Alvia Lewis Frey: This Hoosier forever a Jersey girl

I was born and raised in New Jersey. Even though I now live in Indiana, and have for over 40 years, I am still a Jersey girl and love all things Jersey. One of those things is Taylor Pork Roll.

Developed in 1856 in Trenton by John Taylor, state senator and successful businessman, Taylor Pork Roll is a delightful mix of ground pork, salt, sugar, and spices. It is formed into a log, smoked, cooked, encased in a cotton cloth, and then shrink-wrapped. I grew up eating Taylor Pork Roll, a staple in our home for as long as I can remember.



There is nothing better for breakfast than a few slices of fried pork roll served with a juicy egg, which is how my father offered the meat. And then there is the sandwich: slices of fried pork roll, juicy egg, American cheese, served on a crusty on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside hard roll. Unless, of course, you live in Indiana, where Taylor Pork Roll is nonexistent.

I’ve checked all the groceries, believe me. Of all the things I miss about New Jersey, such as the ocean breeze of Asbury Park on a summer’s night, melt in your mouth New Jersey style crumb cake, and those ever so soft on the inside bagels, I just might miss Taylor Pork Roll the most. And so, on a recent trip to my home state, I purchased four one-pound pork rolls and 12 hard rolls at Shoprite.

They reposed in my freezer until the family came over for pork roll sandwich night five days later. While frying slices of pork roll for my family, I was pleasantly overcome by the sweet fragrance wafting through the kitchen. Assembling the sandwiches is the best part: placing the meat on the bottom half of a hard roll, then topping the meat with two slices of American cheese, a juicy fried egg, and a sprinkle of pepper.

The roll absolutely must be cut in half, thus allowing the egg yolk to drip down the meat and cheese on each half of the sandwich. And then there is that first bite! Oh, my goodness. Taylor Pork Roll! The stuff of which the best and most delicious breakfast sandwiches are made.

My name is Alvia Lewis Frey. I am a Jersey girl, and I love Taylor Pork Roll. I approve of this message.

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