The Salsa Dog ($70) is marked "New" on Hotdogray's menu: a hot dog topped with salsa. It's the same $70 as the house Chili Dog, but it goes in the opposite direction, one rich and hearty, the other fresh and light. You'll find it inside AI DARTS in Taipei's Da'an District.
What Salsa Is
Salsa is simply the Spanish word for "sauce," from the Latin salsa (salty). In Mexico it covers all kinds of table sauces: raw or cooked, red or green. In English, salsa usually means a Mexican-style sauce built on tomatoes and chiles. A few common types:
- Pico de gallo: also called salsa fresca. Chopped tomato, onion and chile with salt, lime juice and cilantro, mixed raw, so you get chunky bites.
- Salsa roja (red salsa): mostly tomatoes and red chiles, often cooked or blended.
- Salsa verde (green salsa): usually made with tomatillos, with a sharper tang.
How Common Salsa Is in the US
A 1992 New York Times report, widely quoted since, said that salsa had outsold ketchup in US retail stores the year before, by about $40 million. That compared dollar sales in stores, not volume, and it left out all the ketchup used at fast-food chains. Still, it's the go-to example of how mainstream salsa had become.
Salsa shows up on hot dogs, too. The Sonoran hot dog from around Tucson, Arizona, is a bacon-wrapped dog with beans, tomato, onion, mayo and salsa, a border-region fusion of American and Mexican street food.
Salsa vs. the House Chili
Hotdogray's signature sauce is chili: pure pork, slow-simmered with a dozen-plus spices (more on that in this post). Salsa is built on vegetables like tomatoes and chiles and usually has no meat. On a hot dog, the difference is clear:
- Base: chili is meat; salsa is tomatoes, chiles and other vegetables.
- Texture: chili is thick and filling; salsa is lighter.
- Flavor: chili is deep, spiced and savory; the Salsa Dog goes tangy with a little kick.
On the menu, the Chili Dog ($70) is house chili with jalapeños, and the Salsa Dog ($70) is salsa. Same price, so it comes down to whether you want something heavy or something fresh.
Who the Salsa Dog Is For
- Anyone who finds chili too heavy and wants something lighter.
- Beer drinkers who want a hot dog that doesn't weigh them down. Light beer and salsa work well together.
- Regulars who've had the Chili Dog and want to switch it up.
- People who want both: add chili to the Salsa Dog (+$25), or salsa to the Chili Dog (+$25), and get both sauces on one dog.
If you can't handle any heat at all, ask about the spice level before you order.
The Salsa Lineup
- Salsa Dog $70 (hot dogs)
- Salsa Taco $60 (walking tacos)
- Salsa Fries $70 (fried sides)
- Add-on: salsa +$25, for any hot dog or walking taco
For eating while you throw darts, the Salsa Taco is the easiest. Here's what a walking taco is. For the other hot dogs, see the hot dog flavors guide, and full prices are on the menu.
FAQ
Q: Is salsa spicy?
A: Salsa usually has chiles in it. Hotdogray's Salsa Dog is tangy with a little kick and lighter than the chili. If you can't take any heat, ask before you order.
Q: Salsa Dog or Chili Dog?
A: It depends on your mood. The Chili Dog ($70) is house chili with jalapeños, rich and filling. The Salsa Dog ($70) is tangy and fresh. Want both? Salsa or chili as an add-on is +$25 either way.
Q: Is salsa the same as ketchup?
A: No. Ketchup is a smooth, slightly sweet condiment. Salsa is a Mexican sauce made with tomatoes, onions, chiles and more, and the fresh kind is chunky.
Q: When can I get it?
A: Wed, Thu, Fri + every other Sat, 8PM to around midnight. The kitchen is closed on Tuesdays. Weather or special circumstances can change that, so message us on LINE to be sure.
