Mexican Pizza facts for kids
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| Type | Pizza |
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| Place of origin | United States |
The Mexican Pizza is a special menu item from the fast-food chain Taco Bell in the United States. It was first called the Pizzazz Pizza. This dish has two crispy tortillas with a filling of seasoned beef and refried beans. It's topped with tomato sauce, three kinds of cheese, and diced tomatoes. Even though it's called "Mexican Pizza," it's not a traditional dish from Mexican cuisine, and it doesn't look exactly like a regular pizza.
Contents
History of the Mexican Pizza
The Mexican Pizza was first added to the Taco Bell menu in 1985. Back then, it was known as the Pizzazz Pizza. Its original recipe also included olives and green onions.
Why the Name Changed
In 1988, the Pizzazz Pizza was renamed "Mexican Pizza." Before this, in 1985, the owners of a pizza place in Cleveland had sued Taco Bell's owner, PepsiCo. They claimed that the name "Pizzazz Pizza" was too similar to their own pizza name. Taco Bell didn't say this lawsuit was the reason for the name change, but the name was changed soon after.
Popularity and Removal
The Mexican Pizza became very popular, especially among South Asian Americans. This was because you could swap the beef for beans, making it suitable for vegetarians.
On November 5, 2020, Taco Bell decided to remove the Mexican Pizza from its menu. They said the paperboard packaging used for the pizza was bad for the environment.
Bringing It Back
After the Mexican Pizza was removed, a vegetarian Indian American named Krish Jagirdar started a petition online. He wanted Taco Bell to bring the item back. More than 170,000 people signed his petition!
On April 18, 2022, Taco Bell announced that the Mexican Pizza would return on May 19. The famous singer Doja Cat, who worked with Taco Bell on ads, even told her fans at the Coachella festival that she helped bring it back. Taco Bell personally thanked Krish Jagirdar for his petition.
When the Mexican Pizza returned, it was so popular that Taco Bell had trouble keeping enough in stock. They reported that one customer even bought 180 pizzas in a single order!
On August 2, 2022, Taco Bell announced that the Mexican Pizza would be back on menus for good starting September 15. The company said that the huge demand was real and not a trick. They reported that demand was seven times higher than before.
Mexican Pizza: The Musical
Taco Bell even created a musical called Mexican Pizza: The Musical. They planned for it to be shown on TikTok on May 26, 2022. This musical was a fun way to promote the return of the Mexican Pizza.
About the Musical
Taco Bell described the musical as a funny story about the people who worked hard to bring the Mexican Pizza back. Famous people like Dolly Parton, Doja Cat, and TikTok star Victor Kunda appeared in the 15-minute show. The musical was written by Hannah Friedman, with music by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear.
The release of the musical was delayed, but it finally streamed on TikTok on September 15, 2022.
See also
In Spanish: Mexican Pizza para niños
