August 28, 2025
The Hot Dog Debate, August 2025
More Than Six in Ten Americans Say a Hot Dog is NOT a Sandwich
Just in time for Labor Day cookouts, Americans have weighed in on the hotly contested debate. Is a hot dog a sandwich? More than six in ten Americans say it is not. Opinions, though, differ based on gender and generation.
62% of Americans say a hot dog is not a sandwich. 38% think it is.
Men (43%) are more likely than women (34%) to think a hot dog is, in fact, a sandwich.
Baby Boomers and members of the Silent/Greatest Generation divide. 51% of these generations say a hot dog is not a sandwich; 48% believe it is. Among the younger generations, at least six in ten say the hot dog differs from the sandwich.
Methodology
This Marist Poll national survey of 1,542 adults was conducted July 17th through July 21st, 2025 by the Marist Poll. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States were contacted through online web surveys. Results for all adults (n=1,542) are statistically significant within ±2.7 percentage points. For full methodology and tables, click on the Survey Data button below.