New York’s Legendary Papaya King Headed to Las Vegas

Less than a month after New York’s The Halal Guys debuted in Las Vegas, another Manhattan street food institution is confirmed to be on the way to Las Vegas.

Five years after first announcing plans to expand to Nevada, Papaya King will bring their tropical fruit drinks and all-American hot dogs to Harmon Square, across from the Hard Rock Hotel, at the corner of Harmon and Paradise.

The 1,558-square-foot space takes over an end spot on the former site of the demolished KISS Monster Mini Golf attraction. Two other fast casual newcomers will join them in the same building, Teriyaki Madness and a Tropical Smoothie Cafe, which coincidentally also serves a papaya drink. A 1,564-square-foot space in the middle of the building is still up for lease.

Papaya King arrived on the Upper East Side corner of 86th Street and Third Avenue in 1932, becoming a much copied, but much loved city icon, behind a distinctive yellow design palette and neon signage.

Described by Julia Child as "the best hot dog in New York," praise echoed by Anthony Bourdain, the menu features drinks like banana daiquiri, coconut champagne, papaya and piña colada, franks with topping choices of onions, mushrooms, pickle chips, sauerkraut and even pastrami, plus corn dogs, chicken sandwiches or tenders, knish, onion rings, nachos and their version of downtown Fremont Street favorites, fried Oreos and Twinkies.

Yet to be announced by Harmon Square or the Papaya King brand, an estimated $250,000 construction budget was allocated to the project earlier this month. No timetable for its arrival has been revealed.