Both the hamburger and the sandwich are very popular fast food dishes worldwide. Now, if you’re wondering whether a hamburger is a sandwich and what the differences are, there are things you must first understand to get to the bottom of this controversial topic. 🤔
What is a hamburger?
Although popularly known as a fast-food dish where a ground meat patty is placed between two round bread buns along with some other ingredients, strictly speaking, the hamburger can be considered only as the meat placed between those two pieces of bread.
The origin of hamburger meat comes from the migration of Europeans to America, who departed from the port of Hamburg, in northern Germany. These migrants brought this recipe to the United States, where the northern country then took this dish to its highest expression. 🍔
[sc name=”art-vari” ][/sc]What is a sandwich?
On the other hand, a sandwich is prepared with a variety of ingredients between two flat and square-shaped bread slices. These sandwiches can be made with shredded meat, ham, cold cuts, cheese, vegetables, sauces, among many other ingredients. 🥪
Is a hamburger a sandwich?
Technically, strictly adhering to the concept of a sandwich, it can be said that a hamburger is a type of sandwich. Since it involves placing various ingredients between two pieces of bread, which applies to both.
However, if you ask people on the street about this question, the majority will likely respond that they are different things. Society has “learned” to differentiate between the two dishes, even though they are technically almost the same.
Now, if we refer to “chicken,” “fish,” or “vegetarian” “burgers,” could it be said that they are no longer hamburgers because they lack the Hamburg-style patty?
Indeed, and based on how common people would identify such dishes, it really depends on the presentation. If the chicken, fish, or vegetable patty is presented in a round bun, it is likely to be identified as a burger: a chicken, fish, or vegetarian burger. Conversely, if the chicken and fish are shredded and placed between flat, square bread, it would be identified as a sandwich, a chicken or fish sandwich.
[sc name=”art-vari” ][/sc]Differences between a hamburger and a sandwich
Now that we know that a hamburger is a sandwich, or at least a “close relative”: The main difference between them lies in the shape of the bread and the Hamburg-style patty placed in the “hamburger.”
The hamburger is characterized by a round bun that is typically sliced in half to accommodate the hamburger patty with other ingredients.
The sandwich consists of two mostly flat and square slices of bread that have various ingredients placed between them. 🧐
So…
Let’s clarify a bit to understand: The popularity and commercialization of the hamburger have gained so much ground worldwide that even though “the burger” is a type of sandwich, it has taken on a “life of its own,” it has managed to “emancipate” itself from sandwiches, causing hamburgers not to be commonly associated with sandwiches.
In fact, there are more food businesses selling hamburgers than those selling sandwiches. Tastes vary, but the hamburger has earned the nickname “The Queen of Fast Food.”
Such is the popularity and love for hamburgers worldwide that other fast-food chains that don’t specialize in burgers create a “special version” to cater to burger enthusiasts.
It can be said that the hamburger is the star dish among sandwiches, much like an iPhone is among smartphones.
Until an “official definition” emerges, this is what is known and can be clarified about the relationship between hamburgers and sandwiches.
Did you know that technically a hamburger is a sandwich?
Are you someone who distinguishes between them even though they are “family”?
Share your thoughts in the comments…
