Are Hot Dogs and Hamburgers Actually Sandwiches? Let’s Settle This Debate Once and For All!

Everyone with a passion for food has been surprised, at least once, by a quirky food fact. For instance, did you know that a tomato is technically a fruit? One debate that has persisted over the years is whether hamburgers and hot dogs can be considered sandwiches. They seem to fit the criteria: bread with a filling. So, why is there a debate? And what's the answer? Are they or aren't they?

What Classifies as a Sandwich?

To understand this debate, we first need to define what a sandwich is. Traditionally, a sandwich consists of two pieces of bread with a filling in between, which can range from meats and cheeses to vegetables and spreads. The general public usually pictures a sandwich as something like a turkey club, a BLT, or a simple PB&J. The concept is straightforward: take some bread, add a filling, and you’ve got a sandwich. But like any good culinary concept, it’s open to interpretation.

What Is a Burger?

A hamburger, often just called a burger, is a dish that consists of a ground meat patty—typically beef—placed inside a split bun or roll. The history of the hamburger dates back to the late 19th century when it evolved from the Hamburg steak, a popular dish in Germany. The American hamburger, with its countless variations and toppings, became a fast food staple in the 20th century, beloved for its versatility and flavor. Yet, despite its bread-and-filling format, the burger often stands in a culinary category of its own.

What Is a Hot Dog?

A hot dog is a grilled or steamed sausage, usually made from pork, beef, or a combination, served in a slit bread roll. The hot dog has roots in German and Austrian sausages, like the frankfurter and the wiener, and was popularized in the United States by German immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Like hamburgers, hot dogs have become iconic in American cuisine, especially at ballparks and backyard barbecues. Their unique presentation and cultural significance often set them apart from other types of sandwiches.

Are Hamburgers and Hot Dogs Sandwiches?

Now, let’s address the burning question: are hamburgers and hot dogs sandwiches? Technically, yes—they meet the basic criteria of bread with a filling. However, cultural and culinary contexts often treat them differently. Hamburgers and hot dogs have distinct identities and cultural meanings that separate them from the traditional sandwich. They are iconic in their own right, often categorized separately on menus and in food discussions. So, while you could argue they are sandwiches by definition, most people recognize them as unique entities within the broader sandwich family. It’s like calling a square a rectangle—it’s true, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.