Food Cube Rule
The Cube Rule of Food Identification, also referred to as the Cube Rule of Food or just the Cube Rule, is an internet theory claiming that most foods can be classified based off of the location of the starch in the dish. The rule conceptualizes foods as a cube and categorizes the foods based off of which faces of the cube are covered by any kind of starch.
History
The Cube Rule originated from a post made on Twitter asking if a hot dog should be classified as a sandwich. The replies were scattered but the general conclusion reached was that a hot dog is a variety of sandwich. In 2018, Through additional posts and replies, the initial model of the Cube Rule was born. The debate was reported on by The New York Times and The Washington Post. The initial model was rough and did not include the categories of cake or nachos, which have since been added after further revisions.
The idea received a Webby Award in 2019.
Real-world usage
The model was cited in a judicial opinion by Douglas Nazarian of the Appellate Court of Maryland. The ruling addressed a claim made by a food truck vendor that a Baltimore city ordinance which prohibits the operation of food trucks that directly compete with permanent restaurant establishments within 300 feet of said permanent establishments, is too vague to enforce. The defendant claimed that the ordinance cannot be enforced because the law does not classify different foods into set categories and therefore cannot prove that one food competes with another. Nazarian suggested the implementation of regulations and guidelines such as the Cube Rule as a way to reduce the possibility of confusion and vagueness.
Examples
- A toast is classified as any food with a starch under exactly one side of the food. One exception to this category however is a block of just starch. (Ex: muffins and uncut bread loafs) Those kinds of Toasts are classified as type one toasts. Common examples include nigiri, pizza and pumpkin pie. (slice)
- A sandwich is classified as any food in-between two starches. There are no exceptions though it is interesting that a toast put between two pieces of bread is classified as a sandwich. Common examples include Victoria sponge cakes and unfolded quesadillas.
- A taco is classified as any food with three connected faces covered by any starch. Common examples include hot dogs, uncut sub sandwiches, and slices of pie.
- A cake is classified as any food with three layers of starch with filling between each layer. Common examples include Big Macs, flapjacks and lasagna.
- A sushi is classified as any food with four connected faces wrapped by any starch. Common examples include falafel wrap, pigs in a blanket and enchiladas.
- A quiche is classified as any food with five connected faces of a starch forming a sort of cup around the filling. Common examples include cheesecakes and soups in a bread bowl.
- A calzone is classified as any food completely surrounded by a starch. Common examples include: corn dogs, Pop Tarts, dumplings and Uncrustables.
- A nacho is classified as any food that is a mix of starch and filling. A nacho does not have a solid shape because of its mixed nature. Common examples include Lucky Charms and salad with croutons.
References
- 1 2 3 Judkis, Maura (2018-12-12). "Perspective | A hot dog is a taco. A steak is a salad. A Pop-Tart is a calzone. Let the Cube Rule explain". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2026-10-09. Retrieved 2026-11-05.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "The Cube Rule". cuberule.com. Archived from the original on 2026-10-02. Retrieved 2026-11-05.
- 1 2 3 Rao, Tejal (2024-05-18). "Is a Taco a Sandwich? No. Yes. Well, It Depends on the Law". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2026-01-07. Retrieved 2026-11-05.
- ↑ "The Cube Rule -- The Webby Awards". Archived from the original on 2019-11-16. Retrieved 2026-11-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ Nazarian, J. "PIZZA DI JOEY, LLC, ET AL. v. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE" (PDF)