PEC Challenge: Summit Diner

Last Sunday, as I was driving my girlfriend to the airport at 8am following our third straight week of surprise 30th birthday parties (shout out, Willy, HBD), I realized I might have needed something a little stronger than your average pork roll, egg, and cheese.  Yes, I needed the top of the line, something to power me through the rest of the day (that included watching football and drinking a million bud light pitchers at Dylan Murphy's in the city, thank you Tom for the hospitality). And would you look at that? A longtime favorite and the top of many a pork roll list, Summit Diner is just a short 15-minute drive from Newark Airport.  After a couple of weeks on the road, I can finally continue my "Top Pork Rolls of NJ" list validation tour.  The Summit Diner is right on the main drag of a cute downtown area you'd find in dozens of suburban Jersey towns.  Opened in 1929, this diner is one of the oldest in New Jersey, a prototypical rail car-style diner you remember your grandparents taking you when you were a kid, and I was delighted to find an open seat on the old countertop when I walked in.  I think the counter is one of the best things about a diner, you can enjoy a meal completely alone and it wouldn't be weird, in fact, I find it rather peaceful among the hustle and bustle of a diner.  After a brief misunderstanding of calling it pork roll (they call it Taylor Ham in Union County, whoops!), I was on my way to one of the more uniquely NJ experiences you can find.  Just a guy in a diner, eating a pork roll, egg, and cheese.  It almost brings a tear to my eye. 

I mean this might be one of the most beautiful pictures I've ever taken.

Bread Rating: 9.6/10 (A perfectly toasted hard roll.  I honestly don't think I'll find a better-toasted roll.  The griddle at Summit Diner is second to none, you can close your eyes and picture the generations of people enjoying a breakfast made on it.  Oh, they toast the bread on that griddle FYI.)

Pork Roll Rating: 9.4/10 (Two thick slices of what they called Taylor Ham.  We're in North Jersey now.  A ton of flavor and heartwarming grease.  Oh, and did I mention its griddled right in front of you.  I love these old diners so much.)

Egg: 9.3/10 (Fried egg like you dream about.)

Cheese: 8.2/10 (There's a block of American yellow next to the griddle straight from the deli.  They slice it from the block and melt it right into the toasted roll and pork roll.)

Sandwich Composition: 9.2/10 (A masterpiece of composition.  No ketchup but truth be told, I didn't miss it.  This sandwich was put together with years of experience behind it and you can't put a price on experience.) 

Overall: 9.1/10 (Well, Mr. Genovese got this one right, this is perhaps the best pork roll, egg, and cheese in the state if not the best NJ PEC experience.  From the old school railcar set up, to your sandwich being prepared right in front of you.  I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic NJ PEC experience.)

Price: $4.50, cash.


Summit Diner is located at 1 Union Pl, Summit, NJ 07901

Taliercio's Challenge: Big Mike

Editor's Note: I originally wrote this blog last week to be released today but due to yesterday's horrific events in Jersey City I have to start today's blog with a request.  Before you read on about today's sandwich, I ask that you donate to the memorial fund for Detective Joseph Seals, who gave his life protecting Jersey City yesterday.  My uncle recently retired from Jersey City PD so it would mean a lot if you'd join me in helping Detective Seals' family with any amount you could give.  You can donate here. 




Today we have a very special request from my good friend Mike who is celebrating his 30th birthday.  His direct quote from last week: 

Well, Mike, there's only one sandwich left on the menu with the name Mike in it and it's Big Mike.  Anyone who knew Mike back in the day knows this is a hilarious choice of sandwich coming from someone who was nicknamed Fetus (I know, disgusting) in Middle School.  (The same nickname could have easily been applied to me but since I was a grade older than him, he got stuck with it, sorry I don't make the nickname rules.)  I don't care how much weight you put up in the Barn (his homemade gym) today because until you have a kid and name him Mike, I will never refer to you as Big Mike.  And that's a promise.  There's a lot more I can say about Mike but I have to save some material for the wedding.  So Happy Birthday, here's your sandwich. 

Big Mike: Capicola, Sopressata, Provolone, Mozzarella, Balsamic Vinegar

I mean, we aren't only rocking with one cheese on the Big Mike, we are rocking with two! The provolone and mozzarella are perfect with the meats here. Love meat? There's plenty to go around.  This is a true NJ Italian classic.  I mean, it's got gabagool! Did you just spend Thanksgiving binging The Sopranos and wondered what gabagool was and why everyone loved it? You've come to the right place.  They're actually talking about capicola, which is a type of salami,  a cross between prosciutto and sausage, and it is as good as Tony Soprano says it is.  But that's not all on this sandwich.  We also have a generous helping of soppressata, which is an Italian dry salami.  Basically, this sandwich is about half an antipasto on bread. If you aren't familiar with antipasto, please make your family aware of it before your Christmas dinner.  

Overall: 7.8/10 

PEC Challenge: Town Bagel & Grill

What a 24 hours it has been to be a New York Mets fan.   After losing a homegrown 29-year-old stud starting pitcher to hated rivals the Phillies (to a 5 year $118M deal that the Mets didn't even attempt to match), it appeared hope was lost.  The stingy Wilpons have struck again.  While all the teams around us improved, the Mets only move this off-season have been hiring a new manager.  For those unfamiliar with the Mets ownership situation let me briefly fill you in.   The Mets play in New York, which is the largest market in the country, and have been forced to endure small market team moves due to the Wilpons involvement in the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme.  In addition to that, these assholes have done things like ruined careers by forcing players to play through an injury, calling their managers in the dugout to make pitching changes even though they don't know shit about baseball (also known as micromanaging hell), and collecting insurance money on injured players (they've allowed being injured) and not reinvesting that money back into the team.  They created a joke of a franchise culture despite having one of the most passionate fanbases in the MLB.  But now we have been saved.  Yeah, I'm pretty sure new owner Steve Cohen is a total scumbag as well, but this scumbag has $13 BILLION and has a win at all cost mentality so as long as he turns this ship around I'm happy.  Is it sad that getting a new owner and not actually acquiring any new talent on the team is making me optimistic about the Mets in 2020? Absolutely.  Am I about to bet on them to win the World Series again? You bet. OK enough about the Mets you don't care, I just had to get that off my chest before eating a celebration pork roll.  

This morning I went to a spot that always appears on my Seamless and DoorDash apps when I get food delivered, Town Bagel & Grill in Eatontown.  I should have probably gotten this delivered this morning because when I got back into my car to drive home I found my battery dead.  This couldn't be possible since I replaced the battery just 11 months ago.  While waiting for AAA to give me a jump a man walked into the store asking if anyone had a (piece of absolute shit) Black Volkswagen Jetta.  "Great, this guy is going to give me a jump."  Nope, he wasn't AAA.  He was just telling me I was getting a flat tire.  Is this what I deserve for dancing on the graves of baseball's most hated family? Probably, but it turns out the battery wasn't dead after all, the cord connecting the battery was just loose so now I have to track down the last person who worked on my car and write them a strongly worded email directing them to this blog.  The good news is after 2 weeks on the road with less than stellar PEC attempts in VA and MA, I'm back in NJ for the real deal.   

Bread Rating: 6.7/10 (Kind of a bagel/roll hybrid.  The top looked like a bagel but the bottom was more like a roll.  Weird.  I'm not convinced this place is an actual bagel shop but rather a deli, which is fine except it literally says bagel in the name of their store.  Confusing.)

Pork Roll Rating: 7.7/10 (Three pretty thick pork roll slices that were excellent.  Out of staters please take notes.)

Egg Rating: 7.4/10 (Egg was seasoned and fried well and didn't overpower the pork roll which you love to see.  The egg is supposed to complement not make the entire sandwich.)

Cheese Rating: 6.4/10 (Average imitation cheese product.)

Sandwich Composition: 7.5/10 (I liked the look and taste of this sandwich.  The SPK was spot on and it didn't leave me overly full so it was a good size for someone who was waiting 45 minutes for AAA to arrive to fix my car.)

Overall: 7.1/10 (This is what a PEC is supposed to look like as a baseline.  Would I go out of my way to go to this place? No.  But if you're heading northbound on 35 from last-minute Xmas shopping at the Monmouth Mall maybe give it a shot.)

Price: $4, credit accepted. 

Town Bagel & Grill is located at 37 NJ-35, Eatontown, NJ 07724.   

Taliercio's Challenge: The Jersey Shore

 Ten years ago a show debuted that (predictably) took the world by storm.  We're talking about Jersey Shore.  Before Jerzday's became a weekly holiday, I (along with most of the people I knew growing up), was pretty annoyed by this new MTV concept. 

OK, maybe it was just me.   I was in college in DC when the show was released and while I had, of course, encountered plenty of people (many who were related to me) who dressed and looked like the cast of Jersey Shore, a ton of my friends at school had no idea people like this existed.   Likely because I have 0 hair product in my hair, don't look orange, and don't wear gold chains and Gucci shoes (maybe I should start to?).  As I began describing my summers at home, I realized, "Fuck, maybe it actually is like the show."  My daily routine during my summers in NJ always consisted of three things: Gym (shoutout Retro Fitness), tan (beach every morning none of that tanning booth shit), laundry. But the clip that really turned me from "This show is an abomination" to "This might be the funniest and most relatable show of all time" came during the season one episode where "The Situation" excluded "Sammi Sweetheart" from surf and turf night, ravioli night, and chicken cutlet night.

Iconic.  

I think I must have said that to about a dozen people who tried to weasel their way into dinner at my house (RIP to my crack den of a house in NE DC, The Dougie) when they found out my mom sent me food from home.  And from there, I truly embraced it.  From every "T-shirt Time" and every smush room.  Every meatball day followed by a chicken cutlet night.  A ridiculous show with ridiculous people making us laugh.  And sure they might give us a "bad reputation" but fuck it, it was bad already, and we really don't give a shit.  Now that my ode to the show is complete, let's take a look at Taliercio's "Jersey Shore" panini. 

Jersey Shore: Chicken Cutlet, Cheddar, Hot Peppers, Tomato, Ranch Dressing

Just like the show Jersey Shore, my initial reaction when seeing this panini was met with disappointment.  I could smell the ranch dressing when I unwrapped the panini and was horrified by the thought of cheddar cheese on a chicken cutlet.  Almost exactly how I was horrified that a cast of Bennys from Staten Island/Upstate NY/Rhode Island was about to star in a show portraying my home.   But I was surprised to find myself actually enjoying the show and this sandwich for reasons still unknown to me.  It's entertaining.  It has flair.  It has almost the exact attitude I grew up with.  Sure the ranch dressing and cheddar cheese are a weird addition,  but the meat of the sandwich, the chicken cutlets, as well as the hot peppers (the hot peppers give it the perfect zing to balance out the ranch), are the real star here.  And no show has popularized chicken cutlets as much as this one.  I suppose the lesson we can take from this is "Never judge a book by its cover," but the real ones know the actual lesson here is: 

"Never fall in love at the Jersey Shore." 

Overall: 7.2/10 

PEC Challenge: Brooklyn Water Bagels

My Thanksgiving Massachusetts tour continues on.  Today, I'm rolling through Framingham, MA to get a peek at my girlfriend's Catholic School upbringing. (RIP Marian High School)  I was tipped off to a place that serves pork roll and since this might be my one and only visit to Framingham, I couldn't let this opportunity pass.  You may know Framingham as the location of The Chicken Bone during season one of Bar Rescue. (Honestly, that's all I knew about the place before coming here.)  A little outside Boston, Framingham houses many company headquarters (notably Bose) and like most suburban big towns looking to attract young professionals, has a blossoming brewery scene. (Seriously, I've seen at least five breweries just driving through.) "The Ham" as it's called by locals is home to Framingham State University, which I suppose has dozens of NY/NJ natives in its ranks, so the location of a "Brooklyn Water Bagel" shop makes sense.  The shop itself is located in a strip mall and had all the appearances of a thriving bagel business.  Let's see how they did.  

Bread Rating: 6.7/10 (Not the worst attempt at a Brooklyn bagel but certainly not good.  There was a decent crisp on the bottom which was maybe the highlight of the sandwich.)

Pork Roll Rating: 4.2/10 (Two thin, barely visible pieces of pork roll.  I understand you have to "import" pork roll but if you're going to give people this don't offer it at all.  I know they offer pork roll at Wegman's in MA so you really don't have to import it at all.  Sad showing.)

Egg Rating: 3.2/10 (Completely overpowered the sandwich with unseasoned fake egg mix.  Seriously, this could have been the blandest breakfast sandwich I've ever had in my life. Sad!)

Cheese Rating: 5.8/10 (Kraft single like you read about.  You knew that was coming.)

Sandwich Composition: 4.8/10 (I'd like to say there would be some redeeming qualities to this PEC but there were absolutely none.  No SPK, no tin foil wrap, way too much shitty egg.  I could go on and on.  The fact they cheaped out this much and still have the balls to charge homesick Framingham State students $6 for this monstrosity is criminal.  In fact, I'm contacting the local representative to report these crimes.)

Overall: 4.9/10 (Honestly, the attempt at a bagel saved this sandwich it should really be a 3.9.)

Price: $6, card accepted.

Brooklyn Water Bagels is located at 341 Cochituate Rd, Framingham, MA 01701

PEC Challenge: Better Bagels Boston

Did you know that there's a surprising amount of pork roll options in Boston?  I didn't. I previously covered Moody's in Back Bay to less than stellar reviews. Better Bagels is in the Seaport District which has recently (~5 years?) been completely overhauled from old warehouses into hundreds of shops, dining, and apartments.  Pretty cool.  You know what wasn't cool?  Paying $15 to park for 11 minutes while I picked up this bad boy.  That's Boston, baby.  Better Bagels is mostly like the rest of the things in Seaport these days, new.  It's a little spot with just the counter and a little ledge at the window to wait at.  They offer sandwiches ranging from local (Somerville=Bacon, Cream Cheese, Tomato, interesting) to abroad (Brooklyn=Lox, Cream Cheese, Tomato, Capers, Onion).  You already know what I came for.  Pork Roll.  They call it "The Jersey Shore," including a disclaimer "exotic breakfast meat from NJ" on their menu.  It's important people know before getting involved with this life.  

Bread Rating: 7.3/10 (They ran out of plain bagels which I found suspicious so I had to roll with the poppy seed bagel.  A little bit of a whole wheat taste to it.  Should I call this a real bagel or bread that was shaped like a bagel? That's the Better Bagels difference.)

Pork Roll Rating: 7.1/10 (Three thick-cut slices of pork roll.  Freshly imported from the exotic lands of New Jersey which were there words, not mine.  It's literally what it says on the menu.)

Egg Rating: 4.8/10 (Oh no.  Is that.  Microwaved egg.  They run the McDonald's egg method here which is fine I guess I won't stick my nose up at it.  But it will cost you.  Mostly my respect.)

Cheese Rating: 8.8/10 (Incredibly, they did not cheap out on the cheese, only the egg.  White American cheese, likely to help you forget about the egg but I never forget.)

Sandwich Composition: 6.4/10 (Takes a hit for the egg debacle and no SPK.  However, they did use foil to wrap the sandwich which those rookies at Bethesda Bagel did not do. Sandwich was otherwise put together nicely.)

Overall: 6.8/10 (I guess you could do worse.)

Price: $9, cards accepted. 

Better Bagels is located at 83a Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210.

Taliercio's Challenge: The Gobbler

The holiday season has officially begun! I know, Thanksgiving is still three days away, but I celebrated Friendsgiving over the weekend and with two days of work this week, my mind and body are ready for the holiday carnage I'm about to put it through.  Luckily for all of us, Taliercio's makes a "Thanksgiving" sandwich aptly named The Gobbler.  I wouldn't say I would report you to the FBI if you ordered this sandwich outside the Thanksgiving holiday window but I'm definitely suspicious of your actions. 

The Gobbler: Turkey, Stuffing, Jellied Cranberry, Gravy

This was by far the sloppiest sandwich I've received at Taliercio's.  It's essentially a Thanksgiving plate put on Semolina bread.  I'm really glad they included stuffing in this sandwich because everyone knows that, when made correctly, stuffing is the top of the Thanksgiving sides power rankings.  No surprise here that the stuffing at Talercio's is delicious but with the gravy (also delicious) the sandwich kind of falls apart completely.  It's best if we just call this sandwich what it is; a cute novelty addition to a robust selection of sandwiches.  The ingredients are all good, I would just probably never order this again.  BUT! If you don't have time to cook and are having Thanksgiving guests, you could always go to Taliercio's to cater your event.  

Overall: 5.5/10 

P.S. Thanksgiving Side Power Rankings go like this:

1. Stuffing (Why do we only have this once a year?)

2. Mac and Cheese (Preferably with jalapeno bits baked inside, don't be a wimp)

3. Mashed Potatoes (completes the holy trinity)

4. Spice-roasted butternut squash (with a nice vinaigrette drizzle)

5. Roasted Brussel sprouts (grow up, these are good)

6. Crispy Green Beans (obnoxious amount of garlic preferred, breadcrumbs a nice touch)

7. Honey glazed roasted carrots (The official "I'm running out of room on my plate" side)

8.  Creamed Spinach (you would smartly put this on your dinner roll.)

9. Corn (approaching WTF territory.)

10.  Yams (officially in WTF territory.)

11. Cranberry sauce (convinced only invited to the party because people feel bad)

1,000. Salad (Please don't disrespect bulking season again.)

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 

PEC Challenge: Bethesda Bagels

Greetings from Northern Virginia! I'm back in my old stomping grounds this week for some meetings and to catch up with some co-workers (gossiping).  When I lived here, Bethesda Bagels was one of the only acceptable places for picking up a hangover bagel.  Since none were in my immediate area, I would only be able to get there on weekends (because traffic here is bad and I hate every single driver on the road here).  I know you might be thinking I'm coming into this with a bad attitude and you're only partially right.  The DC area has a ton of amazing food options, with transplants from all over the world, the food scene is incredibly diverse and vibrant.  Unfortunately, they need work in all of the areas New Jersey excels in (bagels, breakfast, delis, pizza).  Now that I have refound some perspective on breakfast sandwiches (going to Bethesda Bagels used to seem like an absolute treat), I'm interested to see where Bethesda Bagels lines up with NJ (and Boston. And North Carolina. And Pennsylvania) PEC's.  Are Bethesda Bagels the real deal or just a Mermaid Effect illusion? 

Bread Rating: 7.2/10 (The bagels here are pretty decent and likely some of the best bagels you can find in the DMV, though competition for the top spot is expectedly light.)

Pork Roll Rating: 7.6/10 (Pork roll in DC is exciting! Especially for the thousands of NJ transplants in the area.  The pork roll here is sliced thin and piled like its bologna, totally disrespectful.)

Egg Rating: 5.8/10 (The egg was pretty flavorless if we're being honest.  Also, they give about five different egg options for your breakfast sandwich which sounds nice but really is a rookie mistake.  Fried egg only.)

Cheese Rating: 4.4/10 (Kraft single that was barely melted.  Here's rookie mistake 2.  No tin foil around the sandwich.  It made for a soggy mess which we will cover next.)

Sandwich Composition: 3.8/10 (Breakfast isn't really the well-known meal in DC and it shows.  This breakfast sandwich was an absolute mess.  Slathered in ketchup and soggy.)

Overall: 5.7/10 (Sadly, one of the only spots to get a breakfast sandwich with a decent bagel.  Your other options? Panera, Brugger Bagels and Dunkin Donuts.)

Price: $5.75, credit card accepted and they will uber eat deliver to you but since they don't wrap in tin foil please don't do that to yourself.

Bethesda Bagels has multiple locations, the one I went to was 1851 N Moore St, Arlington, VA 22203

Taliercio's Challenge: Jack Nicholson

It might not be his birthday but I just spent all morning getting my car fixed in his birthplace.  I'm talking about none other than Hollywood legend (and graduate of Manasquan High School in 1954), Jack Nicholson.  Given his affinity for Laker games, I bet you didn't realize Jack Nicholson was a New Jersey native.  Surprise! An intergenerational talent with five decades of work to his name, Nicholson is the 2nd most nominated actor in Academy Awards history with nominations beginning in 1969 (Easy Rider) and ending in 2002 (About Schmidt). (Fellow New Jerseyan Meryl Streep holds the record for most Academy Award nominations, so I guess you can say we have good actors around here.)  His latest film credit came nearly a decade ago in the pretty terrible rom-com How Do You Know, co-starring with Resse Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, and Owen Wilson.  I may be the only person to see that movie if we're being honest.  His three Academy Award wins tie him with Daniel Day-Lewis and Walter Brennan for most wins (Chinatown (1974), Terms of Endearment (1983), and As Good as It Gets (1997).  Whether you know him as the crime boss in The Departed, Adam Sandler's eccentric therapist in Anger Management, a disturbed writer in The Shining, or as The Joker in Tim Burton's Batman, it's likely Nicholson has left a lasting impression.  But will his panini leave the same impression? 

Jack Nicholson: Cracked Pepper Turkey, Colby Jack, Hickory Smoked Bacon, BBQ Sauce

You can feel the cracked pepper turkey and bacon right off the bat on this panini.  The seasoned turkey brings out even more BBQ flavor than some of the other meats paired with BBQ sauce on this list.  It's a simple panini, but one that definitely delivers.  Some Colby Jack cheese for, you guessed it, Jack Nicholson milds out the meats and sauce.  I like to picture a toasted up Jack Nicholson grabbing one of these paninis late night after a Laker game though I was expecting a more enigmatic sandwich bearing his name.  Still, one of the more solid panini offerings.

Overall: 7.2/10

PEC Challenge: Gem's III Port Monmouth

Earlier this week, I began validating this year's top 33 pork rolls in NJ as rated by NJ.com.  Well, when I actually read the article, I noticed that the Gem's that was regarded in the top 33 (suspiciously) was the Port Monmouth location.  Because not every Gem's is the same, I needed to test out the location on the list.  With this review, we are now halfway(!) through all of the Gem's locations with two in Hazlet and Keansburg remaining.  I have to say, this Gem's was seemingly very popular, in fact, it might be their most popular location. (No, I don't have the numbers to back that up, shut up.)  I get it, the Gem's Empire touches a ton of people in the Bayshore area and they wouldn't be able to expand the way the did if they didn't have a loyal customer base.  But do they deserve to be in the top 33 in the entire state??  This is what I'm getting paid Oliver Twist money to provide for you.  You're welcome. 

Bread Rating: 7.7/10 (Good bagels with some nice crisp on them.)

Pork Roll Rating: 8.1/10 (There's nothing like some well-seasoned pork roll to warm your heart.  Three slices, medium cut.  Now if they could work on getting the pork roll evenly on the sandwich...)

Egg Rating: 7.5/10 (Fried egg with good seasoning, might have been too much pepper for some people but I didn't mind it.)

Cheese Rating: 6.4/10 (Pretty average, cheap, Yellow American cheese.)

Sandwich Composition: 5.5/10 (I know it's hard to put a breakfast sandwich together on a bagel but come on.  The pork roll was all to one side leaving mostly cheese on the opposing side.  Can't win pork roll championships with that kind of execution.)

Overall: 7.04/10 (I refuse to go round numbers and so does my very scientific rating system.  This was the best Gem's thus far, only three more Gem's to go.  As far as PEC's go this one was about average so I'm still baffled as to how it got on NJ.com's top 33 PEC's list this year.  I'm expecting nothing less than a consultation for next year's list, looking at you @petegenovese.

Price: $5.75, card accepted for a 10% convenience fee. 

Gem's III is located at 387 NJ-36, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758

Taliercio's Challenge: Mikey A

Rolling towards Thanksgiving and we're back with another turkey sandwich.  Like last week, I think this sandwich is named after someone at Taliercio's but we're going to power rank some Mikey/Mike/Michael A's in history anyway so please humor me.  Did you know there are 4,360,065 people named Michael in the U.S? Here's where these famous (according to Google) Mikey A's rank.

# 4,360,065: Michael Avenetti, lawyer

Man, what a slimy piece of shit this guy is.  Let's just move on.

#954: Mikey Ambrose, Atlanta United FC CB

You probably don't know this guy and neither do I. He plays soccer in the MLS for Atlanta's expansion team.  

#1: Mike Alstott, NFL player

Not to piggyback on fellow (much more famous) blogger PFTCommenter takes but Mike Alstott really is the best Mike "A" I could find on Google.  A 12 year veteran of the NFL and six-time Pro-Bowler, Alstott is regarded as the NFL's last legendary Full Back.   

Mikey A: Turkey, Mozzarella, Roasted Red Peppers, Fried Eggplant, Balsamic Vinegar

I know I raved about last week's sandwich and it's probably getting pretty boring if I rave again but I think I liked this one better.  Turns out the sandwiches named after the people who make the sandwiches are the best ones.  Who would have guessed that? I haven't been blown away by a turkey/mozzarella combo like this since my days going to Anna's on Bergenline Ave in North Bergen 25 years ago. (The real ones will know what I'm talking about.) Oh and if the turkey/mozz wasn't enough, these sick bastards threw in a fried eggplant for good measure.  Top marks.

Overall: 9.4/10 

PEC Challenge: Allenwood General Store

As grey snow clouds and an arctic air blast descend on the Northeast, Disney+ has officially been launched as of 6am this morning.  If you're like me and hold a distrust and paranoia about basically anything corporate, you may be thinking what I'm thinking.  Disney controls the weather.  There is no way the threat of snow and unbearably cold weather on the day of society's newest television distraction debuts is a coincidence.  Just an all-around savvy move by the Walt Disney Company because there is no way I'm leaving my apartment once the temperature drops below 40 degrees in a couple of hours.  Before that happens though, some exciting news.  This is my 100th post! And with that, the training wheels are coming off.  Some people may have gotten up at 6am this morning for Disney+ but not me.  I was up because I'm now going to begin tackling the "Best Pork Rolls in NJ" as written by longtime NJ food writer Pete Genovese.  Once a week, I'll be driving to some random corner of the state to put these 33 PEC's to the test.  I've already covered four from this year's list, Jersey Roll, Slater's, Johnny's Pork Roll, and Gem's (which is an incredibly suspicious addition to this list if we're being honest.)  Of the remaining 29 on the list, some are only 15 miles away and some are up to 80 miles away so I'm sorry if these are nowhere near where you live.  Today, we begin with a spot just down the road from my first job (basketball camp counselor at The Atlantic Club in Wall), the Allenwood General Store.  This historic building has the distinction of being the very first building to be condemned in North America in 1768.  According to the Wall Historical Society, a general store has operated on or near the site since at least the 1850s when Thomas Allen, a descendant of the village's original settlers, opened for business as a country store.  That makes it possible that this place has over 100 years of pork roll slinging experience.  A very cool remnant of New Jersey's rich rural past (being called the Garden State isn't some sick joke). 

Bread Rating: 7.8/10 (There was some good subtle toast on this bread featuring poppy seeds.  Perfect size for the contents, not too heavy.)

Pork Roll Rating: 8.1/10 (You can see the thick-cut slices waiting to be grilled when you order.  They stack the sandwich with 5 slices of their pork roll, which was a bit sweeter than the average pork roll.)

Egg Rating: 8.3/10 (Fried egg from what I'm assuming is freshly taken from a local farm because the flavor was top-notch.)

Cheese Rating: 7.6/10 (Standard American yellow cheese.  Nothing but the real deal in this store, absolutely nothing fake about this general store.)

Sandwich Composition: 8.8/10 (Just excellent execution here.  Contents perfectly tucked into the hard roll with impeccable SPK  ratio.  They have a solid operation here and a strong community atmosphere to soak it all in.  

Overall: 8.1/10 (A true NJ pork roll experience, if you're playing a round of golf at Bel Aire Golf Course, or coming off the Parkway on your way to Point Pleasant, you should make a stop here.

Price: $6, cash. 

Also, I need this old-timey pork roll sign for my future kitchen.  Please keep in mind when I buy a house.  

Allenwood General Store is located at 3208 Allenwood Rd, Allenwood (Wall), NJ 08720

Special Fried Chicken Friday featuring Popeye's Chicken Sandwich

Welcome one and all to a very special edition of Fried Chicken Friday.  Back in the days of my youth, when I lived with other equally disgusting dudes, I would come home from work on Fridays with a $5 fried chicken bucket from Harris Teeter and a 30 of Bud Light to celebrate the upcoming weekend.  Talk about romantic.  This week, Popeye's brought back their chicken sandwich (on a Sunday no less! Major disrespect to Chick-fil-A) after a contentious debut earlier in the year.  Since Sunday, there have been all sorts of tales spanning from a fender bender to murder over said chicken sandwich.  But was it all worth it? Well, I put on my Big J journalist shoes (sweatpants and sweatshirt) and ventured out into the cold, cold world 15 minutes away in Eatontown to find out.  The Popeye's on Route 35 in Eatontown is in a terrible location, right on a corner of a busy road.  Anytime I've driven by there it's been pretty empty, but not today. Today, the drive-thru line ran right into the road, likely causing many a frustration for the dozens of suburban moms returning from their noon yoga classes.  Hand up, I've never experienced Popeye's (or Chick-fil-A or really any southern chain) growing up in NJ.  These places are just not popular around here, partly because our elitist attitudes simply cannot accept any other place excelling at anything and partly because we already have the GOAT chicken fast food spot, Cluck U Chicken.  I think I could write a book about how much I love Cluck U Chicken and it's importance in my life (averaged 20 points per game in rec basketball when I ate there pre-game) but that's neither here nor there.  Today, on this Fried Chicken Friday, we celebrate Little Nicky favorite (that's two Little Nicky references this week, yikes), the one and only, Popeye's chicken.

This was very comparable to a chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A.  The bread was nearly identical almost as if these two chicken purveyors were in cahoots.  Makes you think.  The spicy chicken here had a lot more spice and flavor than Chick-fil-A, however, it was missing the pickle.  Honestly, I was expecting some lettuce or something on there since it was in the picture on the menu but nope.  It's all about the chicken wars in these streets and truth be told, I have to give the chicken edge to Popeyes.  Chick-fil-A has amazing sauce and the nuggets are pretty clutch but as far as bang for your buck is concerned, a five-piece tender combo meal with cajun fries is way better than some skimpy nugget and waffle fry combo at Chick-fil-A.  And that's the tea.  

PS, Cluck U Chicken is still the undisputed GOAT, don't @ me. 

Taliercio's Challenge: Nicky "D"

It's November and you know what that means.  We are having TURKEY sandwiches only from Taliercio's this month.  There are four more turkey sandwiches on the menu which I did not plan at all for this month.  (I did, I planned the entire thing, I'm the Dalton Russell of sandwich eating.) Now you're probably thinking, why is the D around quotation marks in this sandwich? I have no idea get your head out of the gutter.  As per tradition, we're going to power rank Nicky D's and see what this sandwich could possibly be named after.  (It's definitely named after a Taliercio's employee just so we're clear).  I have 13 FaceBook friends named Nick and none of them have a last name that starts with D, so they're all ruled out.  

200/1, Nicky D's, rapper

Nicky D's is a rapper from California who just came out with a new single, "Call Me When It's Poppin."  Never heard of him but for someone who had only 971 views on his "Official Music Video," he had some solid video production on there.  Famous lyric, "She smokin' on oregano" while eating a rice bowl from the local bodega so he might be out on the sandwich game.  Decent flow on the rest of the track though.

100/1, Nick Digiovanni, MasterChef Season 10 contestant.

I've never seen a single episode of MasterChef but apparently, this guy was the youngest finalist ever.  From the looks of his Insta game, he seems like a total bro from Rhode Island.  Unless this guy made a visit to Taliercio's in middle school and came up with a sandwich, I don't think this sandwich is named after him. Still better odds than the California SoundCloud rapper though.  

17/1, Little Nicky, Adam Sandler character

Now hear me out.  Nicky's last name in the movie Little Nicky is technically Devil since he is the son of the devil.  And while there is, unfortunately, no Popeyes chicken on this sandwich, there is pepper turkey and jalapeno jack cheese to give it the perfect devilish kick.  Definitely the best odds of the bunch.

Nicky D: Cracked Pepper Turkey, Jalapeno Jack Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Honey Mustard

This was an all-time sandwich to me, and really it came down to the variation of turkey and cheese.  If it were just regular turkey and regular American cheese, it would still be a good sandwich (there's still bacon and honey mustard on this thing that you cannot discredit) but definitely not upper tier.  The cracked pepper turkey with the jalapeno jack cheese though? That's next level.  And when you slather honey mustard (the definitive winner of the most underrated condiment) on there to add the sweetness you want to balance the heat, you have yourself a HOF sandwich.  Thank you, Nicky "D." 

Overall: 8.6/10

PEC Challenge: Stroker's Deli

If you don't know this already, my NFL team is the Cowboys.  I know, how can someone so in love with New Jersey and losers like the Mets be a fan of such an elitist, self-centered team from Texas (some may say the Yankees of the NFL). But I, like most boys, grew up a fan of whatever team my dad rooted for.  When my dad came to the U.S. in 1971, he made an effort to assimilate to American culture the best he could by rooting for whatever team was the best in the country. In his case, the Cowboys (nothing more American from an outside perspective than cowboys) and the Mets (incredibly) were those teams.  Tonight, for the first time since Troy Aikman was QB1, I'm going to a Cowboys game with my dad.  Monday Night Football against the New York Giants.  Want to know what happened last time we did this? It was November 24th, 1996, and the Cowboys were defending Super Bowl champions. As you can imagine, in 1996, it was not a ton of fun going to NY games wearing opposing team jerseys.  Nothing was going to stop me from wearing my Aikman jersey to a Cowboys game, not my friends warning me of the repercussions or my dad asking me a hundred times if I thought it was a good idea (I was 7 and like today, I rarely had any "good" ideas).  Just keep in mind the fact that I was 7 years old when I tell you what happened at that game.  It was great.   The Cowboys lost that game 20-6 as adults tossed beer and every insult/slur my way.  My very first beer shower.  I'm not telling you this story so you feel bad for me by the way, quite the contrary, I think it's a hilarious story that built character (if anything like this happened today Blue Checkmark Twitter would demand the cancellation of all sporting events).  And while I'm not advocating the return of that behavior or expecting anything remotely close to that treatment tonight I'm still going to rock my Cowboys jersey in hopes that I can once again relive my favorite Shawn Michaels moment.

If there's anything that can define my personality it's this video.

By the way, last time I went to a Giants-Cowboys game, I caught the stomach flu the morning of and threw up all over my buddy's apartment (sorry, Maddog) and had the pleasure of watching Gavin Escobar own the Giants secondary so I'm 1-1 for lifetime Giants-Cowboys games at Giants Stadium.  Just like in 1996, I rocked my Cowboys gear and was actually surprised by the amount other Cowboys fans there were.  We'll see how it goes tonight. 

I know.  Weird name for a deli but I'm going to guess it's the last name of the owner? For some reason, this deli didn't appear on any map search I did when creating my pork roll list.  Luckily for me, I'm an observant driver and noticed it nestled next to The Grove West while driving to Bagelmasters.  In fact, this spot is right across the street from Bagelmasters.  Inside, you'll find a pretty old school deli scene, with a few stools to sit at and a TV blaring The Today Show.  (And Boars Head deli meat signs everywhere, which is my indication of a good deli).  

Bread Rating: 6.3/10 (Bread was a little too fluffy and really overtook the entire sandwich.  Just look at how much bread there is to actual meat!)

Pork Roll Rating: 6.8/10 (Three thin slices with egg and cheese in between each.  It was kind of hard to see any pork roll on this sandwich but it was there and it was pretty average.)

Egg Rating: 7.1/10 (Two fried eggs, layered the outsides of the pork roll slices.  Also, average.)

Cheese Rating: 6.9/10 (Cheese was there and melted.)

Sandwich Composition: 6.4/10 (Very heavy on the ketchup, bread to meat ratio was a bit uneven.  I did like how the pork roll and eggs were layered and it was by no means a complete abomination.)

Overall: 6.7/10 (I mean with Bagelmasters pretty much directly across the street I'm not sure you would come here specifically for a PEC.  It certainly wasn't the worst and if you're heading southbound on 35/Broad St in Shrewsbury and for some reason don't want to hook a left at any point you could stop here and be fine.  It did look like they had a decent amount of subs and offered Italian hot dogs if that's your jam.)

Price: $5, cash encouraged.

Stroker's Deli is located at 566 Broad St, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702

Taliercio's Challenge: John Candy

I know today's Halloween and you've all enjoyed a healthy amount of Kit Kats for breakfast this morning but we're going to be celebrating a different candy this week.  (Wait, people don't eat Kit Kats for breakfast).  You probably know John Candy as that funny larger gentleman from the 80s and early 90s who starred in comedy classics such as Stripes, Splash, Spaceballs, Uncle Buck, Planes Trains and Automobiles, Cool Runnings, and a personal favorite of mine, Home Alone. (Though Home Alone 2 is better). He started his career in the Toronto branch of Second City, a famous Chicago improv group that produced comedians such as Eugene Levy, Rick Moranis, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Harold Ramis, Robin Duke, Joe Flaherty, and Andrea Martin.  Together they starred in SCTV, a popular Canadian version of SNL, which became very popular in the U.S. from 1976-1984.  Unfortunately, John Candy died of a heart attack in 1994 while making his final film Wagons East.  But he left behind a lasting legacy of comedy and has gone down as one of Canada's funniest exports.  There's also a panini in his honor from Taliercio's.  I'm not entirely sure why these ingredients were chosen for him but I'm rolling with it.  Happy Halloween.  

John Candy: Roast Pork, Broccoli Rabe, Sundried Tomatoes, Provolone, Balsamic Glaze

I know I previously declared my new found love for broccoli rabe but I didn't love it on a panini. Interestingly, I found the provolone delightful when melted (I find it a little sharp sometimes otherwise).  Funny what a little chemistry will do to your food.  This was almost nearly identical to the Tony G sandwich except with roast pork instead of turkey but I think this combination just works better as a sandwich than a panini.  It could be just me but the broccoli rabe was just a bit overpowering with the bitterness in the panini. 

Overall: 6.3

PEC Challenge: Jersey Roll

Hand up.  I ate this PEC in August while at the Ocean Township Italian Festival and was saving it for a summer release since Jersey Roll is based out of the Seaside boardwalk.  And before you get on me with the "buuut pork roll isn't Italian" bit, it wasn't the only thing I ate at that festival. I also ate some excellent penne vodka from Piccola in Ocean and a year's worth of zeppoles.  But that's neither here nor there.  The real reason I chose today to post about NJ's beloved breakfast meat from a place fittingly named Jersey Roll is that tonight is Mischief Night.  Unfamiliar? You probably didn't grow up in Jersey. According to the NY Times' American dialect test, NJ is the only place where it's universally celebrated and known.  Mischief Night is celebrated the day before Halloween when local teens harass the living shit out of their neighborhoods with pranks such as littering front lawns with toilet paper and silly string, egging cars, smashing pumpkins, and my personal favorite, the ding-dong ditch (sometimes accompanied by a bag of dog shit which has been set ablaze on their front porch).   Now, I get it, you're thinking "what a bunch of absolute scumlords" and you're only 50% right.  But for the most part, people who give out shit Halloween candy the year before or are generally unfriendly neighbors get it the worst because vigilante street justice and pettiness are what's hot in these neighborhoods.  Also hot?  This pork roll.  Here are my notes from when I ate it.

Bread Rating: 7.4/10 (Pretty good roll, nicely toasted but unfortunately just a bit flat.  I'm not sure if this was a transport thing since they operate out of a truck but still my only bad mark.)

Pork Roll Rating: 8.9/10 (Four slice, two on the bottom with egg and cheese in the middle two more on top.  Absolutely academic. I think food truck griddles just have a little extra flavor and grease to them and its evident here.  Awesome.)

Egg Rating: 8.4/10 (Fried egg, you know what it is.  Some of that food truck grease gives it a nice boost.)

Cheese Rating: 8.2/10 (White American cheese, the real deal.  Didn't put a lot on there because we all know pork roll is the main event.)

Sandwich Composition: 9.2/10 (I mean this was about as perfect a PEC composition as you're going to get, minus the bread issue which I already addressed.  SPK ratio, spot on.  Sandwiching the egg and cheese with pork roll is upper-echelon shit only.  They know what they're doing.

Overall Rating: 8.4/10 (I'm willing to bet that if I go to Seaside Heights boardwalk that this overall score will only go up.  Jersey Roll is an elite PEC and if you see their truck at a festival you'd be messing up by not getting one.)

Price: $9, card accepted

Jersey Roll can be found at 1205 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751 or you can usually find them at Laurita Winery 85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ 08533.

PEC Challenge: Pat's Market

We are back in Lincroft to start off the week with a PEC literally three doors down (lol) from Joyce's.  I don't think Pat's Market is really known for their breakfast sandwiches? Just the vibe I got from them since the place opened at 9am and they looked really surprised to see me there at opening time.  I would consider this spot more of a deli/butcher and Joyce's more of a breakfast/also a deli spot.  Funny how I went from struggling to find a good deli/literally anywhere other than a McDonalds to get breakfast in Virginia to having about 100 delis within 15 minutes of me.  I guess the brunch scene here is significantly worse than NoVa so you win some you lose some.  This is now my fourth meal to come from Newman Springs Road over the weekend if you include last Friday's blog and my two separate Eastern Empire takeout orders from the weekend so yes, I have reached my Lincroft appearance quota for the year.  Let's check out Pat's. 

Bread Rating: 6.8/10 (A pretty standard roll that you could find at the grocery store.)

Pork Roll Rating: 6.7/10 (Seeing as though this place is a butchery I can only assume this might be their own brand of pork roll.  A little saltier than some others.)

Egg Rating: 7.4/10 (The fried egg was very good here, nice crisped edges with softness inside.)

Cheese Rating: 7/2/10 (You can tell the difference between Boars Head cheese and non-Boars Head cheese.  This was the former.  Nicely melted.)

Sandwich Composition: 6.4/10 (A little heavy on the ketchup on this one.  Generally, PEC's on bagels have trouble keeping together but this one was on a hard roll and was sliding all over the place.)

Overall: 6.9/10 (This wasn't a bad PEC, just a fairly average one and when you have a breakfast institution literally three doors down it's tough to compete.  I'm sure they have some solid meats and game day platters but if you want the best PEC you can get in Lincroft the edge has to go to Joyce's.)

Price: $6, credit accepted with $10 minimum. 

Pat's Market is located at 677 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738

PEC Challenge: Joyce's Subs and Pizza

Today I ventured into a part of town I frequented during high school years. (RIP Lincroft McDonalds).  Some may perceive Lincroft as the "Eagleton" of Middletown but I would never make such a comparison on this blog.  Last time I wrote about wealth perception among White Suburban America I landed myself in six-figure debt (thank you college). Pork Rolls have proven to be much cheaper to write about, in fact, it would take me 36,400 PEC's to reach the cost of my college education.  That's pretty fucking sick.  Anyway, I've always heard about Joyce's from friends from the Croft but I don't think I've ever been in there.  For some reason, there are three places to get breakfast or coffee in the strip as it shares a parking lot with Pat's Market and a Dunkin Donuts.  There was also a cigar shop that was open at 8am with multiple people in there smoking.  Retirement sounds lovely.  

Bread Rating: 8.1/10 (Poppyseed rolls are standard here and technically cheating but I'm not complaining.  It was a solid roll.)

Pork Roll Rating: 8.6/10 (Three slices, griddled to perfection.  There was a ton of flavor here that I really didn't expect when looking at it.)

Egg Rating: 8.4/10 (The egg had a hint of runniness which created an explosion of flavors in every bite.  The griddle here has to be one of the better-seasoned ones in the area.)

Cheese Rating: 6.8/10 (Can't really fault the cheese being kind of neglected here when you bring it with the pork roll and egg. An average American yellow slice on top of the egg.)

Sandwich Composition: 8.8/10 (A bit on the smaller side of PEC's but this one brought all of the flavors you come to expect.  Constructed well, with good SPK ratio.)

Overall: 8.2/10 (A Lincroft institution that won't steer you wrong. A bit small but packed with flavor, this should be on anyone's list who lives in the area.)

Price: $4, credit accepted.

Joyce's Subs and Pizza is located at 655 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738
  

Taliercio's Challenge: White Russian

We started October with the Black Russian and now with October coming to a close next week, we'll be checking out its cousin, the White Russian.  The White Russian, like the Black Russian, is not Russian in origin (mostly because an actual Russian cocktail would just be a glass of vodka).  Turning a Black Russian into a White Russian is simple.  You just add 3 parts cream to your 5 part vodka, 2 part coffee liqueur drink.  If you're looking for a good time with White Russians, look no further than the Big Lebowski drinking game.  All you have to do is drink a White Russian every time The Dude drinks one.  I won't tell you how many there are, you'll need to find that out on your own but just know you will be in for an interesting night.  Also, some news, starting in November, I will be eating the remaining sandwiches featuring turkey on our Taliercio's list.  After the White Russian, there are four remaining turkey sandwiches and I couldn't think of a better time than November to eat nothing but turkey.  

White Russian: Turkey, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Horseradish Pub Sauce, Pumpernickel Bread

This sandwich was nearly identical to the Black Russian in every way except for turkey instead of roast beef as the meat.  I really, really enjoyed how much the horseradish sauce complimented the turkey.  Sometimes turkey on its own can be a real bummer but this was not the case here.  I'm still going to give the edge to the Black Russian though only because the roast beef at Taliercio's is so very choice.  Still, don't sleep on the White Russian if you're looking for something leaner.  

Overall: 7.8/10

Taliercio's Challenge: Ricky Ricardo

This week, 68 years ago, one of TV's greatest and most influential sitcoms in history debuted on CBS.  I'm, of course, talking about I Love Lucy, winner of five Emmy Awards and the black and white show (color TV still not a thing in 1951) you woke up to in the middle of the night because you forgot to put your sleep timer on.  I Love Lucy centers on Lucy Ricardo (played by Lucille Ball) and her husband Ricky Ricardo (played by Desi Arnaz) and their best friends (who are also her landlords?) living in an apartment in New York City.  I know, crazy plot, right? How could a couple afford to live in a multi-bedroom Upper East Side brownstone apartment on one income? (Oh I know, the rent for their apartment was $105 a month!) That wasn't the controversy that executives felt viewers wouldn't tolerate.  Nope, not even close.  Back in 1951, CBS executives initially balked at the idea of portraying a marriage between an all-American girl and a Latin man, even though Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were actually married.  The marriage between Scottish American Lucy and Cuban American Ricky marked the first appearance of interracial marriage on American television.  A little ridiculous to think that my current relationship would be considered interracial to early American TV viewers but I digress. 

Ricky Ricardo: Roast Pork, Ham, Baby Swiss, Pickle, Spicy Mustard

As many American's first introductions to Cubans, it's only fitting that Taliercio's Ricky Ricardo sandwich be their version of a Cuban sandwich. The Cuban sandwich was developed in Florida, specifically Tampa and Miami, by laborers working in the cigar industry. The rivalry between the two cities over who has the best sandwich is heated but if I may, I would like to share my unbiased opinion.  The best Cuban sandwiches are found in Hudson County, New Jersey and no it has nothing to do with the fact that that's where my family is from.  This may not come as a surprise to any of you but I've had my fair share of Cuban sandwiches. (Not only in NJ)  That's why judging this one is going to be tough for me.  As Cuban sandwiches go, does this hold a candle to anything you'll find in Union City?  No, for sure not.  There's no Cuban bread here (arguably the best bread) and the roast pork didn't hit you with that Carribean flavor.  However, as far as Taliercio's panini's go, this is still up there as one of my favorites.  The combination of ham, swiss, spicy mustard and pickles is an all-time combination for me, you honestly could not screw it up.  If you do screw it up, you don't deserve to make sandwiches.  So, I'm going to give two scores here.  One is a score based on other Taliercio's sandwiches and another is a Cuban sandwich score so you can see how it stacks up.

Taliercios: 8.9/10 (Still an all-time Taliercio's panini despite missing the Cuban bread and mojo seasoned pork.)

Cuban: 6.2/10 (It was missing the Cuban bread and mojo seasoned pork.)