Famous Grey's
Written: Mar 19 '02 (Updated Mar 21 '02)
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Pros: Arguably the best hot dogs in the city, cheap, excellent drinks
Cons: No place to sit
The Bottom Line: Definitely worth a try. If not for the hot dogs, then at least for the drinks. Make sure that you have someplace to eat once you get your food.
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| DJC750's Full Review: Gray's Papaya |
Grey's Papaya is a slightly gaudy looking store on the corner of 72nd Street and Broadway. It looks like, and effectively is a beefed up hot dog stand. But oh, what a hot dog stand. Grey's Papaya is considered to be arguably, the Best Hot Dog place in New York City. Now while I can't claim to have eaten at every hot dog place in the city, I have eaten at most of the other places that have been considered to be the "best in the city". And in my personal opinion, Grey's blows the competition away.
Food:
Well there isn't much to really say about the food, as really the only item on the menu is the hot dog. All of the hot dogs are cooked on a flat grill, making it so that the skin is slightly crunchy. All buns are also kept on the grill, making it so that they are warm and toasted when you eat them. This makes it so that the hot dog has something to bite into, as opposed to the general mush that one gets with most hot dogs. Possible toppings are your basics: ketchup, yellow mustard, sauerkraut and sautéed onions. Be sure to get it to go, unless you want to eat standing up while people push past you.
Drinks:
Drinks are one of Grey's specialties. Now while the menu is lacking in terms of food, it makes up for in drinks. There are 10 different types of fruit drinks for someone to try out with their meal. The most popular of these is the highly addictive papaya juice, which most people say is a must if you stop by. Another drink that is not listed on the wall is the orange drink. This drink is an orange-based fruit drink that is also highly addictive. Make sure that you ask for the orange drink, otherwise they'll serve you some orange juice, squeezing it right in front of you.
Service:
There is always a line at Grey's Papaya, a testament to its popularity. As such, service is fast and curt. Don't expect any small talk from the people behind the counter. Assuming that they even notice you and take your order in a timely fashion, they're much too busy or too distracted to pay much heed to anything you'd really have to say. On the up side however, your meals will be ready in a matter of seconds, as the dogs are always on the grill, slowly roasting. You will most likely however, have to put on your own ketchup and/or mustard, even if you ask for them specifically, so be sure to check your order before you run off.
Decor:
The main part of the decor is the hanging fruits and the large vent above the grill. Besides that, all one can say is that it's orange, and old. Don't go here if you want a nice place to sit and eat. There is simply no place to sit at all. There is enough space for maybe five people to stand, but this is also where the ketchup and mustard is located, so you'll have to compete with people trying to fix-up their hot dogs before they run off.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes Vegetarian Friendly: No
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Food: seeing as hot dogs are really the only thing on the menu, you can figure that out
Drink: Definitely try the papaya juice, everybody loves it. Also try the orange drink, slightly more specialized, but definitely worth a try.
Best Suited For: Friends
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Epinions.com ID: DJC750
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Member: Daniel
Location: New York, New York
Reviews written: 37
Trusted by: 4 members
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