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• Is a hot dog a sandwich?

Is a hot dog a sandwich? The world may never know.

By:   Harsh Patel

Monday, April 01, 2019

The Fourth of July: a day when millions of Americans gather outside homes, public areas, and bridges to witness spectacular fireworks, eat watermelon, and engage in familial debates involving contested topics that define our generation.

Perhaps the underdog of debates that is currently dividing the country is whether or not hot dogs are considered to be sandwiches. While such a debate may seem trivial, its answer can have a lasting impact on the processed food industry as well as the pockets of barbeque enthusiasts around the country (National Hot Dog & Sausage Council).

After doing some research, I can say with certainty that hot dogs are, in fact, sandwiches. The Atlantic developed a test to determine whether or not a given composite food product falls within the sandwich category. The developers aptly named it “The Sandwich Index,” which consists of four points (Garber, 2015):

• To qualify as “a sandwich,” a given food product must, structurally, consist of two (2) exterior pieces that are either separate or mostly separate (Drenkard & Kaeding, 2015).
• Those pieces must be primarily carbohydrate-based.
• The whole assemblage must have a primarily horizontal orientation.
• The whole assemblage must be fundamentally portable ( United States Supreme Court).

Under these logical points, a burger is a sandwich. An ice cream sandwich is a sandwich. An Oreo is a sandwich. A hot dog is most certainly a sandwich (Garber, 2015).

Janet Riley, the president of the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council and the self-proclaimed “Queen of Wien,” suggests that, due to the “hot dog’s impact on American history as well as the ‘open’ nature of a hot dog in a bun,” the NHDSC has decided that the hot dog is not a sandwich as the hot dog has “transcended the sandwich” ( Deutsch, 2015).   The NHDSC has asserted that, while hot dogs may have been considered to be sandwiches in their early history, they have “evolved to become an entirely new entity” (Garber, 2015). The Council further elaborated on the decision by stating that “limiting the hot dog’s significance by saying it’s ‘just a sandwich,’ is like calling the Dalai Lama ‘just a guy’” (Deutsch, 2015). Despite this lazy logic, I agree with the Council’s position that hot dogs have evolved to not be seen as sandwiches in the public eye; however, I maintain my belief that hot dogs have not completely deviated from their original ancestor — the sandwich.

Many might think that this debate is unnecessary and has no impact; however, the discussion actually has a societal and economic impact. The debate is much like the 1893 Nix v Hedden Supreme Court case that judged whether tomatoes are fruits or vegetables, in which Justice Horace Grey ruled that tomatoes are vegetables (United States Supreme Court). Why did this debate matter, and how is it related to the hot dog debate? The short answer — taxes.

When civil revenue is involved, the debate of whether or not a hot dog is a sandwich becomes astronomically more important. To elaborate on this claim, we must first consult the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (NYSDTF) for the definition of a sandwich. According to the NYSDTF, 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. A sandwich can be as simple as a buttered bagel or roll, or as elaborate as a six-foot, toasted submarine sandwich” (Department of Taxation and Finance). The official sandwich list offered by the NYSDTF includes “hot dogs and sausages on buns, rolls, etc” (Pomeranz, 2013).

So, why should anyone care? When going to your local grocery store, buying the components of a hot dog are not taxable by the state or federal government; however, once a civilian prepares these items for you and arranges them to your liking, they instantly become taxable since the item is now a prepared food (Bureau of Labor Statistics). The power to tax is widely considered to be a government power that has been associated with raising revenue, deterring consumption, and battling obesity directly (Pomeranz, 2013). Without diving into the probable impact this debate could have on the state and federal government, it is important to discuss the impact it could potentially have on low-income families, concession workers, and stadium owners/officials (Bureau of Labor Statistics; Virginia Association). Limiting this effect to capital businesses that do not include churches, synagogues, and other religious institutions with a physical place of worship is important as well, since such places are nonprofit and may sell tangible items (including food) that are tax-exempt (Florida Department of Revenue).

The prominent reason the “is a hot dog a sandwich” debate affects a disproportionate number of low-income households is due to the fact that lower-income families, on average, consume more breakfast hot dogs across the country compared to families of higher SES (National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, Statista). According to figures for 2012, breakfast sausage sales in the US totaled approximately $1.4 billion in sales (Virginia Association); 81% of this figure was supposedly from lower-class/impoverished citizens (National Hot Dog & Sausage Council).

If the NYSDTF were to remove the hot dog from the “sandwich” category, the “sales tax would no longer be attributed to hot dog manufacturing/preparation” (Bao, Personal Interview, 2018). In other words, sales tax would be eradicated for hot dogs. For example, the average cost of a hot dog at a concession stand during an MLB game in 2016 was $4.52 (Statista). The average sales tax rate in the US in 2016 was 5.79% (Drenkard & Kaeding, 2015). If a hot dog at a concession stand were originally $4.52 with sales tax before the categorical amendment, the average price after the amendment would be $4.27. While this may initially seem like a positive impact on individuals who purchase hot dogs at concession stands, the impact is anything but positive once logistics and potential countermeasures are evaluated.

According to the NHDSC, the total number of prepared hot dogs sold at sporting events in the US in 2016 was 11 billion (NHDSC). This figure does not include hot dogs prepared and sold at street carts in the US. Regardless, the net annual loss due to the categorical amendment across all US concession stands for MLB games alone would be approximately $2,750,000,000 (Florida Department of Revenue). Due to this incredible loss of revenue, concession stand/stadium officials and the meat industry may perform a variety of countermeasures: concession stands may increase the base price of hot dogs to compensate for the loss, the quality of meat used in hot dog wieners could diminish, and other taxes for American citizens could increase (income tax would most likely increase slightly), affecting lower-class households significantly more than households of higher SES (Bao, Personal Interview, 2018).

As always, debate shapes our understanding of the individuals around us. Debating, even for supposedly unimportant topics such as the “hot dog/sandwich argument,” is essential in developing an atmosphere of intelligence, vision, empathy, and resolve. Seemingly trivial arguments litter our everyday lives; however, the knowledge gained from such debates is one’s opportunity to understand perspective and the way the world works. Meaningless debates might have unforeseen outcomes for those around you and may even affect you or your community.

We hope you enjoyed this. Happy April Fools' Day, from all of us at IUJUR!

Bao, Y. Personal Interview. 19 Mar 2018.

“Consumption Statistics.” National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, Consumption Statistics, Hot Dog City, 2012

Deutsch, L. “Is a Hot Dog a Sandwich? Council Rules Once and for All.” USA Today , Gannett Satellite Information

Network, 8 Nov. 2015,

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/11/07/hot-dog-sandwich-national-council-sausage/75394354/

Drenkard, S. & Kaeding, N. “State and Local Sales Tax Rates in 2016.” Tax Foundation, 16 Jan. 2017,

https://taxfoundation.org/state-and-local-sales-tax-rates-2016/

“FindLaw's United States Supreme Court Case and Opinions.” Findlaw, United States Supreme Court ,

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/149/304.html

Garber, M. “It's Not a Sandwich.” The Atlantic , Atlantic Media Company, 5 Nov. 2015,

www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/11/its-not-a-sandwich/414352/

“Hot Dog Fast Facts.” NHDSC, 2016, www.hot-dog.org/culture/hot-dog-fast-facts .

“Meals Taxes Disproportionately Impact Lower-Income Households.” National Restaurant Association, Bureau of

Labor Statistics , Mar. 2015,

https://cdn.ymaws.com/vhta.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/stopthefoodtax/VA_Meals_Tax_Increase_Impac

“MLB Hot Dog Prices by Team 2016 Statistic.” Statista , The Statistics Portal, Apr. 2016,

https://www.statista.com/statistics/202743/hot-dog-prices-in-major-league-baseball-by-team/ .

Pomeranz, J., Taxing Food and Beverage Products: A Public Health Perspective and a New Strategy for Prevention,

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform (2013).

“Reasons You Should Care About a Food Tax.” Stop The Food Tax, Virginia Association , 2018,

www.stopthefoodtax.com/ .

“Sales and Use Tax on Concession Sales.” Http://Floridarevenue.com/, Florida Department of Revenue , Jan. 2018,

http://floridarevenue.com/Forms_library/current/gt800003.pdf

“Sandwiches.” Department of Taxation and Finance, 6 Oct. 2017,

www.tax.ny.gov/pubs_and_bulls/tg_bulletins/st/sandwiches.htm .

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Let's Settle It: Is a Hot Dog a Sandwich?

Just about every argument imaginable has been made on the categorization of the hot dog. The history of the hot dog reveals a different answer, though.

Claire Ballor has been a journalist for six years and is currently the food reporter for The Dallas Morning News.

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?

Since the question first gained traction on the internet almost a decade ago, just about every argument imaginable has been made on the categorization of the quintessential summer food. Some have dubbed it a taco. Others insist it's a roll. But the conversation on whether or not it's a sandwich appears to be no closer to resolution than when it started.

It's safe to say that a hot dog is not a taco as the definition of a taco refers specifically to the Mexican dish consisting of filled corn or flour tortillas, but things get a little murky when it comes to sandwiches.

According to Merriam-Webster, a sandwich is "two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between." By that definition, hot dogs seem to qualify as sandwiches. Many people argue, though, that while the hot dog technically fits the dictionary definition of a sandwich, it's simply not a sandwich. It is its own thing.

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."

Mittenthal has heard every counter argument possible, too. He regularly fields phone calls from fraternity houses trying to settle late-night feuds over the matter, high school debate teams practicing for tournaments, and students using the controversy as master's thesis material.

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. People love to argue with us, but no, a hot dog is not a sandwich," Mittenthal said.

The history of the hot dog reveals a different answer, though.

Charles Feltman, a German immigrant who came to America as a teenager in 1856, is said to have invented the hot dog when he took German frankfurters, put them in elongated buns and sold them from a push cart on Coney Island to make money.

Feltman went on to establish a successful restaurant empire around the creation, but years after he died, his sons sold the company to a hotel owner and it went out of business in the 1950s.

Feltman's hot dog was resurrected five years ago when brothers Joe and Michael Quinn started Feltman's of Coney Island. Armed with the original Feltman's recipe and spice blend, which was handed down to them by their grandfather who received it decades ago from a friend and former Feltman's employee, they set out to bring the original hot dog back to New York.

Michael Quinn, a Coney Island historian, said he believes Charles Feltman intended to create a sandwich when he first put a frankfurter in a bun. In one archived photo of the original Feltman's restaurant Quinn found during his research, the menu item was advertised on the window as a "frankfurter sandwich."

"I think it is in the sandwich family. It's meat between bread," Quinn said. "But for me a hot dog is a hot dog."

Over time the hot dog has transcended the sandwich category, Quinn believes. Sure, it is technically a sandwich in form and construction, but it deserves to be recognized in a sandwich category of its own.

Sandwich or not, Mittenthal and Quinn both agree on one thing — ketchup has no place on a hot dog.

"I won't even have it in the store. I'll kick people out if they ask for ketchup," Quinn said, somewhat jokingly.

He says the best way to eat a hot dog is on a potato bun with mustard, sauerkraut, and onions, but the beauty of the hot dog is that you can eat it however you want, even if that means ruining it with ketchup.

The great sandwich debate likely won't be settled any time soon, or maybe even ever, but the hot dog's place in history is undisputed. What started as humble street food designed for busy New Yorkers became a national icon in a league of its own. And to Quinn, it is every bit deserving of such stature.

"The hot dog is a very American story," he said. "[Feltman] was an immigrant who went from selling apple pies on the beach to inventing and making a million dollars off of the hot dog. What's more American than that?"

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It’s Not a Sandwich

According to our four-point test, cheeseburgers and Oreos qualify as sandwiches. Hot dogs, however, very much do not .

Every once in a while, with a regularity that is both astounding and reassuring, Americans will gather together to raise their voices, lock their eyes, and engage in a passionate, high-stakes debate about one of the grand questions of our time. Is a hot dog a sandwich?

You really can argue it both ways, which is of course what gives the debate so much, er, meat. On the one hand, hot dogs, structurally, hew to that most sandwichy of arrangements: They are processed protein, surrounded by processed carbohydrate. On the other hand, though, hot dogs are cylindrical, rather than sandwichily prismatic, in shape. And vertical, rather than horizontal, in orientation. Oh, and there’s the broad fact that we don’t call them sandwiches , which might suggest that the matter, ongoing debates notwithstanding, has already been settled.

Except, of course: It hasn’t been. Maybe it will never be. The latest reminder of all this frankfurterian fighting came this week, and from that most American of institutions: the NFL. A sports journalist, chatting with the Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor, asked Taylor the nitrate-loaded question : “Is a hot dog a sandwich?”

Taylor replied:

Bills QB @TyrodTaylor on hot dogs vs. sandwiches. Makes u think tho. (cc: @PFTCommenter ) pic.twitter.com/6uvx9iX6m4 — Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) November 4, 2015

And then, as it always will, taxonomic chaos ensued .

The Great Hot Dog Debate is raging in the Bills locker room. What a blessed day. (cc: @PFTCommenter ) pic.twitter.com/7RIKucJQ5H — Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) November 4, 2015

Seantrel Henderson, is a hot dog a sandwich? #Bills pic.twitter.com/QrJU72PyO5 — Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) November 4, 2015

Leodis McKelvin, is a hot dog a sandwich? #Bills pic.twitter.com/PZrlFvf3po — Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) November 4, 2015

And lastly, Bacarri Rambo, is a hot dog a sandwich? #Bills pic.twitter.com/vgbtXgnyeS — Joe Buscaglia (@JoeBuscaglia) November 4, 2015

Final ruling from @Boobie24Dixon & @Karlos_29_SR : A HOT DOG...IS...A SANDWICH. (cc: @PFTCommenter ) pic.twitter.com/qAm9mDhbUd — Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) November 4, 2015

It was anarchy, basically. And it made newly clear what has been obvious for a long time now: In the name of unity and harmony and the American experiment, we really should end this beef. Or this pork, or this mechanically separated turkey , or whatever else. (Sorry, that joke was the wurst.)

Anyhow, though: Last year, in an entirely unsuccessful attempt to bring closure to the Great Hot Dog Debates, we at The Atlantic developed a grand unified theory of the sandwich : a simple test to determine whether a given composite food product does indeed operate in the tradition of the peckish earl . The Sandwich Index we created consisted of four points:

• To qualify as “a sandwich,” a given food product must, structurally, consist of two (2) exterior pieces that are either separate or mostly separate;
• Those pieces must be primarily carbohydrate-based—so, made of bread or bread-like products;
• The whole assemblage must have a primarily horizontal orientation (so, sitting flush with a plate rather than perpendicular to it); and
• The whole assemblage must be fundamentally portable.

So. Under this definition, a burger is a sandwich. So is an ice-cream sandwich. So is an Oreo. So is a grilled cheese.

Things that are not sandwiches, however, include the wrap (fails No. 1), the burrito (same), the taco (fails No. 3), the KFC Double Down (fails No. 2), the drastically misnamed open-faced “sandwich” (fails No. 1 and No. 4) … and, yes, the hot dog . Which—though it, like the taco, exists in a fuzzier taxonomic realm than its fellow foodstuffs—is primarily vertical in its orientation, thus failing test No. 3.

It’s also worth noting that defining the hot dog away from the broader category of “the sandwich”—essentially, giving it its own gastronomic classification—is also to honor the great American sausage product with the specialized treatment it so richly deserves . But it’s mostly worth noting that the hot dog is, categorically and existentially, simply not a sandwich . That’s according not just to the science of the Sandwich Index, but also to one of the people who is vying to lead the nation during these taxonomically troubled times. At a campaign event last month, Carly Fiorina weighed in on the great wiener debate . “A hot dog is a unique thing,” she declared.

She added, so there would be no confusion about her strong stance on the issue: “A hot dog is not a sandwich.”

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Is a hot dog a sandwich? Science has the answer.

It’s a question that’s been causing a stir since the invention of the hot dog bun in 1871. T he bun, originally intended as a way to protect the eater’s hands from being burned by the hot dog, is now almost synonymous with the tube meat it envelopes — and is the catalyst for the controversy surrounding this famous, tasty treat. 

Is a hot dog a sandwich? The question has been widely debated on social media, on television, in newspapers, maybe even over holiday dinners with your family. From celebrities to politicians to the regular working class man, people have had to do some real soul searching to decide which side of the debate they are on.

The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, being the foremost authority on hot dogs and sausages, declared in 2015 that a hot dog is not a sandwich. A follow-up poll in 2016 found that the majority of Americans agree. A hot dog is its own category and is not a sandwich remains the official stance of the NHDSC on the debate, despite repeated efforts to discredit them.

Not long after the official announcement by the NHDSC, Webster’s Dictionary announced  that their opinion was that a hot dog was indeed a sandwich (they later  admitted they were “trolling,” but this was overlooked by many). The mendacity of such an action by a resource that is supposed to be the most trustworthy dictionary for the English language was devastating to the NHDSC and hot dog fans, and further fueled the hot dog sandwich debate.

Scientists agreed to weigh in using clear scientific methods to provide an answer to this burning question that keeps many of us up at night. Going into the study, the scientists knew that silencing the hot dog sandwich debate may not be an easy task, but they were up to the challenge.

Many of the arguments for and against a hot dog being a sandwich, all of which can sound very convincing, have been examined and dissected down to their cores. Scientists agree that it’s a perplexing dilemma that many people have attempted to solve, and many have opinions on, and that there are many variables, which can make it difficult to get to the root answer.

A hot dog by definition

Looking exclusively at the dictionary definitions would seem like a reasonable way to solve this problem. The scientists discovered, however, that it’s a little more complicated than that.

The study focused on many definitions, including the formerly trustworthy source Merriam Webster that publicly “trolled” the NHDSC over what a hot dog is or isn’t. The Webster’s dictionary definition of sandwich on the surface seems pretty cut and dry. Sandwich is defined as:

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, 2017

A hot dog sandwich advocate would argue that a hot dog clearly qualifies as a sandwich because it is a split roll with a filling in between. But when scientists break it down, they find the pro-sandwich arguments to be fundamentally flawed.

Taking a deeper dive to examine the words used by Merriam Webster in the definition of sandwich, you may be surprised. MW offers no definition for split roll, making it difficult to determine how exactly they define the term. Using their food-related definitions for roll , scientists find that a roll can be “a small piece of baked yeast dough” or it can be “any of various food preparations rolled for cooking or serving.”

A roll could be, by literal definition, any rolled food. So a split roll could be any food that is separated. You can see how this can get tricky.

There are many food preparations that can be rolled for cooking or serving or that include baked yeast dough that are not, by definition, sandwiches. Some examples of these examined by the scientists include sushi, burritos, egg rolls, rolled omelettes, bierocks, tacos, cinnamon rolls, and even ice cream rolled in nuts. They were even able to stretch their hypotheses to include items like fried chicken or a chocolate ganache truffle rolled in graham cracker crumbs, which all fit the literal definitions of the words used to define a sandwich, when broken down.

It all sounds crazy, right? Foods like taquitos or pigs in a blanket are technically sandwiches, as they fit Webster’s literal definition of sandwich. Scientists immediately recognized the conundrum, and why this question has plagued people for so many years.

But it’s still a sandwich, right?

According to science, no. It isn’t. Not only does a hot dog not meet the literal definitive criteria for being a sandwich, it’s got a few other problems that don’t pass the scientific sniff test.

The vertical orientation of a hot dog makes it an anomaly among other sandwiches and sandwiched food items. Structurally, they do not resemble a sandwich at all, and the filling is tubular and cylindrical in shape, which is a characteristic found in only hot dogs and sausages. Naturally, counter arguments that the scientists examined included the meatball sub, sausage sandwiches, and gyros. And the scientists found legitimate answers to each argument.

Submarine sandwiches? Intended to and are often served with horizontal orientation, among other things, the scientists say. They also aren’t always hinged, which is another argument in and of itself presented by hot dog sandwich advocates. And sausage sandwiches? Similar findings to the submarine sandwiches, except scientists also found that the sausages were often sliced horizontally and eaten between two slices of bread, which is indeed a sandwich. But the gyros… now it’s really getting hairy.

A gyro is often considered and called a sandwich, but it was actually never intended to be a sandwich by the Greeks. It is a unique meat dish, with the term “gyro” intending to be all encompassing for the meal, and the pita intended to be merely the vessel to transport the meat to your mouth. “The Greeks stopped fighting the wrongful label of sandwich around WW2, but have never agreed with it. Frankfurters and hot dogs are also not sandwiches,” said Bret Baskett, who worked closely with scientists on the study.

Alt-sandwiches

If your mind isn’t already blown, consider this: a “sandwich wrap” is in fact not a sandwich. It does not fit sandwich criteria (not bread or a roll, plus some other sticking points). It is technically in its own category, like the gyro. They are considered sandwich alternatives, or an alt-sandwiches.

Scientists have determined, without reservation, that a hot dog is a special food item deserving of its own category, like the gyro, the wrap, the taco, and other food items that appear to meet the sandwich category but are not technically sandwiches.

“Hot dogs are a category all their own. They should at the very least be placed in the alt-sandwich category,” Baskett said. “A hot dog is not a sandwich. You don’t call it a hot dog sandwich, do you? If you think it’s a sandwich, you’re wrong. The evidence is pretty clear on that.”

That's Worth Sharing

Cool! Glad to finally know that I was right all along.

I think it takes a pretty big dog to weigh a ton.

I have heard it said that a hot dog is not a sandwich because without the bun it’s still called a hot dog. School cafeteria menus everywhere describe it as “hot dog on a bun”.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Nutrition — Persuasive Essay: Is The Hot Dog A Sandwich

Persuasive Essay: is The Hot Dog a Sandwich

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Published: Mar 13, 2024

Words: 590 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Defining a sandwich, linguistic considerations, embracing culinary diversity, structure and form, nature of the filling, cultural and culinary context.

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The Savory Story Of Hot Dogs And America

Hot Dogs Barb Anguiano/1A hide caption

Hot dogs are an American staple. So much so that Americans eat nearly 150 million hot dogs in celebration of the 4th of July .

First introduced by immigrants in the 1800s, hot dogs have become synonymous with sports , summer, and the perfect base for a vast number of toppings.

No other food starts debates quite like hot dogs – what's the best way to cook them? What's the best brand ? What toppings are and aren't allowed? Are they sandwiches ? Should we even eat them ?

How did hot dogs become one of America's favorite foods?

Food Journalist Serena Daniels and Author of "Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs" Jamie Loftus join us to discuss the history of hot dogs. And President of Vienna Beef Tim O'Brien and President of Major League Eating Rich Shea join us to discuss hot dog traditions in the U.S.

Like what you hear? Find more of our programs online .

Essay on Hot Dog Is Not A Sandwich

Students are often asked to write an essay on Hot Dog Is Not A Sandwich in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Hot Dog Is Not A Sandwich

What is a sandwich.

A sandwich is a popular food worldwide. It is made of two pieces of bread with fillings like cheese, meat, or veggies in between. The fillings can be different, but the basic structure remains the same. This is how we define a sandwich.

What Is A Hot Dog?

A hot dog is a type of food that is also well-known. It consists of a cooked sausage placed inside a sliced bun. Often, it is garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish, or cheese.

Why A Hot Dog Is Not A Sandwich?

The main reason why a hot dog is not a sandwich is due to its structure. A sandwich has fillings between two bread slices, while a hot dog uses a bun sliced open, not separated. This difference in structure makes a hot dog not a sandwich.

In conclusion, while a hot dog and a sandwich might look similar, they are not the same. The difference lies in their structure and the way they are eaten. Therefore, a hot dog is not a sandwich.

250 Words Essay on Hot Dog Is Not A Sandwich

Introduction.

A hot dog is a popular food enjoyed by many people around the world. It consists of a cooked sausage placed inside a partially sliced bun. Some people argue that a hot dog is a type of sandwich. This essay will explore why a hot dog is not a sandwich.

Definition of a Sandwich

First, let’s understand what a sandwich is. A sandwich is a food item that has two pieces of bread with something in between them. This ‘something’ could be meat, cheese, vegetables, or even a mix of these. A sandwich is named after the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who started the trend of eating food this way.

Hot Dog: A Unique Food Item

Next, let’s look at a hot dog. A hot dog has a bun that is not fully split into two. It holds a sausage, and it’s often topped with things like mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish, sauerkraut, and cheese. The way we hold and eat a hot dog is different from how we eat a sandwich.

Hot Dog vs Sandwich

Now, comparing a hot dog to a sandwich, it’s clear they are different. The bread in a sandwich is fully split into two pieces, but the bun in a hot dog is not. The ingredients in a sandwich are layered, while in a hot dog, they are placed on top of the sausage. The way we eat them is also different. We eat a sandwich from the side, but we eat a hot dog from the end.

In conclusion, a hot dog is not a sandwich. It has its own unique style, from the way it’s made to the way it’s eaten. So, the next time someone says a hot dog is a sandwich, you can tell them why it’s not.

500 Words Essay on Hot Dog Is Not A Sandwich

A hot dog is a popular food item enjoyed by many people around the world. It is made by placing a cooked sausage, usually a frankfurter or wiener, in the middle of a sliced bun. Some people claim that a hot dog is a type of sandwich, but this is a topic of debate. This essay will explore the reasons why a hot dog is not a sandwich.

To understand why a hot dog is not a sandwich, we first need to understand what a sandwich is. A sandwich is generally defined as a food item that has two pieces of bread with fillings in between. The fillings can be anything from cheese and ham to peanut butter and jelly. This definition is simple and easy to understand.

Hot Dog is Unique

A hot dog, on the other hand, is different from a sandwich in several ways. First, a hot dog only uses one piece of bread, not two. The bun is sliced but not separated, forming a kind of pocket for the sausage. This is different from a sandwich, where the fillings are placed between two separate pieces of bread.

Historical Context

The history of the hot dog also supports the idea that it is not a sandwich. The hot dog was created in the 19th century by German immigrants in the United States. It was sold as a convenient street food, often at baseball games, and was never considered a sandwich. The sandwich, in contrast, has a different history. It was named after the 4th Earl of Sandwich, an 18th-century English aristocrat, who was said to have ordered his valet to bring him meat tucked between two pieces of bread.

Cultural Perception

Culture also plays a role in this debate. In American culture, for example, hot dogs and sandwiches are seen as two distinct categories of food. People do not refer to a hot dog as a sandwich, and they are not listed as sandwiches on menus at restaurants. This cultural perception further supports the argument that a hot dog is not a sandwich.

In conclusion, while there are some similarities between a hot dog and a sandwich, they are not the same thing. The definition of a sandwich, the unique structure of a hot dog, the history of the two foods, and cultural perceptions all point to the fact that a hot dog is not a sandwich. So, next time you enjoy a hot dog at a baseball game or a picnic, remember that it is not just a sandwich, but a unique food item with its own history and cultural significance.

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From the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council

National Hot Dog and Sausage Council Announces Official Policy On ‘Hot Dog as Sandwich’ Controversy

Limiting the hot dog’s significance by saying it’s ‘just a sandwich’ 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. We therefore choose to take a cue from a great performer and declare our namesake be a “hot dog formerly known as a sandwich. Read full announcement here.

Famous people weigh in on the heated hot dog sandwich debate.

A Dozen Reasons Why the Terms Hot Dog and Sandwich Are Not Interchangeable

1. If you were watching a great athlete showing off during a game, you don’t call him a sandwich.

2. Does ESPN broadcast sandwich eating contests?

3. Imagine being at the ballpark with the organ playing, the crowd cheering and a vendor walking through the stands saying “Sandwich, get your sandwich here!”

4. Dirty Harry would not have sounded nearly as ominous if he said, “Never ever put mayo on a sandwich.” But when he said, “Never ever put ketchup on a hot dog,” people sat up and listened.

5. Marlene Dietrich didn’t say that champagne and sandwiches were her favorite foods; it was champagne and hot dogs she loved.

6. You wouldn’t get arrested for putting ketchup on a sandwich in Chicago.

7. There are never any myths or mystique about what’s in a sandwich.

8. No one ever sang about wishing they were a sandwich.

9. You don’t go to the ballpark and see racing sandwiches.

10. Babe Ruth wasn’t sent to the hospital and rumored to be dead because he ate too many sandwiches,

11. There was never an organized campaign for a sandwich emoji.

12. If you won the lottery, would you say “Sand wich!” No, you’d say, “hot dog!”

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Is a Hot Dog a Sandwich? Here’s What 4 Pros Have to Say

We asked experts their opinions about the hot dog sandwich debate.

Claudia Totir / Getty Images

When it comes to food questions, "Is a hot dog a sandwich?" ranks among the most divisive. We asked experts from iconic hot dog restaurants and sausage companies to get frank with us and share their hot takes on the age-old debate.

To no one's surprise, opinions differed. If you're hungry for an official answer, grab a snack and keep reading. 

The Hot Dog Controversy

When the hot dog first appeared in America, it was referred to as a Coney Island sandwich or a frankfurter sandwich. However, in 2015, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) announced they were officially separating themselves from the term. In their official policy announcement, they argued that “Limiting the hot dog’s significance by saying it’s ‘just a sandwich’ is like calling the Dalai Lama ‘just a guy,’” and they declared their signature food to be the “hot dog formerly known as a sandwich.”

Differences Between Hot Dog and Sandwich

For those who argue that a hot dog is not a sandwich, there are clear differences between the two.

Bun vs. Slices of Bread

Phil McCann, vice president of marketing at Nathan’s Famous , agrees with the NHDSC that the hot dog’s importance can’t be reduced to a food group. He argues that when the sandwich was purportedly invented in 1792 by John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich, he requested that sliced meat be placed between two slices of bread so he could eat it with his hands—and “that’s not the definition of a hot dog,” McCann says.

“A hot dog is its own thing, a cylindrical-shaped protein that sits in a bun, and not a sandwich,” he continues. “[It] certainly deserves its own category, the same way a burger deserves its own. Sandwiches have their own category as well, and that category does not include hot dogs or burgers.”

Cutting It Down the Middle

It’s unlikely that anyone would ever cut a hot dog down the middle, which isn’t uncommon with sandwiches. This is the main point that Erich Lines, managing partner at Vinsetta Garage (a local Detroit joint that serves classic eats), makes. He even goes so far as to say that the bun makes the hot dog more like a taco than anything else.

Vinsetta Garage

"While it is common to cut a sandwich in half, only a barbarian would cut a hot dog—and that is where the argument of all the larger sandwiches in buns gets disqualified," he says. "What kind of a rogue would tear a hot dog bun down the middle? You wouldn't because it affects the amount of condiments you can pile in with the hot dog. How many of us have had some extra spread or filling from a sandwich leak out on our shirts? [That's] something less likely [to happen] with the hinged bun that surrounds the hot dog."

"Dragged Through the Garden"

There are different styles of well-known hot dogs, and everyone has their preference for how to dress them. In Chicago, it's considered criminal to order yours with ketchup and mandatory to put on so many toppings that it looks like it has been "dragged through the garden".

Classifying Hot Dog As a Sandwich

"Once paired with bread, no matter what form the bread may take, I believe it is absolutely acceptable to refer to this as a sandwich," says Zachary Kuhagen, district chef of Vinsetta Garage. "Further specification may be made, as in a hot dog sandwich, dog sandwich, or sausage sandwich , but a sandwich regardless."

Most resources define a sandwich as consisting of two pieces of bread with meat, cheese, or other fillings between them. Some even explicitly say sandwiches are typically eaten as a light meal. With that definition, you have to consider whether a hot dog bun qualifies as two pieces of bread and what exactly a light meal means, but the rest could fit the description of a hot dog. 

Kuhagen references Ignatz Frischmann , the "Original Vienna Roll Man" and a pioneer of the Detroit-loved coney dog. He says Frischmann's obituary describes a hot dog that reads, "A bologna sausage or two in a piece of bread would be of advantage to those whose appetite might lead them to partake in a spurious dog sandwich." Kuhagen acknowledges that some may argue that a sandwich needs two distinct slices of bread, but he believes it's broader than that.

"'Sandwich' is an umbrella term," he says. "If you were to take a slice of bread, spread some condiments on it, lay a slice of lunchmeat and cheese on it, then fold it in half and consume it, is that not a sandwich? Maybe specifically a half-sandwich, but a sandwich nonetheless? At bare minimum, perhaps you could be convinced that a hot dog can be an open-faced sandwich."

Hot Dog: A Category on Its Own

The team at Portillo's , one of Chicago's most well-known hot dog spots, is familiar with the sandwich debate—and they're remaining pretty unbothered about it.

Is a hot dog a sandwich? "As you can imagine, we receive this question quite frequently," says Nick Scarpino, vice president of marketing and off-premise dining for Portillo's. "Our hot dogs belong in a category of their own. Sandwich or not a sandwich, it doesn't matter to us. As long as we're putting a 100% all-beef hot dog on a steamed poppy seed bun and topping it with [classic Chicago dog toppings], you can call it whatever you'd like."

There is no official classification or categorization of hot dogs as a sandwich, or the opposite)—or the opposite, that it is not a sandwich.

The question continues to inspire many passionate (and, for the most part, lighthearted) arguments and you could say it's even helped bring people together, something fun we can all connect and have an opinion on. 

"I understand minds more scholarly than mine—Ruth Bader Ginsburg, for example—have weighed in and said a hot dog is a sandwich," Lines says. "But I'm ready to take them all on."

"National Hot Dog and Sausage Council Announces Official Policy on 'Hot Dog as Sandwich' Controversy." National Hot Dog Sausage Council.

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A hot dog is definitely a sandwich, share this article.

Hot dogs on display (Mary Altaffer/AP Photo)

A hot dog is a sandwich. Why this is still up for debate is baffling.

The Internet is a spectacular development for human civilization, but in many corners, it is far too often far too much like eighth grade. Everyone’s sort of desperate for attention, trying to one up each other with the hottest take or the funniest joke or the shaming-est Tweet, all of us nodding along and acting like we understand everything anyone’s talking about even when we’ve literally never heard of Professor Green until right now.

The debate over hot dogs’ sandwich status has raged for so long on the internet that asking someone whether he or she believes a hot dog to be a sandwich has itself become something of a web-wide in-joke, and one I don’t really care to investigate long enough to feign familiarity with.

All that matters is this: A hot dog is definitely a sandwich. In what world is it not?

Animated rodent Minnie Mouse enjoys a hot dog in the Disney short ‘Mickey Mouse in New York Weenie’ (Youtube.com/DisneyShorts)

This all assumes the hot dog is served on a bun, of course. No reasonable human being could ever argue that a serving of franks and beans is a sandwich. But when served between pieces of any sort of bread — sandwiched, you might even say — then there should really be no doubt. It’s a protein served inside bread, with or without condiments. That’s like the purest form of sandwich.

Arguments against the hot dog’s sandwichhood often begin with the name, as some contest that because a hot dog is called “a hot dog” it cannot also be a sandwich. But that doesn’t hold up: The BLT and the muffuletta and the cheesesteak are some of this nation’s most classic sandwiches, and all of them have distinct names that do not include the word “sandwich.”

Fancy hot dogs in New Hampshire (Matthew Mead/AP Photo)

Years ago, when I made this argument on behalf of hamburgers — also very much sandwiches — someone accurately pointed out that if he were to promise his friends sandwiches and show up with hamburgers, there might be confusion. That’s true, but the confusion ensues only because there is a more specific name for the sandwich in question, not because a burger is not a sandwich.

If you told your friends you were going out for sandwiches and returned with a huge sack full of French dips, you’d probably raise some eyebrows, too, even if no one would contest the French dip’s sandwichitude. Because “sandwiches” is the general term, it implies you will provide some more general form or variety of sandwiches than solely one clearly defined type like a hamburger or a French dip or, yes, a hot dog.

A wealthy man eats a hot dog in Brooklyn. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Another case against the hot dog being a sandwich is that it’s typically served on a hinged bun instead of two separate pieces of bread, but that’s exactly the type of needling and idiotic distinction that could only come from sticklers on the Internet. Does the thin connection at the bottom somehow mean the hot dog is not sandwiched by bread? Have you ever eaten a hot dog?

As a former deli man, I can attest that creating a hinge on a roll is often a goal of bread-slicing, depending on the sandwich that’s to occupy it. If you’re building or eating a big, sloppy Italian hero, you’re going to want that pocket to protect from ingredients spilling out the side. And, again, no one could ever reasonably contend that an Italian hero is not a sandwich. One of our best sandwiches, at that.

Women share a hot dog in Chicago (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP Photo)

Finally, many hold that a hot dog is not a sandwich because it doesn’t “feel” like a sandwich, essentially the Justice Potter Stewart barometer for sandwichosity. But I ask: What does a sandwich feel like? Good sandwiches should evoke so many feelings, not just the feeling of “sandwich” — whatever that is.

The hot dog is basically a better conceived version of the bologna sandwich. Is it portable, as the Earl of Sandwich intended when he created his namesake dish? Yes, a hot dog is portable. Are the hot dog and its bun two separate entities with a synergistic relationship? Yes, most certainly, and the separation of filling and bun is important to distinguishing sandwiches from cousins like the stromboli or the empanada.

Wraps and pitas have trickier sandwichness cases, but those items, thankfully, are not the subject today. This one’s a layup: A hot dog, whenever it is served on a bun, is most certainly a sandwich.

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The Regional Hot Dog Styles Of America, From New York To Seattle

On Assignment For HuffPost

An unquestionable symbol of culinary Americana, the hot dog appears on menus, in grocery stores and at concession stands all over the country, and its enduring popularity is at least partially due to its blank-slate potential. “ When you start with a hot dog and a bun, you have a culinary canvas that allows you to create anything. Sauces, cheeses, shredded vegetables, relishes — a hot dog can accommodate all of those toppings,” explained Adam Beane, the brand director at Hebrew National .

Because the hot dog can be customized so easily and so thoroughly, it’s a prime dish for region-specific variations, with chefs from different cities and states using their area’s favorite ingredients and flavors to develop specialty dogs that reflect their place of origin. “Each combination reflects the region where it was created, so a hot dog really allows you to travel the country in a way few foods can,” Beane said.

Here, we’re breaking down eight of the most popular regional hot dog styles in the United States, including where they’re from, how they’re dressed and why they’re so beloved by locals and visitors alike.

Chicago Dog

What it is: The Chicago Dog is an all-beef frank (usually steamed, but occasionally grilled) served in a poppy-seed hot dog bun and topped with yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, chopped white onions, tomato slices, pickled peppers, a dill pickle spear and a light dusting of celery salt.

Where it’s from: According to Dennis McKinley, the owner and operator of The Original Hot Dog Factory in Atlanta and a self-proclaimed hot dog scholar with an encyclopedic knowledge of hot dog styles from around the nation, the Chicago Dog originated in (where else?) Chicago “ during the Great Depression, when a greengrocer converted his vegetable cart into a hot dog stand, and began offering the ‘Depression Sandwich,’ which sold for a nickel.” He continued: “This was a [hot] dog made with mustard, onions, plain relish and sport peppers. This became an instant hit, and word quickly spread.”

Why it’s iconic: The Chicago Dog has a devoted fanbase and is arguably the most celebrated regional hot dog style in the United States, with The New York Times going so far as to declare Chicago “ Hot Dog Town, U.S.A. ” The crunchy and abundant vegetables counteract the hot dog’s saltiness, and the tang from the pickles, relish and mustard plays well off the sweetness of the tomatoes, the sharp zing of the onions and the herbaceous celery salt.

New York Dog

What it is: A New York hot dog is an all-beef frank that’s typically boiled, placed in a soft white hot dog bun, and topped with “ sauerkraut and brown mustard,” Beane said. For a truly authentic NYC-style hot dog experience, take the time to steam the hot dog bun before adding the boiled frank.

Where it’s from: The Big Apple, of course. New York City is famous for its plethora of sidewalk hot dog vendors, and while some naysayers scoff at the “dirty water dogs” sold at these spots, they’re missing out on a classic piece of New York culinary tradition.

Why it’s iconic: The New York hot dog is a beautiful homage to the blend of cultures and flavors associated with the nation’s biggest city. The spicy brown mustard and sauerkraut are a nod to NYC’s rich relationship with German, Jewish and Eastern European cuisines. “ Sausages have long been a part of various European cuisines, and hot dogs were very popular with immigrant communities in New York in the late 19 th and early 20 th century. German immigrants were among the first to sell hot dogs, hence the popularity of sauerkraut and brown mustard as toppings,” Beane explained.

New Jersey Italian Dog

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jimmy Buff's Italian Hot Dogs (@jimmybuffs)

What it is: The New Jersey Italian dog involves a hot dog link that’s deep fried, then topped with sautéed peppers and onions, fried potatoes and brown mustard. In lieu of a typical hot dog roll, the New Jersey Italian Dog uses “pizza bread,” a roll made with leftover pizza dough.

Where it’s from: “ The ‘New Jersey style’ hot dog was originally touted by Jimmy Buff’s restaurant in Newark, NJ, in 1932,” said Rick Tarantino, a New Jersey-based chef and the director of research and development of Rastelli Foods Group .

Why it’s iconic: Tarantino tells us that the development of the New Jersey Italian Dog was inspired by the popular Italian American “sausage and peppers” sandwich, and it continues to resonate with the Italian culture and culinary traditions commonly found in the Garden State. “ Catering to a large Italian population, where sausage and peppers were a staple in the local cuisine, James ‘Buff’ Racioppi offered his Italian Style Hot Dog to family and friends, and it soon became a popular menu item that is still served today,” he explained. “Early Italian immigrants came to [New Jersey] in search of a new and better life, and they brought with them their culture, diversity, and the comfort foods that we still see in our kitchens today.”

Fenway Frank

What it is: A masterpiece of simplicity, the Fenway Frank consists of a hot dog link that’s boiled, then grilled. It’s next tucked into a split-top New England-style hot dog bun and dressed with a squiggle of mustard and a nice spread of sweet pickle relish.

Where it’s from: As the name suggests, Fenway Franks got their start as a signature concession treat at Fenway Park in Boston (the home of the Boston Red Sox). Nowadays, Fenway Frank enthusiasts can purchase the same links used at Fenway (which are made by Kayem Foods) at grocery stores all over New England.

Why it’s iconic: The Fenway Frank’s greatest claim to fame involves its textural contrast, which is a direct result of the choice to boil before grilling. This cooking strategy gives the hot dog a snappy exterior and a juicy interior, and the plush New England hot dog bun perfectly balances both. The uncomplicated dressings emphasize the quality of the hot dog itself; these Franks are flavorful enough to shine with just a bit of mustard and relish.

What it is: A slaw dog is a boiled or grilled hot dog served in a warm hot dog bun, then topped with mayonnaise-based cabbage coleslaw, yellow mustard and (in some cases) chili sauce and onions.

Where it’s from: The slaw dog originated in West Virginia, and in its home state, this dog includes beef chili sauce and diced onions as toppings. However, the slaw dog has made its way all over the American South, and the stripped-down version sans chili is a popular sight in Georgia.

Why it’s iconic: Coleslaw is a classic element of Southern barbecues, and the creamy dressing, crunchy texture and slight cabbage funk plays well off the savory hot dog, giving it a summery outdoor picnic vibe.

Detroit Coney Dog

View this post on Instagram A post shared by American Coney Island (@americanconeyisland)

What it is: The Detroit Coney Dog is a steamed beef hot dog on a steamed bun with beef chili sauce, chopped onions and yellow mustard.

Where it’s from: Although the Coney Dog includes the name of a New York City neighborhood in its title, this hot dog style belongs to Detroit. Coney Dogs started to show up in the Michigan city in the early 1900s, as Greek immigrants filtered into Detroit after arriving in the U.S. via New York’s Ellis Island. Many of these new Detroiters opened diners that locals referred to as “Coney Island” (in reference to Ellis Island’s close proximity to Coney Island, a Brooklyn epicenter of hot dog culture). The Detroit Coney Dog quickly became a signature dish at these diners and their legend has yet to fade.

Why it’s iconic: People in Detroit are fiercely proud of the Coney Dog, and as Eater reports , residents who venture to other cities tend to bring their Coney Dogs along for the ride. Restaurants, food trucks and pop-ups specializing in versions of Coney Dogs can be found in places including Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Georgia, and several Coney vendors have even opened up in New York City, bringing the whole concept of this hot dog style full-circle.

Sonoran Dog

What it is: The Sonoran Dog is a hot dog link that’s wrapped in bacon, cooked on the grill, placed on a bolillo bun (a Mexican bread roll inspired by the baguette) and topped with seasoned pinto beans, tomato, onion, avocado and sometimes mushrooms, mustard, mayonnaise and/or cotija cheese.

Where it’s from: The Sonoran Hot Dog emerged in its namesake state of Sonora, Mexico, before making its way over the border and into Arizona. It has a particularly notable presence in Tucson, but it’s also beloved in the Phoenix area and is quickly spreading across the Southwest, with Sonoran Hot Dog stands popping up throughout New Mexico and Texas.

Why it’s iconic: The Sonoran Hot Dog beautifully blends classic Mexican flavors and ingredients (like the bolillo bun, pinto beans and avocado puree) with ingredients associated with “American” cookouts (like bacon and yellow mustard).

Seattle Dog

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hazel’s (@eatathazels)

What it is: The Seattle Dog is a grilled frank tucked into a soft white hot dog bun and topped with a spread of cold cream cheese and a layer of caramelized onions.

Where it’s from: According to The Seattle Times , the Seattle Dog was invented in the Washington city in 1989 by Hadley Long, who operated a truck selling hot dogs in bagel buns (buns made with bagel dough). The bagel bun thing inspired him to try adding a classic bagel topping — cream cheese — to the dogs, and the rest is history.

Why it’s iconic: The Seattle Dog is a go-to food item at Seattle events, street fairs and athletic games, and part of its appeal comes from its ability to be customized. To be considered a “Seattle Dog,” a hot dog needs cream cheese and onions. Aside from that, vendors and diners are free to add any accoutrements they like, including sauerkraut, hot sauce, ketchup and mustard, or pickled jalapenos.

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Thanks To New Jersey, The World Has Italian Hot Dogs

America has an unwavering love for two kinds of dogs–the ones wagging their tails on the couch and the ones served hot in buns. The hot dog is a true American icon, found in every corner of the country and at all the biggest celebrations, from state fairs to baseball games and the Fourth of July. It's the MVP of American cuisine, whether boiled, simmered, or grilled, and it's simply irreplaceable. Like burgers and fries, the hot dog is woven into the fabric of American identity, shaped by a rich and diverse immigrant history . Despite its ubiquity, the hot dog manages to stay a regional hero, with local variations anywhere from a New York-style dog to a Chicago dog.

Among all the hot dog creations out there, the Italian hot dog is in a league of its own. Featuring a deep-fried hot dog tucked inside pizza bread or a split Italian roll, then piled high with crispy potatoes, fried bell peppers, and onions. It's the kind of loaded over-the-top, flavor-packed experience that's as messy as it is delicious. Sound familiar? That's because it definitely got the same generous, pile-it-all-on attitude as something an Italian nonna would serve up. The twist? Italian hot dogs aren't from Italy at all; they hail from New Jersey.

Newark's Italian twist on a classic

The origin of the Italian hot dog traces back to Newark, New Jersey, in 1932, where it was invented by James "Buff" Racioppi, an Italian immigrant and the owner of Jimmy Buff's. Newark had become a major hub for Italian immigrants starting in the late 19th century, with settlers arriving as early as 1870. Throughout the Great Migration, the city experienced a steady influx of Italian immigrants, and by 1920, nearly 30,000 Italian immigrants called Newark home. This cultural backdrop set the stage for Jimmy Buff's to introduce the Italian hot dog to the city's food scene.

Known as a big bluffer at his card games (where his moniker "Buff" came from), James first started serving Italian hot dogs as a snack to his card-playing friends. Originally made with two hot dogs nestled in soft, round bread known locally as "pizza bread," along with fried potatoes, peppers, and onions, the Italian hot dogs' popularity quickly took off, prompting James and his wife to open their restaurant chain, Jimmy Buff's, to serve the growing demand.

In fact, this New Jersey creation is deeply rooted in the food traditions of Italian immigrants in the U.S. Pork sausages, an Italian immigrants' staple for their affordability, were often served with peppers and onions in sandwiches that became a hit at major Italian fairs throughout the early 20th century America. New York City's San Gennaro, founded in 1926, further popularized this combination. In many ways, Jimmy's Italian hot dog is a close cousin to the classic sausage and pepper sandwich, sharing the same big, hearty flavor.

Spirit of the dog: New Jersey's hot dog pride

Unfortunately, the Italian hot dog is on the brink of disappearing. Even the original Jimmy Buff's only has a handful of locations left, and none are located in Newark anymore. Yet, it does not change Jersey's love for hot dogs. While the rivalry between New Jersey and New York over hot dogs is fierce, New Jersey is definitely the underdog that deserves more credit. Food magazine Saveur captured the state's deep connection with the dog, declaring, "Hot dogs are more than a food in New Jersey, they're a whole cuisine," and even crowned Jersey as "the center of the hot dog universe."

Jersey hot dog makers are known for their boundless creativity, and they continuously push the limits of the classic dog. From the Italian hot dog to the Easton-style dog (shallow-fried, skinless beef and pork hot dogs), the jumbo dog (a ¼ lb frank and choice of topping), the pushcart dog (better known as "dirty-water dogs," simmered in hot water), and Texas weiners (an all-beef weiner with Greek-spiced chili and chopped raw onion), the list goes on and on. For the past 20 years, the Hot Dog Nation Tour in New Jersey has celebrated Jersey's hot dog culture, and it has been running since 2004. 

Beyond the abundant agricultural produce that gives the Garden State its name, hot dog grills, carts, and street joints are sprouting up everywhere. So, next time you're in Jersey, the hidden hot dog nation, be sure to spot one and chow down a Jersey-style dog like no other!

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How pet rescue helped me talk to my daughter about my own adoption

Six weeks is a long time to live without a name. But I didn’t have one for the first six weeks of my life. I wasn’t aware of this until the weekend before my wedding . It had never occurred to me to ask my parents if I had a name when they picked me up from the orphanage on adoption day, not until I signed my marriage license and I was asked if I was taking my husband’s last name.

Taking his name was never an option for me. Part of my reasoning was professional, as a working television writer, but there was much more to it. 

I made the decision to keep my name as a child. I was proud of the name my parents gave me, because I knew early on that my life would have been unrecognizable without them. It’s not that my life was charmed — growing up as the only Black person in a rural town was not easy. At all. And I never felt like I belonged — that is, until my love of reading and writing allowed me to see myself in others’ stories. Only then did I start to think that my voice and my story mattered. Through storytelling, I learned to harness my otherness and embrace my differences, rather than hide them or pretend I was like everyone else. No one else had my story, and I finally realized that that was a good thing. That is why my adoption is such a significant part of my identity and how I view the world.

Hours after I signed my marriage license, I finally asked my mom if I had a name before I was adopted. She was reluctant to answer, because she was afraid that it might upset me or that I’d be ashamed to learn that I didn’t have a name. And I didn’t have one. I had a number. 

I was Baby No. 3. 

Learning this shifted something deep within me. It’s hard to put into words, but I felt an immense sense of pride and I wear it like a badge of honor. I even wrote it into one of my shows, episode seven of " Black Cake " on Hulu, my adaptation of Charmaine Wilkerson’s New York Times bestselling novel about motherhood, identity and chosen family.

I’m a mother now, and my daughter has known I was adopted for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until we adopted our rescue pup, Winter, that I found a way to explain it to her in terms that would connect with a child. She was 5 when we adopted Winter from a small dog rescue. Winter was 10 weeks old — about the same age I was when my parents adopted me. When we arrived at the rescue to meet her, we were told we could change her name, of course, but as I looked at sweet Winter and thought about her journey and all the uncertainty she had faced, I realized I didn’t want to. She had already been through so much: She was an abandoned puppy found wandering the streets of Bakersfield, California, then taken to a shelter, placed in a foster home and finally brought to us — her forever family. Wouldn’t it be confusing for her if we changed her name? With so much upheaval, I wanted her to have one thing that stayed the same, and for her, that was her name.

I explained to my daughter that Winter had a life before she came to us, just as I had a life before my parents adopted me. While I don’t remember those six weeks, they are still part of my story — and, in a way, part of my daughter’s story, too. And I want her to be proud of it.

When people consider adopting children, I hope that they reflect on the child’s journey before adoption and acknowledge it, because it’s an essential part of who that child is. Rather than focusing solely on the new life ahead, I encourage parents to honor and integrate the pre-adoption journey in any way they can. Whether it’s a stuffed animal, a blanket, a photo or an aspect of the child’s cultural identity or heritage, the child should feel proud of where they came from — not as someone who should feel grateful for being adopted, but as a gift to their family, with their own unique story to share. They should never feel like a burden, but instead as someone who will teach their parents things they never could have imagined — lessons that enrich both their lives. Parents should nurture and encourage that pride, even in moments that are difficult or unfamiliar, rather than avoid discussing topics they may not fully understand or feel comfortable with.

The children's book I recently wrote, "Spanky and His Blanky," gave my family the opportunity to continue our discussion about adoption, and we hope it will help others do the same. On the surface, it’s a sweet story about a rescue dog and his comfort item, but beneath that lie deeper themes that have appeared in all of my work: identity, belonging and the all-too familiar feeling of being othered — a feeling that I can now talk about with my daughter in a way I couldn’t before, all thanks to Winter.

Marissa Jo Cerar  is a television writer and producer. Her Hulu series, "Black Cake," won the 2024 Humanitas Prize and received multiple award nominations, including from CAPE, GLAAD and NAACP. She is currently developing the family drama "Birthright" for Netflix and co-authored her first children's book, " Spanky and His Blanky , " with her daughter, Esme.

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Guest Essay

We Study Climate Change. We Can’t Explain What We’re Seeing.

By Gavin Schmidt and Zeke Hausfather

Dr. Schmidt is a climate scientist in New York City. Dr. Hausfather is the climate research lead at Stripe and a research scientist at Berkeley Earth.

The earth has been exceptionally warm of late, with every month from June 2023 until this past September breaking records . It has been considerably hotter even than climate scientists expected. Average temperatures during the past 12 months have also been above the goal set by the Paris climate agreement: to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius over preindustrial levels.

We know human activities are largely responsible for the long-term temperature increases, as well as sea level rise, increases in extreme rainfall and other consequences of a rapidly changing climate. Yet the unusual jump in global temperatures starting in mid-2023 appears to be higher than our models predicted (even as they generally remain within the expected range).

Nearly every month since June 2023 has been record-breakingly hot

+1.8°C above preindustrial average

Average global temperature

In Sept. 2023, the observed temperature was 0.5°C higher than the previous monthly record

Record-breaking months

Projected temperature range

Source: NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies

Note: The projected range is based on the long-term temperatures trends combined with a three-month lag from the ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific

While there have been many partial hypotheses — new low-sulfur fuel standards for marine shipping, a volcanic eruption in 2022, lower Chinese aerosol emissions and El Niño perhaps behaving differently than in the recent past — we remain far from a consensus explanation even more than a year after we first noticed the anomalies. And that makes us uneasy.

Why is it taking so long for climate scientists to grapple with these questions? It turns out that we do not have systems in place to explore the significance of shorter-term phenomena in the climate in anything approaching real time. But we need them badly. It’s now time for government science agencies to provide more timely updates in response to the rapid changes in the climate.

Weather forecasts are generated regularly come rain or come shine. Scientists who do near-real-time attribution for extreme weather are also able to react quickly to tease out the effect of global warming on any new event.

But climate science research is more used to working on approximately seven-year cycles to produce reports that summarize the evolving science about the long-term changes in climate. The data that went into the latest round of climate model simulations are based on observations that only run through 2014, and so they don’t reflect recent changes such as newer pollution controls, volcanic eruptions or even the effects of Covid. Similarly, the forecasts are stuck with scenarios that were common in the early 2000s. Business (and everything else) has changed sharply since then.

2023 was much hotter than predicted

+1.5°C above preindustrial average

Predicted 2023 temperature ranges

2023’s average temperature of +1.4°C exceeded even the high range of predictions

Source: NOAA, NASA, Berkeley, Hadley and Copernicus datasets

Note: The four predictions shown are from the Meteorological Office, Berkeley Earth, Carbon Brief, and Gavin Schmidt.

As a result of all of this, a gap has opened up between what the general public and policymakers want and what is available.

To fix this, we need to create a better way for climate models to reflect new observations. That means more comprehensive and faster data gathering from satellites, in situ measurements and economic statistics, converted by analysts for the climate and weather models. This needs to be matched by a commitment by the roughly 30 labs around the world that maintain the models of the earth’s climate system to update their simulations each year to reflect the latest data.

Some of the information that goes into climate models currently take years to produce. For instance, while data on greenhouse gas levels and energy from the sun are available within weeks of their observations being taken, emissions of industrial and agricultural air pollutants need to be estimated from economic data, and this can take years to collect and process.

Scientists should be able to provide “good enough” estimates of these inputs faster using reasonable assumptions. Just as economic analysts frequently update statistics after an initial announcement, such as a quarterly jobs report, scientists could provide data for industrial emissions of pollutants, the activity of the sun, the impacts of volcanoes and greenhouse gas levels on two or more tracks — an initial estimate using as much data as is available quickly, and a fully revised estimate later once more data is in.

We think that a goal of analyzing data in under six months is achievable if the data-gathering and climate-modeling labs prioritize it. This entails a small shift by the U.S. agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association and the Department of Energy, and international agencies such as Copernicus, the European climate service provider, toward sustained funding instead of one-off research grants.

Other groups, such as weather forecasters, would also be able to take advantage of this new data stream. When they’re doing seasonal or longer-term forecasts, they are also not working from the most up-to-date information and would be able to use this to improve the forecasts.

The public would benefit from more definitive knowledge on what is going on, too. Water-resource managers and urban planners could be more confident that they were using the most current scenarios and projections, helping them avoid underestimating or over-preparing for future change. If climate projections were better calibrated to recent changes, we could narrow the likely range of future impacts.

Some of the unease that people feel about climate change comes from a sense that things are out of our control — that the climate is changing faster than we can adapt. However, many of the most dire risks lie not with the most likely outcomes but in the worst-case possibilities, for example, the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet, or the drying up of the Amazon and other potential tipping points . But there is a lot we don’t know about if and when those tipping points will come to pass.

The good news is that climate science could easily become more agile in understanding the rapid changes we are seeing in the real world, incorporating them into our projections of the future and, hopefully, reducing that uncertainty.

Gavin Schmidt is a climate scientist in New York City. Zeke Hausfather is the climate research lead at Stripe and a research scientist at Berkeley Earth.

Graphics by Sara Chodosh

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