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For over 20 years, Melba Wilson has kept residents on the corner of 114th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard fed, full and happy with her soulful menu at Melba’s. A landmark to Harlemites and the world at large, the restaurant has hosted celebrities and dignitaries, from Mariah Carey and Zendaya to Prince Harry and Megan Markle. And while her soulful eats have kept her in business, its Melba's hospitality that keeps people coming back, further backed by her recent semifinalist recognition from the James Beard Foundation. Last year Wilson spread her wings for the first time, opening a fast-casual arm of her beloved restaurant at Newark’s Prudential Center. Now, Wilson is doing it again, this time introducing her cuisine to a midtown audience.
As of today, Melba’s is now open at Grand Central Station. Located in the Dining Concourse in the basement of Grand Central, the 500-square-foot stall brings a number of Wilson’s signature eats keeping travelers on the go in mind. Naturally, her crispy Fried Chicken is on order, available in a combo or by the half breast, drum or thigh. Grab-and-go handhelds dominate the menu, including her Signature Fried Chicken with Chipotle Mayo, her Hot Fried Chicken and the CLT—a fried chicken sandwich with bacon, tomatoes and Bibb lettuce. The dish that beat Bobby Flay many moons ago on Beat Bobby Flay, Melba’s Signature Chicken & Eggnog Waffles also made its way down to Harlem. Alongside sides of Mac & Cheese and A$AP Yams (yes, named after the Harlem-born rapper, A$AP Rocky), you can also get a few sweet treats on your commute, with slices of Red Velvet Cake and Grandma’s Sweet Potato Pie to go.
While we can only wish for a closer, sit-down Melba's in the future, we are more than happy to have a little soul on the go.