Gray's Papaya

The story

Gray's Papaya endorsed Barack Obama for president in 2008 — a move that said something about the place's confidence in its own cultural weight. Founded in 1973 by Nicholas Gray, a former partner of Papaya King, it planted its flag at Broadway and 72nd Street and never really needed to explain itself. Hot dogs that once sold for 50 cents now go for $3.45, and Time Out New York ranked them first in the city in 2006. Every other location has closed. This one remains.