From New Jersey ham to Utah fry sauce, regional flavors thriving online

NEW YORK — In New Jersey, it's all about the Taylor Ham.

Philadelphians have their scrapple and original cheese steaks. In Detroit, look out for the Faygo pop and Coney Island dogs. Or maybe a hot dog from Tony Packo's in Toledo. Don't even think about using ketchup or mustard on french fries in Utah — it's all about the fry sauce.

These are all the quirky calling cards of regional pride — food that can't be found anywhere else in the country. That might in fact be the secret of their success in an era of chain restaurants tucked into strip malls.

But, what happens when you move from the area and are in desperate need of a fix? Americans transplanted from their hometowns are scouring the World Wide Web to find the comfort food they crave — and it's created a cottage industry for entrepreneurs willing to deliver across state lines.

"If you leave New Jersey, you're leaving Taylor Ham behind," said Donna Beers, who along with partner Pattie Weaver runs an online business that ships the spicy breakfast meat that resembles a cross between Spam and salami.

They created Pork Roll Xpress seven years ago when their kids moved out of state and complained they couldn't find the spicy pork-and-seasonings delicacy at their local market. Though the exact ingredients are a trade secret by maker Taylor Provisions Co., it's a staple of New Jersey diners and sold on stands along the Jersey shore.

With about 75 to 100 orders a day, the two-woman business brings in about $200,000 in revenue a year. The company also expanded to offer things like a pre-made New Jersey-style pizza, and Tastykake, a brand of snack food sold in a few states on the East Coast.

"What the common denominator is here is what your mother taught you to like, and that helps quirky regional foods," said Harry Balzer, a vice president at marketing research firm NPD Group. "The Internet has allowed for instant distribution to any home, so it's not unbelievable that specialty items would find success."

Pork roll's cousin in neighboring Pennsylvania is scrapple. Unlike Taylor Ham, fans of this breakfast meat know the ingredients — and still buy it. It is a mixture of flour, cornmeal and pork scraps — such as the head, heart or liver — that's cut into slices and pan fried.

Richard DellaBarba, who runs the Taste of Philadelphia Web site, offers scrapple fans a way to buy it online. But, the real hot seller is his pre-made Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches that he overnights in droves.