Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: dogs (35) papaya (19) good (18) drink (16) great (13) Papaya (10) York (10) juice (8) hotdogs (8) taste (8)
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  • 5/5 Cory P. 5 months ago on Google • 38 reviews
    Wow the hype is real. If you love hot dogs, you need to try this place. I'm from Toronto, Canada and we enjoy good street meat. I ordered 2 dogs and a Papaya juice. This is called the recession combo and is roughly $4-6 total. The dogs are sized how you would imagine. I went with sauerkraut, caramelized onions and mustard. Then one with ketchup, relish and mustard. Dogs are snappy, buns are soft and warm. The service is quick and atmosphere is classic. Places like these need to live on forever.
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Matias B. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellent hot dogs. The variety is very wide and allows combining several flavors, the place is not very clean, but being a place of passage in general this is normal. The attention is fast, and it is not very dedicated, but rather they are dedicated to dispatching the orders and a little the client has to figure out how to order
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Wilson T. 1 month ago on Google • 1017 reviews New
    TLDR: where $5 gets you a meal, and $10 gets you a huge meal! I came in and ordered a local special for about $5 which is a hot dog dressed up and a papaya drink. The hot dog was just right, with a nice bite and tasty. The papaya drink was nice and flavorful without being too sweet. Especially for the price, it’s such a steal in such a usually expensive city! Glad they can still keep the prices so reasonable
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Graeme J. 3 months ago on Google • 392 reviews New
    “The best hotdogs in New York” After spending time researching where to get a hot dog in New York it came down to Grays Papaya and Bilies Hotdog Cart. I chose here as this was a little closer, and I’m sure glad I chose it. The hot dogs were delicious with loads of flavour and the papaya drink a was nice and cold and lovely sweet flavour. I got the Addicted which is 3 hot dogs and a large drink for about $10 which I thought was good value. I enjoyed it so much I got another one straight after. Taste: the hotdog was grilled perfectly and the beans and cheese was the perfect combination for the flavour hit. The papaya flavoured drink is sweet and maybe not for everyone. Service: The service was quick and friendly. Staff: Very friendly and helpful. Price: Well priced Value: Great Cleanliness: It was very clean behind the counter and inside looked clean too. Location: We stayed downtown so it took us quite a while to get up to the store which is solidly uptown. There’s probably an easier way to get there (train/bus) but I thought the location is good as it’s not near Times Square or any ridiculously busy spot. The wait: I waited less than 5 minutes for my first serving and less than 2 minutes when I ordered again. This was around 2pm. I am sure it’s a lot busier at lunchtime. Would I go back: Absolutely Would I recommend going: If you want a hot dog in New York City this is the place to go!!!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 T J. 4 months ago on Google • 160 reviews
    It’s hard to mess up a hot dog. We ate here because why wouldn’t you while in New York. The best part about the hotdog was definitely the onions and the price. The location is cool and iconic. It is worth the stop because for 2 dogs and drink it’s only $9.00 and you can check it off your bucket list.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Paulina R. 1 year ago on Google
    I chose Grey's Papaya for a taste of New York hot dogs. Cheese and onions - a perfect combination. 🌭 However, exceptionally for drinking, I opted for Coconut Champagne - and it was the best drink I had in NYC. 🥥 I highly recommend it, nice place for a quick snack.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Regina F. 1 year ago on Google
    Went here because of Fools Rush In 🫶🏻Didn’t disappoint! The hotdog was freshly cooked and great. I wanna say a little overpriced for hotdogs (it’s a small serving) but definitely tasty. I’m not a hotdog connoisseur so I’m not the best to review on taste. Worth the trip tho! Yayyyyyy 🎉
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Oscar Luis L. 2 years ago on Google
    $2.75 breakfast at two blocks from Strawberry fields and Dakota Bld. $3 dólar coffe with roll with cheese/sausage . Gourmet hot dogs. Healthy fruit juices Papaya Mango . To Take out or dine at street tables. Razonable price $
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Marissa S. 3 weeks ago on Google • 98 reviews New
    I don't know if new yorkers actually enjoy the taste of these hot dogs, or if it's because this place has been around for so long. There is absolutely nothing special about these dogs. I think you can just boil some at home and put your own toppings and it would be better. But I came here for a true NY hot dog experience (which i got).
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Matthew C. 2 months ago on Google • 97 reviews New
    Probably the best Hot Dog I’ve had in New York City! Their all-beef hot dog franks are high quality and flavorful, with the signature snappiness and crispness of a good New York hot dog. I ordered the Recession Special (2 hot dogs + a drink for $6.45) and also topped my hot dogs with chile, cheese, onions, and relish! For drinks, I really enjoyed their papaya juice, which they make in-house from scratch. Overall, it’s a great deal if you’re looking for a quick lunch or afternoon snack in the city.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rob H. 1 year ago on Google
    Some of the best dogs in NYC. Love them because they are so crispy. We get them with the brown onion gravy (not the white raw onions), the sweet relish and mustard. OMG YUMMY!!! Lots of spaces for stand up eating right outside as well or across the street at the park. Great food, great vibe, great music. Had a blast there on a Thursday night from 8-10 pm. Piano player from 6-9 then another one from 9-midnight. Then stays open as a fun club until 2 am. Club Acme is downstairs from 10 to 4 am. You must dress up A LOT for both places. Drinks are $20-$27 and food varies a lot. We posted photos of all the menus with prices so you can see how much because they do not say online. Loved the hamburger and loved the Gundi which is gnocchi made with ricotta cheese. Desserts are super great and the smoked salmon app was HUGE. $99 twice baked potato was worth every penny!!! Great place we will be back to many times. LOVED IT!!!! Check out all of our reviews. If we do not like it we do no review it so all of the ones you see are places that are fantastic. Follow us if you like. We had over 7 million views in 2021, over 13 million views in the first 6 months of 2022 and we thank you for that. We don't get paid, we just love to eat. Be sure to click on "RobH" at the top of this review to see all of them and to follow us if you like good food and FUN
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 CARBONE C. 2 years ago on Google
    This iconic UWS spot is as amazing now as it has been since I first visited over 30 years ago.. The employees take great pride in delivering an unforgettable Gray's Papaya experience. A solid 10/10. Thank you for being so Great!!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Hunter L. 7 months ago on Google
    Grays papaya has some of the best hot dogs in NYC, but besides that it’s just one of the best deals around the city. I mean 3 hot dogs and a large fountain soda for $9.95?! That’s a great deal compared to the vendor trucks. We’re staying here for just under a week and I’ll be back here every day for one of the best dogs in town.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sean F. 1 year ago on Google
    Nathan's? Nathan's?? Gray's Papaya makes a much better hot dog. Do yourself a favor skip the long lines at Nathan's Coney Island and make the trip up to Gray's Papaya. If you like hot dogs it is worth the trip (wherever you are coming from) I often bring out of town visitors here to give them a taste of NY, every single visitor has loved their Gray's Papaya dogs. Central Park or Lincoln Center are not far from this location so they would make nice locations to walk off your hot dog feasts...
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Matthew M. 1 month ago on Google • 139 reviews New
    One of the few remaining old school joints left in NYC. The Katz of Hot Dogs! Worth the line & the experience. 2 hot dogs is the minimum!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jason Z. 2 months ago on Google • 343 reviews New
    Unplanned impulse stop as they offered 2 dogs and a drink for $7. The dogs are long, crisp, and thin with plenty of toppings on a small bun. Tasted great! Papaya juice was very refreshing. Can't imagine there are many better deals like this in NYC. They don't take credit under $10 and not much space inside (small standing counter), and a few standing tables outside. Overall great for a quick snack!

  • 3/5 Josh B. 1 year ago on Google
    Classic chaotic New York experience: when you first entered there was a homeless man getting in everyones face asking for money. Then a family ordered about 25 hot dogs all customized different ways. After holding off the homeless man for 20 minutes I finally ordered a hot dog with ketchup, mustard, relish, grilled onions, and sauerkraut. Then I got the papaya drink which was like a soda smoothie. Not really worth the experience but classic NY!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Mary L. 1 year ago on Google
    We went there because of the movie Fools Rush In. Enjoyed the atmosphere. The hot dogs were very good considering that I'm not much of a fan in the first place. The drinks were sweet and refreshing.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 N C. 1 year ago on Google
    My favourite NY hot dog stand. Freshly cooked dogs, with beautifully crisp bread rolls with great toppings, sauerkraut, relish, onion, mustard and a fresh papaya juice, as a recession special price. Perfect !!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Felipe Tinoco S. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the most traditional and iconic hot dogs in NyC. People are divided between which one is best: Nathan or Gray’s and I can say that they’re similar, both delicious. Gray’s hotdog combined with the papaya juice is the perfect combination. If you wanna get a taste of NYC hotdogs, this is definitely a must go place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shannon T. 2 years ago on Google
    Yum! The best hotdogs! We got the recession special. The hotdogs are so good and are obviously of high quality. The papaya drink was so refreshing and delicious!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Raul Q. 7 months ago on Google
    Love the hot dogs, just get your food find a table and eat. No seating area just bar height tables to stand up and eat. Chili has good flavor and the hot dog was cooked just right. AND the papaya drink was delicious!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Virakone S. 1 month ago on Google • 64 reviews New
    The frank was alright, a lot smaller than I expected but still tasty and well worth the price. Obviously, one comes here for the papaya drink and it was wonderful, as expected. Creamy, light and full of the sweet papaya nectar flavour. Could drink a gallon of it if possible.

  • 5/5 Yeung H. 1 month ago on Google • 64 reviews New
    This is one of the best hot dogs with great deal - saving my pocket! No seating area, but still a good experience to stand up and eat and observe the people (also doggiesss!) walking across HAHA. Love the chilli flavour hot dogs, MUST put it to your bucket list if you are visiting New York!! ✈︎ visit my instagram profile @couplebilibala

  • 5/5 Harsh S. 1 month ago on Google • 59 reviews New
    Genuinely the best hot dog I’ve ever had. It is super quick for service and the taste is extremely good. The dosa paired with the papaya juice is next level good

  • 5/5 PCC T. 3 weeks ago on Google • 25 reviews New
    I was born in 1971 and Grays has been at this same location since 1973. Grays formula has never changed. I grew up on Grays 2 hotdogs and a drink for $2 . And today's recession proof order was $9.95 3 hotdogs w/ everything on them (extra mustard, sauerkraut, relish, onions, catch up, and and a large sprite. 1984 or 2024 Grays has always delivered the same great taste to NYC.

  • 4/5 Ethem C. 3 months ago on Google New
    Not too good hot dogs, but ok compared to its prices. The juices are top good and included to the prices. I tried papaya and it was really fresh. Not a masterpiece but cheap and quick meal to take

  • 5/5 Alonzo B. 4 months ago on Google
    I stopped by today for lunch and had a number three with a pina colada. As usual everything was good, fast, and affordable. It was about an extra dollar to add chilli and cheese but the other toppings are free. My total order was roughly thirteen dollars and well worth it. I'm looking forward to stopping back next month!

  • 4/5 Raymond Soh (GFWT G. 4 months ago on Google
    I had to try this as this has been one of the top 3 hot dog places in NYC according to reviews. We walked about 12 minutes out of the AMNH during a break between the attraction shows for this. It’s a decent hot dog, would have preferred to able to add the amount of toppings myself. The onion sauce was a bit overwhelming. To be honest, the Germans and Swedes do better hot dogs but hey, gotta try Gray’s at least when in NYC. I must say the papaya drink is rather unique… it’s very different from the papaya juice or the papaya milk shake I get in my home country. I think it goes well with the hot dog while my wife disagrees. Well, seems like you either love it or hate it.

  • 5/5 Da T. 4 months ago on Google
    Wow. We waited in line for over 15 minutes - not bad! For me the hotdogs were okay but the papaya juice was special. A little watered down, but tastes pretty good.

  • 4/5 Brandon B. 4 months ago on Google
    Neat place that my wife likes to visit every time we are in NYC. Brings back childhood memories for her. Hot dogs are pretty good. It is in a great location just west of Central Park.

  • 4/5 Nuria Y. 1 year ago on Google
    They are supposed to be New York's best hot dogs and with that idea in mind maybe you are expecting something spectacular. They are just regular small hot dogs like the ones you could buy in a food truck on the street, but they taste good so you are nor risking getting bad quality ones! They are also cheap, although I'll say again: they are small, so if you are super hungry you will need a few of them! They have their own drinks and I personally wasn't a fan, they ate too sweet. Piña colada was better though. They don't have space to sit down, but there's a square by the place with few tables. So if you are in New York and want to eat hot dogs, good choice! I wouldn't come all the way just for this, but we were near by.

  • 3/5 Jay A. 1 year ago on Google
    Quick and easy and pocket friendly. However the hot dog is a little bit too salty. Papaya King is really better, but you get what you pay for here at Gray's.


Call (212) 799-0243 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
    • ✓️ Difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Late-night food
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Curbside pickup

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