Pork roll with pineapple, barbecue sauce, and sriracha. Yep, somebody actually put that on the menu, and it’s called the Hawaiian.
That’s just one of more than ten pork roll sandwiches at one tiny shop. There’s a pork roll Cubano with pickles and golden mustard.
There’s a pork roll Reuben with sauerkraut and Russian dressing on grilled rye.
What gets me is the size of the place. It’s a small storefront with a short counter, a few stools, and color-changing lights overhead.
The guy at the grill might toss you a Swedish fish while telling you pork roll history.
New Jersey takes this breakfast meat very seriously. I’d say this spot takes it a little further than anyone expected, and I’m definitely looking twice.
A Food Truck Dream That Finally Got Four Walls
Long before it had a storefront, Johnny’s Pork Roll and Coffee Too lived on wheels. Owner John Yarusi launched it as a food truck around 2014.
The truck built a loyal following fast. So on November 12, 2018, the brand moved into a real shop in downtown Red Bank.
That space has its own backstory too. It used to be home to Fizz Soda Fountain, so it already knew a thing or two about feeding happy people.
Here’s a fun twist you probably didn’t expect. The name doesn’t actually honor the owner, even though he’s also named John.
It’s a nod to John Taylor, the Trenton man credited with inventing pork roll. That’s a pretty classy tribute for a sandwich shop.
Yarusi’s goal isn’t small, either. He has said he wants to make the best breakfast sandwich in the world.
Bold? Sure.
But when a guy names his whole business after the inventor of his main ingredient, you know he’s serious.
That mix of history and ambition gives the shop real personality. You’re not just grabbing breakfast here.
You’re stepping into somebody’s long-running love letter to a New Jersey classic.
Pickles, Swiss, And Pork Roll Make A Surprisingly Good Cuban
Swapping roast pork for Jersey pork roll sounds like a bet somebody lost. Then you read the ingredients, and it starts making a lot of sense.
The pork roll Cubano stacks pork roll with Swiss cheese, golden mustard, mayonnaise, and pickles. The whole thing gets pressed and grilled.
Think about what pork roll already brings. It’s salty and a little tangy, which pairs nicely with sharp mustard.
The pickles add crunch and brightness. The Swiss melts into everything and holds it together like edible glue.
Pressing it matters too. A grilled, flattened sandwich has a totally different feel than a soft breakfast roll.
So this isn’t a gimmick tossed on the board for laughs. It follows the basic logic of a classic Cuban, just with a Garden State accent.
Fair warning, though. Once you try pork roll this way, the plain version might start feeling a little lonely.
If you’re bringing a friend who claims pork roll is boring, start here. It’s the sandwich most likely to change their mind before the last bite.
The Deli Classic Got A Jersey Makeover
Corned beef had a good run. At this shop, pork roll steps into the spotlight on the menu as the Pork Roll Truck Reuben.
The build sticks close to tradition. You get pork roll, Swiss cheese, grilled sauerkraut, and Russian dressing on grilled seedless rye.
That name tells you something too. It carries the truck’s roots right into the sandwich, like a little badge of honor.
Grilling the sauerkraut is a smart move. It takes some of the sharp edge off and warms everything through.
Russian dressing adds a creamy, tangy layer. Swiss cheese ties it all together, just like it does in the deli version.
Seedless rye keeps the focus on the fillings. Some folks don’t love caraway seeds, so this keeps things friendly.
I have to admit, this one feels like a peace treaty between the deli counter and the breakfast griddle. Both sides walk away happy.
It’s also a good pick for later in the day. When eggs feel too early-morning, a Reuben feels like lunch done right.
Pineapple On Pork Roll Is Officially A Thing Now
Some people still argue about pineapple on pizza. This shop skipped that fight and put it on pork roll instead.
The Hawaiian combines pork roll, Swiss cheese, pineapple, barbecue sauce, and sriracha. It’s sweet, smoky, salty, and spicy all at once.
Honestly, the idea isn’t that wild. Ham and pineapple have been pals for decades, and pork roll is a close cousin.
The barbecue sauce leans sweet and sticky. Sriracha brings just enough heat to keep things from tasting like dessert.
Swiss cheese plays referee. It calms everything down and gives the sandwich that melty pull everyone loves.
The Hawaiian also shows the shop’s sense of humor. Nobody puts this on a menu without a little wink.
Still, there’s real thought behind the flavors. Each piece has a job, and none of them fight for the whole stage.
If you’re the adventurous one in your group, this is your order. Everyone else will ask for a bite.
Decide now if you’re the sharing type.
Start With The Sandwich That Built The Whole Empire
Every wild creation here traces back to one humble order. On the menu, it’s simply called The Sandwich.
That’s pork roll, egg, and cheese on a hard roll. Yarusi makes it with a great piece of bread, a runny egg, and white American cheese.
The pork roll gets cooked slightly burnt on purpose. That gives it crispy, caramelized edges instead of floppy slices.
The shop uses fresh Kaiser rolls and authentic New Jersey pork roll. Those basics matter a lot when the recipe is this simple.
Want more options? The PBLT piles pork roll with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
The Western adds provolone, egg, and sautéed peppers and onions. The Pulled Pork Roll brings sweet barbecue and Asian lime slaw.
Then come the tots. The Mosh Pit Tots arrive crispy and topped with cheddar cheese and pork roll.
Pour-over coffee rounds things out nicely. That’s where the Coffee Too part of the name earns its spot.
New to pork roll? Order The Sandwich first.
Save the experiments for round two.
Grab A Stool If You Can, Because There Aren’t Many
Tiny is the right word for this place. The Red Bank shop is a small storefront with a cozy, old-fashioned feel.
Seating is a short countertop with a few stools. That’s it, so plenty of folks take their food to go.
Look up while you wait. Color-changing lights glow overhead and give the room a playful, slightly retro mood.
The small size actually works in its favor. You’re close to the grill, close to the action, and close to the smell of sizzling pork roll.
Think of it more like a lunch counter than a sit-down restaurant. It feels personal because there’s simply no room for it to feel any other way.
That also means planning helps. A big group might squeeze the space, so splitting up or ordering to go is a smart move.
Good music usually plays too. It adds to the laid-back, friendly energy without trying too hard.
I can see why people call it a Red Bank gem. Small rooms tend to leave the biggest impressions.
Expect Swedish Fish, Stickers, And A Free History Lesson
Swedish fish might come flying your way. Owner John Yarusi has been known to toss them, along with stickers, to customers.
He’s often called a born showman with a larger-than-life personality. At Johnny’s Pork Roll and Coffee Too, the cook is part of the entertainment.
Pork roll history is a favorite topic. You may hear about John Taylor, Trenton, and the famous Taylor Ham debate.
That debate is a big deal in New Jersey. North and South Jersey still argue about what to call this meat.
Yarusi’s style is bold and very Jersey. If you like a little sass with your sandwich, you’ll feel right at home.
If you’re more on the quiet side, that’s okay too. You can enjoy the show from the sidelines while your order hits the grill.
The energy fits the menu perfectly. A guy who invents a pork roll Hawaiian isn’t going to be shy behind the counter.
Honestly, that personality is half the reason this shop sticks in your memory. The other half is wrapped in paper.
Downtown Red Bank Makes A Great Second Course
Finding the shop is easy once you’re downtown. Johnny’s Pork Roll and Coffee Too sits at 8A Monmouth St, Red Bank, NJ 07701.
Red Bank is one of the liveliest small downtowns in New Jersey. The area packs in over 300 shops, 20 art galleries, and 80 restaurants.
That makes this a perfect starting point for a day out. Grab a sandwich, then go explore on foot.
The Count Basie Center for the Arts is close by. So is the Two River Theater, if you’re catching a show.
Got kids or a playful streak? YESTERcades, an arcade, is a fun nearby stop.
Art fans can browse the Red Bank Artisan Collective. The Broad Street corridor is great for wandering through independent businesses.
Want a quieter break? Riverside Gardens Park offers pretty views of the Navesink River.
Honestly, a pork roll sandwich by the river sounds like a pretty solid plan. I’d absolutely make a detour for that combo.
Set Your Alarm, Because This Is An Early-Bird Kind Of Spot
Timing is everything here. Johnny’s Pork Roll and Coffee Too opens at 8 AM and wraps up in the early afternoon.
Weekday hours generally run until 2 PM. Hours can shift, so check before you make the trip.
This is breakfast and lunch territory only. Dinner cravings will have to wait until tomorrow morning.
Because the shop is so small, going to go is often the easiest plan. A sandwich and a pour-over travel nicely on a downtown stroll.
Big groups should plan ahead. The space fills quickly, so a few people ordering at a time keeps things smooth.
Vegan diners should know what they’re getting into. The menu is built around pork roll, pretty much top to bottom.
First-timers have a simple path. Try The Sandwich, add tots, and then come back for the Cubano, Reuben, or Hawaiian.
That’s really the magic of this New Jersey favorite. One visit rarely feels like enough when there are ten-plus pork roll ideas waiting.
