National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day is celebrated every year on November 12th, giving pizza lovers a playful excuse to load up their pie with every topping imaginable, minus the one ingredient that famously divides opinion: anchovies.
History of National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day
This lighthearted observance leans into one of the most consistently polarizing pizza toppings around. While anchovies have a long culinary history and are beloved in many traditional Italian dishes, they remain one of the least popular pizza toppings in America, often serving as the punchline in movies, sitcoms, and everyday pizza-ordering jokes. The “except anchovies” framing pokes fun at just how universally avoided the topping tends to be, even among people who otherwise love piling their pizza high with toppings.
The day fits into a broader tradition of food-specific national observances that celebrate favorite dishes and beloved (or in this case, humorously excluded) ingredients, giving pizza lovers a specific, fun theme to build their order or homemade pizza around.
How to Celebrate National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day
- Order a fully loaded pizza with all your favorite toppings, skipping the anchovies
- Make a homemade “everything” pizza with a wide variety of toppings
- Debate the anchovy question with friends, whether you’re a fan or not
- Try a small taste of anchovies if you’ve never had them, just to see what the fuss is about
- Share your loaded pizza creation on social media
Fun Facts About Pizza Toppings
- Anchovies consistently rank as one of the least popular pizza toppings in national surveys, often near the very bottom of the list.
- Despite their reputation on pizza, anchovies are a staple ingredient in many other beloved dishes, including Caesar salad dressing and various Italian sauces.
- A “supreme” or “the works” pizza typically includes a combination of pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and olives.
- Anchovies are small, oily fish that are typically cured and packed in salt or oil, giving them their distinctive strong, salty flavor.
- Topping preferences vary significantly by region, with some areas embracing unconventional toppings that would be considered unusual elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day?
National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day is celebrated annually on November 12th.
Why are anchovies such an unpopular pizza topping?
Anchovies have a strong, salty, distinctly fishy flavor that many people find overpowering compared to more common pizza toppings, which contributes to their reputation as a polarizing choice.
What toppings are typically included on a “the works” pizza?
A “the works” or “supreme” pizza commonly includes toppings like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and olives.