Taylor Ham -- Dispute Among The Learned

Factual Questions
1

Taylor ham is, as some of you may know, a popular processed pork product in New Jersey and Penna. What is it?

Well, that’s what I’m having trouble nailing down. Essentially, I’ve been served and have seen ads for two somewhat distinct products going by this name. Both are served up as thin disks or slices of fried or broiled porky product (often on a sandwich with eggs, mmmm).

But some of this “Taylor ham” has had a substantially coarser/more “spamlike” consistency, as if processed (or maybe like a thick, coarse baloney).

Whereas some has been essentially like ham or Canadian bacon, i.e., smooth and not evidently processed (i.e., not chopped up and reformed).

I’ve found natives of the region who swear by both definitions and deny even knowing about the other product.

From what I can tell, most online sources seem to have the “spamlike” version in mind (it’s sometimes hard to tell from the pictures).

So which is it? Or are there rival regional definitions/embodiments?

2

This is Taylor ham – Taylor brand pork roll.

3

Yes, that is the type that has turned up most often in my searches, and is consonant with the type of mildly-spammy/baloney-like “pork roll” I’ve had in S.N.J./E. Pa.

But there is also the more “hammy”/Canadian bacon type stuff that I’ve had elsewhere and that others swear is the real “Taylor ham” (albeit it may be infringing the Taylor company’s trademark). This variety has turned up at the Greek joints around Clifton and Paterson, N.J. (also known for their fried hot dogs, but that’s another topic).