‘Stranger Things’ enters pineapple on pizza debate: Try before you deny

‘Stranger Things’ Season 4 sets a lot in motion, including the barrier between Upside Down and the real world being broken down due to Vecna’s plan. However, amid all the turmoil, the Duffer Brothers’ Netflix series has also entered a debate that concerns everyone – should pineapples go on pizza? 

When Eleven decides that she can fight Vecna from inside Max’s mind, the group realize they need materials for a sensory deprivation tank. Basically, this entails salt and water. Argyle, Jonathan’s stoner buddy, suggests going to Surfer Boy pizza, where he works. 

He convinces the other person on shift to let them use the kitchen, and while Mike and El have a conversation about their relationship and whether the makeshift goggles from a pizza box is adequate to block out sights, Argyle offers them both pizza slices with pineapple on it. 

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While Mike stays firm on not wanting to try the combination, Eleven digs in and repeatedly tells her boyfriend that it tastes good. Argyle too chips in, saying “try before you deny”. This is a tip of the hat to the continuing debate about Hawaiian pizzas, which have pineapples on them. 

Contrary to the name, these pizzas aren’t from Hawaii but originated in Canada in 1962. A Greek immigrant, Sam Panopoulos, began putting pineapples on pizzas, and the name actually comes from the company of canned pineapples used. 

Part of its popularity in Canada came from the fascination with Tiki culture at the time. 

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Despite humble origins, Hawaiian pizzas have now become globally popular, but remain just as controversial as they were, when initially launched. 

A YouGov poll conducted in 2017 showed that 82% of people liked pineapple while only 53% liked fruits on their pizza. On the flip side, 12% of people said they disliked pineapple on pizza a bit and 29% said they hated the idea.