National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

Every year on November 12, National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day invites pizza lovers to load up their pies with every topping imaginable—just skip the anchovies.

History of National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

This quirky food holiday emerged as a celebration of loaded pizzas (“the works”) while poking fun at the divisive topping of anchovies. It’s traced back to at least 2010 in food-holiday listings, though the exact origin is unclear.

Why is National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day important?

On the surface it’s fun and light-hearted, but it also highlights how food preferences vary—and how toppings reflect culture, taste and tradition. The day encourages creativity in pizza making and comfort in choosing what you love (and what you don’t).
It also subtly underscores that even a “fun” holiday can prompt awareness: what toppings do people love or dislike, and why? The anchovy exclusion is humorous but it kicks off conversation about flavour, tradition and culinary choice.

• It encourages people to build—and celebrate—a pizza with lots of toppings.
• It gives an excuse to skip a topping many dislike (anchovies) without guilt.
• It supports local pizzerias by generating fun around ordering and making pizzas.
• It invites experimentation: try unusual toppings, crusts or combinations.
• It starts conversations about taste, texture and food traditions.

How to Celebrate National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day

Gather friends or family, order or make a pizza with as many toppings as you like—meat, veggies, cheeses, sauces—but steer clear of anchovies. Make it a build-your-own event: provide options for everyone and let creativity fly. Bonus points for writing or sharing a “my toppings list” or a short poll: “Anchovies or not?”
If making at home, try a new crust style, sauce variation or topping you haven’t used before. If ordering out, perhaps support a local pizzeria and ask what “the works” means to them. Share the result on social media with the relevant hashtag to join the lighthearted tradition.

• Choose a crust style you don’t normally try (e.g., stuffed, thin, gluten-free).
• Provide a toppings bar so everyone picks their “everything” pizza—except anchovies.
• Ask guests or family: “What topping would you always include in a ‘works’ pizza?”
• Visit a local pizzeria and ask about their version of “the works” pizza (but no anchovies).
• Share a photo of your pizza-creation day, and tag it with #PizzaWithTheWorksExceptAnchoviesDay.

National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day Dates Table