Papaya King’s flagship UES location will be replaced by 17-story tower

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) — Papaya King’s flagship store on the Upper East Side, a cornerstone of New York City since 1932, will be replaced by a 17-story building.

The iconic hot dog and beverage spot on the corner of East 86th Street and Third Avenue will soon be gone after a Long Island developer filed plans with the Department of Buildings on Monday, according to reports.

The eatery closed in 2023 after new owners bought the building with plans to build a luxury tower. A new Papaya King was set to open in April 2023, across the street from the former location at 1535 Third Avenue, according to reports.

However, the new location never opened after the landlord wouldn’t allow Papaya King to install a kitchen hood, according to a report by Eater .

The original Papaya King was founded by Greek immigrant Constantine “Gus” Poulos, according to Eater New York . The eatery originally served tropical drinks before hot dogs were added to the menu in 1939, the report said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.