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Last year, New Yorkers couldn't stop mourning the potential closure of Papaya King, the legendary juice-and-hot-dog destination on the Upper East Side that first opened in the early 1930s.
As first reported by Upper East Site, although Extell Development's plans to demolish the building that the eatery has called home for nearly 90 years are moving forward, the institution will officially move just across the street as soon as this week. That is all to say: Papaya King is not shuttering after all!
The outlet was able to get a first look at the new space, described as painted yellow and featuring a mural depicting food brands that debuted the same year that Papaya King first opened, including Fritos, Mars and Mentos. On another wall, patrons will get to gaze at black-and-white photos of the original eatery.
As New Yorkers are very well aware of given their fondness for the hot dog destination, Greek immigrant Constantine "Gus" Poulos first opened Papaya King at 179 East 86th Street by Third Avenue in 1932. Decades later, business owner Wayne Rosenbaum took over the space and enlisted the help of Poulus' nephew, Alexander, in the kitchen.
Since then, although changes certainly abounded, including menu shifts and attempts at expansions, the essence of Papaya King has remained the same—starting with the eatery's iconic sign, which we assume will move across the street alongside its delicious specialty franksurters, curly fries, classic hot dogs, fried Oreos and pickles.