[6] A large number of variations later emerged; the TV chef Tim Mälzer presented a "modern" variant in the 2010s featuring brown bread, Serrano ham, and Manchego cheese.

[9] Toast Hawaii was a typical meal for West German families up until the 1970s and was a popular dish in pubs, party rooms, and bowling alleys in the 1980s.

Media scientist Gerd Hallenberger pointed out that the exotic fruit involved in the dish could also be interpreted as compensation for the continuing food shortage in the post-war kitchen and inability to afford vacations to distant countries.

Toast Hawaii brought the initially internationally isolated German citizens a piece of new normality and connection to the culinary world culture.

Hawaiian toast also found its way into popular culture; Loriot satirically alluded to it with his "Kalbshaxe Florida", as did Gerhard Polt with his "Leberkäs Hawaii" (both fictional).

There is a musical that shares its name, and the 2009 NDR television film Es liegt mir auf der Zunge [de] about its creator also covered its creation.