Does This Westfield Bakery Serve The Best Taylor Ham & Cheese In NJ?

WESTFIELD, NJ — There is a longstanding debate amongst New Jerseyans about where to get the best Taylor ham and cheese sandwich in the state, and a new bakery in Westfield may have just entered the running.

Kirshenbaum Baking Co. recently opened its doors in downtown Westfield — most known for its homemade cookies. Mayor Shelley Brindle took to Facebook on Wednesday to rave about the new bakery.

"I have never had a Taylor ham and cheese like theirs anywhere, so do yourself a favor and stop by!" she wrote.

According to Kirshenbaum's menu, the Taylor ham & cheese hand pie uses Talyor ham, cheddar and bechamel and sandwiches them between two layers of flakey pie dough.

A classic New Jersey Taylor ham sandwich (or pork roll if you're on that side of the debate) is most commonly served on a bagel or roll, according to Eater. Kirshenbaum Baking Co. puts its own twist on the breakfast sandwich by using pie dough.

NJ.com published an article in 2020 that ranked the best Taylor ham sandwiches in the state, and True Salvage Cafe in Maplewood topped the list. This cafe uses four slices of meat, a fluffy egg and lots of cheese all on a crusty, chewy roll.

The Committed Pig in Summit, as well as the Summit Diner, also made the top 12 on NJ.com's ranking.

Do you think Kirshenbaum Baking Co.'s Taylor ham should be included in the running? You'll have to go and try it for yourself.

The bakery is run by pastry chef Uyen Kirshenbaum and her husband Jeff, a former Wall Street employee. The couple launched an online cookie business in 2020 when everything was shut down during the pandemic, and Kirshenbaum said the business really took off.

Beyond baking cookies, Kirshenbaum had dreams to expand the business and create a brick-and-mortar shop. Jeff was born and raised in Fanwood, and the two decided to move the family across the country from Los Angeles to Westfield, about a year ago, in order to live closer to Jeff's family.

Kirshenbaum said she wanted to open a bakery in Westfield because of its "gorgeous downtown" and its "great sense of community."

The bakery sells everything from homemade breads and artisanal sandwiches to full-sized cakes and pies by the slice. The coffee served at the bakery also sources its beans locally from Boxwood Coffee.

Read more: Kirshenbaum Baking Co.: From Online Cookie Biz To Westfield Bakery

You can check out their website and full menu here.

Kirshenbaum Baking Co. is located at 62 Elm Street in Westfield.

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