Is a hotdog a sandwich?

The debate on whether a hot dog is a sandwich is ongoing and contentious, with different perspectives and arguments. Here are some key points from both sides:

Arguments Against Hot Dogs Being Sandwiches:

• The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) explicitly states that a hot dog is not a sandwich. They argue that calling a hot dog a sandwich diminishes its unique cultural and historical significance31.
• The definition and history of hot dogs, as outlined by the NHDSC and Maple Leaf Foods, emphasize that hot dogs are a distinct category of food, separate from sandwiches. Hot dogs are typically served in a single, continuous piece of bread (a bun) rather than between two separate slices of bread13.
• The cultural and linguistic usage also supports this distinction. For example, vendors at ballparks do not call out "sandwiches" when selling hot dogs, and there are no "sandwich eating contests" for hot dogs3.

Arguments For Hot Dogs Being Sandwiches:

• From a purely definitional standpoint, Merriam-Webster defines a sandwich as "two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between." By this definition, a hot dog could be considered a type of sandwich since it consists of a filling (the sausage) placed within a split roll (the bun)1.
• Some argue that the structural components of a hot dog align with the general criteria for a sandwich, even if it is served in a single piece of bread. This view is supported by some culinary experts and legal figures, such as the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who concluded that a hot dog is indeed a sandwich5.

Alternative Classifications:

• There is also a humorous and creative approach known as "The Cube Rule," which categorizes foods based on the location of structural starch. According to this rule, a hot dog is classified as a taco due to the positioning of the starch (the bun) relative to the filling2.

In summary, while there are valid arguments on both sides, the majority of the hot dog industry and cultural consensus tend to treat hot dogs as a distinct category separate from sandwiches. However, the debate remains open to individual interpretation.