Inquiring Minds Need to Know: Is a Taco a Sandwich??!!

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

Maybe you, like me, have seen this argument going 'round the internet for a long time (apparently there was a judge in Indiana who even had to make a court ruling over the issue.)

It only seems right that a matter of such dire importance should be brought up before our intrepid panel here at CC!!

After all, it can be fun to have distraction from all the other debates going on (conveniently presented as yet another debated, of course!)

And so, I bring this case before the sharp, discerning wit of our CC audience:

Exhibit A:

Tacos have carbs, meat, cheese, vegetables and assorted toppings/sauces within an enclosed, handheld structure.

Therefore, CAN A TACO BE CONSIDERED A SANDWICH?!

(The poll will be multiple choice and will allow you to see others' answers, but please come back and tell us why you voted the way you did.)

State your case and be prepared to defend you answer!

 

[Tall_Timbers]

Yes it is a sandwich. An open faced one would be a tostada, not a taco, even if all the ingredients are the same.

 

[seoulsearch]

Yes it is a sandwich. An open faced one would be a tostada, not a taco, even if all the ingredients are the same.

That's a bold opening statement, Mr. Timbers.

I'm expecting strong opposition in the form of mobs, online trolling campaigns, picket lines, and riots to arrive in the thread any minute now.

 

[Tall_Timbers]

That's a bold opening statement, Mr. Timbers.

Well, you know the saying: Viva la pasa!

 

[GaryA]

Therefore, CAN A TACO BE CONSIDERED A SANDWICH?!

I would classify it as an almost-wrap.

Isn't a sandwich supposed to be [the stuff inside] between two of something - usually bread?

 

[seoulsearch]

I would classify it as an almost-wrap. Isn't a sandwich supposed to be [the stuff inside] between two of something - usually bread?

This is an interesting thought because I wonder if it depends on how it's fixed.

A soft taco seems like it would be more of a wrap:

But would a hard taco seem like more of a sandwich, because the fillings are technically encased on each side by a flat sheet of carbs?!

 

[seoulsearch]

In case anyone is curious about the, uh, case -- settled by an Indiana judge -- of whether a taco is a sandwich, here's an article:

https://www.allrecipes.com/are-tacos-sandwiches-according-to-a-judge-8649658

The issue was brought up because the owner of a taco restaurant wanted to open a location in a strip mall that said in order to qualify, his business had to serve "made-to-order" sandwiches.

Since the restaurant did indeed serve made-to-order tacos and burritos, the question became, "Is a taco a sandwich?" and whether only American-style sandwiches counted.

Happily, the judge ruled that in this case, tacos and burritos count as "Mexican-style sandwiches."

But of course, that doesn't mean anyone else is required to recognize them as sandwiches.

What do you think?

 

[Lynx]

I didn't know tacos were included in that court ruling. I thought it centered around burritos.

Either way, I don't care what you call them. Just give me four. Soft shell please, with extra guac.

 

[Tall_Timbers]

Happily, the judge ruled that in this case, tacos and burritos count as "Mexican-style sandwiches."

But of course, that doesn't mean anyone else is required to recognize them as sandwiches.

What do you think?

I think this judge is a conservative on account of he's clear thinking.

 

[seoulsearch]

I think this judge is a conservative on account of he's clear thinking.

LOL!! This is too funny.

As usual, I made a typo in the poll -- I meant to say (about calling tacos a sandwich,) "This is Cultural APPROPRIATION Through Cuisine!" because it seems nowadays, if you take anything from any other culture (aside from "your own" -- never mind that we're all pretty much a mix -- someone is going to shout, "Cultural Appropriation!!!" -- and file some sort of legal action.

So never mind that I'm Asian, but eating a Mexican taco for lunch.

It was strictly a diversity hire.

 

[seoulsearch]

I didn't know tacos were included in that court ruling. I thought it centered around burritos.

Either way, I don't care what you call them. Just give me four. Soft shell please, with extra guac.

I think this judge is a conservative on account of he's clear thinking.

I also love that the article noted that this ruling also paved the way for other possibly questionable (under the leasing restrictions) variations such as, "Greek gyros, Indian naan wraps, and Vietnamese Banh mi," concluding with, "We'll take any strip mall offering the world's best sandwiches, please."

 

[tourist]

We used to have Taco Tuesday at Taco Bell but have not as of late. Last take-out was KFC. I prefer 'original'.

I prefer soft shell tacos, with mild sauce and sour cream. Had some fish tacos once during my travels and those were acceptable too.

Regarding the term 'taco' to be politically incorrect, Jill Biden once, at a morning speech in Texas with primarily Hispanics in the crowd, referred to them as 'Breakfast Taco's'. She probably meant to say 'Breakfast Burrito's' but seemingly, like her husband, misspoke. Had those at McDonald's a few times. They're OK, I guess. I believe that the eggs were the powder variety.

Yeah, let's talk gyros. Those are of Greek origin, right? Might be another dish of politically incorrect cousine.

Based on my past dietary consumption, ethnic dishes are the tastiest 'cause they're spiced up.

Possible racist undertones in this thread for sure but that's what makes it amusing.

Time to eat.

 

[tourist]

I didn't know tacos were included in that court ruling. I thought it centered around burritos.

I covered those points of contention in my post.

 

[tourist]

Well, you know the saying: Viva la pasa! View attachment 266420

Is that spaghetti?

 

[Lynx]

We used to have Taco Tuesday at Taco Bell but have not as of late. Last take-out was KFC. I prefer 'original'.

I prefer soft shell tacos, with mild sauce and sour cream. Had some fish tacos once during my travels and those were acceptable too.

Regarding the term 'taco' to be politically incorrect, Jill Biden once, at a morning speech in Texas with primarily Hispanics in the crowd, referred to them as 'Breakfast Taco's'. She probably meant to say 'Breakfast Burrito's' but seemingly, like her husband, misspoke. Had those at McDonald's a few times. They're OK, I guess. I believe that the eggs were the powder variety.

Yeah, let's talk gyros. Those are of Greek origin, right? Might be another dish of politically incorrect cousine.

Based on my past dietary consumption, ethnic dishes are the tastiest 'cause they're spiced up.

Possible racist undertones in this thread for sure but that's what makes it amusing.

Time to eat.

The eggs in the breakfast burritos are not reconstituted from powder. They are cooked and frozen at the factory, and thawed and put in burritos with a slice of American cheese at the McDonald's. When you order a burrito they are popped in a microwave and heated up enough to melt the cheese.

Aren't you glad you know now?

 

[tourist]

The eggs in the breakfast burritos are not reconstituted from powder. They are cooked and frozen at the factory, and thawed and put in burritos with a slice of American cheese at the McDonald's. When you order a burrito they are popped in a microwave and heated up enough to melt the cheese.

Aren't you glad you know now?

Thank you for the dietary information.

 

[Godsgirl1983]

It only seems right that a matter of such dire importance should be brought up before our intrepid panel here at CC!!

After all, it can be fun to have distraction from all the other debates going on (conveniently presented as yet another debated, of course!)

What? You can't just stay with the great donut debate?

 

[Godsgirl1983]

You know when I read the title i had " @seoulsearch original " written all over it

 

[Tall_Timbers]

As usual, I made a typo in the poll -- I meant to say (about calling tacos a sandwich,) "This is Cultural APPROPRIATION Through Cuisine!" because it seems nowadays, if you take anything from any other culture (aside from "your own" -- never mind that we're all pretty much a mix -- someone is going to shout, "Cultural Appropriation!!!" -- and file some sort of legal action.

I'm a hamburger aficionado. When I first heard a hamburger called a sandwich, I thought, "blashemy! It's a hamburger foolish person." But after thinking about it for a bit, yes it is a sandwich.

 

[GaryA]

In case anyone is curious about the, uh, case -- settled by an Indiana judge -- of whether a taco is a sandwich, here's an article:

https://www.allrecipes.com/are-tacos-sandwiches-according-to-a-judge-8649658

The issue was brought up because the owner of a taco restaurant wanted to open a location in a strip mall that said in order to qualify, his business had to serve "made-to-order" sandwiches.

Since the restaurant did indeed serve made-to-order tacos and burritos, the question became, "Is a taco a sandwich?" and whether only American-style sandwiches counted.

Happily, the judge ruled that in this case, tacos and burritos count as "Mexican-style sandwiches."

But of course, that doesn't mean anyone else is required to recognize them as sandwiches.

What do you think?

From the article:

According to Allen County Superior Judge Craig Bobay’s official opinion, “The Court agrees with [the restaurant owner] that tacos and burritos are Mexican-style sandwiches, and the original Written Commitment does not restrict potential restaurants to only American cuisine-style sandwiches.”

This statement declares both tacos and burritos to be "Mexican-style sandwiches" ?? ( Just think about that for a bit... )

How much "alike" or "different" are tacos than burritos? As a type/style of food item, are they more alike or different?

What about enchiladas? chimichangas? quesadillas? flautas? chalupas? Is a tostada an open-faced sandwich?

A lot more Mexican food items can easily be grouped with taco and burrito.

Does that mean half/many/most of all Mexican food items are all sandwiches?

Is anything rolled, wrapped, folded, or pressed together considered a form/kind of sandwich?

Apparently, a pita pocket filled with "food stuff" is considered to be a sandwich.

Is anything you can hold in your hand that contains "food stuff" called a sandwich now?

That seems to be where this "new" definition for 'sandwich' is heading... (for good, bad, or otherwise - I say "confusion")

If the definition is so broad that it becomes meaningless in normal conversation, it will become a totally useless word.

Before long, when someone talks about something being "sandwiched [in] between" something - you will have to ask them whether they meant rolled, wrapped, folded, pressed, pita-ed, what?

Wait - what was that? How do people use the term when they are talking about non-food situations/things?

"sandwiched [in] between"

Ahhh! There is a major clue here!

Why do we say it this way? Because, 'sandwich' has always meant something "sandwiched [in] between" two of something else.

Major clue. Yes. Major clue.

Have you ever heard the word 'sandwich' used in a non-food way where it actually meant rolled, wrapped, folded, or pita-ed?

I am thinking - not likely.

If a 'taco' is a sandwich - are all 'taco' items a sandwich? crispy tacos? puff tacos? soft tacos? hard tacos? street tacos? crunchy tacos?

(Some of these terms are the same thing to some people. Some of these terms mean different things to different people. And, I no-doubt missed a few popular terms in use today for some types of tacos.)

I tend to agree with the team of staffers from the article - who said:

We all come down on the side of “not a sandwich.”
Just like hot dogs, tacos are a classification all their own.
Furthermore, someone should probably let Judge Bobay know that "Mexican-style sandwiches" do exist, but they're called Tortas.

I will agree that:

A taco is a taco.
A flauta is a flauta.
A burrito is a burrito.
A tostada is a tostada.
A chalupa is a chalupa.
A quesadilla is a quesadilla.
An enchilada is an enchilada.
A chimichanga is a chimichanga.

- and -

A sandwich is a sandwich.

~

I wonder if the judge did any research on the Mexican concept/definition of 'sandwich' before reaching a decision...???

.