We want to find out once and for all if a hot dog can truly be classified as a sandwich.

The age-old debate over one of America's most iconic foods has resurfaced this week, with everyone from former politicians to sports celebrities chiming in. Although the question may seem simple at first glance, further reflection tends to create a paradox of reasoning that has driven friends, families and loved ones apart.

Is a hot dog a sandwich?

Most people immediately say no... of course not. A hot dog is a hot dog, not a sandwich. But when asked "why?", things suddenly don't seem as black and white.

A sandwich is defined as "two or more slices of bread with a filling such as meat or cheese placed between them, or a partly split long or round roll containing a filling."

So by that definition, it would seem that a hot dog would, technically, be a sandwich... but wait. There are ALWAYS exceptions to every rule and every definition, and a great case could be made for the hot dog being an exception to the sandwich rule.

Traditionally, sandwiches are formed by putting bread around foods that otherwise could stand alone by themselves.  Ground meat was not invented to create hamburgers, the sole purpose of turkey isn't to make turkey sandwiches and peanut butter and jelly had many other uses before they came together for the classic PBJ.

The hot dog, however, was designed specifically to be served accompanied by bread. Sure, some may eat their dogs without bread... but that's not their original intention. The bread is part of a recipe that makes up a hot dog.  By this reasoning, soup served in a bread bowl is also not a sandwich, and cheese and sauce on bread is just pizza... not a sandwich.

This reason makes me feel confident in making the case against hot dogs being sandwiches... and it seems as though the Chicago Cubs agree with me:

But then again... I may be completely wrong.  Former Pennsylvania mayor, Ed Rendell made headlines this week when he boldly declared that hot dogs were, indeed, sandwiches.

So, Hudson Valley, let's hear what you have to say:

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