Friday, November 10, 2006

When is a Sandwich not a Sandwich?

When it's a burrito (or a taco, or a quesadilla.)

According to the ruling of a Worcester, MA judge, a burrito is NOT a sandwich. Panera Bread Company, the subject of two recent posts by yours truly, tried to sue its landlord in Shrewsbury to prevent the opening of a Qdoba Mexican Grill in the same shopping center. The judge's ruling allows the Qdoba to open as planned.

When Panera signed it's lease agreement in 2001, a sandwich exclusivity clause was written in restricting the mall from renting to another sandwich shop, so they sued. Panera argued for a broad definition of sandwich, saying a flour tortilla qualifies as bread and a food product with bread and a filling is a sandwich. Jeff Ackerman, owner of the Qdoba franchise group known as Chair 5 Restaurants, said, "We were surprised at the suit because we think it's common sense that a burrito is not a sandwich." I agree with Jeff. A burrito is not a sandwich

Several culinary heavyweights, including Chris Schlesinger of East Coast Grill and All Star Sandwich Bar fame, weighed in in support of Qdoba, agreeing that a burrito is NOT a sandwich.

My favorite burrito is wrapped at Anna's Taqueria in Brookline, MA.

1 comment:

  1. i can't believe panera is so dumb! a burrito is obviously not a sandwich. it's a wrap. dur.

    i love that you emailed them on the side of baguette call. lol.

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