base.

• Takeout and Onsite Services: The core of their business is fast, counter-based service. You can quickly place an order and have it prepared for takeout, making it an ideal choice for commuters with a tight schedule. While there may not be dedicated seating within the shop itself, you can easily grab your food and find a spot within the larger station concourse to eat.

• Delivery: For those who are not at the station, Chickpea offers delivery, allowing you to enjoy their menu from the comfort of your home or office. This service is a major benefit for locals in the surrounding area who want a quick and healthy meal without having to go out.

• Lunch and Dinner: The menu is designed to be versatile, serving both lunch and dinner crowds. The variety of pockets, wraps, bowls, and platters means you can find a suitable meal at any time of day, whether you're looking for a light lunch or a more substantial dinner.

• Catering: For larger groups and events, Chickpea offers catering services. The menu of platters and bowls is perfect for corporate lunches or gatherings, providing a healthy and popular alternative to traditional catering options. This is a convenient service for businesses in the Midtown area looking for a reliable caterer.

Chickpea’s reputation is built on a few key features that make it a standout choice for its location and cuisine.

• Diverse and Healthy Offerings: The menu's main highlight is its focus on healthy, Middle Eastern comfort food. The options for falafel, grilled chicken, and kebab in various formats—including salads and grain bowls—provide a nutritious alternative to other fast-food choices. This is a significant draw for health-conscious individuals and those with dietary preferences like vegetarianism and veganism.

• Quick and Efficient Service: As a popular spot in a busy transportation hub, the fast service is a major highlight. Customers can get their food quickly, which is essential when you have a train to catch. The efficiency of the staff is a key part of the positive experience.

• Versatile Menu: The wide array of choices, from pockets and wraps to platters and grain bowls, makes it easy to find a meal that fits your hunger level and preferences. This versatility is perfect for solo dining, as you can easily customize a meal to your liking without having to consult with a group.

• Comfortable Atmosphere (for its location): While the space itself is small and functional, the general atmosphere is casual and trendy. For a restaurant inside a train station, it provides a surprisingly pleasant experience. It's a place that is good for kids, making it a viable option for families traveling through the station.

For general inquiries or to place a takeout order, you can contact Chickpea using the following information.

• Address: Penn Station 34th St., AMTRAK Concourse Level, New York, NY 10123

• Phone: (212) 244-0101

For a New Yorker, choosing to get food at Chickpea is all about making a smart and convenient choice when in a difficult location for food. While there are certainly other dining options outside of Penn Station that may offer a more leisurely experience, Chickpea provides a much-needed and valuable service right where it's needed most. The key reason to choose Chickpea is its balance of convenience, quality, and a diverse menu. It offers a fast, fresh, and healthy alternative to standard fast food, which is a significant advantage when you're short on time.

The food itself is often reviewed as being good, particularly the falafel and other main dishes. The menu offers a wealth of options, so you can tailor your meal to be as healthy or as filling as you need. For those who are vegetarian, vegan, or just looking for a wholesome meal, the selection of bowls and salads is excellent. The efficiency of the service and the ability to grab a well-made meal while navigating the station are its most compelling features.

Despite the challenges of its location, Chickpea stands out by providing a reliable and tasty meal. It’s the kind of place that can turn a stressful moment of travel into a more pleasant experience. For anyone who finds themselves in Penn Station and is in need of a quick, satisfying, and relatively healthy meal, Chickpea is an excellent and dependable choice that delivers a great value for its location.

Chickpea

Penn Station 34th St., AMTRAK Concourse Level, New York, NY 10123, USA