Think an argument imaginable has been made on the categorization of the hot dog. However history of the hot dog reveals a different answer.
The debate on the classification of the American hot dog seems to be an endless one. Is it a sausage roll? Is it a sandwich? Does it belong on sandwich menus?
What is a hot dog?
Hot dogs are made from the emulsified meat trimmings of chicken, beef, or pork. This meat mixture is blended with other ingredients (like preservatives, spices, and coloring) into a batter-like substance. The emulsified meat is then stuffed into casings, which are typically made from processed collagen or collagen from animal intestines. Hot dog with a bun is a food consisting of a grilled or steamed sausage served inside of the partially slit bun.
Is a Hot Dog a Sandwich?
Eric Mittenthal, president of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, said he's been asked this question just about daily for the past five to six years and his answer is the same.
"A hot dog is not a sandwich," he said. "If you go to a hot dog vendor and you say give me a sandwich, they're going to look at you like you're crazy. It's just culturally not the same as a sandwich."
The hot dog, he explains time and again, is in a classification of its own.
"In essence it boils down to a hot dog is its own unique item that exceeds the sandwich category. It breaks itself free of the sandwich category."
What is the difference between sandwich and hot dog?
The former is a bread bun with a sausage in between while the latter is a pair of slices of bread...with something in between it.
What is the opinion of the community?
dscout asked nearly 600 people and get their opinion about "Is a hot dog a sandwich?" debate so what the results are?
Overall, 61% of those who chose a side said a hot dog is not a sandwich, while 39% said it was a sandwich.