It's Round 1 of the Pork Roll Playoff! Vote for your favorite spot at the Jersey Shore
Get ready, pork roll fans. Our search to find the tastiest pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich at the Shore has begun.
We brought together 16 favorite restaurants, delis and coffee shops for our Pork Roll Playoff, and you will choose the winner.
This first round of voting begins Wednesday, March 1, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 3. Eight competitors will advance to the second round of voting, which begins March 8.
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.
Let the games begin!
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Johnny's Pork Roll and Coffee Too (Red Bank) vs. Taylor Sam's (Brick)
The sandwiches at Johnny's in Red Bank are made with pork roll that is sliced thin and cooked till crispy (owner John Yarusi treats it like bacon). Taylor Sam's in Brick serves the classic PEC as well as one that adds bacon and homefries.
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Allenwood General Store (Wall) vs. The Local Market (Ship Bottom)
Folks tell us the pork roll, egg and cheese at Allenwood General Store in the Allenwood section of Wall is "the best ever." At The Local Market in Ship Bottom (one of our play-in round winners), the PEC is served on freshly baked rolls from La Dolce Bakery in Staten Island.
Bing's Deli (Avon) vs. Divi Tree Coffee (Point Pleasant Borough)
Bing's Deli in Avon makes their sandwich with a generous amount of pork roll on a Portuguese or hard roll. The freshly baked sweet roll used at Divi Tree Coffee in Point Pleasant Borough complements the savory breakfast meat.
Kelly's Tavern (Neptune City) vs. Slater's Deli (Middletown)
Kelly's Tavern in Neptune City opens at 7 a.m. daily, and their pork roll, egg and cheese comes on a hard roll with crispy potatoes on the side. Slater's Deli in Middletown makes theirs with six slices of thick-cut pork roll, two eggs and four slices of cheese.
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Frank's Deli (Asbury Park) vs. Hoagitos (Belmar, Ocean Township)
The cash-only Frank's Deli in Asbury Park is a longtime favorite for a classic pork roll, egg and cheese. Hoagitos in Belmar and Ocean Township dresses their version with a spicy sauce of ketchup, mayo and Sriracha.
Lava Java (Lavallette) vs. Joe's Bagel & Grill (multiple locations)
Lava Java in Lavallette makes the classic pork roll, egg and cheese, plus a sub with scrambled eggs, diced pork roll, cheese and home fries. Joe's Bagel & Grill, with nearly a dozen locations at the Shore, kicks things up a notch with a triple-decker sandwich that has six slices of pork roll, four eggs and bacon on French toast.
Sorrentino's Subs (Howell) vs. Beach Shack Deli (Point Pleasant Beach)
Sorrentino's Subs in Howell earns rave reviews for its classic pork roll, egg and cheese. For summer visitors in Point Pleasant Beach, a day isn't complete without a breakfast sandwich from the seasonal Beach Shack Deli (our other play-in round winner).
Speakeatery (Asbury Park) vs. Beckman's Deli (Belmar)
Shake things up at Speakeatery in Asbury Park, where pork roll joins bacon, sausage, eggs, Muenster cheese, hash browns and sausage gravy on a hearty breakfast sandwich. Beckman's Deli in Belmar is a beloved local spot for a picture-perfect classic pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich.
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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: Jersey Shore pork roll: Who has the best? Vote in our first round
