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GRAY'S PAPAYA 72 BROADWAY

Last Updated: 8 days ago

Phone: (212) 799-0243

Address: 2080 BROADWAY 10023

TLDR

Iconic NYC hot dogs & tropical papaya drinks. A legendary, affordable bite near Central Park.

Sentiment Overview(Based on 109 Reddit comments)

65% Positive25% Neutral8% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

american 48fast food 4hot dog 52hot dogs 42papaya drink 5View All

Neighborhoods

Upper West Side

Instagram Posts References

Summary
Summary
Summary
Summary

Details

Gray's Papaya is a New York institution renowned for its classic hot dogs and refreshing papaya drinks. This no-frills spot offers an iconic taste of the city at an affordable price, making it a go-to for a quick, satisfying bite. Whether you're a local or a visitor, it's a must-try for an authentic taste of New York's street food scene.

Food Overview

Gray's Papaya is celebrated for its classic New York-style hot dogs, often described as having a great 'snap' and being perfectly grilled. The accompanying papaya drink is also a signature item, though some find it too sweet. It's consistently recommended for its affordability and authentic taste.

Highlights / Recommended

"The classic combination of two hot dogs with toppings and a papaya drink is highly recommended. The breakfast special, consisting of a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with coffee, is also highlighted as an excellent value."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • hot dogs(5)
  • hot dog(3)
  • papaya drink(2)
  • juice(2)

Customer Sentiment

Customers overwhelmingly praise Gray's Papaya for its iconic hot dogs and refreshing papaya drinks, highlighting it as an affordable and classic New York experience. While some find the papaya drink overly sweet, the overall sentiment is highly positive, with many considering it a must-visit.

Reddit References

Highlighted Posts

This comprehensive review praises Gray's Papaya as its favorite among hot dog spots, highlighting the perfect balance of toppings and a snappy dog. It suggests avoiding weekends due to crowds but notes lines move quickly otherwise.
Several comments recommend Gray's Papaya as a superior and more consistent option for NYC hot dogs compared to street vendors. It's lauded for its flavor and value, with one user calling it the 'absolute best hot dog in NYC'.
Gray's Papaya is recommended for its exceptionally affordable breakfast special, including a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with coffee for just $3, making it a top choice for cheap eats.
The author documented their visit to Gray's Papaya, and commenters agreed it was a strong start to their food list, with the hot dogs looking very appealing.
A commenter recommended Gray's Papaya for traditional New York hot dogs and specifically praised the papaya drink.

Recent Mentions

From post: You Cant Leave Nyc Without Eating

"The commenter suggests trying a hot dog from Greg's Papaya as an authentic NYC food experience."

Positive
Feb 6, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Actual Street Food

"Gray's Papaya is recommended over street cart hot dogs, described as true cuisine."

Positive
Feb 2, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Actual Street Food

"Gray's Papaya is recommended as a place that serves true cuisine hot dogs, unlike many street carts."

Positive
Jan 29, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Actual Street Food

"Gray's Papaya is recommended for a traditional NYC hot dog."

Positive
Jan 28, 2026View Comment →

From post: Best Actual Street Food

"Gray's Papaya is listed as a good option for hot dogs."

Positive
Jan 28, 2026View Comment →

From post: Solo Date Spot Near Beacon Theatre

"Gray's Papaya is listed as a recommendation for a restaurant."

Positive
Jan 15, 2026View Comment →

From post: Are Hot Dog Carts Still A Thing In The City

"The author notes that there is only one Gray's Papaya left in the city, and it is also becoming a rarity."

Negative
Jan 7, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Should I Take My Uncle Offbrand Anthony

"Gray's Papaya is described as an easy and affordable bite, and their papaya drink is as stellar as Anthony Bourdain said."

Positive
Jan 6, 2026View Comment →

From post: Visiting From Toronto What Are The Most New York

"Gray's Papaya is listed as one of several recommended establishments for an authentic New York experience."

Neutral
Jan 6, 2026View Comment →

From post: Where Should I Take My Uncle Offbrand Anthony

"Gray's Papaya is a spot that Anthony Bourdain often championed, suggesting a visit is essential for a NYC trip, especially for a late-night hot dog."

Positive
Jan 6, 2026View Comment →

From post: Visiting From Toronto What Are The Most New York

"Gray's Papaya is recommended as a New York food destination."

Positive
Jan 6, 2026View Comment →

From post: Who Wins Korean Corndogs Vs New York Hotdogs

"In response to a comparison with Chicago hot dogs, this user defended NYC hot dogs, particularly mentioning Gray's Papaya as a place that upholds their quality."

Positive
Dec 28, 2025View Comment →

From post: Who Wins Korean Corndogs Vs New York Hotdogs

"This user reflected on their experience at Gray's Papaya, acknowledging that their tastebuds might have changed and that NYC has other staple foods superior to hot dogs."

Neutral
Dec 27, 2025View Comment →

From post: Who Wins Korean Corndogs Vs New York Hotdogs

"This user responded to a comment about Gray's Papaya, stating that the 'juice' has always been bad and that the hot dogs are still good value, offering a satisfying 'crunchy snap'."

Negative
Dec 27, 2025View Comment →

From post: Who Wins Korean Corndogs Vs New York Hotdogs

"This user mentioned Gray's Papaya after discussing NYC hot dogs. They found the hot dogs to be just okay and felt the accompanying juice was excessively sweet. They also noted a significant price increase."

Negative
Dec 27, 2025View Comment →

From post: My Nyc Visit

"Commenter found the hot dogs from Grays Papaya to look very appealing."

Positive
Dec 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: My Nyc Visit

"Commenter stated that the hot dogs from Grays Papaya were a strong start to the author's food list."

Positive
Dec 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: My Nyc Visit

"Commenter noted that Grays Papaya is a great way to start off the week."

Positive
Dec 15, 2025View Comment →

From post: My Nyc Visit

"The author mentioned eating hot dogs from Grays Papaya during their NYC visit."

Neutral
Dec 15, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where Are You Going Out To Eat These Days Without

"Gray's Papaya was suggested, likely as a budget-friendly option, in a thread discussing affordable places to eat in NYC."

Neutral
Nov 11, 2025View Comment →