Taylor Ham

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Taylor Ham is a type of sausage-like pork product made from ham, developed by John Taylor of Trenton, New Jersey late in the 19th century. It is often called pork roll due to the "roll" or tube-like sack in which it is traditionally packaged.

Taylor is the brand name for pork roll made by Taylor Provisions, Inc., of Trenton. Taylor also manufactures pork roll under the Trenton brand. Trenton by Taylor has been an advertiser on the outfield wall at Mercer County Waterfront Park in Trenton since it opened in 1994. Other companies making pork roll include crosstown rival Case Pork Roll Company, as well as, Kohler Provisions and Loeffler Gourmet.

The product is generally eaten sliced and grilled, like Canadian bacon, but is also known to be fried. A common practice is to slice four cuts from the outer edges inwards about 3/4 of an inch to an inch towards the center, evenly spaced around the circumference. These cuts prevent the pork roll from curling up in the middle, which causes it to cook unevenly. With these cuts, the cooked slices have become known by many differnt names such as fireman's badges (due to the similarity to the maltese cross), pac-man meat, and notch meat.

Pork roll generally comes in one-, three-, and six-pound sizes, as well as six-ounce boxes containing eight single-thickness slices or four double-thickness slices. The product is seldom available for retail or restaurant sale outside of New Jersey and adjoining areas like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In Florida, it is available at Publix's supermarkets, Harris Teeter in North Carolina, Byerly's in Minnesota, and De Laurenti's in Seattle. but not many other locations outside of New Jersey. However, there are marketers selling pork roll on the internet and shipping it around the United States.

[edit] Uses in Sandwiches

Known as the 'Jersey Breakfast', the Taylor Ham, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich is a staple of many delis, diners, and bakeries in New Jersey.

One of its uses can be tasted in a "Field Worker", a sandwhich sold at Taste of Italy in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The sandwhich has gained "cult" status in Ridgewood and is enjoyed by many in the surrounding towns. Its ingredients include, taylor ham, egg, american cheese and potatoes.

[edit] Taylor Ham in Pop Culture

Taylor ham is mentioned by George Carlin's character as a pork roll in Kevin Smith's movie Jersey Girl.

Pork roll is sometimes referred to as "notch meat" (due to the radial cuts).

"Taylor Ham and Egg" sandwich is a favorite breakfast sandwich of Howard Stern Show's co-host Artie Lange.

The band Ween created the product's theme song, "Pork Roll Egg and Cheese."

Sometimes known as "Pac-Man bacon" due to its likeness to the video game character Pac-Man when only one radial cut is made.

W.E.B. Griffin mentions Taylor ham in his Badge of Honor series of novels, set in Philadelphia.

"Taylor Ham , Egg and Cheese" Is commonly refered to as a "THEC" with "SPK" (Salt Pepper and Ketchup). Always served on a Keiser Roll.