The AP recently reported that a judge in Worcester, Massachusetts ruled that a burrito is not a sandwich. The case resulted from a Panera Bread Co. attempt to block the opening of a Q’doba Mexican Grill in a shopping center in Shrewsbury. Panera’s lease included a clause which prevented the shopping center’s owners from renting space to any other “sandwich shops.” Lawyers for Panera argued that because a burrito was similar to a sandwich, the owners could not rent to Q’doba. After consulting Webster’s Dictionary and hearing testimony from a former high-ranking federal agriculture official and chef, the judge found that a sandwich differed from a burrito, thus paving the way for the Q’doba to open in central Mass.

Because this appears on its face to be one of those “I know it when I see it” moments, most of you are probably thinking the attorney’s for Panera went too far by arguing that a sandwich is the same as a burrito. However, I don’t think they were far off. I mean, have you ever tasted a “burrito” from Q’doba? They’re awful. Meat, rice, and beans wrapped in a tortilla, does not a burrito make. While discriminating palates will disagree as to what exactly makes the perfect burrito, all lovers of the little burro will agree that the true burrito experience cannot be reproduced by a national chain. (<-- and yes, Jack owns Q'doba, same as Ronald owns Chipotle)

Stay tuned to treffdawg.com for further discussion on all things burrito.