A state divided: Do you call it Taylor ham or pork roll? [NJ]

Associated Press ^ | May 28, 2016 11:21 AM EDT | Bruce Shipkowski

[Olog-hai]

It’s one of the most divisive issues in New Jersey, one that inflames regional rivalries and spurs fierce debate among residents and lawmakers.

Is the meat in the state’s favorite breakfast sandwich called Taylor ham or pork roll? […]

One lawmaker has introduced legislation that would designate the meat, egg and cheese combination as the official state sandwich. But he concedes that a final decision on which meat name is used in the measure will have to be negotiated. …

[trisham]

It’s clearly very popular, but despite that I often watch cooking and restaurant shows, I’ve never heard of it. That surprises me, but I’m glad that I happened upon this thread. It’s interesting.

[time4good]

since I was a boy in Northern NJ it was always Taylor ham we had with our eggs - way before McDonalds tried to mimic with their Egg McMuffin. Sure, it might be ‘pork roll’ in actuality - but we just always bought and ate ‘Taylor Ham’. Done. No other discussion about it.

[time4good]

hey - I ain’t no philistine!! when I’d order a sub sandwich it was with gabagool!! :-)

[time4good]

AND when we had a special meal for company it was managot - not ‘manicotti’ - so there!

[frithguild]

You make porkrolleggandcheese with saltpepperketchup with Taylor Ham

[bravo whiskey]

We called it ham in Baltimore. I get it and scrapple at king soopers/kroger/city market in Denver.

[frithguild]

Pork roll is the appropriate name. Taylor is the brand name, and it’s not “ham”...

wrong

[P.O.E.]

White Diamond in Clark sells the “Jersey Burger” with pork roll.

[frithguild]

Hoagie?!? Uh!!!!! Itsa a Sub!

[azishot]

Believe it or not, you can make it from scratch for @ $2lb. Us displaced central NJ folks have to do something. I also had to learn how to make hard rolls. Please, please, please share. FWIW, in the Philly area where I grew up it was called Taylor pork roll.

[frithguild]

The Bennies call it Taylor ham.

this is the only valid point made on this entire thread

[TexasTransplant]

OK is the Tri-Tip a Roast or a Steak?

(I think it makes a fair Jerky)

[TexasTransplant]

That puppy is on the Menu in Texas as well ... and it is called California Burrito ... basically made from every leftover available ... Huge and usually very good value and tastes great.
I like getting them for Lunch, they have a higher % of Breakfast Sausage.

Yum

[ObozoMustGo2012]

Ummm... you, I’m right. I’m from NJ and have eaten it my entire life.

[jmacusa]

Yup.

[Mase]

Grew up in Monmouth County and it was always referred to as pork roll. Taylor was the brand we used without question, but we always called it pork roll. I ate it for breakfast and lunch on a regular basis.

[Mase]

The philistines in North Jersey may refer to it as ham but that merely shows their lack of culinary sophistication.

As we used to say from the jersey shore.....they live too far from the beach.

[Rebelbase]

Is this stuff like most other blended pork products that include pig anuses?

[Joe Brower]

The Bennies call it Taylor ham.

Sorry, never heard of them.

[LeonardFMason]

It is PORK ROLL. Every DINER in SE PA and South Jersey has it listed as a PORK ROLL Sandwich.

PORK ROLL!