Does Pizza Hut Have Canadian Bacon?

Canadian bacon has long been a beloved pizza topping, especially when paired with pineapple on a classic Hawaiian pizza However, in recent years, this smoked and cured pork product seems to be disappearing from pizza menus Which naturally leads pizza lovers to ask Does Pizza Hut still offer Canadian bacon as an ingredient?

To find the answer, I dug into Pizza Hut’s history with Canadian bacon, scoured their current pizza offerings, and did some detective work to solve this cheesy mystery. Keep reading to learn if you can still get Canadian bacon on your Pizza Hut pies.

A Brief History of Canadian Bacon at Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut first opened in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas and swiftly grew into one of America’s largest pizza chains. Through the 1960s and 70s, Pizza Hut solidified the popularity of pizza across the Midwest and South. Their pizza style was characterized by pan pizzas with thick, buttery crusts loaded up with toppings.

In keeping with pizza trends of the era Canadian bacon appeared as a standard topping choice during Pizza Hut’s early years. Canadian bacon was a staple ingredient for Hawaiian pizzas. Its smoky salty flavor perfectly complemented the sweet pineapple and savory pizza sauce.

Pizza Hut continued serving its signature pan pizzas with Canadian bacon well into the 1990s and 2000s. However, around 2010, the chain began revamping its menu and recipes. The focus shifted to newer recipes featuring fresher ingredients and diverse global flavors. While customers welcomed many of the new options, some took to social media to complain about the perceived loss of classic flavors and toppings like Canadian bacon.

So how has Pizza Hut responded to customer demands for this beloved pork product? Let’s take a look at their current menu.

Checking Pizza Hut’s Toppings Menu

I decided to investigate whether Canadian bacon was still available at Pizza Hut locations near me. First I checked their online menu and ordering system. Under “pizza toppings” Canadian bacon was not listed. However, the menu did feature broader categories like “beef toppings” and “pork toppings”, so I remained hopeful.

Next, I called my local Pizza Hut and spoke to an employee. I asked if Canadian bacon was still offered as an ingredient. They informed me it could be added to any pizza for an additional charge. When I asked for more details about the Canadian bacon itself, the employee wasn’t sure of the specifics on how it was processed or smoked.

Finally, I visited a Pizza Hut location in person and looked over their self-serve topping bar. No Canadian bacon was in sight. Just regular pepperoni and ham lunch meat. I inquired with the cashier, who told me they do have Canadian bacon in the kitchen that can be added to pizzas on request. It just wasn’t displayed as a standard topping choice.

Availability of Canadian Bacon May Vary By Location

After conducting this firsthand research, it appears availability of Canadian bacon varies from one Pizza Hut to the next. Some locations no longer carry it at all, while others will add it to pizzas on special request.

There are a few factors that help explain this inconsistency:

• Regional Tastes – Consumer preferences for toppings like Canadian bacon differ across the country. Locations may customize ingredients to local tastes.

• Supply Chain Issues – Ongoing supply chain disruptions make it harder for restaurants to source specific ingredients like Canadian bacon.

• Menu Streamlining – Eliminating lesser-used toppings helps simplify operations and reduce costs.

• Health Trends – Canadian bacon is seen as less healthy than leaner meats like chicken or plant-based proteins now in vogue.

So while some Pizza Hut locations definitely still offer Canadian bacon, its future on the menu remains uncertain. Fans of this classic topping may need to specifically request it when ordering.

Why Canadian Bacon Is a Beloved Pizza Topping

To understand why the potential loss of Canadian bacon from Pizza Hut is disappointing to some pizza fans, it helps to highlight what makes this ingredient so iconic and crave-worthy:

• Tradition – It’s a long-standing pizza topping, especially on Hawaiian and combo pies. Its tangy, smoky flavor spark nostalgia.

• Flavored By Wood-Smoking – The smoking process over hardwood infuses Canadian bacon with a hint of woodsy sweetness you can’t get from regular ham or bacon.

• Lean Yet Tender – When sliced thick, each piece delivers a nice chew and meatiness that enhances pizza textures.

• Taste Synergy – Canadian bacon complements other toppings like pineapple, onions, and green peppers.

• Versatile – As a cured and pre-cooked pork, it can be eaten straight or cooked in diverse ways.

For those who grew up enjoying Canadian bacon on pizza, it becomes part of the nostalgic experience. But even new generations of pizza eaters can appreciate the qualities that make it a stellar ingredient.

Filling the Void: Possible Substitutes for Canadian Bacon

If you get a pizza craving but your local Pizza Hut can’t accommodate Canadian bacon, there are a few alternative toppings that may partially fill the void:

• Ham – The closest readily available substitute. Opt for thicker premium deli ham and slice it yourself to mimic Canadian bacon.

• Pepperoni – For a smoky, salty kick. Get pepperoni cups to add fun texture.

• Prosciutto – Delivers deeper, woodsy flavor from dry-curing. Its soft texture contrasts the crust.

• Salami – For pizza lovers who don’t mind a little more spice. Genoa salami offers a nice balance.

• Italian Sausage – Sauteed sausage crumbles scattered on pizza create hearty meatiness.

• Bacon – Standard bacon is smokier and porkier. But the crispness may overpower the pizza.

• Pineapple – When in doubt, just double down on the sweet pineapple flavors of Hawaiian pizza.

These alternatives may help satisfy a craving for Canadian bacon’s smoky flavor and hearty bite. Mix and match toppers until you find a winning combo.

Don’t Give Up Hope for This Pizza Classic!

Canadian bacon seems to be slowly disappearing from Pizza Hut locations, but it’s not gone entirely yet. There’s still a chance customer requests and food trends could convince Pizza Hut to bring Canadian bacon back in full force. After all, the chain reintroduced hot dog-stuffed pizza crusts in 2020 after phasing them out years before.

For now, the best approach is simply asking for Canadian bacon when you order from Pizza Hut. The more requests they get, the more incentive the chain has to make it a permanent menu fixture once again. Pizza lovers who refuse to give up on classics like Canadian bacon need to make their voices heard!

So next time you’re craving a Hawaiian, combo, or other loaded pizza, don’t be afraid to inquire about adding some Canadian bacon. You may just help revive this smoky, salty favorite one pizza order at a time.