How 1960s pizza toast and Popeyes magazine still shape culture today

Two iconic pieces of 1960s and 1970s pop culture remain beloved today: pizza toast and Popeyes magazine. One started as a simple snack in postwar Japan, while the other became a defining men's lifestyle publication. Both still hold influence decades later.

Pizza toast first appeared in 1964 at Cafe Benisica in Japan. The dish used thick milk bread, a tangy ketchup-based sauce, and assorted toppings, quickly becoming a yoshoku—Western-inspired Japanese comfort food—staple. Its exact origins and global spread remain unclear, but its popularity in Japan endured.

Popeyes magazine launched in 1976, celebrating the sporty, laid-back style of Los Angeles. Over time, it expanded into food, travel, and culture, maintaining a loyal following. The latest cooking issue even features recipes for pizza toast, milkshakes, and other dishes from various contributors.

In Los Angeles, Kinokuniya bookstore in Little Tokyo stocks Japanese cooking magazines, offering everything from everyday meals to niche recipes. Meanwhile, one fan plans to enjoy homemade pizza toast—garlic bread topped with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni—during the Bad Bunny halftime show, paired with furikake Chex mix and queso fundido.

From a Tokyo cafe's quick snack to a magazine's enduring style, these 1960s and 1970s trends still resonate. Pizza toast remains a nostalgic comfort, while Popeyes continues to shape modern lifestyle culture. Both prove that some classics never fade.