Pork Roll
As a New Jersey resident, the dispute over Pork Roll, or as some wrongly name it, Taylor Ham, is very familiar. The debate on the name of this popular Jersey pork product is often split by North Jerseyans and South Jerseyans.
As a South Jerseyan, I feel very strongly about this and my stance as a Pork Roll defender. Growing up specifically in the surrounding areas of Philadelphia, I am no stranger to Pork Roll and the delicacy that is a Pork Roll egg and cheese sandwich with salt, pepper and ketchup (SPK). It wasn’t until I moved up North for college that I was met with the terrifying discovery that people call it Taylor Ham.
I have since found myself arguing with many people on what the correct name for this delicious breakfast meat is. A lot of my passionate, emotion filled quarrels were based on the fact that I felt Pork Roll simply sounded better as a name, but I am here to offer some more factual evidence for Pork Roll being the correct term for this product.
The manufacturer of Pork Roll, Taylor Provisions of Trenton, N.J., explains that the name for the processed meat is actually, “Taylor Pork Roll.” It was developed by John Taylor in Trenton in the late 19th century and was originally called “Taylor Ham,” but the name was changed in 1906.
It has been over one hundred years since Pork Roll was called Taylor Ham, but North Jerseyans still can’t seem to let go of the name — or admit that they are wrong. It’s clear as day that Pork Roll is Pork Roll and I am happy to be the one to end this debate.
Thank you John Taylor for this New Jersey staple, and thank you South Jersey for introducing me to the finest of breakfast foods.
oparisi@ramapo.edu
Taylor Ham
Taylor Ham versus Pork Roll; North Jersey versus South Jersey. This debate has been going on for God knows how long. People can call it Pork Roll all they want, but it doesn’t change where it came from and how, in essence, it will always be Taylor Ham.
The name came from John Taylor, the creator of Taylor Ham. He created it in Trenton in 1856 and sold it as “Taylor Ham.” For 14 years, Taylor was the only one making this product, until George Washington Case made his own in 1870.
The only reason why it is broadly called Pork Roll is due to the Pure Food and Drug Act passed in 1906. It stated the product could not be called ham because ham denotes a specific cut of pork, so Taylor called it Pork Roll.
Both sides technically are right, but one cannot deny that it was always supposed to be Taylor Ham. Had that act not been passed, it would still probably be considered Taylor Ham. It’s like how Twitter is now X — who doesn’t still call it Twitter? Facebook and Meta. Taylor Ham and Pork Roll.
I know some will argue that it is Pork Roll because the name Taylor Ham only denotes a specific company that manufactures it. However, looking at the history, Taylor Ham is more than a company. It is the product’s origin and birth name.
To summarize, I can agree that it is both names. However, you cannot deny what name it was given first. It is Taylor Ham, through and through, and it was always meant to be. John Taylor didn’t create this delicious Jersey delicacy just to be forgotten in the dust. Say his name and enjoy a Taylor Ham sandwich today.
pbortner@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @JoeBilby1, X
