Whether you call it Taylor Ham or pork roll, there is no denying that the salty breakfast meat is one of the defining foods of New Jersey. And though there are many ways to have it, Taylor Ham is often best portrayed on what we consider to be the official sandwich of NJ: The Taylor Ham, egg and cheese (TEC).
Everyone likes to eat their TEC differently, but if you ask Kevin Knissel—who goes by @teamtaylornj on Instagram and TikTok—the sandwich is best represented on a Kaiser roll with a good squirt of ketchup. The social media influencer has reviewed hundreds of TECs in NJ and ranks each one on a scale of 1-10.
According to the self-proclaimed CEO of Taylor Ham himself, these are the five best Taylor Ham, egg and cheeses in New Jersey.
1. Pascarella Brothers Delicatessen – Chatham, NJ
Where: 34 Watchung Ave, Chatham, NJ 07928
Rating: 9.45
@teamtaylornj New Jersey’s #1 Taylor Ham Egg n’ Cheese – Pascarella Bros. – Chatham, NJ #teamtaylor #taylorham #newjersey #breakfast #bagels #foodblogger #chathamnj #jersey ♬ original sound – CEO of Taylor Ham
2. Jovo’s Deli – Brick Township, NJ
Where: West, 1715 NJ-88, Brick Township, NJ 08724
Rating: 9.4
@teamtaylornj Jovo’s Deli in Brick is easily a top 3 Taylor Ham Egg and Cheese in New Jersey #taylorham #porkroll #bricknj #njeats ♬ original sound – CEO of Taylor Ham
3. Oscar’s Deli & Restaurant – Millburn, NJ
Where: 305 Millburn Ave, Millburn, NJ 07041
Rating: 9.4
@teamtaylornj 📍Oscar’s Deli – Millburn, NJ #taylorham #teamtaylor #millburnnj #shorthillsnj #taylorhamorporkroll #porkroll #nj #newjersey #northjersey #southjersey ♬ original sound – CEO of Taylor Ham
4. The Greeks – Kearny, NJ
Where: 461 Elm St, Kearny, NJ 07032
Rating: 9.35
@teamtaylornj 📍The Greeks – Kearny, NJ #taylorham #teamtaylor #taylorhamorporkroll #porkroll #nj #newjersey #kearnynj #cheesepull #njfoodie #njfoodreview ♬ original sound – CEO of Taylor Ham
5. Fredon Deli & Pizza – Fredon, NJ
Where: 428 NJ-94, Newton, NJ 07860
Rating: 9.3
@teamtaylornj ♬ original sound – CEO of Taylor Ham
About the Author/s
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
22 comments
Is this a Jersey mag or a north Jersey mag????
What is “Taylor Ham”? Oh you mean Pork Roll
True Salvage Cafe in Maplewood makes the best in Jersey. Period. It’s the bread baby!
REALITY: Since 1906…117 YEARS AGO…the product has been trademarked as ‘TAYLOR PORK ROLL’.
FOR 117 YEARS, EVERY PACKAGE, CARTON, LABEL, SIGN, ADVERTISMENT, ETC HAS SAID THE SAME THING:
‘TAYLOR PORK ROLL’.
I don’t care what your mommy told you its called. It was invented by Taylor Provisioning of Trenton, NJ, and they are still the only company that makes it, and their product is named ‘TAYLOR PORK ROLL’.
You need to go to The Pork Roll Store.
BEST PORK ROLL IN NEW JERSEY!!!
BOUY in Manasquan should have made the list.
Today in NJ History:
“John Taylor was born in Hamilton Square, New Jersey on October 6, 1836. Taylor formed the Taylor Provisions Company in 1888 and created Taylor Pork Roll. The product was originally called Taylor’s Prepared Ham, but Taylor was forced to change the name after the product failed to meet the new guidelines as to the definition of “ham” established by the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. He also founded the Taylor Opera House in Trenton, New Jersey and served in the New Jersey Senate. Taylor passed away on February 10, 1909 and is buried in Riverview Cemetery in Trenton, New Jersey.”
Credit: J. Mitchelli
I realize that it was first called “TAYLOR’S PREPARED HAM” for about 50years. But the name was changed due to the FACT it doesn’t contain HAM. It is made from finely ground pork shoulder. HAM is from the back leg. It has been labeled PORK ROLL for over 100years. The package’s are Labeled PORK ROLL and ingredients don’t list HAM but list Pork.
Now do a South Jersey list with the best PORK ROLL sandwiches
Pork roll*
It’s Taylor ham …. And this guy needs to get to slaters in Monmouth county crazy sandwich delicious
I agree with Slaters in Leonardo. Their sandwiches are crazy good. But it’s Pork Roll dammit.
Say it is a north jersey not a new jersey list. Down in south jersey it is Taylor pork roll, we put it on a bagel with cheese with or without egg. I have never heard of anyone putting ketchup on sandwich.
The Taylor delivery trucks are marked Taylor Pork Roll
Swiss Chalet in Morristown should be pn the list.
Johnny’s Pork Roll and Coffee in Red Bank should definitely be in the top 5 in the state of New Jersey. Even his food truck in Asbury Park Beach is top 5.
Calling it Taylor Ham only shows the ignorance of people from the North.
Everyone from Central on down knows how to read a package label.
Jovo’s is a hidden gem. We have enjoyed many breakfasts there as well as using the deli counter and delicious homemade salads.
Slaters ,located in leonardo,makes a poekroll,egg and cheese called the slider
Definitely shoukd have made the list
I agree with Slaters in Leonardo. Their sandwiches are crazy good. But it’s Pork Roll dammit.
Tough to beat SLATERS DELI in Atlantic Highlands CERTAINLY in the top 5!!!!!!!
Slaters on Rt 36 in leonardo makes one of the Best porkroll egg and cheese sandwiches “the slider” in Jersey
Slaters hands down is the Best porkroll/ Taylor’s ham sandwich in Jersey