It's been a longstanding debate: "Is a hot dog a sandwich?"
But now one butcher shop has entered the chat with an alternative to the beloved backyard BBQ staple and people are split on the idea of a flat hot dog.
Rastelli's in New Jersey unveiled a 3-ounce flat frankfurter ahead of the Fourth of July and the internet had a field day, questioning whether it still could be considered a hot dog.
Ray Rastelli Jr. commented to "Good Morning America" on Instagram, "We can confirm it is a hot dog!"
How is this different than bologna? I actually don't know how hotdogs differ from bologna other than the shape.
— Black Lilith (@naboone) June 15, 2021
Initially, social media users had mixed feelings over the circular sausage that loses the traditional snap due to the shape -- and some called the whole thing baloney.
"isn't that just bologna" my understanding is that there are subtle differences in seasoning/spices, beyond just shape, that differentiate hot dogs from bologna. mostly its about POV tho and these are marketed as "round dogs" https://t.co/3GekYfIPIy
— maria yagoda (@mariayagoda) June 15, 2021
Other food experts like Mythical Kitchen chef Josh Scherer pointed out that this is simply "semantics" over forcemeat -- a blended mixture of meat and spices encased with preservatives before cooking.
Rastelli said they came up with the novel shape after requests from customers to pre-cut their dogs.
The hot dog patties have a larger surface area that can hold more condiments and they allow home cooks to buy just one type of bun.
The pack of 8 sells online for $18 and is currently sold out.
