Gray’s Papaya

What trip to New York is complete without a forage for one of my favorite street foods, a hot dog. I may have just eaten a good portion of curry, but walking towards the subway there was Gray’s Papaya.

I’d walked by the place, or one of its many fruity imitators a number of times on my stay, but never stopped in. Finally, opportunity.

Gray’s Papaya has maintained a Recession Special for years, regardless of being in a recession or not. It was apt now, and a good deal – Two hot dogs and one tropical fruit drink for just a smidge over $5.00.

I ordered just a simple hot dog, with sauerkraut, and added mustard.

The man behind the counter asked if I was from Virginia. “No, Santa Barbara.”

“Santa Barbara!” he said. Then he looked at the man standing in the queue behind me. “Santa Barbara!” he said to him. The man looked surprised and said, “How did you know?”

What is up with that, Santa Barbarans all decided to be in New York that week. I didn’t know him, but he did explain to me he was really from Carpinteria. Yes, from an east coast perspective that is Santa Barbara.

My hot dog was good.