Is a Burger a Sandwich? We Asked 7 Charlotte Restaurant Pros

We asked 7 Charlotte restaurant pros

WE LIKE a good food debate every once in a while. To stir the pot this time, we asked seven culinary minds one simple question: “Is a burger a sandwich?” 

Their wildly entertaining answers are listed below. If you need to further investigate (and we suggest you do), head on over to their establishments for more hands-on research. They each have a burger (sandwich?) on the menu.

Katy Kindred, Kindred Restaurant:
The deeply philosophical question at Kindred is more about whether a sandwich is a sandwich, because according to Joe (Kindred, Katy’s husband, business partner, and chef) it’s a “sowwm-wich.” He has the weirdest way of pronouncing sandwich, and we always bust on him for it. Now, is a burger a sowwm-wich? I’ll let you know when I figure out what a sowwm-wich is.

Matthew Krenz, formerly of The Asbury: 
In the very generic terminology of red meat, cheese, and condiment, yes, it is. You have all the staples that make a sandwich a sandwich. Would you not consider a Philly cheesesteak a sandwich? 

Greg Auten, Pinky’s Westside Grill
Yes, in a literal sense (as in, something between two pieces of bread), a burger is a sandwich. But, a burger is a work of art, representing any realm of culture or combination of such to create the ultimate flavor you are seeking. In other words, a sandwich is a sandwich, but a burger runs down your arm if it’s made right.

Chris Coleman, Stoke: 
It’s meat between two pieces of bread. As much as people want to debate it and put it in its own category, a burger is a sandwich. Period.

Marc Jacksina, host of Order/Fire: 
While a burger is “sandwich-like” in construction, it is not a sandwich. Comparing a sandwich to a burger is like comparing that guy that sucker-punched Richard Spencer to Muhammad Ali’s rope-a-dope performance against George Foreman. Both have good morals. Both fight for just causes. They are different expressions of the same ideal, but one is clearly a heavyweight champion; the other just lands a good right. 

Clark Barlowe, Heirloom Restaurant: 
Yes, a burger is a sandwich, but to call it such is to demean the burger. A burger is the pinnacle of sandwiches—high-quality bread, toppings, and meat all arranged to highlight each other. While I have love for BLTs, clubs, and tuna salad, there is just something about a burger and the combination of its flavors that elevate it to a new realm in the sandwich world.

Tom Condron, The Liberty:
The definition of sandwich is: “An item of food consisting of two pieces of bread with meat, cheese, or other filling between them, eaten as a light meal.” A hamburger is a member of the sandwich family, that essentially became so successful that it broke off and began a solo career. It’s still a sandwich, but it’s become so famous that most restaurants give the burger its own section on the menu. A burger is a sandwich—just the most famous one in America.