The Mexican Pizza, originally called the Pizzazz Pizza, is a menu item at the U.S.-based chain Taco Bell. It consists of two tortillas with a filling of seasoned beef and refried beans, topped with tomato sauce, three cheeses, and diced tomatoes.
History
The item was introduced in 1985 as the Pizzazz Pizza, when its recipe also included olives and green onions. It was renamed "Mexican Pizza" in 1988. The owners of a Cleveland-area pizzeria had sued Taco Bell's then-owner PepsiCo, claiming trademark infringement, in 1985, although Taco Bell did not mention the lawsuit as being related to the renaming.[1]
Because the beef could be substituted with beans, making the Mexican Pizza suitable for vegetarians, the item became popular among South Asian Americans.[2] On November 5, 2020, Taco Bell removed the Mexican Pizza from its menu, saying that its paperboard packaging had a significant environmental impact.