Pizza has always been a blank canvas for creative toppings. From seafood and salads to childhood comfort foods, people have experimented with some pretty surprising combinations over the years. But like all food trends, pizza toppings come and go. What once felt exciting and innovative can quickly fade from menus as tastes change. Some of these old-school toppings were once everywhere, yet today you’d be lucky to spot them at your neighborhood pizzeria. Here are nine pizza toppings that used to be popular but now barely get ordered.
Sardines Used to Be a Classic Pizza Choice
Long before pepperoni dominated pizza menus, sardines were a common topping. Early versions of sardine pizza date back centuries and featured thick crusts topped with whole fish and savory seasonings. Even modern cookbooks in the late 1970s still included sardine pizza recipes. The salty seafood pairs well with olives, capers, and tangy ingredients that balance its bold flavor. Despite those pairings, sardines have mostly vanished from modern pizza chains.
Spam Once Starred on Hawaiian-Style Pizzas
Spam might seem like an unusual pizza topping today, but it once had a surprising role in pizza history. In the late 1950s, Kraft partnered with Spam to create a cross-branded pizza recipe called the “Pizzaroo.” The dish used canned Spam along with a packaged pizza kit to create a quick homemade pie. The salty canned meat added a smoky flavor similar to ham. Although Spam remains popular in some cuisines, it rarely appears on pizza menus anymore.
Hamburger Pizza Was Depression-Era Comfort Food
Hamburger pizza dates back to the 1930s and was once considered a practical, budget-friendly meal. The dish featured pizza dough topped with cooked ground beef, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella. It was hearty, filling, and easy to prepare with affordable ingredients. Over time, variations even appeared in cookbooks where the beef replaced the crust entirely. While cheeseburger-style pizzas still exist, plain hamburger pizza has mostly fallen out of favor.
Hot Dogs Once Turned Pizza Into a Kid Favorite
In the 1970s, pizza topped with sliced hot dogs showed up in cookbooks and family kitchens. The recipe usually involved a simple crust topped with tomato sauce, cheese, and sliced frankfurters. Some versions added peppers or onions, but the focus was always on kid-friendly flavors. Decades later, Pizza Hut briefly revived the concept with its Hot Dog Bites pizza, which wrapped hot dogs inside the crust. Despite the novelty, the idea quickly faded due to low demand.
Taco Pizza Once Ruled the 1980s
Back in the 1980s, taco pizza was everywhere. This mash-up combined Tex-Mex flavors with classic pizza crust and quickly became a hit in pizza shops and chain restaurants. Toppings often included seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onions, taco sauce, and even crushed tortilla chips. It was bold, messy, and very much a product of its time. While some nostalgic fans still recreate it at home, taco pizza has largely disappeared from mainstream menus.
Caesar Salad Once Topped Entire Pizzas
Pizza topped with Caesar salad may sound unusual today, but it was a real trend during the 1990s. The idea was simple: combine a crispy pizza crust with a fresh salad topping. Romaine lettuce, peppers, olives, garlic, and creamy Caesar dressing were layered onto a baked crust for a lighter twist on pizza night. The concept was popular at home cooking parties and kitchen product demonstrations during that era. While a few restaurants still experiment with salad-topped pizzas, the trend never truly stuck.
Mac and Cheese Pizza Was Peak Comfort Food
Few combinations scream comfort food like mac and cheese and pizza. At one point, this carb-heavy mash-up gained enough popularity to appear in advertisements and restaurant menus. The concept involved layering creamy macaroni and cheese over pizza crust before adding sauce and cheese. It appealed to both kids and adults looking for something indulgent and nostalgic. Today, however, mac and cheese pizza rarely appears outside of specialty restaurants or homemade experiments.
Smoked Salmon Became a Gourmet Pizza Sensation
Smoked salmon pizza once represented the height of gourmet dining. Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck famously introduced the dish at his restaurant Spago in the early 1980s. The luxurious pizza featured crème fraîche, smoked salmon, and delicate herbs layered on a crisp crust. It even appeared at the Oscars Governors Ball, giving the topping a glamorous reputation. Despite its early popularity among upscale restaurants, smoked salmon pizza eventually faded from most menus.
Anchovies Were Once a Pizza Staple
Anchovies might be one of the most polarizing toppings in pizza history. Some people love their bold, salty bite, while others avoid them completely. These small fish have a long history in Mediterranean cooking and were eaten on bread long before modern pizza existed. Over time, anchovies found their way onto pizzas, where they added deep umami flavor alongside tomato sauce and mozzarella. Today, however, they have a much smaller fan base, and many diners list them among their least favorite toppings.
The Toppings That Time Forgot
Pizza trends change just like everything else in food. What once felt exciting or innovative can quickly disappear as diners move on to new flavors. These old-school toppings tell a story about the eras that loved them, from Depression-era practicality to bold 1980s mashups. While they may not dominate menus today, many still have nostalgic fans who remember them fondly. Who knows—some of these forgotten toppings might even make a comeback someday. Did your favorite unusual pizza topping make the list, or is there one you still swear by? Let us know in the comments.
