What is the idiom I'm looking for?

How do you mean? Elaborate (please)

“The means to an end,” is what I think he’s saying.

no it’s definitely like the chicken tender is just the boat to the ranch. Like you’re only eating the chicken tender really so you can eat the ranch

But it’s not means to an end.

Let the mountain come to Muhammad…kinda.

I usually use “is a vehicle for”, but as far as I know, there is not actually an idiom for this in English.

Conveyance device or delivery mechanism: A hot dog is a conveyance device for mustard! (perhaps that is your intent)

I think Dutchess gets the cigar!

The chip is just a vehicle for the salsa?

A car is just a vehicle.

@janbb Yes!

Pop is the vehicle to get sugar in the body.

I am as nervous like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

A delivery system

Scaffolding

Escalator.