July 16 is National Hot Dog Day. Rejoice! This means it’s time to once again tackle this weighty question: the hot dog—sandwich or no sandwich?
To many people, a questionable meat product that sits between two slices of bread meets all the general requirements for a sandwich. But as food industry professionals, we feel it’s our duty to inform you that, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, aka “the official voice of hot dogs and sausages,” a hot dog is NOT a sandwich. Repeat, NOT a sandwich.
Our hearts go out to all those impacted within the greater wiener community.
By my definition, a hot dog is a hot dog. It’s its own thing with its own specialized bun. If you went into a restaurant and ordered a meat tube sandwich would that make sense? No! They’d probably call the cops on you. —Jimmy Kimmel
Here are just a few of the Council’s compelling reasons for why a hot dog isn’t a sandwich, rephrased for your convenience and our own amusement:
1. Imagine being at Fenway with the organ playing, the Sox coming from behind, the crowd cheering, and a vendor walking through the stands saying, “Sandwich, get your sandwich here!” Madness. Never gonna happen.
2. Try to envision Dirty Harry, squinting through a haze of cynicism and gunpowder, declaring with steely resolve, “Never ever put mayo on a sandwich.” Wimpy. Lame. Zero gravitas. But when he thundered, “Never ever put ketchup on a hot dog,” people sat up, listened intently, and perhaps even reconsidered their life choices.
3. Marlene Dietrich didn’t say that champagne and sandwiches were her favorite foods. She said it was champagne and hot dogs. If Marlene Dietrich draws a distinction, shouldn’t we all?
4. If you won the lottery, would you jump up and down with glee and shout, “Sandwich!” Of course not. You’d say, “Hot dog!”
Get the Council’s full list of reasons here, and read how some famous people weigh in on the debate.
Honestly, we’re not sure where we land on this one. The arguments are compelling on both sides, much like a perfectly toasted bun struggling to contain a particularly juicy frank. But one thing is for certain—a really tasty hot dog is hard to beat.
Our advice? Simple. Pick up some quality hot dogs and buns from the Co-op, prepare them however your heart desires (sandwich or not, we won’t judge, not out loud anyway), and then ponder the great mysteries of the universe. Perhaps with a side of sauerkraut. After all, life’s too short for lame hot dogs, regardless of their classification.
Ken Davis is a senior writer for the Co-op. Got a thought on this meaty topic? Tell us in the comments.
