Central Jersey is a place amidst many large cities, beaches and most importantly, among many different types of authentic food. Smack in the center of New York City, Philly, and the Jersey Shore, Central Jersey is home to a diverse group of people. With a melting pot of different cultures and people, there is also an abundance of variety in food. The inhabitants of Central Jersey take pride in their food and the unique greatness and variety of food they are surrounded by. But, to get this food into your mouth, you first need to understand the way to get the correct slang for what you want, out of it.
“Wooder”
The first thing most people wonder when visiting Central Jersey, is what the heck is “wooder”? In Central Jersey we pronounce water as “wooder”, we aren’t sure why either. It just comes out this way. We eat Italian “Wooder” Ice and drink a glass of “wooder” with our food. It’s just the way it is.
Pork Roll
In Central Jersey our favorite breakfast is a pork roll, egg and cheese bagel. Pork roll, which North Jersey residents (wrongly) refer to as “Taylor Ham”, is a salty, pork based breakfast meat that originated in Central Jersey. Imagine a cheeseburger and bacon having a baby. This meat is often sliced and cooked to be put onto sandwiches and bagels, or to be paired with eggs.
We love this meat so much, the Yankees Double-A affiliate baseball team, Trenton Thunder, even decided to dedicate Friday night games this summer to this infamous pork product. A man dressed in a porkroll costume, with the original name of “Porkroll Man”, makes a proud appearance and the players wear jerseys that read “Trenton Porkroll” instead of Trenton Thunder every single Friday night. If that’s not love, I am not sure what is.
If you’re skeptical of trying this beloved roll of meat, here are four people’s reactions to their first time trying it.
Hoagies
North and South Jersey often bicker over whether the correct term for a sandwich is a sub or a hoagie. In Central Jersey, we don’t give a crap as long as we are eating it. Sub or hoagie rolls with us either way, but Wawa pretty much settled this debate for us a long time ago. It’s not called a Wawa “Subfest”, am I right?
Disco Fries
Also described as “knockoff poutine”, these fries are a late night diner staple in New Jersey in general. These fries are topped with mozzarella cheese and thick gravy, making them a drunk Jersey natives dream when the bar closes.
Here are some disco fries even vegans can enjoy!
Tomato Pie
Not your average Thanksgiving pie.
Totally kidding, I am actually really offended by this.
THIS is a real tomato pie:
Almost the same as normal pizza, but better. All of the same ingredients as pizza, however the cheese and toppings are placed on top of the dough first, then the sauce is spread over top for more flavor. It always is on thin, crispy crust. Always. Trust us, we have it down to a science.
Fat Sandwich
Originating from the food trucks at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, these sandwiches come in many different forms. Most consist of various combinations that often include mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, french fries, bacon, steak, and other fried foods all on an Italian torpedo roll, otherwise known as a hoagie roll. Many of these sandwiches have off putting names and every local has their favorite one memorized.
Here is a picture of my favorite fat sandwich, the “Dirty Sanchez”: mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, provolone cheese, french fries and “sanchez sauce” (which is so good I am considering baptizing my future children in it).
Tip: Always ask for it to be made extra dirty. Throw a wink in if you’re feeling really adventurous.