You’ve sunk your teeth into countless burgers in your day. And you’d call them many things – delicious, greasy, indulgent. But if someone at a burger restaurant in Garland TX called it a sandwich, you might pause and ponder.
So, by definition, is a hamburger truly a type of sandwich?
What Defines a Sandwich?
Let’s break this down. At its core, a sandwich contains two key components:
1) Some sort of bread or bun
2) Filling ingredients nestled between said bread
Pretty straightforward, no doubt. So now we must scrutinize the burger.
Hamburger Construction
You’ll notice a trend here. And this is why many people consider a hamburger to be a type of sandwich:
- It features two buns surrounding a patty and various other ingredients like lettuce, tomato, onion etc.
- The patty and vegetables seem to qualify as “filling.”
- And the buns? Those buns that envelop the fillings scream “sandwich”
By all accounts, a hamburger’s composition aligns flawlessly. So, an open-faced burger could logically earn sandwich status.
Why Aren’t Burgers Sandwiches to Some?
While seemingly structured like sandwiches, many don’t categorize burgers as true sandwiches. Why is that? Two key reasons stand out:
- Ingredients: Most sandwiches contain cold cuts, cheeses, or other toppings between bread. Burgers feature cooked beef patties as the filling. The dominant hot protein clashes with the standard perception of a sandwich.
- Preparation Method: Sandwiches tend to simply layer ingredients between untouched bread. Burgers place a cooked patty and toppings inside a halved, toasted bun. This assembly process veers from traditional sandwiches.
So while technically sandwiched between buns, the warmer ingredients and split bun deviate from sandwich norms for many. A divisive issue for sure in the food debate arena!
So What’s the Verdict?
While questionable from this angle, evidence points to burgers safely landing in sandwich territory based on ingredients alone. But the philosophical debate rages on from a visual perspective. Where do you stand on this perplexing question? Regardless of your stance, never turn down a burger – sandwich or not!
