Is a Hamburger Considered a Sandwich?

Every so often, we are faced with a question that leaves us feeling uneasy and uncertain; today’s question: is a hamburger considered a sandwich?

Take a look at just about any lunch menu, and you will see a few crowd-favorite items. You’ll find a BLT, cheeseburger, club sandwich, and more. Some of these dishes are, without a doubt, sandwiches: grilled cheeses, chicken salad, PB&Js, and more. This nosh is what we think of when we think of a sandwich, not a hamburger! A hamburger is a grilled beef patty with condiments and other toppings on a bun. But, alas, we are up for the great debate; how about you?

Continue reading to learn more below.

Is a Hamburger Really a Sandwich?

The answer to the question, “Is a hamburger considered a sandwich?” seems to be dividing the crowds. Since the beginning of the hamburger, they have always contained a meat patty (or meat substitute, such as beans or another plant-based option), while sandwiches can hold just about anything! Sandwiches are a much wider spread and inclusive category. A sandwich can be an egg salad sandwich, roast beef sandwich, Reuben, and more — very different from a burger. A peanut butter and honey sandwich seems vastly different from a cheeseburger! But they seem to be much more related to each other than either is to a milkshake.

The master of definitions, Merriam-Webster, has something to say on this matter and defines a sandwich as “two pieces of bread with something (such as meat, peanut butter, etc.) between them.” Well, there you have it. Just about anything can be considered a sandwich, just as long as there are two slices of bread. So, technically speaking, yes, a hamburger is categorized as a sandwich.

But we’re not sure it is that simple. There are plenty of different foods that are not what they seem to be. Take fruit, for example. Tomatoes are botanically a fruit, but you would never put them in a fruit salad alongside berries, melons, or bananas. In a similar fashion, burgers and sandwiches are usually kept in entirely different categories; they often have their own section on a menu. Or, if they are combined, the section is titled “Sandwiches & Hamburgers.” Culinarily speaking, they are separate. But regarding classification, hamburgers are indeed sandwiches, whether we think of burgers that way or not. 

Craving a Hamburger or Sandwich? Stop By Iceberg Drive Inn Today!

We want to hear from you. Do you consider a hamburger a sandwich? Let us know what you think!

Whether you are in the mood for a sandwich or burger, we’ve got you covered at Iceberg Drive Inn. For over 60 years, we have proudly served crowd-favorite foods prepared with fresh ingredients at each of our 17 locations in California, Arizona, and Utah, including Salt Lake City, Pleasant Grove, Riverton, Fillmore, Syracuse, Sandy, and St. George. Make sure to take a look at our online menu and stop by today. One taste, and it’s a tradition.