Burger bar

A Hamburger Today, a site entirely devoted to the Hamburger, truly god’s gift to the culinary arts. I’m curious, why do Americans sometimes call burgers sandwiches? Isn’t it pretty clear as to whether it’s either a.) a burger or b.) a sandwich or is there some hidden meaning I’m totally missing? Is it just an American thing, or does this burger/sandwich confusion carry across to Canada as well?

Permalink Posted in Randoms on Friday May 27, 2005.

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#1· tenkai

1285 days ago Um… as far as I know, we call Hamburgers burgers. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard anyone call it a sandwich. A sandwich is made up of sliced meats, a burger is made up of ground beef in a patty.

#2· Anonymous

1285 days ago If it’s two pieces of bread with something in the middle, it’s a sandwich. it doesn’t really have to be bread, though – it could be people if you want.

#3· Dan

1285 days ago Tenkai, check the A Hamburger Today site and do a search for Sandwich, he mentions it like a million times. I’ve noticed it on YH a stack of times too. Maybe it’s a regional thing?

#4· Adam

1285 days ago When it was first introduced to the American public, people called it either a “Hamburg sandwich” or a “hamburger sandwich” or a “hamburger.” We call it a “sandwich” on A Hamburger Today mainly because the repetition of “burger” or “hamburger” would become a little too much.

And not that this is the best justification for using the term, but I think a lot of fast-food restaurants refer to them as “sandwiches.” Perhaps not on the menu, but among the workers themselves when talking about how many “sandwiches” they sold at lunch or dinner—probably because not every sandwich product they sell is a burger.

Hope that helps.

#5· Dan

1285 days ago Wahey, celebrity write-in. Cheers man.