Are you hungry for a J-Roll?

The backstory on the today's story about the J-Roll:
Looking for something fun to do to kick off the start of Monday's baseball season, the News Journal features department started brain-storming ideas.

The idea for today's "J-Roll" story came from an editor's confusion over Phils shortstop Jimmy Rollins' nickname. A couple of editors and reporters at the paper are huge Phillies fans and often talk baseball. The topic of J-Roll came up and an editor, not from the Philly area, asked

"What's a J-Roll?"

It was pretty funny - and, well, an idea was born. We decided to ask a few chefs, a deli owner, a baker and a sushi maker what they thought a J-Roll should be. The results were way beyond our expectations and very tasty. Talk about root-root-rooting for the home team!

I gave the group no guidelines - other than "it should be some kind of roll and capture the spirit of Jimmy Rollins." That's no easy task, but their imaginations ran wild.

My great thanks to Michele Mitchell at the Hotel du Pont (jelly roll); Mark Daggett at Eclipse Bistro (pork spring roll); Nancy Durney at Timmy D's Deli (chicken wrap sandwich); Tom Guzzi at Bing's Bakery (jalapeno-roasted red pepper roll) and Al Chu at Mikimotos (maki roll.)

Some of the establishments featured in the story said they may begin offering their version of a "J-Roll." For instance, Mikimotos says they will have offer the "J-Roll" as a $12 special; Timmy D's will likely have the delicious sandwich as a special, and Tom Guzzi of Bing Bakery was so happy with his J-Roll, he says they may begin selling them at the Newark bakery.

If you visit any of these places - ask for a J-Roll!