August 29, 2025

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FIRST LOOK – Pork Roll Pete’s

Is it Taylor Ham or Pork Roll?…

🗣️ What’s in a Name? Sometimes not all that much. In this case, a lot! Not only does the name of the place make you grin. But the product that they serve has a crazy story all its own! 

Every region in this country has its unique culinary quirks. Ex. I’m from Chicago. In 1943, the deep-dish pizza was first created. (That’s the same year Silly Putty was invented!) Since that milestone, a lively discussion has continued uninterrupted. What’s a “real” Chicago pizza, thick or thin crust? (I’m firmly planted in camp THIN! 🍕) 

That kerfuffle can’t hold a candle to the Pork Roll versus Taylor Ham tussle. This head-scratching battle splits New Jersey in two. You’re either a Pork Roll person or a Taylor Ham lover, depending on your address! No matter which name YOU prefer, the product itself is delicious! 

📝 My copy editor, Cindi, is a New Jerseyan. She made a valiant attempt to explain this to me once. But honestly, even after sharing all of the assorted details, I still felt like you need to be from the Garden State to fully grasp the concept! 😁 – If you want more info, HERE’S AN EXPLAINER. 

Let’s not let these geographic details get in the way of what we’re really here for today. And that’s a peek behind the curtain at new Pork Roll Pete’s! 

If you’ve been reading this newsletter for any amount of time, you’ve probably come to the conclusion that I LOVE our Sarasota area food community. And for the past 20+ years, it’s been one of the pleasures of my life to shine a light on some of its members. I don’t take the topic itself too seriously. Yes, it’s a serious and tough business, to be sure. But there is also a lighter side. 

I think that Pete Ferraro, A.J. Altes, and Chuck Casagrande, the owners of this narrow sliver of a deli, get the lighter side, too. I mean, just saying the name, Pork Roll Pete’s, will bring a smile to your face without even one slice of John Taylor’s creation crossing your lips. 😁  

👀 Let’s Take a Look at Pork Roll Pete’s 

 🟰 THE BASICS   

 • WHAT: Pork Roll Pete’s 

• WHERE: (4657 Cortez Rd., Bradenton | 941- 896-3333)  

• WHEN: Breakfast & Lunch Daily 

• GET MORE INFO: Pork Roll Pete’s Website | dineSarasota Info Page    

🤷 WHAT’S THIS PLACE LIKE? 

I’m sure you’ve heard the term “shotgun shack.” * Cue The Talking Heads * That’s what this is. It is narrow inside.  

I was here on a random Tuesday in the middle of a sweltering August day when the kids were already back in school, and it was BUSY! So busy that I nearly had to muscle out a person with a walker for a seat. Thank goodness a place opened before my order was ready. That situation could have gone sideways in a hurry! 😇 

There are only twenty seats here. So, during the lunch or breakfast rush, finding a place can be challenging. It feels a little like the dining version of musical chairs! 

There’s a deli case housing the meats and salads that would eventually make their way into a sandwich or onto a plate. 

It has a “deli” vibe. It’s not Katz or Manny’s. But it also doesn’t pretend to be. There is a very distinctive big-city bustle to it. Anytime someone from behind the counter shouts out the name of the next sandwich recipient, it warms my deli-loving heart. ❤️ 

📄 WHAT TO ORDER?  

It goes without saying that we need to have something with some pork roll in it (or on it!). That means we’re doing breakfast AND lunch today. 

The easiest way to get that done is with breakfast. They have all kinds of great-looking (and tasting) options for that first meal of the day. And pork roll is generously scattered throughout the breakfast menu.

When it comes to lunch, the choices expand greatly! There are lots of possibilities. One of the nice things is that you can get any of their sandwiches in one of two sizes, small or large. A small will easily feed a normal-sized person. Large, is, well, LARGE!

📝 The small sandwich that I ordered was enough for two lunches! 

📷 PICTURES ARE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS   

Here we go. Let’s get to the meat of this thing! 😉 

That’s the PRP Special (2 fried eggs, thin-sliced pork roll, American cheese) 

There are carrier options to consider. I went for the hard roll. I think that a bagel would have been almost too much bread. The third choice was semolina bread. I’m saving that for the lunch sandwich! 

✅ If they happen to ask if you’d like cheese on this sandwich, the answer is YES. That gooey, cheesy goodness is this sandwich’s “secret sauce”. 

The Italiano (ham, salami, capicola, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, olive oil, and vinegar). That’s my selection for lunch today. I had this one on the semolina bread. 

It was a good-sized sandwich. That bread had a fantastic crunchy outside and soft interior. And, as a bonus, the tomato was super fresh and had actual tomato flavor! Not an easy lift in Florida, to be sure. 

This was the surprise of the day. Aunt Joyce’s Macaroni Salad (macaroni, flaky tuna fish, celery, sweet onions in a creamy dressing). For such a simple salad, it had SO much flavor. I’m not sure why, but eating this reminded me of summer. It tasted like a small container of sunshine. 🌞 

📕 We’ve got a little bonus for you! The nice folks at Pork Roll Pete’s have graciously given us the recipe for Aunt Joyce’s Macaroni Salad! It will be included in our 2026 Little Sarasota DINING Book. A great reason to pick up a copy when they become available! Don’t worry, we’ll let you know when… 

👀 SOME RANDOM OBSERVATIONS 

Is this the power of social media at work in a very local way? Pete’s was packed on this mid-summer day. They have been really working their social media strategy to the hilt. It’s paying off! This was all more than a little bit of a surprise. The food, the crowd, the feel. Exceeded expectations in every way.  

✅ BOTTOM LINE 

Go if you want something quick, casual, and delicious. They have a nice assortment of bagels (we didn’t have one on this day. That means a return trip!). There’s lots of parking. This little storefront is wedged in between a Publix and a Family Dollar store. It’s great for a carryout. If it’s busy inside, don’t worry, order anyway. Seats turn over pretty quickly. It has the BEST name of any new place in town so far this year! 

~ LH 

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🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD INFO🗓️ 

Here is some local food information that we think you might find interesting. We’ve provided you with a link to more info. 

📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2025 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖 

😋 MICHAEL’S ON EAST – MONTHLY EPICUREAN MENU – New Orleans🌍 

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