Rachel Roland is a mom on a mission - exploring beautiful Arizona (and beyond!) with her two little companions, Jeremiah and Sarah, in search of the best restaurants, attractions, and products for you and your children. See what she has in store for your family today!
When we walked into Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, I was not expecting to be overwhelmed the way I was - afterall, I'd read about the "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ online and didn't think much of it. I grew up in churches and had seen plenty of organs, so I wasn't prepared for the sheer size and and grandeur of the true-to-it's-name Mighty Wurlitzer.
Before I continue to gush about the incredible show you get with your dinner, let's talk about the food itself. Pizza, of course, but Organ Stop Pizza also offers sandwiches, pasta, and salad. It's a simple salad bar, but you an still get some veggies in to help offset that delicious meat-covered pizza you'll be devouring. Most importantly, you need to know that Organ Stop only accepts cash as payment - there is an ATM in the lobby (along with a gift shop and some arcade games) but if you remember, stop for cash before visiting. We ordered the Mesa Police Department's winning pizza - BBQ Chicken - and it was delicious!!
They also have Blue Bell ice cream, which the kids were so happy about. However, if you can tell, Sarah is a bit distracted by the fabulous playing of Charlie Balogh, who was working the Wurlitzer organ the evening we visited.
Let me share a bit about our family - we don't typically spend a lot of time hanging out at restaurants unless we're waiting for our food. With the kids, it can be challenging, and especially if it's after bedtime. Well, we spent 2 hours at Organ Stop Pizza - very unusual for us, but it was so fun, entertaining, and just overall happy place to be. (We stayed 30 minutes past their normal bedtime! If you know us, this is a big deal.)
The music aspect is just part of it - watching the Wurlitzer as it's played is another fascinating feature of Organ Stop Pizza. There are parts of it throughout the building, not just at the front of the room. There is a little bit of space at the front for dancing, and Jeremiah and Sarah (along with many other children) took advantage. You can request any song, and, when we were there, Charlie played from memory. He played songs from Star Wars, Abba, Michael Jackson, and more - really, you can request any song you'd like.
The prices at Organ Stop are comprable with any other pizza restaurant - we paid $20 for our specialty large pizza. The entertainment value, however, is through the roof. Organ Stop Pizza is truly an Arizona treasure - it's fun, unique, and entertainment for the whole family, not just the kids.
You can find Organ Stop Pizza at the intersection of Stapley and Southern in Mesa, and they're open from 5pm-9pm during the week and 5pm-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. If you haven't been there, you need to check it out - it's a great family-friendly restaurant!
Photo courtesy Red Phoenix Photography
I'm Rachel - a mom, wife, and 'green' blogger at Small Steps On Our Journey. If you want me to come visit your place of business, have any questions on this article or suggestions for a future article, you can email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , tweet me at @rachelroland, or connect with me on Facebook.
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