Yes, it is called Taylor Ham.

The classic New Jersey debate of ‘taylor ham vs. pork roll’ has been a popular topic over recent years, as some residents prefer to call this breakfast dish pork roll, while others believe it should be called taylor ham. My little hometown named Pequannock is a part of Northern Jersey, and it is quite impossible to hear the words “pork roll” up there. Taylor ham was a famous New Jersey trademark to us. I grew up where taylor ham was served at every breakfast, whether I was at home, at a friend’s house, or at a diner. When I say “every breakfast”, I mean literally every breakfast too. We used to fry it up in a hot pan and serve it as a side, make taylor ham omelettes, or order taylor ham, egg, and cheese sandwiches from the best deli in town.

One summer morning, I was awoken by loud voices walking throughout the house. My first thought was an assumption that my mom had company over, but as I listened I noticed that the voices sounded familiar. I got myself out of bed and strolled out into the kitchen in my pink pajamas, where I saw my two older brothers and sister sitting around the table. The smell of my favorite breakfast filled my nose, taylor ham, egg and cheese sandwiches from our hometown deli. I immediately felt a warm sense of comfort and love in the room. There was hot coffee brewing, sunshine shining through the windows, and laughter in the air. My family got my sandwich with hash browns on it, which they know is my favorite way to enjoy it. The salty, smokey taylor ham created a perfect balance between the fried egg and gooey American cheese, and the potato hash brown adds a little extra savoriness and bite. My family and I all had a mutual love for taylor ham that we were able to bond over, so once all my older siblings moved out, it became a special occasion to have breakfast all together again. I was about 16 when I officially became the last kid in the house, and it was difficult to get used to living without my older brothers and sister, whom I had lived with my whole life. Reuniting and enjoying breakfast together once again is truly a special tradition in my life, and it wouldn’t be the same with our favorite New Jersey taylor ham.