Padma Lakshmi stirred up quite the internet buzz with her unique take on an age-old question: Are hot dogs actually sandwiches? On a recent episode of the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, While her primary reason for appearing on the show was to discuss the latest season of Top Chef: World All-Stars, it was her hot dog insights that made headlines.
Hot Dogs A Trip Down Memory Lane
Jimmy Fallon kickstarted the hot dog debate by delving into Padma Lakshmi’s childhood in New York City. Growing up in the city that never sleeps, Padma often frequented the iconic hot dog carts that lined almost every street corner. However, she revealed that she never actually indulged in the meaty franks.
No Meat, No Problem
Lakshmi shared that during her younger years, she was a vegetarian. So when she and her mother ventured to the hot dog carts, they had a unique request: “We’d ask the hot dog guy for the hot dog without the hot dog.” Yes, you read that right. They opted for just the bun, filling it to the brim with all the classic toppings and condiments.
Hot Dogs Taste Test
To further explore this culinary conundrum, Fallon presented Padma with two hot dogs—minus the hot dog itself. After a cautious taste test, Fallon expressed his disinterest, commenting, “it’s not for me.” Nevertheless, he seized the moment to pose the question that has perplexed many minds: Is a hot dog a sandwich?
The Sandwich Showdown
Padma Lakshmi, never one to shy away from a challenge, tackled the question head-on. “I mean, it’s a poor excuse for a sandwich, but it’s technically a sandwich,” she declared. Her response didn’t sit well with the live audience, who voiced their displeasure with a chorus of boos. Fallon quipped, “the crowd has turned on you.”
Not the First, Won’t Be the Last
Padma Lakshmi isn’t the first notable figure to weigh in on the hot dog sandwich debate. In 2018, the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an iconic Supreme Court Justice, appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and confidently declared that a hot dog indeed qualifies as a sandwich. That same year, the renowned frankfurter company, Oscar Mayer, took a firm stance by stating, “We’re ending the debate once and for all, and declaring that yes, a hot dog is a sandwich.”
Hot Dogs: An Endless Debate
The debate over whether hot dogs are sandwiches has been raging for years, and it shows no signs of cooling down anytime soon. However, with the recent input of a culinary legend like Padma Lakshmi, perhaps we can finally put this topic to rest. Then again, maybe we should consider seeking the wisdom of AI, like ChatGPT, to settle the matter once and for all.
