What do you do when you visit New York City as a tourist? Check out all the famous places, of course.
You see glimpses of Gray's Papaya all over the place. It's in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, the 90's movies Fools Rush In and You've Got Mail, and TV shows like Sex and the City, Castle and How I Met Your Mother. Hell, Gray's Papaya is practically a movie star!
Gray's Papaya is open 24 hours a day, every day, and sells thousands of hot dogs every week from their two branches. Signs and placards cover the walls, proclaiming your hot dog to be "the best damn frankfurter you ever ate!" and "No Gimmicks, No Bull!".
The hot dogs here are grilled instead of boiled, and the buns are toasted as well. But, interestingly enough, they also serve all sorts of tropical fruit juices alongside them. Stephen explained to me that pineapples and papayas contain an enzyme that helps break down protein, which aids in digestion.
Recession Special - US$4.95
For US$4.95 you get two hot dogs and a medium drink of your choice, which is excellent value. The dogs come with your choice of toppings, and we ordered two with onion and two with sauerkraut. The frankfurts are a little tougher than what I'm used to, probably due to the cooking method, but they have a lovely charred flavour to them.
Pina Colada
Pineapple Juice
The drinks we chose were pina colada, a smooth, creamy mixture, and the pineapple juice, which was cool and refreshing. I couldn't tell whether or not the pina colada was alcoholic, but I doubt it.
We migrated to Levain Bakery, a quick 10 minute walk away, which was founded in 1994 by Connie McDonald and Pam Weekes. They're well known for their giant cookies and rustic bread, have a very loyal local clientelly, and anything they don't sell goes to charity.
Latte - US$2.50
It was freezing cold, so we started with a coffee, which was smooth and strong.
Chocolate Chip & Walnut, Double Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip - US$4.00 each
These cookies are amazing. They're bigger than the size of a human fist, and chock-full of chocolate and nutty goodness depending on what you order. The outside of each cookie is hard and crunchy, and the inside is deliciously chewy.
We were lucky enough to get our cookies fresh out of the oven; the chocolate was still melted and gooey.
Afterwards we had a wander and decided to check out the American Museum of Natural History, which is also very famous: scenes from Night at the Museum and How I Met Your Mother spring to mind. It's an amazing place to visit, I highly recommend it!
Gray's Papaya
2090 Broadway
New York, NY
USA
Phone: (212) 799-0243
Levain Bakery
167 West 74th St
New York, NY
USA
http://www.levainbakery.com/
American Museum of Natural History
79th Street and Central Park West
New York, NY
USA
http://www.amnh.org
Hehe Gray's Papaya looks really awesome - I love how they called it the "recession special." Looks like an awesome little outing you had..
Posted by: Lucy @ Lucyeats | Jun 04, 2012 at 10:39 AM
I love Gray's Papaya!
Posted by: yummychunklet | Jun 04, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Am really wishing I had time for NYC but there's just not enough time >.<
Posted by: Tina @ bitemeshowme | Jun 04, 2012 at 01:52 PM
oops* pressed POST too early. It's unbelievable for the prices you pay over there and for how much food you get! Gahh. Can't wait for my trip in September!
Posted by: Tina @ bitemeshowme | Jun 04, 2012 at 01:53 PM
I haven't been to Grey's in YEARS and have never even had one of their hot dogs! Levain...I've never been to. SHAME ON ME.
Posted by: joanne | Jun 05, 2012 at 09:08 PM
Oh! I so wish I could have one of the chocolate chips cookie...
Thanks for sharing the pictures Jasmyne and have a great week ahead :)
Posted by: Juliana | Jun 06, 2012 at 04:46 AM
Oh those cookies look awesome! Amazing day by the look of it :)
Posted by: InTolerant Chef | Jun 06, 2012 at 09:37 PM
When I was in NY recently, we actually drove passed Gray's Papaya.. now I wished we'd stopped... looks so nice in there. We did go inside the American Museum of Natural History - my favourite was the saber-toothed tigers)
Posted by: Tania @ A Perfect Pantry | Jun 07, 2012 at 11:54 AM
The hotdogs are so well priced and I do love how they toast the buns - that's what I do at home! NYC looks amazing. I really must get there soon! xx
Posted by: Hotly Spiced | Jun 08, 2012 at 01:08 PM
I've only been to Gray's Papaya once but I'll never forget it. :) I've not been to Levain and I'm sorry I missed it. Lovely post.
Posted by: Maureen | Jun 08, 2012 at 06:14 PM
Dear Jasmyne,
I would grab one of those recession specials in heartbeat. I've always wanted to try a good dog in the heart of the big Apple.
Posted by: Chopinand @ ChopinandMysaucepan | Jun 08, 2012 at 06:36 PM
Oh how I miss NYC! Fantastic post.
Posted by: Sara (Belly Rumbles) | Jun 14, 2012 at 03:56 PM
Love love love Gray's Papaya!!! To be honest I've never been but definitely will as soon as i get to NYC!!! The fruit lanterns from the ceiling top the cake so so cute!
Posted by: WestEnd Gurls | Jul 12, 2012 at 01:36 PM
I will visit the place comes December this year! I will surely visit the place mentioned above. I hope it will give me the satisfaction that I have felt when reading this blog. Where can I go for more adventure in New York?
Posted by: Doris Guthrie | Oct 27, 2012 at 05:26 AM
Actually, when I first read the line it took me minutes to proceed to the next line because I don’t really know the answer to that question.
Posted by: Audrey Gilliam | Nov 07, 2012 at 01:29 AM