For Brooklyn couple Asdrid Vasquez and Nick Bartolone, the end of a subway line is merely the start of an exploration. Their viral TikTok series, "End of the Line," encourages New Yorkers and visitors alike to venture beyond the familiar tourist spots and daily commutes to discover the diverse neighborhoods that make up the city.
Vasquez, 32, and Bartolone, 36, began their project this past winter. "We started our series this winter because we were stuck at home and wanted a reason to get out, break our routine and explore more of the city we love," Vasquez told The Post. The self-described "foodies and nerds" aimed to experience the city beyond their work commutes to Manhattan, realizing the extensive subway system could be a tool for discovery.
Each weekend, the couple spins a wheel to randomly select a subway line and rides it to its final destination. Their mission is to step off the train at an unfamiliar terminal and explore the surrounding area, seeking out local eateries, historical sites, and cultural landmarks. So far, they have explored approximately a quarter of the system's 665 track miles, documenting their findings on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where their videos garner tens of thousands of views.
"We realized we could use [the trains] to explore neighborhoods we’d never been to — and hopefully inspire other people to venture beyond their own boroughs, too," Vasquez said.
Their explorations have led them to uncover a wide array of hidden gems. These include Dominican restaurants in Inwood, Greek eateries in Astoria, Caribbean roti shops, historic museums, and family-run businesses that typically do not have a significant online presence. Bartolone cited Stamatis, a Greek restaurant in Astoria, and Tipico56, a Dominican spot in Inwood, among his favorite culinary finds. Vasquez highlighted the Weeksville Heritage Center in Crown Heights, the site of one of America's earliest free Black communities, as a particularly meaningful discovery.
Vasquez emphasized the value of local recommendations. "We trust locals for the best recommendations — always," she stated. One such recommendation led them to explore the Little Bangladesh area in Hillside Ave., Queens, after they had already sampled Honduran food and Yemeni coffee in Jamaica, Queens, ultimately discovering culinary influences from three distinct cultures within a single afternoon.
"We love those New York moments because they lead you to places you probably never would’ve discovered on your own," Vasquez said.
The series has resonated with viewers, who often provide their own recommendations and share their appreciation for the couple's focus on the city's diverse cultures. Many commenters express that the videos have become a crowdsourced guide for exploring off-the-beaten-path locations. Some viewers have even stated their intention to use the series as a travel itinerary for future visits to New York.
"I think diversity across neighborhoods and enclaves makes New York City the beautiful mosaic that it is," Vasquez remarked.
Bartolone added that conversations with locals have been a key part of their discoveries, countering the stereotype of New Yorkers being unfriendly. "There’s a common misconception that New Yorkers are cold and rude and don’t have time to waste on a chat, but we’ve found that if you create a moment and talk with more people, you can discover their favorite places in the city too, and even ones you never would’ve thought of going to," he said.
The couple, who met on Hinge and married at City Hall last year, with the subway even serving as their transportation to the ceremony, estimate it will take them about nine months to complete their goal of visiting all 49 permanent end-of-the-line subway terminals. They also plan to include the Staten Island Railway in their project.
"Overall, with this series, we really hope to encourage people in New York to discover more of the city," Vasquez said. "No matter where we go, we know it’s impossible to find a place with this many vibrant and colorful neighborhoods just a few steps — or subway stops — away from each other," she added, reinforcing their belief that New York City, with its accessible public transportation connecting diverse communities and small businesses, offers an unparalleled urban experience.