Gray’s Papaya reopens on the Upper West Side with a new hot dog ‘Recession Special’
Photo by David Joyce via Flickr cc
For the first time in 47 years, corner hot dog outpost Gray’s Papaya shut down temporarily on March 30. But as was first reported by West Side Rag, the Upper West Side location is now back open for business. In addition to delivery through Seamless and Grubhub, Gray’s is offering window takeout with safe single-serve condiments, and their employees are all wearing masks and gloves. But even more exciting is that they’ve created a special version of their 35-years-running Recession Special.
Photo of the Recession Special by David Joyce via Flickr cc
The Recession Special is two franks and a medium tropical drink for $6.95 including tax. But now, frontline healthcare workers eat for free, and those who order three hot dogs get a fourth one free.
Owner Rachael Gray told West Side Rag that she attributes the family-owned business’ success to “cheap prices, a good product, and so many years in one location.” She said that Gray’s Papaya applied for a PPP loan (payroll protection program), but has not heard back about it yet. The rent is their biggest issue, but Rachael said, “We’re going to try to do it without any loans… We’re going to give it a couple of weeks to get our legs back under us. We’ll have a better idea in two weeks how we’re going to do.”
The Upper West Side outpost is on the southeast corner of 72nd Street and Broadway. They’re currently open from 8am to 8pm and will consider resuming their normal 24-7 schedule depending on demand. They hope to reopen the Midtown location on the corner of 8th Avenue and 40th Street on May 18.
[Via West Side Rag]
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