OPINION

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By Sarah Garman Rohr

Is a hot dog a sandwich? It sounds like a simple question, but it is not. In fact, it is a question that has sparked intense debate and strong emotions.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines sandwich as “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between” or “one slice of bread covered with food.”

A hot dog, technically speaking, fits the definition of a sandwich. It is a split roll with a filling in between. However, people seem to have strong opinions about this topic. So, is a hot dog a sandwich? The Match polled Upper School students and faculty to ask them their opinion, and the responses were passionate.

Upper School poll of students and faculty about whether or not a hot dog is a sandwich. Image credit: Sarah Garman Rohr.

At a glance, it is obvious that the majority of the Upper School community believes that a hot dog is, in fact, not a sandwich. However, the students who were most ardent about this topic were able to add their opinion in an “additional comments” section in our poll. The responses were enlightening. 

Students and faculty who feel strongly that a hot dog is NOT a sandwich:

“Never was, never will.” – William Bullock (‘22)

“Although a hot dog is covered on two sides by bread, it is only one piece of bread; therefore, making it not a sandwich, as a sandwich requires two pieces of bread.” – Pearse Riendeau (‘22)

“IT IS NOT A SANDWICH! DEAL WITH IT!” – Molly Woods (‘22)

“Siri said no, and Siri’s never wrong.” – Chandler Pettus (‘19)

“Sandwiches, by definition, have two pieces of bread… hot dogs only have one.” – Ethan Funk (‘21)

“It’s like asking if a Pop Tart is a ravioli. Similar, but not the same.” – Andrew Kauders (20)

“I am beyond furious you would ask such a question. Yes, the dynamics of a hot dog line up for it to be a sandwich, but in no way, shape, or form could a hot dog ever be a sandwich.” – Griffin Alvis (‘20)

The central argument for students who believe a hot dog is not a sandwich seems to circulate around the bread. Yes, hot dogs are commonly served on a hot dog bun, which is a singular piece of bread, but I do not believe that it is the bread that defines a sandwich. I think a sandwich can be crafted from one or two pieces of bread. If one must argue that the amount of bread is crucial to the definition of a sandwich, then it is important to recognize that open-faced sandwiches are considered sandwiches and only contain one piece of bread as well. Merriam-Webster Dictionary even states that a sandwich can be crafted from only one piece of bread.

Hot dog with toppings. Photo credit: Hot Dog & Sausage Council Instagram.

Students and faculty who strongly believe that a hot dog IS a sandwich:

“A hot dog is clearly a sandwich. A piece of meat in front of two pieces of bread is obviously a sandwich.” – Jensen Richardson (‘19)

“Even though it seems morally wrong, a hot dog is technically a sandwich.” – Sheldon Reed (‘19)

“I would consider a hot dog to be a sandwich because I also consider a quesadilla to be a sandwich. As long as there is a type of meat between two types of bread, I consider it to be a sandwich.” – Preston Ward (‘21)

“It’s got bread; it’s got meat; it’s got fixins’ – all denote the genetic components of sandwiches the world ’round. WHY ARE WE STILL ASKING THIS QUESTION?” – Upper School English teacher Josh Katz

“The hot dog is a sandwich, and if you disagree, I hope your birthday gets taken away.” – Shaan Kapadia (‘19)

“Although it might have another name, a hot dog is still a sandwich. A sub from Subway? Still a sandwich, just with a different name. A bun is a type of bread, and any type of bread can be used to make a sandwich.” – Sarah Kennon (‘22)

“It’s meat in a bun. Therefore, a sandwich.” – Eliza Howard (‘19)

“Hot dogs are unquestionably sandwiches, and I happen to be very passionate in support of that belief. This is a vehement belief that I hold, and I will gladly argue with anyone about it for an indefinite amount of time. It is an irrefutable truth, and I have not yet heard any valid evidence to the contrary. To those who believe that a hot dog is not a sandwich because the bread is connected or some such nonsense, I will happily take you to any number of authentic Italian sub shops around Richmond, and you can explain to them how their sandwiches are invalid and do not count. Have fun with that. Sorry to be so direct; I just happen to care about this quite a lot.” – John Philip Mintz (‘20)

“Two slices of bread. One piece of meat. Sandwich.” – Joseph Ascoli (‘20)

Students who believe that a hot dog classifies as a sandwich support their argument by stating that it is what is on the inside that matters. A sandwich should not be defined by the bread which holds it together, but rather the fillings.

A typical sandwich usually consists of a type of meat, maybe a vegetable, some cheese, and a condiment. A hot dog can, in fact, possess all of these ingredients. If you decided to put onions, melted cheese, ketchup, mustard, relish, or even chili on your hot dog, then you have created a sandwich.

Some students believe that a hot dog should not be categorized, but rather it deserves its own category.

Hot dog. Photo credit: Food in the air Instagram.

Students and faculty who believe a hot dog is its own thing:

“A hot dog is in its own category.” – Upper School Learning Specialist Helen Markiewicz

“It’s its own category!” – Upper School science teacher Rebecca Hottman

“Hot dog is its own food.” – Graham Powell (‘21)

“A hot dog is a hot dog.” – John Woodfin (‘22)

“A hot dog is its own thing, bro.” – Judson Elliott (‘21)

It would make sense as to why people would categorize hot dogs as their own thing. On menus in restaurants, hot dogs are normally not listed under the sandwich section, but rather in their own separate category.

Some students, like Hayley Dunn (‘20), seemed personally offended that the question was being asked and claimed that “hot dogs are disgusting.” Despite the hate from non-sandwich believers and people who think hot dogs are their own thing, there was a select group of people who believe that a hot dog is actually a taco (?!?!).

Tacos. Photo credit: Sara Tanes from Instagram.

Students who believe a hot dog is a taco:

“It’s a taco.” – Anna Port (‘21)

“A hot dog is a taco.” – Cami Villanueva (‘21)

“A hot dog is a taco – carbs on three sides of a meat.” – Lauren Brabrand (‘21)

“Three sides covered by bread? It’s a taco.” – Charlotte Harrison (‘21)

“It’s a taco.” – Hayden Johnson (‘20)

“I consider hot dogs a taco.” – Thomas Spivey (‘20)

“A hot dog is another form of a taco.” – Angelo Parker (‘22)

The students are who believe a hot dog is a taco are, in fact, completely wrong and need to study the culinary world. A taco is a Mexican delicacy that should not be messed with. Tacos should contain complex spices, and while I love hot dogs, they do not have intricate flavors like a taco.

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council dove deeper into this debate and asked famous celebrities and distinguished culinary experts what they thought about a hot dog being a sandwich. While the responses from celebrities were scattered across the board, the council believes that this is a more important issue that needs time to be thoughtfully analyzed. They state that “limiting the hot dog’s significance by saying it’s ‘just a sandwich’ is like calling the Dalai Lama ‘just a guy,’” and they believe that this polarizing disagreement needs to be settled by informing the public that a hot dog is actually not a sandwich.

On the other hand, the food and recipe site Taste of Home says that there is “no sensible way around it” and expressed that a hot dog is a sandwich based on the Merriam-Webster definition. The food site Daily Meal also weighed in on this debate, claiming that “these cookout staples are indeed sandwiches, whether you think of them that way or not.”

In conclusion, hot dogs are sandwiches, despite the arguments and opinions that state otherwise. A slice of bread, bun, roll, or sub with meats and other elements in between should always be considered a sandwich, unless it is an authentic Mexican taco. Then it should be considered a taco. Not a sandwich. 

Now that we have exhausted this topic, you may wonder: Is a hamburger a sandwich?

Featured image courtesy of Emme Dale.