Dog fight

Gray’s Papaya, at 8th Street and Sixth Avenue, has long ruled the area’s tropical-drink-and-hot-dog market, but its supremacy appears to be under attack. Last year Papaya Dog opened at 4th Street and Sixth, followed soon after by a new Papaya King at 14th and Seventh. What we have here is a bona fide West Village Papaya war. King, with two uptown joints, was the first to pair papaya and dogs in 1932. Gray’s, a 1980s upstart, has a following and two other Manhattan counters. But the Dog’s a contender: Last spring, the Village store was joined by a 42nd and Ninth location, and soon after came another one at 33rd and Fifth. Who will emerge the tube-steak titan? Our taste test below should help you decide.—Katherine Pushkar and Jocelyn Guest

Papaya King

Photo: Rachel Anne Levy

Papaya King

Deal

The $4.50 original Special gets you a 16-ounce drink and two dogs with ketchup, mustard and one topping (they’ve got a ton—extras at 5¢ per are well worth it).

Vegetarian options

Non–meat eaters can enjoy papaya juice and fries.

Verdict

The best toppings; alas, not the best dog. Let’s just say there’s a reason they have all those toppings.

Papaya Dog

Photo: Rachel Anne Levy

Papaya dog

Deal

The basic No. 1 includes two dogs and a 14-ounce drink for $2.75 with a nice variety of toppings (chopped onions, chili, cheese, sauerkraut, relish and hot sauce).

Vegetarian options

Nothing meatless, but they have a turkey dog!

Verdict

Decent. Tastier than King’s, and Dog also offers slushes—always a bonus.

Gray's Papaya

Photo: Rachel Anne Levy

Gray's Papaya

Deal

The Recession Special—two franks and a 14-ounce drink for $2.75—includes unlimited toppings (chopped onions, cooked onions, sauerkraut and, strangely, tomato sauce).

Vegetarian options

Veggies are relegated to a liquid diet here.

Verdict

The best dog hands down—flavorful, slightly charred, perfect; but take a pass on the papaya drink.