Foodstuffs Legal Forum:What's a Sandwich?Post Your Opinion

Important legal issues in the world of foodstuffs coming out of Massachusetts, USA. Is a burrito a sandwich? That was the question debated in the courtroom as 2 competing restaurants argued their takes. The issue arose as a Mexican food restaurant seeked to lease space in a local shopping mall in Boston. This mall allready had a sandwich shop and their lease had a clause that disallowed any other sandwich shop from becoming a tenant of this shopping mall. Expert testimony was given by many including Cambridge Chef Chris Schlesinger who said: "I know of no chef or culinary historian who would call a burrito a sandwich. Indeed, the notion would be absurd to any credible chef or culinary historian.". The judge's decision came down to the tortilla v. bread argument and the dictionary definitions of both names.

Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Locke said in his written decision: "A sandwich is not commonly understood to include burritos, tacos and quesadillas, which are typically made with a single tortilla and stuffed with a choice filling of meat, rice, and beans".

Will there be an appeal? It is not known as of yet. We encourage readers to post their takes on this using the easy/no registration needed "comment" link below.