As a brand new resident of Tuscaloosa, Alabama I am discovering new foods everyday that I love.

Get our free mobile app

 

The one thing that I wish I could introduce to everyone in the Tuscaloosa area.

This delicious dish is a taylor egg and cheese sandwich. It's a New Jersey staple that is also a topic for arguments across the whole state.

I can attest to what a true battle it is in the State of New Jersey.

If you are from the northern portion of the garden state you call it taylor ham, the
southern portion of the state and Philadelphia call it a pork roll.
I just call it delicious. Now I know what you're thinking, it's just another breakfast food like bacon, and yes it is, but it's just so much more.

There isn't a deli, diner, or supermarket that
doesn’t have the cured meat product on its shelves or on the menu in New Jersey.

Let's go back in time for a moment, if you don't mind.

To a time when I was visiting the state of Texas and the moment I was first introduced to the sandwich.

Now, in Texas, this sandwich is not reserved solely for breakfast.

You should have seen the looks of shock I was greeted with when I simply uttered "Uh...I've never tried one."

It still puts a smile on my face to this day.

I know it's hard to envision this sandwich as more than just another breakfast item, yet once you've had one, ya GOTTA have it again.

The best way to describe this sandwich is...well....what's the word I'm looking for
here....ADDICTIVE.

That dang taylor ham, or pork roll, is fried (I knew you'd like that one) until the
edges are crisp.

The egg, as I like it cooked, is runny, and the cheese is melted to perfection.

This is served on a fresh roll where the flavors become one outstanding, astounding, delightful, dreamy, epic, heavenly, jaw-droppingly good sandwich.

Now, I have been lucky enough to find it on occasion in certain supermarkets below the Mason-Dixon Line, but not as often as I would like. Whenever I get the chance to enjoy this New Jersey staple I never say no, I ask for seconds.

OK, maybe thirds. But that's not the point here.

Get off
my back....wait a minute....sorry, I got lost in the sandwich for a moment.

So, when I hear that, admittedly obnoxious Jersey accent, I immediately want an invitation to breakfast.

I would love nothing more than for the Tuscaloosa area to be able to experience this sandwich at least one time in their lives and then Alabamians can become part of the great debate.

New Jersey really isn't all that bad.

If only we could fix that darn accent situation.

The Definitive Ranking of Chicken Finger Baskets in Tuscaloosa, AL

Y'all ready for a deep-fried hot take? CLUCK YEAH! Meg Summers is ranking the best chicken finger baskets in the Druid City.

10 Underrated Soul Food Restaurants in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

How Alabamians Like Their Fried Bologna Sandwiches

More From 105.1 The Block