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GRAY'S PAPAYA 72 BROADWAY

Last Updated: 21 days ago

Phone: (212) 799-0243

Address: 2080 BROADWAY 10023

TLDR

Iconic NYC hot dogs & refreshing papaya drinks.

Sentiment Overview(Based on 98 Reddit comments)

63% Positive27% Neutral8% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

american 40fast food 4hot dog 44hot dogs 39papaya drink 5View All

Neighborhoods

Upper West Side

Instagram Posts References

Summary
Summary
Summary
Summary

Details

This iconic New York City establishment has been serving up classic American hot dogs for decades, earning a reputation for its no-frills approach and affordable prices. Alongside their famous hot dogs, they offer a unique and refreshing papaya drink, which has become a signature item. It's a go-to spot for a quick, satisfying bite that captures the essence of New York street food.

Food Overview

Gray's Papaya is renowned for its American-style hot dogs, often described as having a great 'snap' and being perfectly grilled. The accompanying papaya drink is frequently mentioned as a unique and refreshing complement. While many consider it a must-try for an authentic New York hot dog experience, a few recent reviews suggest that prices have increased and that the drink can be overly sweet.

Highlights / Recommended

"The classic hot dog is highly recommended, often paired with the signature papaya drink. The breakfast special, featuring a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with coffee, is also noted as an excellent value."

Mentioned Dishes:

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

Customer Sentiment

Customers generally praise Gray's Papaya for its classic, affordable hot dogs and unique papaya drink. While some find it to be a quintessential New York experience, a few recent comments suggest price increases and that it's become more tourist-focused.

Reddit References

Highlighted Posts

This post provides a detailed review of Gray's Papaya, praising its hot dogs for their perfect balance of toppings and snappy texture, and calling it a favorite among hot dog spots. The commenter recommends avoiding weekends due to crowds.
In this discussion about NYC hot dogs, Gray's Papaya is frequently recommended as a superior and more consistent option compared to typical street vendors. Several users highlight it as the best hot dog in NYC, with some traveling specifically for it.
This thread mentions Gray's Papaya as a spot for cheap eats. Specifically, the breakfast special (bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with coffee) is highlighted as an exceptional deal at $3.
A user expresses frustration that Gray's Papaya, once a local favorite for quick bites, has become overrun with tourists due to social media popularity, leading to long waits and a less convenient experience.
A commenter recommended Gray's Papaya for hot dogs, suggesting it as a traditional New York experience. Another user specifically praised the papaya drink, calling it exceptionally good.

Recent Mentions

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 →

From post: With The Papaya Dog In The Village Gone Wheres A

"This commenter recalled Chelsea Papaya's hot dogs being very similar to Gray's Papaya on the Upper West Side from about ten years ago."

Neutral
Nov 1, 2025View Comment →

From post: With The Papaya Dog In The Village Gone Wheres A

"This commenter recalled late-night hot dog combos with papaya drinks from Gray's Papaya and mentioned a large customer turnout during a blackout when power was lost."

Positive
Nov 1, 2025View Comment →

From post: With The Papaya Dog In The Village Gone Wheres A

"This user stated that if Gray's Papaya were to open in the former Papaya Dog location, they believe it would be very successful."

Positive
Nov 1, 2025View Comment →

From post: With The Papaya Dog In The Village Gone Wheres A

"This user states they travel from Brooklyn to Gray's Papaya on 72nd street a couple of times a year for what they consider the best dogs."

Positive
Nov 1, 2025View Comment →

From post: With The Papaya Dog In The Village Gone Wheres A

"This user reminisced about having lunch at Gray's Papaya with their coworker about twice a week, describing it as a great sketchy lunch."

Positive
Nov 1, 2025View Comment →

From post: With The Papaya Dog In The Village Gone Wheres A

"In response to the recommendation of Gray's Papaya, this commenter expressed a preference for a closer option than the UWS."

Neutral
Nov 1, 2025View Comment →

From post: With The Papaya Dog In The Village Gone Wheres A

"This commenter expressed missing Gray's Papaya, which they believed was located on 8th Street."

Negative
Nov 1, 2025View Comment →

From post: With The Papaya Dog In The Village Gone Wheres A

"This user recommended heading uptown to Gray's Papaya."

Positive
Nov 1, 2025View Comment →

From post: Sabrett Hot Dogs

"Clarifying that Gray's Papaya grills their hot dogs, which aligns with the user's preference for grilled dogs, though not boiled as initially inquired."

Positive
Oct 25, 2025View Comment →

From post: Sabrett Hot Dogs

"This user recommends Gray's Papaya as a place to find the desired hot dog with a good snap."

Positive
Oct 25, 2025View Comment →

From post: Hot Dogs Nyc Vs Chicago

"The commenter questions where to find a definitive NYC hot dog, mentioning Gray's Papaya as a possibility but concluding Chicago has superior hot dogs."

Neutral
Oct 17, 2025View Comment →