When is National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day?

It is observed on November 12 each year.

How do people celebrate National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day?

Load up a fully topped pizza minus the anchovies, and consider that anchovies were actually on Italian flatbreads before tomato sauce was — 61% of Americans still name them their least favorite topping today.

Annual observance

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

November 12 Food / Dessert Updated 2026-07-09

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Overview

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day, observed annually on November 12th, is a culinary holiday dedicated to celebrating a beloved and robust pizza combination. This day encourages enthusiasts to indulge in a generously topped pizza, typically featuring a lavish assortment of meats, vegetables, and cheeses—such as pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers—while specifically omitting the polarizing salty fish, anchovies. It's a day for enjoying the full, rich flavor profile of a 'supreme' or 'deluxe' style pizza, catering to a broad range of tastes by leaving out one of the more contentious ingredients.

Why it matters: National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day on November 12 celebrates the joy of indulging in a fully loaded pizza without the divisive flavor of anchovies. This holiday highlights the universal appeal of pizza as a versatile dish that brings together a variety of toppings to suit diverse palates.

Origin and story

Many pizzerias refer to 'the works' as a 'Supreme' or 'Deluxe' pizza, indicating its comprehensive topping selection.

Pepperoni and sausage are consistently among the most popular meat toppings and are almost always included in 'the works' style pizzas.

Quick facts

DateNovember 12
TypeFood / Dessert
Great forFoodies, Chocolate lovers, Home bakers

Also on this date

Ways to celebrate

Anchovies were actually on pizza before tomato sauce was — this holiday's one exclusion has a longer culinary pedigree than almost anything else on the pie.

Know why anchovies came first

The Italian habit of layering anchovies on baked dough predates tomato sauce in Italian cooking entirely; pizza marinara, appearing in Naples around 1734, combined tomato sauce with anchovies because poor Neapolitans needed a cheap, abundant, shelf-stable way to add umami flavor to flatbread.

Know why so many people leave them off anyway

A survey found 61% of Americans name anchovies as their least favorite pizza topping — food writers point to unfamiliarity with concentrated umami flavor, and often a first bad experience with a cheap, oily tin dumped straight onto a chain-restaurant pizza.

Read the fuller history

Helpful resources:

The Most Hated Pizza Topping in the US Actually Has a Long Italian History (Matador Network)

Did you know?

Ancient Romans were just as obsessed with fermented fish flavor, building an entire condiment industry around "garum," a pungent anchovy-based sauce that emperors reportedly hoarded by the barrel.

Fun facts

Many pizzerias refer to 'the works' as a 'Supreme' or 'Deluxe' pizza, indicating its comprehensive topping selection.
Pepperoni and sausage are consistently among the most popular meat toppings and are almost always included in 'the works' style pizzas.
The specific exclusion of anchovies on this day highlights their polarizing taste, which, while loved by some, is often a strong deterrent for others.

Sources and attribution

The Most Hated Pizza Topping in the US Actually Has a Long Italian History (Matador Network)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day?: It is observed on November 12 each year.
What is National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day?: National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day, observed annually on November 12th, is a culinary holiday dedicated to celebrating a beloved and robust pizza combination. This day encourages enthusiasts to indulge in a generously topped pizza, typically featuring a lavish assortment of meats, vegetables, and cheeses—such as pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers—while specifically omitting the polarizing salty fish, anchovies. It's a day for enjoying the full, rich flavor profile of a 'supreme' or 'deluxe' style pizza, catering to a broad range of tastes by leaving out one of the more contentious ingredients.
How do people celebrate National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day?: Load up a fully topped pizza minus the anchovies, and consider that anchovies were actually on Italian flatbreads before tomato sauce was — 61% of Americans still name them their least favorite topping today.

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