What can you eat while playing darts without getting your hands messy? At AI DARTS, regulars usually go for the Walking Taco: the toppings come in a bag of corn chips, you hold the bag in one hand and a spoon in the other, and when it's your turn you just put it down and step up. This is the darts player's take: why it works mid-game, which ones we have, and when you can get one.
Food for darts: pick something that keeps your fingers clean
The worst thing at the oche is greasy fingers: the barrel slips and you spend ages wiping your hands. So mid-game food should be something you don't grab with your fingers and can put down any time. The Walking Taco does both: you eat it with a spoon, the bag stands on the table, and when you're done it goes straight in the bin. No plate, no table space.
The Walking Tacos at AI DARTS
They're made by the Hotdogray kitchen inside the bar. There are 6 on the menu right now:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cheese Fries | NT$55 |
| Spicy Mexican Chili | NT$55 |
| Chili Cheese | NT$60 |
| Salsa Taco (new) | NT$60 |
| Chili Dog | NT$65 |
| Chili Fries | NT$75 |
Add-ons: cheese +NT$10, bacon +NT$12, extra sausage +NT$15, jalapeño +NT$10, chili +NT$25, salsa +NT$25. If you like heat, go Spicy Mexican Chili; for something lighter, the Salsa Taco. The +NT$95 combo you can add after ordering a hot dog also includes a NT$55 taco. Full prices are on the menu.
How darts players eat it
- Big group, one bag each: no sharing plates, whoever's up just puts theirs down.
- Quick wipe before you throw: a spoon keeps things fairly clean, but a wipe before your turn keeps your grip steady.
- Want something more filling? Chili Fries or the Chili Dog taco are the heaviest. You can also save them for when you're done; see late-night food after darts.
When you can get one
The dartboards are self-service 24 hours, but tacos and hot dogs come from the Hotdogray kitchen, which serves Tuesday to Friday, 8 pm until around midnight, plus every other Saturday. Rain or other circumstances can cancel a night, so check on-site or on LINE.
So what is a Walking Taco, exactly?
Where this American street snack comes from and why it's rare in Taipei is covered on Hotdogray's site: What is a Walking Taco. This post is just about eating one with a dart in your other hand.