Papaya King

"The new location of this 1932 hot dog spot has more of a corporate real-estate aesthetic than their original corner shop, which had the brightest orange neon sign money could buy and photos of regulars on the walls. We'll let it go, because the hotdogs are exactly the same: plump, juicy, snappy, and thirsting for mustard, sauerkraut, and a creamy papaya drink. Come by for a quick snack and see if you can avoid accidentally eating two hot dogs, a knish, some fries, and a calorically-dense beverage." - willa moore, neha talreja, will hartman, sonal shah

"In 2022, when Papaya King closed, we thought we’d lost an icon—an institution, where New Yorkers from all walks of life scarfed snappy dogs with sauerkraut, relish, and homemade mustard, ever since it opened in 1932. The Upper East Side business is back in a new spot on 86th Street, and while the cookie-cutter storefront misses some of the charm of the original, the perfectly griddled hot dogs are just as snappy as before. These dogs are back and barking, and the creamy papaya drinks curtail any potential salt overload in your mouth." - molly fitzpatrick, bryan kim, neha talreja, willa moore, will hartman

"In a comeback as triumphant as Aragorn bringing peace to Middle Earth in Tolkien’s The Return Of The King, Papaya King is back on the Upper East Side, albeit in a less charming spot than the original. Stop by for a snappy hot dog and a creamy papaya tropical drink. We checked out Papaya King, and added it to the Hit List." - will hartman

"Papaya King reopened near the opposite corner at 206 East 86th Street. The new place features black-and-white life-size pictures detailing the history of Papaya King around the restaurant. The hot dogs are dark, narrow, and of varying lengths. The meat is more salty with a slightly smoky flavor from the griddle. The bun is squishy, and the mustard is slightly grainy with dots of actual mustard seed. The sauerkraut is rinsed and drained, making it less tart and easier to eat. The chili cheese dog is eight-and-a-half inches, stuffed into two buns with chili resembling a Greek meat sauce, finished with liquid cheese." - Robert Sietsema

"The closure of Papaya King, the 90-year-old hotdog spot on the Upper East Side, was some of the most devastating restaurant news of 2022. But the dogs are back and barking again, now on 86th and 3rd. Some of the old-school charm is missing—the old corner spot had an unmistakable neon orange sign, and big windows that revealed vats of swirling fruit juice, and walls papered with photos of regulars. The new spot is on the ground floor of a residential building, and has a more fast-casual corporate real estate vibe, with black trim, a short counter, and just enough space for a few standing tables. But the menu is exactly the same, and so are the simple and perfect hot dogs, which are best enjoyed dripping with sauerkraut, sweet relish, and homemade mustard. A photo of Anthony Bourdain crushing a dog looks over the scene, and we think he’d approve of the Papaya King comeback. Food Rundown photo credit: Will Hartman Hot Dog Juicy, snappy, and topped with whatever you’d like—we go mustard and relish or mustard and sauerkraut, though you can’t go wrong with chili, cheese, or peppers and onions. This $5 snack feels like discovering the urtext of a New York style hot dog. Get two. Papaya Tropical Drink Getting a creamy orange papaya drink is mandatory. Yes, it tastes like blended-up Froot Loops, but don’t let the immense amount of sugar steer you away. You need it to balance the saltiness of the hot dog. Knish If you’re really hungry, grab a knish. The potatoes are fluffy, and it’s startlingly good with some of their sharp mustard." - Will Hartman