Gray's Papaya: The Best Hot Dog in New York City

Not All New York Hot Dogs Are Created Equal and the Best Can Be Only Be Found at Gray's Papaya

Street corner hot dog vendors are an iconic image of a bustling street in the heart of New York City. These vendors are not all created equal though, and no other hot dog is as popular, nor as delicious as the dogs sold at Gray's Papaya. These hot dogs are simply the best in the city, and no where else do the dogs live up to the reputation and taste of Gray's.

Begun as a spin-off of the very popular Papaya King, Gray's Papaya opened for business in 1973 and quickly earned a cult-like following. Today, Gray's has been featured in movies like You've Got Mail, Fools Rush In, Die Hard with a Vengence, For Love or Money, as well as the overwhelmingly popular show, Sex in the City and the Travel Channel's No Reservations. As a favorite amongst New Yorkers, celebrities, and movie-makers alike, Gray's has become recognized as an underground tourist destination and favored haunt of locals.

Although not the original New York, hot dog papaya restaurant, Gray's has been ranked number one over it's top two competitors, Papaya King and Papaya Dog, in a 2006 issue of Time Out: New York. Only three locations of Gray's Papya exist; 539 8th Avenue at 37th Street, 402 6th Avenue at 8th Street, and 2090 Broadway at 72nd Street. All three are open 24 hours a day. For the real hot dog experience, the dog must be purchased inside the restaurant and not from the street vendor. While still delicious, the indoor dog is a better, more delicious version and worth every cent of the $1.25 price tag.