Gray's Papaya

Gray's Papaya is a hot dog restaurant chain, open 24 hours a day year-round with its flagship restauarant 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. 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, 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.

The chain was founded by a former partner of Papaya King, Paul Gray in 1973.

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.

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.

Anthony Bourdain featured Gray's Papaya on his Travel Channel show No Reservations.

Regis Philbin mentioned it numerous times when he hosted "Live with Regis and Kelly" and on other talk shows that he appeared as a guest.

The former midtown location of Gray's Papaya closed in 2011 and the Greenwich Village branch closed in 2014. A new midtown location has since opened.

Michael J. Fox and Gabrielle Anwar enjoy Gray's Papaya hot dogs while chatting about the piano player on the street corner from the window of the restaurant in 1993's For Love or Money.

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