Agree or Disagree: Tacos Are Sandwiches

In a 2015 interview with Bon Appétit, Gordon Ramsay referred to tacos as “crusty sandwiches.” The answer prompted almost immediate backlash, with Buzzfeed even conducting its own poll to figure out who agreed with the top British chef. A whopping 97 percent of respondents said “Nope. Ramsay might be a prestigious culinary icon, but he is wrong on this one.” But it turns out, he actually might have been right—according to the ruling of one Indiana judge, anyway.

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Is a taco considered a sandwich?

The recent judge ruling happened due to a debate over a strip mall restaurant in Fort Wayne, IN. The plans for the mall specified that any restaurant on the strip would offer ​​“made-to-order or subway-style sandwiches” only, in a bid to keep out fast-food chains. But when a local business called The Famous Taco attempted to open on the mall, there was resistance. Many argued that tacos do not count as sandwiches.

The case ended up going to court, and Allen County Superior Judge Craig Bobay made his declaration that “tacos and burritos are Mexican-style sandwiches.” He later added: “The original written commitment would also permit a restaurant that serves made-to-order Greek gyros, Indian naan wraps, or Vietnamese banh mi if these restaurants complied with the other enumerated conditions.”

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Good news for The Famous Taco, which was ultimately allowed to open in the mall. However, many still argue that tacos are *not* sandwiches. Needless to say, social media was flooded with posts firmly stating that tacos are just, well, tacos. But the dictionary kind of agrees with Bobay. Merriam-Webster notes that a sandwich is indeed “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between,” but that it can also be “something resembling a sandwich.”

Does that include a taco? You decide. And while you’re thinking about it, why not indulge in one of these delicious vegan taco recipes? Because, at the end of the day, arguably, it’s the taste, not the definition, that matters the most.

8 tasty vegan sandwich recipes 

Wherever you stand, one thing is certain: these recipes are delicious. 

1 Garlicky Brussels Sprout Tacos

Made with garlicky Brussels sprouts, crispy tofu or tempeh, avocado, and fresh, crunchy vegetables like carrots and romaine lettuce, these tacos—from Cassandra Bodzak’s Eat With Intention cookbook—are wholesome, nutritious, and delicious.
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Chris Miller

2 Vegan Avocado Portabello Tacos

Packed with flavor, these tacos from Kristy Turner’s But My Family Would Never Eat Vegan cookbook are hard to resist. They’re quick and easy to make, too, so it’s a win all-round.
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Richa Hingle

3 Spicy Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Tacos

This easy recipe from Vegan Richa’s Everyday Kitchen: Epic Anytime Recipes with a World of Flavor, is packed with nutritious ingredients, like peppers and chickpeas. For extra flavor, combine spicy buffalo sauce and cooling ranch.
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The Experiment

4 Fishless Baja Tacos With Fresh Mango Salsa

If you love the flavor of fish, but not the actual eating fish part, these tacos—from But I Could Never Go Vegan!: 125 Recipes That Prove You Can Live Without Cheese—are for you. Filled with crunchy vegetables and homemade mango salsa, they’re about to become your new favorite Taco Tuesday dish.
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5 Smoky Vegan Sweet Potato Tacos

With smoky, roasted sweet potatoes and avocado, these tacos from the Plantifully Lean cookbook are simple and bursting with flavor, especially when they’re served with vegan cheese, chopped cilantro, and plenty of guacamole.
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Jackie Sobon

6 Vegan Pecan Lettuce Tacos

If a taco is made with lettuce leaves instead of tortillas, is it still a sandwich? We don’t know, but we do know that these vegan pecan lettuce tacos from the Vegan Yack Attack’s Plant-Based Meal Prep cookbook make for a delicious lunchtime treat.
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Mixed & Measured

7 Crispy Hoisin Tofu Vegan Tacos

There are no real rules around taco filling, so why not load them up with crispy hoisin tofu? Add avocado, chilies, and sautéed greens for extra nutrition and plenty of flavor, too.
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BOSH!

8 Vegan Mushroom-Sausage Breakfast Hash Tacos

These breakfast tacos from the BOSH! On a Budget cookbook—loaded up with vegan sausages, spicexd fajita seasoning, and fresh vegetables—are the perfect savory weekend brunch indulgence.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.