Grays Papaya
For fourth of July, the thing to do is to have a barbeque in your backyard. Maybe that is why I am so into hot dogs these days. And I am going home for July 4th weekend, where my mom will probably tell me, "You look like you have been eating hot dogs all the time. What is up with that? Aiyowaya!" (All of that would be in Chinese, except the last part, which is not a word.) And after papaya dog and a haiku on hot dogs, it is time to talk about the winner. The winner is gray's Papaya because after you down the hot dog, you feel like the sexiest thing in the world (but just do not look at yourself in the mirror with your shirt off but if you do try my trick: get a mirror that is not very tall so when you stand in front of it you do not get to see your belly...) Winner winner, chicken dinner. I mean, weiner dinner.
There is a gray's Papaya by the new New York Times building on 8th avenue and 38th street. BTW, after you eat your hot dogs, you can go walk around in the Muji store in the NYTimes building. Anyway, so the best deal at gray's is called "The Recession Special" and with it you get: two hot dogs and a papaya drink for $3.50. The first thing you notice is that a gray's hot dog has nice char on it and it is apparent in every bite. This makes for a much more interesting hot dog than just a plain hot dog that is warm. You are free to request sauteed onions or saurkraut on top of your dog and I went with both. The combination is not as weird as it may sound and actually the flavors compliment each other.
The papaya drink at gray's Papaya had a more pronounced papaya flavor than the one at Papaya Dog. It tasted more fruity and less like sugar water. I reall appreciated how refreshing it was to drink but please be advised - real papayas still taste much better. A papaya smoothie is just so much better than these papaya 'drinks.' For $3.50 though, I have very little complaints.
Greys Papaya
539 8th Avenue .
New York, NY 10018
212-904-1588
Do you eat your hot dogs without ketchup or mustard? They look pretty good, but I don't think I could eat one without sauce.
Agnes
July 2, 2008 8:27 am
Yes, "Gray's" Papaya beats all the others. Avoid all the imitators!
Grooge Rock
July 3, 2008 3:05 pm
Agnes,
Usually I eat it with mustard, but I got these to go and did not feel like taking them out of the bag to put on mustard. You are right though, mustard definitely adds a dimension to the hot dog eating experience. :)
Grooge Rock,
Hahahaha, I cannot spell. Thank you!
Danny
July 4, 2008 12:00 am
I think you've totally missed out on a hidden gem from the East Village/Lower East Side. I was always a Gray's girl until I found Criff Dogs! Definitely the BEST dogs in NYC!!
LJ
August 28, 2008 1:33 pm
Ooooh, Thanks LJ, i'll be sure to add that to my list!
Danny
August 28, 2008 1:37 pm