Organ Stop Pizza: Mouthwatering Food and Angelic Music
The last thing that comes to mind when most people listen to Bach’s dramatic “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” is a mouthwatering slice of pepperoni pizza. Despite some pushback, seasoned organist, businessman, and pizza enthusiast William P. Brown always knew that pizza and organ music were highly compatible. In William P. Brown’s world, there was no reason that a pizza parlor couldn’t double as a grand concert hall.
In 1972, William P. Brown founded a pizza parlor in Phoenix, Arizona called Organ Stop Pizza which featured a massive theatre organ which was initially designed to provide music for silent films. Organists played classical music, showtunes, and pop hits such as “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder as patrons munched on 14-inch pizzas topped with sausage and cheese. Brown’s organ-centric pizza restaurant was a smash hit from day one.
By 1995, Organ Stop Pizza had moved to a roomier location in Mesa, Arizona. A giant organ which featured hundreds of keys and switches, 5 expression pedals, and a powerful piston system was installed in the new space. Nearly 3 decades later, an accomplished organist puts on a world-class performance nightly as audiences relax and enjoy their favorite combination of pizza toppings. Organ Stop Pizza’s decked out organ even features a few decorative flourishes, such as dancing cat puppets and a spinning disco ball.
Organ Stop Pizza proves that you don’t have to wake up early on Sunday morning to hear angelic organ music. If you want to hear some soul-stirring Bach, you can go out for pizza on a Saturday evening. Depending on the night, you may even be able to request a song. There’s a good chance that Organ Stop Pizza’s award-winning organists will be able to accommodate your request. Especially if it is from Star Wars or Phantom of the Opera.
Address:
1149 E Southern Avenue
Mesa, Arizona, 85204
United States
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Organ Stop Pizza, 1149 E Southern Avenue, Mesa, Arizona, USA
- Coordinates
- 33.392904, -111.807771
- Access
- This is a working restaurant and organ-performance venue. Enter from Southern Avenue or Stapley Drive; performances begin about 30 minutes after opening. Call or check the operator’s current schedule before visiting.
- Admission
- The operator presents the organ performances as part of the restaurant visit; menu purchases are separate. No separate performance ticket price is published on the current hours page.
- Opening hours
- Seasonal schedule currently published for April 12–November 24, 2026: Mon–Thu 16:00–20:30, Fri 16:00–21:00, Sat 15:30–21:00, Sun 15:30–20:30. Winter schedule begins November 25, 2026; check the operator page. Kitchen closes 30 minutes before closing. Organ sets are generally 30–45 minutes with 10–15 minute breaks.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-27
- Facts checked
- 2026-09-27
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