Who makes the Shore's best pork roll, egg and cheese? In our Pork Roll Playoff, you decide

Sarah Griesemer, Asbury Park Press
·2 min read

If there is anything with the power to both unite and divide the people of New Jersey, it's pork roll.

From what to call it ("It's Pork roll! No, Taylor ham!") to who makes it best, this beloved breakfast meat is as important to a New Jerseyan as to which exit off the Parkway they call home.

We wanted to have some fun with this great debate, so in the spirit of March Madness, we present our Pork Roll Playoff bracket.

Our 16-seed bracket will determine the best pork roll sandwich at the Shore, as voted on by the readers.
Our 16-seed bracket will determine the best pork roll sandwich at the Shore, as voted on by the readers.

How did we decide who to include? We have years of experience eating pork roll, egg and cheese sandwiches, and talking with readers about their favorites — so our opinions and yours determined 14 Monmouth and Ocean county delis, restaurants and coffee shops that make great PECs.

More:7 pizzas you have to try at the Jersey Shore, from sesame crusts to upside down pies

The last two spots, though, are up to you. In the polls below, cast your vote for the final two competitors: Taliercio's Ultimate Gourmet vs. The Local Market & Kitchen in one, The Gourmet Deli vs. Beach Shack Deli in the other.

If the polls do not immediately load, refresh the page. If you have had trouble voting in the app, try a mobile or desktop browser. The poll generally loads better on desktops and laptops rather than on mobile devices. Also, avoid using the Firefox browser.

Play-in matchup #1: Taliercio's Ultimate Gourmet (Middletown) vs. The Local Market & Kitchen (Ship Bottom)

Taliercio's in Middletown, known for its over-the-top sandwich creations, piles pork roll, cheese, egg and potato frittata, bacon, hot sauce and ketchup onto his version of the breakfast sandwich. At The Local Market in Ship Bottom, the PEC is served on freshly baked rolls from La Dolce Bakery in Staten Island.

Play-in matchup #2: The Gourmet Deli (West Creek) vs. Beach Shack Deli (Point Pleasant Beach)

The Gourmet Deli in West Creek tucks pork roll, egg and cheese into fresh kaiser rolls. For summer visitors in Point Pleasant Beach, a day isn't complete without a breakfast sandwich from the seasonal Beach Shack Deli.

Votes must be placed by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24. The results will be shared next week.

Round 1 of the Pork Roll Playoff begins Wednesday, March 1. Votes are limited to one per day. Be sure to get your friends and family to vote for your favorite by sharing the matchups on social media with #PorkRollPlayoff

This March, it will be up to you - the readers - to determine who serves the Shore's best pork roll, egg and cheese in our Pork Roll Playoff bracket.
This March, it will be up to you - the readers - to determine who serves the Shore's best pork roll, egg and cheese in our Pork Roll Playoff bracket.

Finally, we know what you're thinking: With only 16 spots in the bracket, you might not see your favorite. Send an email to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com and tell us about it.

Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Tell us who makes the Shore's best PEC in our Pork Roll Playoff