Hold on to your hats and get your toes ready to tap…because Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, Arizona is not your average pizza joint. The business, which has been around for over 50 years, is like a cross between a classic mom-and-pop pizzeria and a musical theater - and I mean that in the best way possible.

In fact…ORGAN STOP PIZZA WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE EXPERIENCES in the greater Phoenix Area.

Check out our video to see just how amazing Organ Stop Pizza is!

How is the Menu at Organ Stop Pizza?

Peperoni and mushroom Pizza from Organ Stop Pizza — Organ Stop Pizza made our pepperoni and mushroom pizza for under $25

Organ Stop Pizza truly hits all the right notes when it comes to its menu! Simply put, Organ Stop Pizza serves some decent pizza. There’s nothing fancy to choose from -- just basic toppings like cheese, pepperoni, sausage, ham, beef, bacon, mushroom, black olives, green peppers, and onion – but the food is reasonably priced and good. Our large two-topping mushroom and pepperoni pizza was less than $25.00 (with tax). Basic sandwiches, a salad bar, and several classic apps are also available.

The beer selection and prices are equally good. In addition to domestics like Bud Light ($5.75) and Michelob Ultra ($6.25), the menu features some local craft brewery favorites like Four Peaks Kilt Lifter (Scottish style ale) and the Joy Bus Wow (wheat ale) for $6.75/pint.

Overall, I would describe the menu as great dive bar food. A symphony of classic food and beverages, if you will. Bravo.

How is the Service at Organ Stop Pizza?

The service at Organ Stop Pizza isn’t fancy either. Patrons order and beverages at a counter, receive a number, and then seat themselves in the auditorium along some long tables positioned end-to-end. Two large number-boards in the auditorium tell customers when their food is ready to pick up. Beers and deserts are ordered at the counter as well.

There’s no table service, other than table bussers who clean up and make sure that the tables all have filled napkin dispensers as well as few crushed red pepper and parmesan shakers.

Of some note (get it? “note”?), we didn’t find an easy way to tip the restaurant employees. When we ordered the pizza, there was no tip line on our receipt. We didn’t readily spot a tip jar at the food/beverage counters either. Because bussing the tables seemed to be a group task, it did not seem appropriate to just leave cash on the table.

Spoiler alert: We could (and did) tip the organist.

What is the Seating Like at Organ Stop Pizza?

The balcony seating at Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa Arizona

Several open doorways lead from the food ordering/service areas into the theater and dining area. There’s no assigned seating, and the “good seats” fill up quickly. Thankfully, there’s probably not a bad seat on the main floor. While there’s ample seating in the balcony area, the balcony isn’t tiered so all of the balcony’s “good seats” for watching the performances are next to the balcony railings.

We arrived at about 4:30 on a Wednesday afternoon and felt lucky to find a couple of seats on a shared table near the back on the main floor where we could both watch and listen to the performances without any major obstructions. And WOW, what an experience.

What Organ is used at the Organ Stop Pizza?

Our view from the back of the auditorium at Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, Arizona

The star of the Organ Stop Pizza is, of course, the 1927 Mighty Wurlitzer organ and the talented organists who make Organ Stop Pizza a must-stop. The organ console is positioned in on am 8000-lb rotating platform that sits in the center of 700-seat auditorium filled with hungry music lovers. That’s right…it rotates!

The Mighty Wurlitzer isn’t your grandma’s church organ, for sure. The organ has 1,074 keys, buttons, and switches linked to about 6,000 pipes. SIX THOUSAND!

Fun Fact: As of 2022, the Mighty Wurlitzer is valued at more than $6 million!

A number of clear shutter-like panels and other opening allow patrons to see many of the pipes. The organ is also linked to number of percussion instruments (gong, cymbals, cowbells, base drums, etc.) on the walls.

Although most people stay in their seats during a performance unless they are getting food or finding a seat, I took the time to wander about the auditorium during a couple of songs and get closer to some of the pipes and other instruments. A trumpet en chamade (trumpet pipes mounted horizontally instead of vertically) mounted on the back wall of the balcony area gave me chills when I passed it. As the sound changed during my route, I truly began to appreciate the majesty of the Mighty Wurlitzer!

How does the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Work?

Organ Stop Pizza created a great ~25-minutes video for folks like me who want to know more about how the organ actually works. Some of the main components include:

1. Pipes.

Balcony view of the pipes on the left side of the Console at Organ Pipe Pizza in Mesa Arizona

Each pipe in the Mighty Wurlitzer produces a single note, but the pipes are arranged in sets known as ranks. The pipes mimic various instruments, ranging from a tuba to a flute. The largest pipe is over 3 feet in diameter, over 36 feet tall and weighs a ton. The smallest pipe is a ¼” in diameter, 7 inches tall, and weighs 4 ounces. The 32-foot diaphones are visible from the front of the building,

Organ Stop Pizza boasts the the largest Theatre Pipe Organ of any type to ever be assembled!

2. Blowers.

Four motor-driven blowers provide pressurized air to the organ pipes of the Mighty Wurlitzer. These are housed in a separate blower room that is not visible to patrons.

3. Pressure Regulators.

Pressure regulators that produce air at a precise pressure for a set of pipes. We could see these bouncing up and down during the performance through the lower horizonal clear panels.

5. Tremulants.

These wooden boxes contain a valve that releases air at quick intervals to give the sound its vibrato.

5. Swell Shades.

These shutter-like structures cover the opening from the organ chamber to the auditorium and control the volume of sound escaping the chamber.

6. Console.

In layman’s terms, the console on the Mighty Wurlitzer is really the mother of all motherboards. Among other things, there are four keyboards, each with 61 keyes each, as well as a pedal board with 32 keys. According to Organ Stop Pizza’s website, the sytem also includes “a digital rhythm unit which can be programmed to play many of the organ’s traps and percussion instruments in complex musical arrangements.”

What is the Music Like at Organ Stop Pizza?

The music at Organ Stop Pizza is likely to appeal to most people. The music is a mix of popular songs (Footloose, Queen, YMCA), military medleys, musical numbers (e.g., The Sound of Music, Phantom of the Opera) and movies (Pink Panther). People can also place song requests on both sides of the stage.

The organists at Organ Stop Pizza take requests (and tips!)

My favorite song was the Star Wars Theme. John Williams and George Lucas might even think that the sound at Organ Stop Pizza is better than in a movie theatre. It’s hard to describe just how great the music sounds.

As noted above, my advice is to walk around during one of the performances because the acoustical experience will be different depending on where you are located. I personally think that the acoustics are best in the center of the balcony area.

The show is not just about the music though. A light show accompanies each song, and some props like an American Flag or some creepy looking cat marionettes come out for certain songs.

The organist plays about 30-45 minute sets with about a 15-minute break in between so diners. During our stay in the Mesa area the spring of 2023, either Brent Valliant or Glen Tallar performed on a given night.

What is the Atmosphere Like at Organ Stop Pizza?

Mighty Wurlitzer Organ at Organ Stop Pizza

Given the grandness of the Mighty Wurlitzer, the restaurant could have easily have been something high-end and expensive. The music is so good that in another lifetime, the place could have had a dress code and featured multi-course meals and French wine. Yet, the casualness of the Organ Stop Pizza is part of its charm and draw. Because acceptable attire includes shorts and t-shirts, people probably get exposed to the organ music who otherwise wouldn’t, especially kids.

The atmosphere at the Organ Stop Pizza is what I would call “casually festive.” It’s not unusual for groups to be celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other events Organ Stop Pizza.

Is There Anything Bad about Organ Stop Pizza?

Examples of some music instruments (bongs, percussion, piano) connected to the console. Some organ pipes are located in the background.

The short answer is “no,” but here’s a few things to note. First, the place is crowded and noisy. If you don’t want to share a meal with a few hundred people who often talk over the performances, then Organ Stop Pizza might annoy you a little. Second, the place is crawling with kids. It’s a family-friendly pizza joint after all, but it would be nice if perhaps there were “adult only” performances on occasion. Most of the restaurant staff seemed to be under 21 so that might not even be an option. Lastly, there’s a sign saying that while still photos are permitted, videos are prohibited because of the copyrighted music. That prohibition is not enforced as there were dozens of people were taking videos of the performances. Sometimes, it’s best just to sit back and enjoy the music and show (myself included).

Final Thoughts on Organ Stop Pizza

If you're looking for a unique and memorable dining experience, I highly recommend Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, Arizona. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is casual and relaxed, and the Mighty Wurlitzer and its organ music is simply amazing. I cannot wait to go back and listen to another outstanding performance!

Organ Stop Pizza - What to Know