Gray's Papaya is ahot dog restaurant located at 2090Broadway at72nd 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 2024, sell for $3.25.
The "papaya" in the name refers to the papaya fruit drink sold at the establishment. They also sell orange, grape,piña colada, coconut champagne andbanana daiquiri fruit drinks, all of which are non-alcoholic.
The chain was founded by a former partner ofPapaya King, Nicholas Gray, in 1973,[4] with its flagship, and as of 2023, only restaurant located at 2090Broadway at72nd Street.[1]
In the June 1, 2006, issue ofTime 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 candidateBarack Obama in his campaign for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election.[4]
The formerHell’s Kitchen location of Gray's Papaya (atEighth Avenue and37th Street) closed in 2011 and the Greenwich Village branch (onSixth Avenue at8th 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 andWest 40th streets. The location opened in spring 2017 but subsequently closed in 2020 due to the economic effects of theCOVID-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 fromAlzheimer's.[10] Gray's family reportedly has friendly relations with the flagship store's landlord, and plans to keep the restaurant open.[10]
Gray's Papaya is famous for its inexpensive (once sold for 50 cents, as of 2025, sells for $3.25),[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]
In the 2002Sex and the City chapter "Plus One is the Loneliest Number" (season 5, episode 5), Carrie Bradshaw visited Gray's Papaya after her book presentation.[14]
In the 2005 season ofHow I Met Your Mother, in the limo, Ted and the others go to Gray’s Papaya on New Year's Eve.
In the 2011 season 4 of Castle, episode 8 - "Heartbreak Hotel", Castle offers to take his daughter, Alexis, to smuggle Grey's Papaya into the theater
In 2023 season ofManifest, 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 storiesSeduction Theory byThomas 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.
InThomas Pynchon's 2013 novelBleeding Edge, the zany NYC perturbations of the protagonists include a scene outside the Gray's Papaya at 72nd and Broadway.
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