Hot dogs, though their origin is nebulous, are as American as baseball and apple pie. We’re big fans of anything you typically throw down on the grill, and the hot dog is no exception. With National Hot Dog Day coming up, and our release of the Dizzy Dog™, hot dogs have been frequently on the minds of the staff here at The Companion Group.

Is a hot dog a sandwich? When we heard that the controversial question was gripping the nation, we knew we had to weigh in and get a statement on record. Some of us even got a little obsessive about the debate. Namely me.

We polled the company informally, and what follows are the main arguments for/against a hot dog being called a sandwich.

A Hot Dog is Not a Sandwich:

There is a National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. Yep, that’s a thing. Arguably, they have the largest stake in this argument. They’re the biggest fans, and (theoretically) the official word on whether a hot dog is a sandwich. According to the council a hot dog is NOT a sandwich. “Limiting the hot dog’s significance by saying it’s ‘just a sandwich’ category is like calling the Dalai Lama ‘just a guy.’ Perhaps at one time its importance could be limited by forcing it into a larger sandwich category (no disrespect to Reubens and others), but that time has passed.”

Furthermore, The Companion Group staff pointed out a myriad of issues that arise when labeling a hot dog a sandwich, namely:

• A hot dog is a unique entity, with a special name.
• The bun is not two pieces of bread, it is a roll with an attached center.
• A sandwich is horizontally oriented. The hot dog, by nature of it’s construction, requires a vertical orientation.
• Ever go to sporting events? Try ordering a “sandwich” from a hotdog vendor and see what kind of weird looks you get.

 A Hot Dog is a Sandwich:

Let us first start with exhibit A:

Merriam Webster definition of Sandwich:

a :  two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between

By this narrow definition, a hot dog fits the bill. Open-faced sandwiches are still called a sandwich, in spite of featuring only one slice of bread, so we already can see the definition loosening. Going a step further: Hot Pockets are labeled as sandwiches on the box. They’re clearly not two pieces of bread.

This doesn’t mean that a hot dog is “merely” a sandwich, just that it fits the loose criteria to be considered one. It can (and obviously will) continue to go by the name “hot dog.” Just with the understanding that it fits into the category of sandwich. No insult or criticism meant.

The New York Tax Board also classifies hot dogs as a sandwich for tax purposes. If it looks (vaguely) like a sandwich, you’re paying sandwich tax rates, and it has the definitional make-up of a sandwich, it’s probably safe to call it a sandwich, not matter how unique that sandwich may be.

Flying in the face of the rest of the company’s firm denunciations, I still feel strongly that the hot dog is a sandwich. A special one, sure. Much like the Reuben, hot dogs are near and dear to our hearts, and worthy of a unique name. Maybe one day we’ll live in a utopia where this issue is put to rest. For now, we’ll just have to strike a friendly balance between sides, get out there, and enjoy a hot dog together.

Daniel Replogle

Daniel does business development and marketing at The Companion Group. When he isn’t writing you can find him rock climbing or doing ceramic artwork.