PEC Challenge: Frank's Deli

So the NFL season began last night. Man, was that underwhelming. Is it just me or has the quality of the NFL diminished in the last few years? My guess is that Red Zone has ruined the viewing experience.  Sunday's are way more exciting with that channel on instead of watching a full game.  Who has time to watch penalties every five seconds?  Not me.  Anyway following the unbridled excitement of a 10-3 football game, I woke up earlier than usual, in search of an iconic PEC to bring us into the weekend.  I'd say if you're featured on Anthony Bourdain's (RIP) Parts Unknown, you must have built a pretty good reputation.  Frank's Deli is the closest location to me on the newly anointed "Bourdain Trail" in New Jersey, just a quick 10-mile ride from Red Bank to Asbury Park.  Frank's doubles up as both diner and deli in such a way you're left wondering why there aren't more places like it.  Along with the classic pork roll, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich, there are also several overstuffed subs available for lunch (I think Bourdain had an Italian sub on the New Jersey episode of Parts Unknown).  I loved this place and can see why it was chosen as a worthy representative of our great state.  

Bread Rating: 9.2/10 (Very fresh roll, elegant and light, slightly toasted.  Some real deli/diner shit.) 

Pork Roll Rating: 8.6/10 (Three thick slices of pork roll.  I've honestly gone back and forth on whether or not I like thin or thick slices better.  You can really screw up thick slices.  This place did not do that.)

Egg Rating: 8.4/10 (Freshly fried egg right on top of the mountain of pork roll.)

Cheese Rating: 7.7/10 (Yellow American, fresh, didn't interfere with the main event, exactly what you're looking for with cheese.)

Sandwich Composition: 7.6/10 (The sandwich was put together really well, I did cut it in half myself for the picture and nearly destroyed the other unphotographed half.  The thing that really stuck out to me on this PEC was they may have been a little heavy-handed with the salt. Other than that, very solid, nostalgic, pork roll, egg, and cheese.) 

Overall: 8.3/10 (A classic spot, Bourdain approved, and I'm very down with that.)

Price: $7, cash only.

Speaking of locals, here's a song that's been really stuck with me the past few weeks by local band, Deal Casino. This video was shot from House of Independents in AP.  Have a good weekend! 

Fran's Deli is located at 1406 Main St, Asbury Park, NJ 07712