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Gray's Papaya
Category: Restaurants Hot Dogs Hot Dogs [Edit]
2090 Broadway(between 72nd St & 73rd St)
New York, NY 10023
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
(212) 799-0243
- Nearest Transit:
-
72 St (1, 2, 3)
66 St - Lincoln Center (1, 2)
72 St (A, B, C)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
611 reviews for Gray's Papaya
Review Highlights
"The recession special is pretty damn good too."
(in 169 reviews)
"I always make it point to go to Gray's when I'm in NYC."
(in 86 reviews)
"The sauerkraut helps cut the fattiness."
(in 77 reviews)
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611 reviews in English
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Review from Graham B.
Manhattan, NY
2/8/2012
It is 2:45 am. I smell like whiskey and despair.
72nd street swims in and out of my vision as I try desperately to balance myself - the world is moving beneath my feet with no discernible rhythm or intensity, and I'm pretty sure I'll fall off it if I don't find a place to sit down.
A garish yellow street corner screams at me like a lighthouse. I stumble into the vicinity, do a forward roll into the place and come up in front of a counter that smells like frying meat and spices. A surly face under a white paper hat asks me what I want.
I reply "Grrrnnnblvghh" and wave my hand in the meat's general direction.
I am handed two meat cylinders and a styrofoam cup full of something. I throw money at the face until it stops yelling at me.
I take a bite.
I leave my body. The night that had been so black is suddenly illuminated, as if with a thousand suns. All things are meat - spicy and perfectly crisp. I drift back into my earthly flesh just long enough to take a sip from my cup. A burst of fruit explodes through my being, fusing with the perfect hot dog and opening entirely new pathways of consciousness. I am one with all lives, and in turn all lives flow through me. From the beginning of time, all universal evolution has led to this moment - I stand at the apex of creation. This hot dog. This glorious hot dog. There is nothing else that matters. I luxuriate in my expanded consciousness, and spread myself out into the universe until the very concept of "I" has vanished. Blackness, once again, subsumes itself into me, but welcomed this time, as one would welcome an old friend.
I wake up on a park bench. I feel GREAT.
Recession Special! Get the pineapple. -
Review from Arben S.
Manhattan, NY
2/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Haven't been to a Gray's Papaya in decades.
I was disappointed.
Things used to taste better or is it just me? -
Review from Yvonne B.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2012
Came to Gray's Papaya with my friend and he introduced me to this good hot dog place.
How can you go wrong with getting a combo of 2 hot dogs and papaya juice for under $5? The hot dogs were nice and juicy. I'm more of a relish, onions and sauerkraut girl. The papaya juice was nice and refreshing. Not too sweet or thick. Just the perfect consistency to help wash down your dog. It's probably comparable to guava juice texture.
Definitely a good place to get a snack before or after a night out on the town. -
Review from Alan C.
San Jose, CA
2/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
These are really simple hot dogs, and they're smaller than I thought they'd be. But at the price I paid for them, that can be overlooked. The actually meat itself is plenty flavorful [I would suggest just getting one of the toppings, not both], so it was a decent hot dog. The Recession Special is 2 hot dogs and a drink for $4.99, which was a good enough value.
tl;dr solid hot dog place, get the Recession Special -
Review from Lauren V.
Long Island, NY
1/21/2012
Ok, let's not joke. These hot dogs are "grilled" ontop of sheets of aluminum foil...and they are pushed down single file until they are cooked up and ready for your mouth. And it's not the best hot dog you'll have in your life . . . it is certainly not the biggest meatiest dog either, but for some reason . . . they're just stupidly good.
and the meat in these is really flavorful. I like to get two. . . one to load up with kraut, relish, ketchup and spicy mustard . . . one so i can enjoy the actual dog itsself.
do NOT trade this dog for a street vendor dog like others might have suggested. accept them for what they are, and you will love them. I know I go back whenever i can -
Review from Jeremy K.
Oh Gray's Papaya how I love thee. Much like Anthony Bourdain, I've hearted you most of my life but I've only been able to enjoy your succulent tubes of meat on rare occasions while visiting NYC.
What could I possibly add that the previous 600+ reviews haven't mentioned? Not too much. The place is a no frills kind of place and is open late which is awesome. You go there, you get a frankfurter or two, with some sauerkraut, a little mustard and you dig in. It's simple, it's affordable and it pairs really well with their numerous juices. I always get the papaya juice and it's tangy and not too sweet. Absolutely awesome.
If you're cheap and smart, you get their 'recession special' for $4.45 and that gets you two hot dogs and a drink. Bite, savor, it's simple yet delicious. You can't sit anywhere but you can stand at the window counter.
Why can't Boston, where I reside, have good hot dogs dammit? -
Review from Lis M.
San Lorenzo, CA
1/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
I shoulda known better than to expect a hot dog movie reference from 1997 to actually be good.
guess this fool rushed in...and was sadly disappointed. Would have much rather paid another buck for a street dog in times square. -
Review from Hashem D.
Bronx, NY
1/7/2012
As simple a meal as it gets, for as good a price as you can ask for: the Recession Special! 2 hot dogs and a soda for less than $5! You can't ask for much more from this NY landmark, and it is definitely worth getting as a quick, cheap, and tasty meal, especially when heading to the movies around the area (let's face it, would you prefer non-filling popcorn for $5 or those nasty movie-theater nachos for even more? I figured you didn't!).
So chow down on those two hot dogs and rush on (with your soda or other drink) to whatever you're doing, your stomach will thank you, and you will thank me later! -
Review from Scott F.
Manhattan, NY
1/20/2012
OK, so it's not the "original" hot dog place. But who cares? It's the best. I would prefer to give it 4.5 stars as their recession special of 2 dogs & a juice drink has been slowly creeping up. Still very cheap, but it was better a few years ago.
In any case, the dogs are crisp and fresh, the buns are always warm, and the toppings always add the right amount of extra flavor. Nothing beats a hot dog craving (or a Matthew Perry mid 90's reference) like Gray's Papaya. A late night snack or a mid-afternoon meal, Gray's always delivers great dogs and great juice drinks quickly. This place is recommended to all, especially those looking for a quick & cheap refuel or a vintage New York eatery. -
Review from Michelle T.
Brooklyn, NY
1/18/2012
Was doing some food shopping with the boyfriend at Trader Joe's when we spotted this place. The boyfriend has had them before but I haven't so we stopped by for a quick snack before making our way home. 2 hot dogs + a drink = $5, which I think is a pretty good deal considering a hot dog in Manhattan can cost up to $2.50 from a street vendor (try Columbus Circle).
Their hot dogs are all grilled so they have a nice crunch when you bite into them. We got ours topped with chili and sauerkraut and it was delicious! It was the perfect snack to tide us over until dinner. If only they had one of these closer to Fordham. -
Review from Philip L.
Redwood City, CA
1/10/2012
Best hotdogs for the money
Hotdogs are juicy, savory, and flavorful...service is quick, and prices are reasonable - so 5 stars in my book
That said, the papaya, pina colada, and other drinks are way too sweet, dont taste that good, and not worth it. -
Review from Derek W.
Valencia, CA
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Like the previous yelper stated i came here too because of a 1997 Fools Rush In, i was a fool to go out of my way for just a normal dog. You can't beat the price, but you get a better tasting dog everywhere else.
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Review from SkinnyGrey E.
Manhattan, NY
1/28/2012
Great Fluff!! It's a fine fit when you are awake on the later side. Lol!!!! I have been there, I stand outside trying to make a friend. I once got a frankenfurter with extra sauce. Only problem was I did not like a man there. He stared at my food the whole time not saying a word. I was afraid there would be a duel, but thank you to god I got away.
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Review from Christopher Y.
Brooklyn, NY
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
ordered the recession special: 2 hotdogs and a 16 oz drink for $4.99 . Good and filling. sauerkraut and mustard is the best combo on the hotdog. also tried the onion on it, dislike!
this place held me over till dinner. -
Review from Lou K.
Manhattan, NY
11/30/2011
Five stars. Simply the best, non plus ultra. What else is there to say?
I've been eating their 2 hot dog/one drink of your choice "recession special" (or it's equivalent back in in 1972) since the days when Needle Park across the street was only known as "Needle Park."
The grease and crunchiness of the hot dogs is always sublime, a perfect foil to the slightly powdery, dry papaya drink that washes it all down. Splurge for the pineapple for a real treat. And, have a third hot dog as dessert. That's all you'll get. -
Review from Jose O.
12/26/2011
Every time I'm in the City, take the 1-2-3 train to 72nd and Broadway, and get some dogs from here. Even at 5 am, these guys are open (I believe they're open 24/7), and get yourself the Recession Special and the Papaya. I wanted to check out this place years ago after watching Die Hard With a Vengeance (where John and Zeus are at the 72nd Street Station payphone and you can clearly see Gray's Papaya, and thought, what is Gray's Papaya?).
Anyone, and I mean anyone, get off your tourist bus and go down to any one of the Gray's Papaya in Manhattan. Just no frills franks with awesome fruit juice (none of that artificial crap) to chow down on. -
Review from Mark B.
Cherry Hill, NJ
11/20/2011
One of the top things to visit on my list to NYC was Gray's Papaya. I was really disappointed. It was a good hot dog, but it wasn't anything special either. It was a very skinny hot dog that came with only two condiments: sauerkraut and mustard.
I was expecting a bigger dog with more choices like chili, relish, fries, onions, etc. I definitely left this place unsatisfied.
The good thing about this place, though, is the cheap price and the drinks. -
Review from Tony U.
11/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pretty decent cheap eats here. The Recession Proof Special, two dogs and drink goes a long way when you need to fill up the tanks for a few hours.
Very good mustard. Best hot dawg joint in the Upper West Side. -
Review from Janice T.
1/9/2012 1 photo
The movie "Fools Rush In" made me want to try their hotdogs. The Recession Special ($5) for 2 hotdogs and a soda was a pretty good deal. But IMO, Costco's hotdogs are bigger and better. My regret is I didn't try the papaya drink...maybe next time.
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Review from Billy V.
11/9/2011
Another of my 3 decade plus places.........
Ah, the dog. Tasty. Delicious. Plentiful. Fast. Cheap.......
Forgot nasty the next morning coming up with the beers I enjoyed the night before.
The memories.
This is a great place day or night. How I loved to enjoy a dog with mustard and orange drink on a summer day. Hit the spot. Some people tell me they had better but no body can tell me they are not TASTY........
The only thing better were 50 cent dogs years ago. Yummy.............. -
Review from elizabeth l.
New York, NY
1/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Can never go wrong with my papaya dogs! Get the recession special and you'll be fully satisfied! I particularly like their pineapple juice but you have to pay extra for that... It's worth it...
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Review from Amy S.
Manhattan, NY
1/15/2012
Meh. I thought that this was supposed to be famous because it was good. The hot dogs were reasonably priced, and the papaya drink was refreshing, but this is nothing to write home about. Don't go out of your way if you aren't in the area.
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Review from Cadi W.
10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm not a hot dog fan, but these are tasty. I would go again.
Also, If you weigh 110 pounds like me, DO NOT GET THE RECESSION SPECIAL. I literally felt sick for 3 days. One is enough. -
Review from David K.
10/21/2011
HOME OF THE NEVER ENDING RECESSION SPECIAL!
The menu at this place is easy. You've got hot dogs cooking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And you've got vats of Papaya Drink , Banana Daiquiri, Pina Colada, Coconut Champagne, and Orange Drink.
The Recession Special may have stepped up over the year (currently at $4.45), but its still the best deal on any block. Where else are you going to get 2 crisp hot dogs and a 14 oz drink for less than five bucks? Of course I can remember way back in the early 90's when the Recession Special was only $1.95 and hot dogs were 50 cents a piece. Jeez that sounded just like my father!
Sure the namesake of this place is the Papaya drink, but you can't go wrong with their Pina Colada. And if by chance you happened to have a miniature bottle of rum with you, then you just found the cheapest BYOB for dinner in NYC.
The hot dogs aren't that big, so don't beat yourself up if you're craving a third or even a fourth. Usually I'll head up there with a buddy and after we each finish our recession specials, then we order one more and split it.Listed in: 4 Stars
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Review from dana m.
Kent, WA
1/4/2012
Better then any street vendor. These dogs are delish.
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Review from Yibing Q.
Manhattan, NY
1/1/2012
$4.95 (incl. tax) for two mini hotdog buns and a milk shake. 24/7. Fast service (almost no wait, even at 02:00am as NYE crowd started pouring out of Central Park looking for food in the UWS).
I would come here again for a quick and cheap bite. The hotdog buns were not fantastic, but good enough for their highly affordable price! -
Review from Shae W.
12/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yum yum yum. Was a must try for my visit to NYC and I was not disappointed. Slightly crunchy bun, a little burnt hot dog that didnt taste burnt but was deliciously greasy, top with sauerkraut and spicy mustard and wash down with a diet coke. Again, yum yum yum.
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Review from Tiffany P.
San Francisco, CA
10/6/2011
I was greatly disappointed. I took a mini vacay to New York over the weekend and it took a journey to get to Gray's. I paid $1.95 for a small, plain hot dog. I don't understand what's so good about it and why people are raving about this place. Okay, the special gets you two hot dogs and a drink. . These people have obviously never been to Costco. The hot dogs are tiny and I probably ate it in less than 2 minutes. Keep in mind that I am not a big eater, at all and definitely not a hot dog person.
The employees were very nice though. One thing that I did notice were all the "exotic juices" they had to offer. Maybe it isn't common to come across these in NY? -
Review from Carol N.
Diamond Bar, CA
10/30/2011
I was visiting New York with some friends and my friend insisted we try this place and we were looking for a snack before dinner so we decided to stop by.
A really casual hot dog joint with cheap and okay tasting hot dogs. Although I know hot dogs can't really be that bad these hot dogs were pretty mediocre.The only thing I really liked about the hot dogs is how the hot dog are not ginormous and it was pretty skinny. The meat and the bread proportions were very even which is a very important factor to me. I hate it when the hot dog is so much bigger then the bun that it throws off the equal+ness equilibrium of my food.The bun was an ordinary bun but it was a little on the dry side. The hot dog itself was a little overcooked so it was a bit tough to bite into. I am not a fan of sauerkraut so I didn't add any on my hot dog but according to my friend it was okay tasting.
This place has small hot dogs so don't expect to get full off of one especially when your hungry, I had two for a light snack and I was still hungry 30 minutes later. I guess this place is popular because it was featured in movies and its a New Yorker place that has been around, but I don't see anything really that special about it in my opinion. If your looking for an ordinary hot dog and you want it cheap and fast, this is your place. -
Review from Katrina A.
Manhattan, NY
Good deal for starving college students. 2 hotdogs with sauce and sauerkraut and a medium drink for $4.95. The hot dog isn't very thick, so most could probably eat 2, but I went with one. Ordered the special and an extra medium drink, so my friend and I took a dog each and split the cost. Less than 4 bucks for the both of us. I decided to go with the pina colada drink, which was okay. A bit too sweet for my liking. I do wish they would serve different kinds of sausages though.
No seating, just standing counter space. Best for a quick bite. -
Review from Jess L.
9/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
My fiance is surprised I'd review Gray's -- "but it's Gray's!" -- but clearly he doesn't know what kind of Yelper I am.
I will say this is a very straight forward joint with bright lights and big bubble letter writing. It makes you feel like you're in a carnival.
The hotdog is standard, and paying $2 feels a little like a rip.
But sometimes a New Yorker needs what a New Yorker needs. -
Review from Jon H.
CA
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
3.5 stars. Maybe. It's slightly over rated. You're basically paying for a smaller and more expensive costco hotdog. 1 Costco dog = 3 Gray's dogs I was expecting genius but I could grill better at home. Nothing special here unless you're hungry. I'd give it the extra 1.5 stars cause of the pineapple drink and quick service.
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Review from Trey E.
9/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Less than five bucks gets you two dogs and an awesome juice drink. What more could you want?
Protip: Put both dogs in one bun, and use the extra to feed the birds in the park. They'll appreciate it and you don't need those extra carbs anyway. -
Review from Oliver C.
Brooklyn, NY
8/4/2011
Remember when you were young and you were broke....like everyday for the past few years. You would scrounge up 50 cents from the couch cushions or the sidewalks and walk over to Gray's Papaya and be able to splurge on a hot dog. If you were really lucky scrounge up 2 dollars, get two dollars and get a papaya drink. That would be good enough for a dinner date; The Recession Special. It was wonderful.
Now when we actually are in a recession, it costs $4.95 for two dogs and a drink. I'm sorry but Gray's you priced yourself way too high. For that price, I actually care what goes into your hot dogs. You are officially off my destination of places I can take a date, and that's why you're getting 1 star. -
Review from Lawrence L.
Millbrae, CA
7/24/2011
These dogs are a great deal: $4.95 recession special gets you 2 beef frankfurters and any of their fruit drinks (except pineapple and OJ). Are they the best??? I have to painfully say "no", as there are plenty of other tasty dogs to be had elsewhere (even locally in Cali). Although, I must say they have this hot dog business down pat. They have no problems slinging dogs for heavy crowds, and moving them at great speeds on the cheap as a tasty meal / snack. I must say that the toppings (grilled onions and sauerkraut) help make it unique amongst other hot dogs out there.
In regards to their drinks, I particularly liked the coconut champagne (bits of coconut), and their signature papaya drink (refreshing). The banana drink was ok... Haven't had the Pineapple nor OJ yet.
Standing room only. So grab your dog and chomp it down in a hurry, as the place always seems to be crowded.
'Nuff said, I would come here anytime when I'm in NYC and craving a good NY hot dog and papaya drink. I give it four stars for the combo as a whole - can't beat it. -
Review from Bin H.
Manhattan, NY
9/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Recession Special = great dinner for poor grad students like me.
Two hot dogs w/ everything + medium drink (I ordered papaya juice) for $4.95 (tax INCLUDED). Get your dogs with everything on it! You won't regret it.
My friend ordered the same special but with banana daquiri, and it tasted like a banana smoothie! It was great.
I kinda wished the hot dogs were a bit larger, but my papaya juice was delicious and refreshing.
Don't really have much else to say.. just go & enjoy yourself a meal for less than $5! -
Review from Dave H.
6/17/2011 3 photos
If you're not hungry enough for Gray's Papaya recession special - two hot dogs and a drink - get a frankfurter.
Last month, said frankfurter went for $1.50. This month, the price went up - probably because the rent is too damn high[1]. At least onions are free.
This Gray's delivers cheap eats and does it well. This location never closes, naturally serving a constant stream of drunkendom late nights.
[1] Bonus points if you get this reference.Listed in: NYC Favorites, Cheap NYC Eats, NYC Late Night Eats
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Review from Ben C.
Elmhurst, NY
12/8/2011
Better than a street vendor and nathans for the price plus the papaya drinks are terrific. Always have to go for the combo called the recession special.
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Review from Kenny O.
Every time I go to NY, I always crave a Gray's hot dog and Papaya drink. The two just become ingrained in your mind as to what NY food is about.
When you're not dropping $$$$ on Michelin star restaurants, you want something that fills up the stomach; you want something that just appeases that craving for grease and wholesome fruit drink all in one; you want something that will spare your wallet. Move over, halal cart serving OJ, you're getting in my way to Gray's Papaya.
The past few times here, they've had the recession special, and I was sure glad to still see it on the menu (though there was a sign next to it saying that prices may have to rise to reflect the overall increase in food prices the past several months). I ordered myself the recession special with the classic Papaya and boy did it hit it out of the park. Just an hour earlier, I had lunch at Jean-Georges, which was a filling lunch, but my trips to New York mean that I am hardly ever NOT full nor sober.
Thank goodness for good cheap eateries. -
Review from Marisol G.
Los Angeles, CA
8/19/2011
The best papaya and pineapple juice ever!
We were in NY for 4th of July weekend and visited this location 3 times. Good snack when you are time restricted.
