- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- Fast FoodItalian Food
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every November 12
- Holiday emoji:
- 🍕
National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day arrives every November 12, inviting pizza lovers to indulge in their ultimate creation, free from the controversial anchovy. This day champions personal preference and the joy of a perfectly topped pie. Gather your favorite ingredients, call your local pizzeria, or host a pizza-making party to celebrate!
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Expected National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day Deals
As National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day approaches, expect major pizza chains and local pizzerias to roll out enticing promotions. While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that brands like Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and Papa John’s often feature discounts on large specialty pizzas or offer deals on multiple toppings. Independent pizzerias may also run ‘build-your-own’ specials, encouraging customers to customize their pies to perfection, sans anchovies. Look for BOGO offers, percentage discounts on online orders, or combo deals including drinks and sides. Little Caesars might offer their Hot-N-Ready pizzas at a special price, while gourmet chains like California Pizza Kitchen could highlight unique topping combinations. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as November 12 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #PizzaWithTheWorks. Film your ultimate pizza creation, showing off all your favorite toppings (and the dramatic exclusion of anchovies).
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NoAnchovyPizza. Share mouth-watering photos or reels of your fully loaded pizza, asking followers for their must-have toppings.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #PizzaDay. Host a poll asking your community about their favorite pizza toppings and why anchovies are a no-go.
National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day Hero
Gennaro Lombardi
History of National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day
Although there is no factual origin of this cod-less Pizza day and people continue to wonder about its origin, it does not mean this day cannot still be celebrated. In fact, if we go into the details of pizza making its way to America, we can find that the first restaurant pizza was made in New York City’s Little Italy in 1905.
But where does the idea of putting fish (anchovies) on the pizza come from? Well, if we go back in time and see what the Ancient Romans did, we would see that they used to put fermented fish on their flat breads. The Greeks had a pie which they called a “pita”, which could have led to the word entering the Roman (later Italian) vocabulary. The recipe stayed around the early days of pizza, and mozzarella was used as the cheese of choice. As pizza became more popular, and people added their own preferences, different ingredients were experimented with, and this is where anchovies crept in as a topping.
Pizza has been described as the favorite meal of Americans, especially since World War II. Since then, there have been different recipes and varieties of pizza, with a wide array of toppings. There always has been a group of people who have ridiculed the beloved pizza with anchovies as topping choice – so much so that only 3 in every 1,000 people would admit to selecting anchovy as a topping of choice. So this day celebrates the mainstream taste regarding pizza.
National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day timeline
The first pizza establishment in the U.S. is opened in New York City by Gennaro Lombardi.
During the Second World War, those soldiers who fought at the Italian front regularly ate pizza and from there brought the original recipe back to the U.S.
On October 11, 1987, Lorenzo Amato and Louis Piancone make the largest pizza ever — 44,500 pounds — and spread over an area of 10,000 square feet.
Although there is no confirmed date as to when the nation started celebrating this beautiful day, as far as published records go, the first National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day was celebrated in 2010.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day
Local pizzerias and restaurants can fully embrace National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day by offering special ‘build-your-own’ pizza deals, allowing customers to load up on their favorite toppings while explicitly excluding anchovies. Promote these customizable options with engaging social media campaigns, asking customers to share their unique creations using a dedicated hashtag. Consider partnering with local ingredient suppliers to highlight fresh, quality toppings. Retailers selling pizza-making supplies or gourmet ingredients can host in-store demonstrations or offer discounts on dough, sauces, and premium toppings to encourage home pizza chefs.
National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day FAQs
When is National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day?
National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day 2026 falls on Thursday, November 12, offering a perfect mid-week excuse to indulge in a custom-made pie.
How much pizza do Americans eat annually?
Americans consume an astounding amount of pizza, with estimates suggesting each person eats roughly 46 slices per year in 2026. That’s a lot of pies to customize!
What are the most popular pizza toppings?
While personal preferences vary, pepperoni consistently ranks as the most popular pizza topping in 2026, followed closely by sausage, mushrooms, and extra cheese. These classics form the base of many ‘works’ pizzas.
Why do people dislike anchovies on pizza?
Many people dislike anchovies on pizza due to their intensely salty, fishy flavor, which can overpower other toppings. The small, briny fish are often seen as a polarizing ingredient that detracts from the overall pizza experience in 2026.
How to celebrate National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day
Make a Pizza
Create and make pizzas, or have a pizza-making competition for family and friends to share the creativity of each. And turn a blind eye to the one who might slip in that topping-that-shall-not-be-mentioned. Create public awareness by sharing photos of the fun on social media.
Donate those pizzas
Make your pizzas and share them with your local senior centre, group home or some NPO. You could involve friends and family, your colleagues, or members of the community and make this day delicious for people who would not normally get the chance to eat pizza.
Build your own pizza oven and teach others
Clay pizza ovens are all the rage in the natural building fraternity, so impress those around you and design and make your own. That way, you have a talking and social point, and learn a new skill. You could use it for years to come, making pizza in the authentic way.
5 Facts About Pizza (and Anchovies) Everyone Should Know
The origin of pizza
In the times of ancient Greeks and Egyptians, pizza was a flatbread seasoned with cheese, oil, and herbs.
Pizza is a 37 billion dollar industry
There are over a million people working in the pizza industry in the U.S., which generates $37 billion every year.
Pizza was delivered in space
In 2001, a six-inch pizza was delivered to the International Space Station, where Yuri Usachov was the recipient.
Some love anchovies on their pizza
0.003% of Americans select anchovies as a topping of their choice on a pizza.
Fisherman prefer fishing at night for anchovy
Anchovies shine in the water because of their silvery scales and are easier to catch at night.
Why Do We Celebrate National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day?
It’s our favorite meal
Pizza is definitely America’s favorite meal — roughly 100 acres of pizza a day or about 350 slices per second, are consumed. So even a funny day that makes fun of a topping, in this case anchovies, is part of what we celebrate daily.
The focus is on the ‘works’
This day is about concentrating on the ‘works’ which point towards appreciating the toppings. Instead of an average pizza, this day celebrates the effort of selecting gorgeous, mouth-watering toppings and really savoring them.
It helps us appreciate those who love anchovies
There are so few true blue anchovy lovers that it may be a good idea to get them to celebrate this day with you — without their fishy love. Then do a turn-around and let them make you a pizza with their favorite topping on it and give it a chance. You may love it and be hailed as a bridge builder across the topping divide in the pizza world.
National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | November 12 | Thursday |
| 2027 | November 12 | Friday |
| 2028 | November 12 | Sunday |
| 2029 | November 12 | Monday |
| 2030 | November 12 | Tuesday |
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