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Gray's Papaya

3.8 (1.7k reviews)
Open • 8:00 am - 11:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Order Gray's Papaya Takeout or Delivery

Gray's Papaya Photos

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GRAY'S PAPAYA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Gray's Papaya

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Chili dog
Danny C.

Was not impressed here at all. The hotdog does not stand out and frankly was bottom of the barrel from dogs I've had in past. The service was non existent other than a quick transaction exchange that seemed to bother that your there and making them work. Simple chile and cheese and onion. Chili was lukewarm and very bland and basic and overall the only positive thing here was the prices. I also hate these type of places that gives a napkin that's almost non existence in size and thickness. Writing paper has better chances than what you get here. Definitely would not go out of my way here.

Marianne C.

I cannot complete a visit to NYC without any Anthony Bourdain mentioned places. This is cheap, satisfying, and a really meal for the masses all around. It was nice knowing a "kababayan" were working behind the counter during this visit as well. That makes the visit even more meaningful. Recession Special (2 hotdogs and a drink) for only $8.50 is really as steal!! Our order though was +$1.50 due to wanting chili and cheese as toppings. This is definitely a real New Yorker treat when visiting. No frills, just good food.

Silvano G.

Gray's Papaya is cheap, fast, and absolutely worth the stop! The hot dogs are delicious, but the tropical juices are the real surprise! Every flavor I tried was . Definitely one of the best bangs for your buck in NYC. And knowing it was one of Anthony Bourdain's favorite spots makes the experience even cooler. He famously loved Gray's Papaya and called it a place he missed when he missed New York. Classic NYC food, no frills, great price, and tons of character. 5/5!

Alisa J.

Pretty good hot dog. I like all the free toppings to choose from. Hot dog was a bit salty so sharing one was better. Great vibes and quick service. If under $10 total it's cash only.

Natascha S.

I've had this spot on my list to checkout for quite some time now, and I will be back! Service was quick, no complicated menu. My friend and I both got hot dogs along with a grape and a papaya juice. The hot dog was pretty good but the juice was AMAZING! Really paired well.

Hot Dog with Onions
Jeff M.

Gray's Papaya 2090 Broadway New York, NY 10023 Plain Hot Dog Hot Dog with Onions Hot Dog with Chili & Cheese If you are a native New Yorker or frequent visitor, you are most likely familiar with this small, but popular hot dog stand located near W. 72nd. St. and Amsterdam Ave! This location is most famous for its recession special: two frankfurters and one tropical drink (not pictured). The dog by itself is on the bland side, but the dog is nirvana once you slap on your favorite toppings. The chili and cheese are two additional upcharges, but it's a small price to pay for a piece of heaven! Check out Gray's if you are on the go and need a quick, satisfying meal. Indoor/outdoor dining is standing room only in a fast paced atmosphere. #grayspapaya #hotdoglife #upperwestside

Yummy dogs 2 ways and orange  drink
Jaime R.

I come here on all my trips to NYC and it never misses. A total must-try when you're in Manhattan. Classic, old-school fast-casual hot dog joint. This isn't a sit-down spot; it's strictly order-and-take-away, though there is a counter inside if you want to stand and eat. Got the famous special with an Orange Drink--all for around $10! Loaded one dog with chili, cheese, and onions, and the other with onions, mustard, and relish. The toppings were super fresh and tasted amazing. Simply the right dog at the right price. Friendly folks serving up a tasty frankfurter with great energy. A legendary NYC stop every single time.

IG food page : @bobaliciousreview
Megan D.

10/10 Hot dog - Added onions, chili, and cheese to the hot dog, and it was so freaking good! Even though my boyfriend compared it to a 7/11 hot dog lol, I thought it tasted delicious. I honestly could've scarfed down like 3 of these in one meal, but I came here for a late night dinner snack haha. 9/10 Papaya Drink - This is clearly what the hot dog spot is named after, right? So of course we had to get it! It had a very thick consistency, but it was still yummy and not overly sweet. 10/10 Orange Drink - I loved this drink out of the 2 we tried, and this one was fireeeeeeee! It's basically a spin on an orange juice drink, but in my opinion, it's way better!

Jasmine M.

They are definitely an affordable dog, especially in a place like New York where the prices are high everywhere. These are friendly folks that serve up a tasty frankfurter. There are a list of free toppings and some toppings cost. The signs are very straightforward. This is not a sit down place. There's a place to stand and eat but that's about it. It would have been more pleasant but there was a person asking for handouts around one of the exits. Not a place to park.. so walk there. Work up your appetite. Yum.

Vu N.

I honestly have never heard of Gray's Papaya until i was shown. Video and have learned Anthony Bourdain had said that "When I started missing NY, this is what I miss" Truly, with that statement, it had to be visited on our first day in the city. No frill, just order then get out of other people's way so they can have their turn. We posted at one of the high tables out front then just went to town on it. We obviously didn't get the exact order he mentioned but in some sort of way we understood what he meant by his statement. This is what New York is all about.

Photo 1: Montage of images from Gray's Papaya
Ed U.

Long ago, when I was a fresh-faced ad agency intern, I spent a summer in a dorm room at NYU. With no interest in cooking, I remember becoming a semi-regular at the Gray's Papaya located at 6th Ave and 8th St and always ordering the Recession Special: two dogs loaded with onions and a papaya drink. It wasn't the best quality frankfurter, but somehow it worked with my indiscriminate palette. Flash forward a century or so, and this is the only Gray's Papaya left in the city. Since I'm a survivor, I thought it only appropriate to take Jamie to the original flagship location and order what else but the Recession Special. Sure enough, they still offer it for $7.50. It was $1.95 when I was a child, but it's still a good deal consisting of 2 Hot Dogs (Photo 10) and a Medium Papaya Drink (Photo 9). The franks were the same as I recall, nothing special but if you add onions and pay an extra 75 cents for the chili, it just works. The papaya drink is not a fruit juice but a puree mixed with sugar and milk. It actually complements the dog in a guilty pleasure kind of way. There was a line but it moved fast. Plenty of room at the red mini-counter, so I was able to relive my youthful dining dalliance with little effort. FOOD / DRINK - 4 stars...forgive me for I have sinned AMBIANCE - 3 stars...looks the same as it did in the last century SERVICE - 4 stars...they're quick and not rude...decide what you want before you order TOTAL - 4 stars...hope it survives RELATED - Hungry in NYC? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/NKwFRfdezS

Recession Special
Anurag T.

Overall (A+) This place is really good. I do not understand the negative reviews and would minimize them. The service is fast, the value is good and the hot dogs and papaya juice is awesome. Food (A+) The hot dogs are really good and just taste special. It's like comfort food and everything you want a hot dog to be. Also get the papaya juice it is really good Got 2 hot dogs and a drink. Next time it will be 3. Can't wait to introduce others Value (A+) Cash discount and around $13 for 3 hotsdogs and a drink. For Manhattan it's a steal. Great value for the price. Everything is perfect. Plus super simple menu. Hot dogs and drinks Service (A+) Super fast and friendly I can't wait to go back again - it's a small place and you can eat outside Go and try them Make the trip

Bryn S.

Friendly service + quick. Got the bacon egg and cheese on a roll. It was fantastic!! $5 you can't beat it

Either #3 or #4.  3 hot dogs and a large papaya drink

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Ask the Community - Gray's Papaya

Any references for the movie die hard 3 on here?

Do the hot dog buns contain dairy?

No why would they?

Is the pineapple juice fresh or canned?

Canned. But not from concentrate.

Are the drinks all dairy free? Papaya, banana daiquiri, coconut champagne etc

I am afraid that it is not all free. But they have LOCAL SPECIAL and RECESSION SPECIAL etc for the drink, thank you.

Is this a chain?

They have 2 locations, not sure if that qualifies as a chain. www.grayspapaya.nyc

Do they offer sauerkraut?

Yes they do!

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Junior's Restaurant - Carrot Cake Cheesecake

Junior's Restaurant

4.0(6.9k reviews)
1.5 mi•Theater District, Midtown West
•$$

We Absolutely love Juniors. We come here every time we are in the city. Always great food and good…read moreservice.

Junior's Restaurant -- Times Square, NYC…read more My first time at Junior's in Times Square, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! I always associated Junior's with that legendary New York cheesecake, but there's so much more going on here. This location feels like a classic Brooklyn-style diner with a fun, bustling Times Square atmosphere. Junior's has been a New York institution since 1950, and the Times Square location brings that old-school diner feel right into the heart of the Theater District. And yes... it's not just about the cheesecake! The menu is huge, with plenty of choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. One thing I will tell you: the portions are BIG, so come hungry! There's a full bar with wine, top-shelf liquor, and plenty of beer, including Brooklyn beers. There aren't any draft beers at this location, but there are still plenty of bottled and canned options to choose from. There's also plenty of indoor seating, plus outdoor seating if you want to sit back and watch the Times Square action go by. We decided to skip the appetizers because we wanted to save room for dessert. That turned out to be a very good decision! What We Ordered Hungarian Beef Goulash The beef was cooked perfectly and served with egg noodles and peas. A hearty, comforting dish with plenty of flavor. 10 oz. Char-Broiled Bacon Cheeseburger I went with the bacon cheeseburger served on a toasted bun with lettuce and tomato. It comes with two BIG onion rings, and the crispy batter on those onion rings was fantastic! Instead of the steak fries, I went with something near and dear to my New Jersey heart... DISCO FRIES! If you're from New Jersey, you know exactly what I'm talking about -- crispy fries topped with melted mozzarella and gravy. Mouthwatering! Definitely the kind of side dish that makes you wonder why every restaurant doesn't offer it. And then came the moment we had supposedly been "saving room" for... Devil's Food Cheesecake I honestly don't know how we managed to fit this in, but we did! DECADENT! Rich, chocolatey, creamy, and absolutely delicious. By the time we finished, we were basically in a cheesecake coma. Thankfully, we had plenty of time to walk around New York City afterward and work some of that food off! Our server was fantastic -- attentive, friendly, and constantly checking in to make sure everything was good without being intrusive. That kind of service really makes a difference. This was a great first visit to Junior's, and I'm already looking forward to coming back. Next time, I definitely want to try another one of their famous cheesecakes. I've also heard their milkshakes are amazing, so I guess I'll have to make room for one of those too! Great food, huge portions, fun atmosphere, excellent service, and some seriously good cheesecake. If you're exploring Times Square and looking for a classic NYC dining experience, Junior's is definitely worth a stop!

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Junior's Restaurant - Great vibes!

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Junior's Restaurant - Fried Chicken breast with gravy for the extra win

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Lovely's Old Fashioned - Double Cheeseburger (~$12)

Lovely's Old Fashioned

4.3(182 reviews)
1.3 mi•Midtown West, Hell's Kitchen, Theater District

On my second visit, I walked in one evening on my way home from work looking for a quick dinner…read morethat would satisfy my craving for a good burger. Service was a touch slow as it was a shift change and they were obviously training someone new, but I wasn't in a rush and wasn't bothered by it. Ordering was straightforward and I got the Cheeseburger, no onion with a side of onion rings. The order took about 7 minutes to be completed once put in with the cashier. There is limited seating at a bar across from where you see everything being made, the space is small, but they make the most of it. There is also a high top table or two with stools outside under the awning when the weather is nice. My meal was handed off to me in a thin plain white paper bag to-go. The burger was wrapped in foil and every bit as satisfying as I had hoped! The onion rings were piled high in a cup with a stick in the middle so they could keep stacking it up beyond the rim. The burger had that classic taste, but was fresher and less greasy than others and the onion rings were salty and fried to a perfectly well-done crisp. I keep forgetting this little place is here because the entrance is small and easy to miss, but I'll absolutely be back when I'm craving another burger!

Can it be? Is it true?!?? A place to eat in NYC that won't cost much money? Sure, it's hot in…read morethere. And there are only nine or so counter seats, with a couple tables outside. BUT the burgers and fries are made to absolute perfection, and ridiculously inexpensive. And you get to watch four hard working people behind that counter work flawlessly together to produce a very enjoyable meal. The burgers are cooked to a delicious level, and the fries are shaped in a way I have never seen before. And taste better than I have ever had. Bueno!

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Lovely's Old Fashioned
Lovely's Old Fashioned - Sidewinder French Fries (~$6)

Sidewinder French Fries (~$6)

Lovely's Old Fashioned - Back wall interior

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Kings of Kobe - sweet potato fries

Kings of Kobe

4.3(574 reviews)
1.5 mi•Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West
•$$

We came for my daughter's birthday and sat at the bar so we could experience happy hour …read more Food was delicious, service was great, and it was one of the highlights of our trip to NYC. THANKS!

This weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Kings of Kobe, and I can honestly say I would…read moredefinitely recommend it. Run, don't walk! I'm already looking forward to returning. We arrived around the middle of the day on a weekend and parked on the back street. There was plenty of parking available, and there's also a parking garage nearby. The street directly in front of the restaurant was pretty full, but you may be able to find a spot if you get lucky. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by the front desk and seated within minutes. We did have reservations, so there was no wait for us. The restaurant has a very chill, relaxed atmosphere with moderate noise levels, so you can still comfortably hear the people at your table. The bar area had more energy and was definitely lively! There are two unisex bathrooms, and both were clean and spacious. The staff was attentive, professional, and helpful throughout our visit. Now for the FOOD! We ordered the Unlimited American Wagyu experience for $68 per person, which gives you two hours to enjoy the selection. With our experience, we enjoyed American Wagyu, truffle fries, goma salad, and a variety of sauces. The Wagyu was ordered medium-well, and I was pleasantly surprised by how juicy and flavorful it was. The sauces really took the meat to another level and gave us different flavors to enjoy with each bite. The truffle fries were another favorite. They were crunchy, well-seasoned, and honestly hard to stop eating. And the goma salad was NOT your ordinary salad! It was fresh, colorful, flavorful, and honestly phenomenal. I wasn't expecting to enjoy the salad as much as I did, but it definitely stood out. We also ordered the Pan Pan Shrimp, and these were amazing! They were crunchy, flavorful, and came with a lime that I highly recommend using. The portion was a nice size for sharing. There is a little kick that comes through in the aftertaste, but I thought it complemented the dish perfectly. Our waitress recommended the Pineapple Crown Affair and Lady Scarlet Pepper. The Pineapple Crown Affair was sweet with a nice spicy kick. It was strong and made with dark liquor, so definitely a drink you'll notice! The Lady Scarlet Pepper was sweet and tangy with a lighter liquor flavor. It wasn't my personal favorite, but it wasn't a bad choice either. One thing to keep in mind:If you decide to take leftovers home, there is an additional charge. I wasn't expecting that, so I wanted to mention it for anyone planning their visit. It's a small detail, but definitely something to be aware of before you go. Overall, I had a really enjoyable experience at Kings of Kobe. Between the relaxed atmosphere, attentive service, quality Wagyu, flavorful sides, and fun drink options, there was a lot to love. I appreciated that the restaurant offered a full experience rather than just a meal. Would I return? Absolutely! Would I recommend it? Yes!

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Kings of Kobe
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Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast - Cheddar Hot Dog

Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast

4.4(64 reviews)
0.7 mi•Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West

been here a few times and the k-dogs are always hitting! love the ones coated with potato cubes the…read moremost. this time i tried their plant-based kimchi bulgogi kimbap and it was pretty ok. the kimchi fries were ok. the type of fries are not my fav -- i prefer thinner and crispier fries. their sauces always save the day!

Why haven't I come to this place earlier?! My friend and I were looking for places to pick up food…read moreto have a picnic at Central Park and came across this place because it was so close by. I feel like because I had everything on the menu before I didn't have much expectations but MAN I WAS WRONG!! EVERYTHING HERE WAS SO SO SO GOOD. We sat down and started with the bulgogi kimbap which had an amazing smokey/fire grilled/charcoal flavor?! This is not your average bulgogi kimbap. Next we tried #7 which was Half Mozza & Half Hot Dog and wow PLEASE get the cinnamon sugar coating with this! There are so many sauces and we decided with the ketchup and this fancy garlic one and man it was so good. Lastly we tried the ham&cheese toast which once again exceeded our expectations and the sauce on it was so good not to mention the fluffy bread and everything just blending so well together for the perfect bite. It's been awhile I was surprised by how good something was and I'm already craving this again while writing this review.. They have some seating inside if you want to eat it right away as well as some drinks! I will definitely be coming back soon

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Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast - Very small but colorful

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Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast - Sweet Potato Mozza Dog

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Gray's Papaya - hotdog - Updated October 2026

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