An Indiana judge recently ruled that tacos and burritos are considered sandwiches, settling a contentious debate. The ruling came as part of a case involving a restaurateur wanting to open a Mexican restaurant in a shopping center. The commission had rejected his bid based on a prior agreement restricting the types of restaurants that could be opened in the center. However, the court ruled in the restaurateur’s favor, stating that tacos and burritos fit the definition of sandwiches outlined in the agreement.
The debate over whether tacos and burritos can be considered sandwiches has been ongoing online. Some argue that a sandwich must have two slices of bread, while others point to the Merriam-Webster definition of a sandwich as having a filling between slices of bread or a split roll. The invention of the sandwich in Europe in the 18th century by the Earl of Sandwich is also cited as evidence that tacos and burritos do not fit the traditional definition of a sandwich.
The ruling in Indiana has sparked controversy and raised questions about the classification of foods like burritos and sushi rolls as sandwiches. New York also faced a similar issue when listing burritos alongside other foods like hoagies and hot dogs as items subject to sales tax. The decision to classify tacos and burritos as sandwiches has implications for the culinary world and may lead to further debate on what constitutes a sandwich in different regions and traditions.
The judge’s ruling was based on the interpretation of a prior agreement that restricted the types of restaurants that could be opened in the shopping center. The agreement specified that only restaurants serving made-to-order or subway-style sandwiches without alcohol or outdoor seating were allowed. The court determined that the proposed Mexican restaurant fell within the definition of a sandwich outlined in the agreement, allowing the restaurateur to move forward with his plans to open The Famous Taco Mexican Grill.
Many armchair epicures online have weighed in on the definition of a sandwich, with some arguing that a taco cannot be considered a sandwich due to its flour wrapper. Others point to the broad definition of a sandwich as having a filling between bread or a split roll, leaving room for interpretation. The debate over whether tacos and burritos can be classified as sandwiches continues to spark interest and discussion among food enthusiasts and legal experts alike.
The ruling in Indiana has implications for the culinary world and may lead to further discussions on the classification of foods like burritos and sushi rolls. The decision to classify tacos and burritos as sandwiches has ramifications for the restaurant industry and may influence how different types of cuisines are categorized in the future. The ongoing debate over what constitutes a sandwich highlights the diversity of food traditions and the complexity of defining culinary concepts across different cultures and regions.
