HOT DOG: SANDWICH, TACO, SALAD?! APE NEWS INVESTIGATES!

Are Hot Dogs Sandwiches? Or… Salads?! – Ape News Investigation

By H.R. Rambe, Ape News Staff Writer

The great culinary debate rages on, fellow apes! Here at Ape News, we’ve dedicated significant banana-fueled research into a question that has plagued humankind for decades: is a hot dog a sandwich? And, a newly emerging question – could it also be a salad?

It seems simple, doesn't it? Bread, filling… sandwich! But sources reveal a surprisingly complex situation. The core argument against hot dog sandwich status rests on a purist definition: a true sandwich requires two slices of bread. A hot dog? Just one elongated bun. Logical, yes?

But legality throws a wrench into the logic. In the state of New York, believe it or not, hot dogs are legally considered sandwiches! Apparently, New York state guidance defines a sandwich incredibly broadly – anything with a filling, hot or cold, qualifies. California has similar tax laws treating hot dogs as sandwich-style products. Seems these states prioritize filling enjoyment over strict bread counts.

However, the real curveball comes from something called “The Cube Rule.” This fascinating, if somewhat unsettling, system of food classification – available for your scrutiny online – decrees that a hot dog is, in fact, a taco. Yes, you read that correctly. A taco! Apparently, the shape of the bread and filling arrangement is key.

But what about salads? One source suggests that the logic could extend to nachos being classified as salads – though they, thankfully, haven't suggested a hot dog could fit the bill. Still, the question lingers. Is a hot dog, with its potential for mustard, relish, onions, and even chili, simply a deconstructed salad served in a bun?

Ape News cannot definitively answer this question. The lines are blurry, the definitions are malleable, and the Cube Rule… well, it’s a whole other level of food philosophy. All we can say is this: enjoy your hot dog (or taco, or sandwich, or salad), and don't let anyone tell you how to define it.