11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Pizza Express brings back beloved dish following customer backlash after axing it from menus
Upset patrons had previously called for the dish's return to menus
back in action Pizza Express brings back beloved dish following customer backlash after axing it from menus
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PIZZA Express has confirmed the return of a beloved dish after receiving customer backlash when it was axed from menus.
Diners were left raging earlier this year when the "iconic" item was dropped.
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The Calabrese first launched back in 2010
Credit: Pizza Express
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Singer Ed Sheeran is a famous fan of the spicy pizza
Credit: Pizza Express
Pizza Express first launched the Calabrese - a hot and spicy sausage pizza - back in 2010.
Coming back - but with a twist
Although the dish is making a return, there's also a catch - as it is not officially on the menu.
Customers will instead have to use a secret word to waiters to ensure they receive the spicy pizza.
Big UK music star is a long-time supporter
Meanwhile, Pizza Express counts singer Ed Sheeran among the popular dish's many fans.
The Calabrese's return coincides with the 34-year-old's hometown performances in Ipswich this weekend.
In January, patrons were very vocal in their anger over the Calabrese being axed - and shared their thoughts online.
Blasting the decision on X, one angry customer wrote: 'How and why on earth have you ditched the calabrese? Is this a sick joke? 2025 ruined…'
Another added: 'So… the Calabrese is your and my favourite pizza ever.
'So, why on earth did you remove it from your menu?
I worked at Pizza Express washing pots when I was 17 - now I make £20k a MONTH... here's my best advice
'Bring it back!!!'
A third fumed: 'Sincerely, you need to bring back the Calabrese.
"It's the only reason I came to Pizza Express, my favourite pizza from anywhere.
"Sad day when you stopped it. Could you reconsider?'
How the Calabrese came to be
The Calabrese was created by Michelin-starred chef Francesco Mazzei in 2010 to highlight the cuisine of Calabria, a region in southern Italy.
Pizza Express said previously: 'We're famous for our iconic menu items, from cult favourite – the American - to our delicious Padana.
'While we appreciate the Calabrese had a strong fanbase, we are always innovating and offering new flavours and dishes for our customers to fall in love with.
'That means we have said goodbye to our Calabrese for now, but you never know what may appear (or reappear!) in the future.'
