Gray's Papaya

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Coordinates: 40°44′01″N 73°59′57″W / 40.73365°N 73.99929°W / 40.73365; -73.99929
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Gray's Papaya
IndustryFast food restaurant
Founded1973; 51 years ago (1973) in New York City
FounderNicholas Gray
Number of locations
1 (2020)
Area served
New York City

Gray's Papaya is a hot dog restaurant located at 2090 Broadway at 72nd Street in New York City.[1] It had other locations, all of which had closed by June 2020.[2][1] Gray's Papaya is famous for its inexpensive high-quality hot dogs, considered among the best in New York City.[3] They once sold for 50 cents each and, as of 2023, sell for $2.95.

The "papaya" in the name refers to the papaya fruit drink sold at the establishment. They also sell orange, grape, piña colada, coconut champagne and banana daiquiri fruit drinks, all of which are non-alcoholic.

History

Restaurant exterior
Prep counter

The chain was founded by a former partner of Papaya King, Nicholas Gray, in 1973,[4] with its flagship, and as of 2023, only restaurant located at 2090 Broadway at 72nd Street.[1]

In the June 1, 2006, issue of

Time Out New York, Gray's Papaya's hot dog was ranked first over its competitors Papaya King and Papaya Dog.[5] On March 3, 2008, The New York Times reported that Gray's Papaya had endorsed Democratic candidate Barack Obama in his campaign for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election.[4]

The former

8th Street) in 2014 due to rent increases.[6][7] For several years after, the flagship location at 72nd street was the only location left.[1]

In 2016, Gray's Papaya signed a 20-year lease for a new midtown location on Eighth Avenue, between West 39th and

West 40th streets. The location opened in spring 2017 but subsequently closed in 2020 due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.[8] After likewise shuttering their flagship location for the "first time in 47 years" on March 30, Gray's Papaya reopened the location in May 2020, with a new version of its "recession special" that featured two franks and a tropical drink for $6.95 including tax, with frontline healthcare workers eating the special for free.[9] Thrillist listed it as one of the best hot dog locations in New York.[2]

Gray died in May 2023 at 86 due to complications from

Alzheimer's.[10] Gray's family reportedly has friendly relations with the flagship store's landlord, and plans to keep the restaurant open.[10]

Menu

Two hot dogs with sauerkraut and onions

Gray's Papaya is famous for its inexpensive (once sold for 50 cents, as of 2023, sell for $2.95),[11] high-quality hot dogs. The "papaya" in the name refers to the papaya fruit drink sold at the establishment. They also sell orange, grape, piña colada, coconut champagne (non-alcoholic), and banana daiquiri (non-alcoholic) fruit drinks. [12] They also sell a variety of sodas.[11]

The franchise has natural skinned franks.[13] Gray's Papaya hot dogs are considered among the best in New York City.[3]

Media

  • In the 1995 film Die Hard with a Vengeance, a scene takes place across the street at 72nd and Broadway, with the sign shown prominently.
  • In the 1997 film Fools Rush In, one of the characters (Salma Hayek) has Gray's Papaya hot dogs delivered to her husband ( Matthew Perry) in Las Vegas.
  • In the 1998 film You've Got Mail, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan's characters are seen chatting at the Gray's Papaya counter.
  • It is also featured in the 2008 movie
    Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.[15]
  • In 2023 season of Manifest, in the first episode as Ben and Michaela Stone escaped the Registry, Ben makes a comment that he wished they stopped by Gray’s Papaya.
  • In the 1995 collection of short stories Seduction Theory by Thomas Beller, in the story The Hot Dog Wars the protagonist falls in love with an elusive hot dog eater set against the backdrop of a hot dog price war.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Casey, Nell (January 8, 2014). "There's Now Only One Gray's Papaya Left In New York City". Gothamist. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Hoeffner, Melissa Kravitz (June 29, 2020), "Where to Eat Hot Dogs in NYC This Summer", Thrillist
  3. ^ a b Fishbein, Rebecca (July 2, 2014). "The 10 Best Hot Dogs In NYC: Gothamist". Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Mainland, Alexis (March 3, 2008). "Two Hot Dogs, a Drink, and a Nod to Obama". The New York Times. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  5. Time Out New York
    . Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  6. ^ Maurer, Daniel (February 28, 2011). "Doggone: Gray's Papaya Closes Hell's Kitchen Location". Grub Street. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  7. ^ "End Of An Era: Gray's Papaya In Greenwich Village Closes Its Doors". CBS New York. January 9, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  8. DNA Info. Archived from the original
    on September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  9. ^ Quinn, Anna (May 6, 2020), "Gray's Papaya Among UWS Restaurants Reopening For Takeout", Patch.com
  10. ^
    ISSN 0362-4331
    . Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Gray's Papaya — Uptown Menu". Gray's Papaya. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  12. ^ "Eat Like a New Yorker: Gray's Papaya—Arguably the Best Hot Dogs in NY". Nightlife Tours by The New York Nightlife. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  13. ^ "An Eater's Guide to New York City", Eater.com, December 17, 2021
  14. ^ Anthony Bourdain in Manhattan: 50 Spots Where Tony Ate, Oct. 4, 2023
  15. ^ That’s Not Acceptable https://clip.cafe/nick-norahs-infinite-playlist-2008/thats-not-acceptable/

External links

40°44′01″N 73°59′57″W / 40.73365°N 73.99929°W / 40.73365; -73.99929

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