A Hot Dog Is a Sandwich – Tour de Cincinnati

*Cheese coney sandwich from Skyline Chili: hot dog with Cincinnati chili and shredded cheddar cheese atop a split roll bun*

sand·wich | \ ˈsan(d)-ˌwich

a: two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between
b: one slice of bread covered with food
–Merriam-Webster

a: two or more slices of bread or the like with a layer of meat, fish, cheese, etc., between each pair
b: open sandwich
c: something resembling or suggesting a sandwich, as something in horizontal layers
–Dictionary.com

A sandwich is a food typically consisting of vegetables, sliced cheese or meat, placed on or between slices of bread, or more generally any dish wherein bread serves as a container or wrapper for another food type
–Wikipedia

By very definition (from several outlets, no less), hot dogs are sandwiches. Not to mention the leading authority of etymology had this to say about 10 Kinds of Sandwiches. (Hint: check out #1.)

*The Mexico City dog from Senate: an all-beef hot dog, applewood bacon, guacamole, chipotle crema, queso fresco, and crispy tortilla strips*

The Law Agrees

Sandwiches include cold and hot sandwiches of every kind that are prepared and ready to be eaten, whether made on bread, on bagels, on rolls, in pitas, in wraps, or otherwise, and regardless of the filling or number of layers.
–New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

Even Ruth Bader Ginsburg weighed in on the topic. After being asked by Stephen Colbert about her opinion on the matter, she responded with, “You tell me what a sandwich is…” and, by his definition, she issued the ruling that yes, a hot dog is very much a sandwich.

*Two smoked all-beef franks, flash fried and bunned with sauce, cole slaw, and pork crispins from Eli’s BBQ (listed under Sandwiches on their website)*

…Several Defintions and RBG’s Ruling Aren’t the Only Reasons Why

A hot dog is a sandwich, and it isn’t just the several definitions and Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Merriam-Webster’s authority deeming it such that make it so.

By itself, a frankfurter is just a hot dog. Like a burger or turkey breast. Independent of bread, they are just what they are. But when you pair it with bread or a bun, despite the name “hot dog” remaining the same, it transforms to a beautiful sandwich.

If Philly cheesesteaks, meatball subs, and banh mi are sandwiches (and they are), then hot dogs—also served on a split bun—are, too.

*Bæjarins beztu pylsur (translated in English to “the best hot dog in town”), an Icelandic hot dog sandwich topped with raw onions, crispy onions, ketchup, mustard, and remoulade*

While we’re at it …

It’s pronounced gif.

Some of my favorite takes on this sandwich are pictured above. The featured image is of the Slaw Dog from Blue Ash Chili, a coney (hot dog, chili, and onions) topped with house-made cole slaw.