Seriously, why is Pork Roll only a Jersey thing? I went to college in NC, the pork capital of the US, and admidst all the barbacue and pig pickin's couldnt find a single pork roll, egg and cheese sandwhich.

Not even alot of New YOrkers know what this delicious fatty salty treat is. I just asked an ex-new yorker today. She kinda knew what I was talking about. Philly folks sometimes know. I'm in Los Angeles now, and everytime I go to visit the folks back in NJ, I bring back a big ol' Taylor Ham Pork Roll.

FYI: Ex-Jersey so cal dwellers, there is a place in San Clemente & SJC I think it's called BILLY'S... they have the stuff delivered from back east. I once did a special request from Von's but never heard anything...

I started noticing the pork roll-and-egg sandwich signs at the delis shortly after moving to NJ. I've never tried it, but assumed it was something like Spam. Is that right? Never have seen it anywhere else.

when I lived In Denver a friend had her Dad bring out 4 Taylor Pork rolls & she had a NJ Taylor ham party.
lthough not a Jersey native I was allowed to attend & thought it was wonderful

XXX

No, pork roll is nothing like Spam. You really have to try it. On buttered toast, it was my favorite breakfast growing up. In college, it was sliced so thin, that I'd keep going back for seconds (or thirds) and ask for pork roll without the raost so I'd have a decent size sandwich. You'll see it called either pork roll or Taylor Ham, which is a particular brand.

My family from Florida and New Hampshire always pack it in ice for their return trip. They do the same with scrapple, but can't say that appeals to me.

OK, NJ Girl, it's not spam. But what IS? Is it a roll? Is it pork? Is it ham? Is it sam I am? (just kidding). Seriously, though--what is it???

It definately is not spam... but I have NO IDEA what it is really. It's simply a roll of PORK. They spice it up a certain way that makes it VERY salty tasting. It curls up when you cook it, so you need to cut the edges a little -
Here's a recipe:
NEW JERSEY'S MOST POPULAR BREAKFAST SANDWICH
Product #: 1

Serve on a hard roll (or a roll of your choice) with 2 or more slices of fried or microwaved pork roll, a fried egg and covered with melted cheese.

Found this on http://www.porkrollxpress.com/webstore/

These people actually ship it to anywhere in the US!!!!

Enjoy.

As a letter carrier in Trenton, NJ, I used to deliver to the Taylor pork roll factory, and we always held our company picnics on Taylor picnic grounds. But I must admit that I just never acquired a taste for it - maybe because I dislike salt? Anyway, you brought back some good memories anyway - thanks!

I grew up in Passaic, New Jersey, and you've reminded me of my favorite breakfast--as I recall this was what we'd have if Daddy made breakfast. You're right, I never see it anywhere else but New Jersey. And it's one of the best food products on the planet.

In Cape May there is or was a Taylor Ham restaurant, or a Pork Roll place, or something, I am just remembering it.
I don't know if it's still there but I remember how blissed out I was to find it on my first visit.

Hey, we Philly folks sure do know about it! In fact, we had to take it along to western PA for camping trips (it makes great mountain pies...add some cheese, of course) and have even taken it to the Outer Banks! (travelling porkroll, in case anyone thinks this belongs on a food forum instead.)

It's got to be terrible for you, but every once in a great while a big ole' slice of Jersey tomato, lettuce, some crispy porkroll, and cheddar cheese on a Martin's potato roll is absolutely terrific.

Spam is pale, insipid, canned.
Pork roll is dark, highly flavored (spicey, sweet, salty) and comes wrapped in tight tan canvas bags that you have to cut and peel off. I'm sure that really will confuse those of you who have never seen it. I guess it is flavored, chopped up pork that's formed into a roll. As someone mentioned, you have to make several cuts around the edge before cooking to prevent it from curling up; then those little cuts become wedge shapes when it's cooked.

Although it may sound like the mystery meat often served in colleges, most of my friends really like it, although we don't consume it too often due to the high fat content.

I was just at my friendly neighborhood Publix supermarket in Orlando and saw that they sell Taylor Pork Roll! What a surprise!

We still have Taylor Pork Roll in our grocery stores here in eastern PA. When I was first married (25 years ago!) we often had it for dinner fried crispy, on a french roll with tomato and mozzarella cheese melted on top, with about a gallon of water for dessert. It was a favorite.

Stuck here in the hills of Tennessee and missing Taylor pork roll. Asked my local butchershop to get it and, low and behold, he did! Helps that he is originally from Brooklyn. I was born and raised in Staten Island and that was our special Sunday treat. Love the stuff!!!

I am stunned that East Coasters insist they are more cosmopolitan than Midwesterners yet admit to eating something called "Pork Roll" and even compare said food to SPAM.

I have never heard of this...is there some type of food (other than SPAM) that it can be compared to? Is it like canned ham? or processed luncheon meat?

Curious in SD

Do not lump the rest of us east coasters in with those from New Jersey.

Spam is spiced ham, which pretty much sounds like this pork roll, which in turn sounds utterly disgusting. But, of course, people from New Jersey love White Castle burgers, too.

Those of us who used to stay out until 4AM in NYC CRAVE White Castle! Buy 'em buy the bag. But don't go comparing them to this pork roll stuff.

dave;
Brooklyn born....grew up on "Taylor Ham"
Still love it today. It is not a strictly Jersey thing.
I found it recently in a Shoprite Store in the case where you find the Hot Dogs, etc.
Comes in small pre sliced packages. The deli counters in supermarkets now longer supply it .
Fried on a roll with eggs
Cold on a sandwicH with American cheese and Gulden's or Bauer's mustard...YUM!

I'm here in Arizona (originally from NJ) and they carry Taylor Ham pork roll in our supermarkets here. You can buy it pre-sliced, or buy the whole roll. To make a comparison that might make sense, it is the look and consistancy of a thinner roll of bologna - except it is much tastier, and you don't eat it cold (at least I never have). Picture slicing bologna in about 1/4 inch slices and frying them until they get a little brownish, then you eat it on a roll with cheese and egg.

Listen, I love Spam. I never understood why it has such a bad reputation. My mother sliced it, sprinkled it with dry mustard, brown sugar, and cloves and broiled it. I'd still eat it if I didn't think I'd be arrested by the Yuppie Police.

I love SPAM!

Slice it into small pieces and mix it with kraft mac and cheese and canned peas. YUMMY!