a taco in front of a textured orange background

Shutterstock.com (background, taco); Debate photos courtesy of families 

Article Options

Presentation View
Teaching Resources

Language

Is a Taco a Sandwich?

In the fall of 2022, Martin Quintana tried to open a taco restaurant in Fort Wayne, Indiana. But his request was denied. City laws stated that sandwich shops were the only restaurants that could open in the area where he wanted to build his restaurant. Local officials didn’t think that a place that sells tacos counts as a sandwich shop. 

The dispute went to court. Last May, a judge ruled that tacos and burritos are “Mexican-style sandwiches.” That decision allowed Quintana to continue making plans to open his taco shop. 

It also sparked a debate online. Despite the judge’s ruling, many people don’t think tacos are sandwiches. They argue that tacos are a unique part of Mexican culture and belong in their own category. After all, they say, a taco is made with a corn or flour tortilla, unlike a sandwich, which is made with bread. 

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, however, defines a tortilla as a kind of flatbread. By this definition, a taco is similar to a sandwich that’s on one piece of bread, like a sub.

One thing taco lovers might agree on? If calling a taco a sandwich enables more taco shops to open, that can only be a good thing.

Here’s what two of our readers think.

A taco has a tortilla, which is like bread surrounding a sandwich. Tacos are usually made with meat and cheese, the same basic ingredients in many sandwiches. They also have a lot of the same toppings, like lettuce and tomatoes. My family eats tacos with a side of tortilla chips. That’s similar to pairing sandwiches with fries or potato chips. 

Plus, you use your hands to eat a taco, just like you do with a sandwich. It would be pretty silly to eat a sandwich or a taco with silverware! 

Have you ever seen a taco listed under “sandwiches” on a menu? Tacos and sandwiches are built differently. A taco is made up of one tortilla that folds around the toppings. A sandwich has fillings within two pieces of bread (not a tortilla). You don’t fold a sandwich to eat it! 

It’s incorrect to even call a taco a Mexican-style sandwich. There are Mexican sandwiches that have meat and cheese in between two pieces of bread. They’re called tortas or cemitas. 

What does your class think?

Is a taco a sandwich?

Please enter a valid number of votes for one class to proceed.

Is a taco a sandwich?

Please select an answer to vote.

Is a taco a sandwich?

0%
0votes
{{result.answer}}
Total Votes: 0
Thank you for voting!
Sorry, an error occurred and your vote could not be processed. Please try again later.
Skills Sheets (1)
Text-to-Speech