Gray's Papaya
 Gray's Papaya former midtown location. | |
| Industry | Fast Food Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1973 in New York City |
| Founder | Nicholas Gray |
Number of locations | 2 (2017) |
Area served | New York City |
Gray's Papaya is a hot dog restaurant chain, open 24 hours a day year-round with its flagship restaurant located at 2090 Broadway at 72nd Street. The 402 Sixth Avenue at 8th Street and the 539 Eighth Avenue at 37th Street locations are no longer in operation. For several years, the flagship location was the only location left. [1] In 2016, Gray's Papaya signed a 20-year lease for a new location at 612 Eighth Avenue, between West 39th and West 40th streets. The location opened in spring 2017.
Gray's Papaya is famous for its inexpensive (once sold for 50 cents, now, as of 2019, sell for $1.25), 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.
Gray's Papaya hotdogs are considered among the best in New York City.[2]
History
The chain was founded by a former partner of Papaya King, Nicholas Gray in 1973.[3]
In the June 1, 2006, issue of Time Out New York, Gray's Papaya's hot dog was ranked first over its competitors Papaya King and Papaya Dog.[4] On March 3, 2008, The New York Times reported that Gray's Papaya had endorsed Democratic candidate Barack Obama in his campaign for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election.[3] The former midtown location of Gray's Papaya closed in 2011 and the Greenwich Village branch closed in 2014 due to rent increases.[5][6] A new midtown location has since opened. [1]
References
- ^ a b Casey, Nell (January 8, 2014). "There's Now Only One Gray's Papaya Left In New York City". Gothamist. Archived from the original on March 18, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ "The 10 Best Hot Dogs In NYC: Gothamist". Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
- ^ a b Mainland, Alexis (March 3, 2008). "Two Hot Dogs, a Drink, and a Nod to Obama". The New York Times. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
- ^ Pushkar, Katherine; Guest, Jocelyn (June 1, 2006). "Dog Fight". Time Out New York. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
- ^ Maurer, Daniel (February 28, 2011). "Doggone: Gray's Papaya Closes Hell's Kitchen Location". Grub Street. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
- ^ "End Of An Era: Gray's Papaya In Greenwich Village Closes Its Doors". CBS New York. January 9, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
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