• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Food

Flat hot dogs exist and now food experts, eaters and home cooks are split

0:42
Social media is split on new flat, sliced hot dogs
ABCNews.com
Kelly McCarthy
ByKelly McCarthy
July 07, 2021, 5:33 PM

It's been a longstanding debate: "Is a hot dog a sandwich?"

But now one butcher shop has entered the chat with an alternative to the beloved backyard BBQ staple and people are split on the idea of a flat hot dog.

VIDEO: Social media is split on new flat, sliced hot dogs
0:42
Check out the latest online food fight over a flat, round hot dog from a butcher shop in New Jersey.

Rastelli's in New Jersey unveiled a 3-ounce flat frankfurter ahead of the Fourth of July and the internet had a field day, questioning whether it still could be considered a hot dog.

Ray Rastelli Jr. commented to "Good Morning America" on Instagram, "We can confirm it is a hot dog!"

Initially, social media users had mixed feelings over the circular sausage that loses the traditional snap due to the shape -- and some called the whole thing baloney.

Other food experts like Mythical Kitchen chef Josh Scherer pointed out that this is simply "semantics" over forcemeat -- a blended mixture of meat and spices encased with preservatives before cooking.

Rastelli said they came up with the novel shape after requests from customers to pre-cut their dogs.

Editor’s Picks

How to make 24 cheeseburger sliders in a single pan

  • Jul 02, 2021

Easy grilling recipes for Father's Day

  • Jun 16, 2023

Hot Dogs Are Not Sandwiches, Says the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council

  • Nov 06, 2015

The hot dog patties have a larger surface area that can hold more condiments and they allow home cooks to buy just one type of bun.

The pack of 8 sells online for $18 and is currently sold out.

Related Topics

  • Food

Editor’s Picks

How to make 24 cheeseburger sliders in a single pan

  • Jul 02, 2021

Easy grilling recipes for Father's Day

  • Jun 16, 2023

Hot Dogs Are Not Sandwiches, Says the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council

  • Nov 06, 2015

Up Next in Food—

New McDonald's Spicy McMuffin breakfast sandwiches hits menus this week

July 7, 2025

See the winning picks from the Good Housekeeping Best Snack Awards 2025

July 7, 2025

Shake Shack offers free chicken sandwiches every Sunday in July

July 6, 2025

Fourth of July leftover recipes: S'mores coffee, bagel dogs, no-churn watermelon sorbet and more

July 5, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News