ham pizza

In previous posts, we brought you the favorite pizza toppings among Pequod’s customers at both our Chicago and Morton Grove locations in 2020 and 2022.

Now, it’s time to talk about your least favorite pizza toppings. These are the toppings you never choose. The ones you actively avoid. The ones you judge others about.

Of course, at Pequod’s there’s no judgment: We want you to enjoy your pizza your way. But we can’t help if you get weird looks from the people at other tables when you load up your pie with anchovies, olives, and pineapple.

But maybe that’s your plan? After all, if you order one of the least popular or least common toppings, you’ll wind up with more pizza for yourself.

So, what does the data show is ​​​​​​​the least popular ingredient?

Chicago’s Least Favorite Pizza Toppings

Ham pizzaAccording to the numbers, you consider ham the least desirable topping. The top ten overall numbers look like this:

  1. Ham
  2. Meatballs
  3. Beef
  4. Jalapeno (tied with beef)
  5. Black olives
  6. Spinach (tied with black olives)
  7. Sausage
  8. Onion
  9. Green olives
  10. Mushroom

Least Popular Meats

Let’s break things down a little, shall we?

If we pull out just the meats, we have:

  1. Ham
  2. Meatballs
  3. Beef
  4. Sausage

Ham was the least popular meat by a full 10 points over meatball, coming in at 31% and 20% respectively, with beef close behind. In fact, 70% of people listed one of these three ingredients.

That means that while you might enjoy one of these toppings once in a while, you might want to avoid suggesting them on a date.

It’s no surprise that sausage and pepperoni didn’t receive many votes, since they are so popular, though you might be interested to know that almost 1 in 7 of your neighbors’ listed sausage as their least favorite meat.

Least Popular Veggies

Here’s where things get more controversial. On the favorites list, mushroom and onion were the favorite for 50% of respondents, while no other topping had more than 13% popularity.

People have much broader opinions about their least favorite vegetable toppings. No vegetable received more than 18% of the nay votes.

In order of least popular, then, you said:

  1. Jalapeno
  2. Black olives
  3. Spinach (tied with black olives)
  4. Onion
  5. Green olives
  6. Mushroom

None of these was disliked more than the top three least popular meat toppings.

Meanwhile, onions, mushrooms, and black olives actually made the favorites list, so that tells us these are polarizing vegetables. People either like them or they don’t. Go ahead and take a chance on them in a group setting, but don’t be offended if you get some strong responses.

Weighing in On The Least Common Toppings

Two ingredients are so divisive we didn’t even include them in our main survey. They also happen to be among the least common toppings ordered, for obvious reasons.

We’re talking about pineapple and anchovies.

All we wanted to know from you is whether you agreed that they were valid pizza toppings. You didn’t have to say they were your favorite or least favorite, just weigh in on whether you acknowledge the legitimacy of your fellow American putting this ingredient on their pie.

Pineapple Splits Down the Middle

It turns out you were almost evenly divided on the pineapple question, which fell out 52/48, slightly in favor of pro-pineapple.

That’s not to say that 52% of you would order it, just that you aren’t offended at seeing it on the menu. Maybe you’ve even tried it a couple times.

Anchovies Are A Non-Starter

The anchovy vote was much more decisive: 68% of Pequod’s customers reject the notion that these tiny, salty fish belong anywhere near their favorite Italian comfort food. The only reason to mention anchovies is if you’re looking to start a fight (you know who you are!).

The Ham & Jalapeno Hijack

Some of these toppings get people so worked up that we’ve developed a little strategy called the Ham & Jalapeno Hijack to help you get your favorite toppings in a group setting.

Here’s how it works: When everyone says what they want on their pizza, you say “Ham and jalapenos!”

It’s not about wanting ham and jalapenos on your pizza; it’s about knowing that others will not want them. Get some tension building up around whether you can get what you prefer or maybe just one or the other. No? Oh, c’mon!

And so on.

Then, finally, you agree to relent and seek a compromise with the group; you’re not totally unreasonable, after all. You’re sure you can find something everyone can agree on. How about black olives?

See what you did there?

Whether you are solidly on Team Pepperoni or a closet meatball lover, we encourage everyone to be cool when it comes to getting your favorite or least favorite toppings on a pizza—it’s still a Pequod’s pizza, so you know it’ll be good!

Now that you’ve read about the least favorite toppings see what customers had to say about their favorite pizza toppings.

Happy eating, and let us know if the Ham & Jalapeno Hijack works for you!