Why New Yorkers Swear By Papaya King's Hot Dog And Fruit Juice Combo | Legendary Eats

Papaya King has cemented itself as a cheap-eat institution in NYC. But before it became a New Yorker’s go-to for hot dogs, it sold something else entirely. Insider’s Taryn Varricchio headed to Papaya King to find out why New Yorkers flock to the 80-year-old location for its hot dog and tropical drink combo.

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Why New Yorkers Swear By Papaya King's Hot Dog And Fruit Juice Combo | Legendary Eats

[gavinthecrafter]

Greek man opens a Hawaiian themed juice bar in New York after a vacation to Cuba

*Mr. Worldwide*

[ohnobees]

Some people in in a city: Hey this food is pretty good
Food Insider: WHY EVERYONE IN THIS CITY IS OBSESSED WITH THIS FOOD

[maximrodriguez]

That smile after the guy said it’s good with vodka was so pure you can just tell he knows what he’s talking about

[lyricistdestroyerqueensbor]

I been going here since I was 42 I'm 13 now!

[tryy]

"the papaya.. great with vodka" this man knows

[epiren]

Papaya has an enzyme, papain, that breaks down proteins. When the Spanish conquistadores arrived in Tenochtitlan, they were received with a big feast. They had indigestion, and the natives brought them papaya to eat to help with the indigestion. Get yourself some raw papaya and put chunks of it with its juice in a bag, add the toughest cut of meat, and it will tenderize it like butter overnight.

[marth]

"The food is a staple, it's not just a snack. And the papaya is great with vodka."

-vodka man

[christrout]

"And the Papaya... is great with vodka"

This guy brings vodka nips with him to Papaya King, what a boss lmao

[bmstbyr]

I miss NYC, my home. I used to come here when I was a kid with my grandpa on days when he would take me to work with him and we would eat together. It was nice. I miss being a kid and I miss my grandpa too.

[MontyQueues]

so if that guy didn’t ask for lunch this wouldn’t exist

[joemamaisobama]

Guy says he’s 69 years old

Me: *SCROLLS STRAIGHT TO THE COMMENT SECTION*

[lovedenkegoransson]

"I Don't want a movie theater hot dog, I want a papaya king hot dog", Kramer

[FingeringThings]

Some people: *enjoy a meal*
Food insider: Why New Yorkers swear by this

[AffyisAffy]

They're also relatively cheap compared to the other food in that area and after a beer or long night at work you can go really late at night. The food is ehhh, but definitely hits the spot if you're looking for fast grab and go.

[scottwarwick]

Well I should be sleeping but I guess I gotta find out why people like these hotdogs first

[wrede]

Literally have never heard a new yorker say anything about this place

[StevenEatsAlone]

No amount of “how hot dogs are made” videos could ever stop me from enjoying a hot dog once in a while

[YouTubeSpareTime]

I love the simplicity of the menu, stick to your core competencies. I see businesses all the time fail because they try to do too much.

[MissBrittneyofCourse]

The host don't like the hot dog, couldn't even fake it lol.

[bushmanwest]

I relate to the Dutch couple lol ... As a European (UK) I've learnt that if an American tells you something's good and it actually is the best way to relate that to them is by saying 'awesome!' as enthusiastically as you can ... Also Amsterdam also has banging hot dogs as does much of northern Europe from dam to Krakow they got that A1 sauerkraut