California may be 3,000 miles from Taylor Pork Roll’s New Jersey homeland, but transplanted East Coasters need not despair. With some digging, you can locate outlets selling this Garden State favorite west of the Rockies.
This guide will help you track down tasty Taylor pork roll in California. We cover stores stocking it restaurants serving it online buying options, and how to tell if you’ve found the real McCoy. Keep reading to get your pork roll fix out west!
What Is Taylor Pork Roll?
For the uninitiated, pork roll is a processed meat product introduced in New Jersey in the 1800s. It consists of finely ground pork blended with spices, sugar, and preservatives.
The most popular brand by far is Taylor Pork Roll, made by Taylor Provisions of Trenton, NJ. It’s become a staple breakfast meat in New Jersey and the Philadelphia area.
Taylor Pork Roll is typically sliced thin and fried up for sandwiches. It also goes by the nicknames “Taylor ham” and “Jersey breakfast meat”
This salty, smoky, slightly sweet specialty has a devoted fanbase. But outside its native region, pork roll can be tricky to find.
Where to Buy Taylor Pork Roll in California
Your best sources for Taylor pork roll in the Golden State are:
Specialty Food Stores
Shops specializing in East Coast or New Jersey foods are your most reliable source. For example:
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Jersey Mike’s (multiple locations) – This sandwich chain stocks Taylor pork roll for its sandwiches.
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New York Bagel & Deli (Los Angeles, San Diego) – With “New York” in its name, it’s not surprising this bagel shop carries pork roll.
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Corti Brothers (Sacramento) – This gourmet market has a section dedicated to East Coast foods, including Taylor pork roll.
Delis and Sandwich Shops
Italian and East Coast-style delis are worth checking, as are cheesesteak joints. Some examples:
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South Philly Experience (Los Angeles) – Advertises Taylor pork roll sandwiches on its menu.
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Philly’s Best (Los Angeles, San Diego) – Another Philly-style spot selling pork roll
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** Uncle Paulie’s** (Los Angeles) – Upscale deli periodically offering Taylor pork roll specials.
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** Jersey Girl Cafe** (Lemoore) – New Jersey-themed cafe with Taylor pork roll on the menu.
Online Shipping
Ordering online is an easy option. Taylor Pork Roll itself ships to California. Third-party sites like Amazon also carry it.
For fresh-sliced, try these online pork roll purveyors:
- Marconda’s Meats
- Jersey Pork Roll
- Classic Pork Roll
Ethnic Markets
Some Asian and International markets stock oddities like pork roll in their freezers. Browse their meat aisles.
Filipino and specialty sausage shops are another possibility. Spam and similar mystery meats are big in Filipino cooking.
Direct from Taylor
If all else fails, you can order directly from the source. Taylor Provisions has an online store that ships nationwide. Stock up on 8 oz packs, 3 lb logs, or even 20 lb cases!
How to Identify Taylor Pork Roll
With so many pork roll pretenders out there, how do Californians make sure they’ve got the real Taylor deal? Look for these telltale signs on the packaging:
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Taylor name prominently displayed
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Green, red, and yellow color scheme
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Logo with man in chef’s hat
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“Est. 1888 Trenton, NJ” under the name
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Ingredients listing including pork stock, salt, corn syrup, sugar, and spices
Accept no substitutes! Only packages bearing the Taylor name and insignia contain true Jersey-style pork roll.
Popular Ways to Enjoy Taylor Pork Roll
Once you procure the good stuff, what to do with it? Here are some classic pork roll preparations:
Breakfast Sandwiches
The most common use for Taylor pork roll is breakfast sandwiches:
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Pork roll egg and cheese – Pork roll, fried egg, cheese on a roll
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Jersey Breakfast – Pork roll, egg, and cheese on a bagel
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Pork roll and cheese – Just pork roll and cheese if you’re feeling light
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Pork roll, egg, cheese, and potato – For hearty appetites
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Pork roll and bacon – Can’t decide on roll or bacon? Get both!
Lunch and Dinner Dishes
Pork roll also stars in these savory lunch and dinner recipes:
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Grilled pork roll and tomato sandwich
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Pork roll avocado melt
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Pork roll quesadilla
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Pork roll ravioli or dumplings
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Cubed pork roll in potato salad, pasta salad, omelets etc.
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Pork roll stir fry with vegetables
With its versatility and salty meatiness, pork roll makes a flavorful addition to many dishes.
Snacks and Apps
Some tasty ways to enjoy Taylor pork roll as a snack:
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Pork roll rolls ups – Slices wrapped around pickle, olive, cheese etc.
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Pork roll platter – Slices fanned out with crackers and pickles
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Pork roll jerky – Thin slices dried into chewy jerky
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Pork roll nachos – Cubed pork roll atop nachos and melted cheese
Cooking Tips
To experience that trademark Taylor taste, fry or griddle the slices to add crispy edges. Melt cheese over pork roll when possible – the combo is divine!
Why Californians Crave Taylor Pork Roll
What makes Taylor pork roll so addictive? Here are some reasons Californians seek it out:
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Iconic taste – That unique Taylor tang is impossible to replicate. Fans say it tastes like childhood Saturday breakfasts.
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Jersey pride – For East Coast transplants, pork roll evokes nostalgia for home. It’s a badge of their New Jersey identity.
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Meaty satisfaction – With its burger-like texture, pork roll delivers hearty satisfaction.
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Versatility – From breakfast sandwiches to stir fries, pork roll works in many dishes.
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Convenience – Pre-cooked, pre-sliced pork roll means fast cooking and easy meals.
Tasty, sentimental, and convenient – that winning combo makes Taylor pork roll a much-missed treat for homesick Jersey natives. With the guidance above, hopefully no Californian need miss out on this Garden State goodie.
Taylor Pork Roll by Mail Order
Can’t find Taylor pork roll locally? Here are some online retailers who ship it to California:
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Marconda’s Meats – Fresh sliced or unsliced pork roll shipped from New Jersey.
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JerseyPorkRoll.com – Traditional and spicy Taylor pork roll varieties available.
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Taylor Provisions Online Store – Order directly from the processor.
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Amazon – Prime eligible pork roll shipped nationwid
With online ordering, you can satisfy those Taylor pork roll cravings no matter where you reside. A taste of New Jersey delivered straight to your California doorstep.
Why Pork Roll (Or Taylor Ham) Rules New Jersey || Food/Groups
FAQ
What is the other name for Taylor Pork Roll?
Can you get Taylor Ham outside of NJ?
Can you ship Taylor Pork Roll?
Is Taylor Pork Roll the same as Spam?
How much does a Taylor Pork Roll cost?
Taylor Pork Roll Nutritional Information One – 3 lb Roll of Original Taylor Ham®, professionally packaged and shipped starting at $14.90 This product is formally known as “John Taylor’s Original Taylor Pork Roll,” but many of us in Jersey call it simply, “Taylor Ham.” Pork Roll has been manufactured since 1856.
Where are Taylor pork rolls made?
A four-slice box of pork roll produced by Taylor Provisions Taylor Provisions is a leading producer of pork roll, based in Trenton, New Jersey. Its founder, John Taylor is credited as the inventor of the pork roll, originally calling it “Taylor’s Prepared Ham”.
Does Taylor Pork Roll accept credit cards?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express Get Taylor Pork Roll delivered to you in as fast as 1 hour via Instacart or choose curbside or in-store pickup. Contactless delivery and your first delivery or pickup order is free! Start shopping online now with Instacart to get your favorite products on-demand.
Is Taylor a pork roll?
While “Taylor” is a brand of pork roll, in regions of North Jersey all brands of pork roll may be referred to colloquially as “Taylor Ham” due to the first production of pork roll being branded Taylor. Taylor Provisions Company produces pork-based products.