In the very first episode of Restaurant Archaeology we take a look at Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, AZ. Organ Stop Pizza claims to have the world’s largest Wurlitzer pipe organ in the world! Organ Stop Pizza is one of only three “pizza and pipes” pizzerias left in the United States.
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Is this near Tempe?! I think I went here on vacation in high school!
I remember a place called Organ Grinder Pizza in Denver, CO when i was a kid back in the 80’s.
Indianapolis, Indiana had a version of this restaurant called the Paramount Pizza Palace (they had a Wurlitzer that came from the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, California). It was quite popular for a while but once the novelty wore off people just stopped coming and it was sadly closed. I never realized that there was actually a chain of these types of restaurants with the same format, mediocre pizza and dramatically played organ music.
I don’t have any memories of Organ Stop. However, growing up in Arizona I do absolutely remember Pistol Pete’s and Peter Piper Pizza. That restaurant is massive though.
did they ever re-open the krispy kreme’s in the phoenix area? I remember hearing they all closed up overnight.
I don’t think it’s a dying restaurant but I remember seeing ads for Bulwinkle’s Pizza in Juneau, AK. It was kind of like an off-brand version of Chuck E Cheese without the creepy animatronics but definitely a kids party place. Sadly no organ music tho.
…This is a good idea.
As far as I know, Cleveland has nothing like this. This is amazing! Please do more of these!
Love the idea. Great Job!
Cool! I didn’t know any of these still existed! My Dad used to take me to a place call the Roaring 20s in Grand Rapids, MI when I was a kid in the 1980s.
Fascinating place I’d never heard of. Absolutely bittersweet to hear there’s only a few of them left.
Anyone remember Rocky and Bullwinkle Pizza Parlor (San Jose, CA or maybe Santa Clara)?
Drivin by this place a million times and never actually been to it
Really great video! Can’t believe there are only 3 ‘pizza and pipes’ pizza restaurants left in the whole US! I’ve always heard the Beggars Pizza location on Ridge Road in Lansing, IL(south Chicago suburbs), still has organ pipes they play at that location to this day. It occupies a former movie theater in Lansing, and to my knowledge(correct me if I’m wrong youtubers) is still open to this day. Someday, I’ll have to go to that location myself! The organ pipes here look so big, that I wouldn’t be surprised if they were bigger than the ones inside Beggars Pizza in Lansing.
Yes, more restaurants please. I think they owe a debt of gratitude to Shakey’s pizza.
is there a Bullwinkle Restaurant still around today?
I so miss Pizza & Pipes in Tacoma, WA. It was much the same as Organ Stop without the rotating console. I remember on Saturday nights they’d project the snow battle from Empire Strikes Back and the organist would score it like a silent film! Then two employees dressed as Yoda and Vader would duel among the patrons until Yoda chased him from the building. Other costumed characters included the Pink Panther (who danced during Henry Mancini’s movie music) and Mickey Mouse who led the children in a march during the Mickey Mouse Club theme. The only drawback was when they installed a balloon vending machine in the auditorium which made a horrible noise almost drowning out the music! Sadly this building burnt down due to a kitchen fire and a TGI Fridays occupies the location where The Mighty Wurlitzer once stood.
I can’t believe you beat Toe Jam and Earl, that’s awesome. My friend and I tried and tried and never beat it. I still try from time to time – one of these days!
Pizza and a giant pipe organ, I would be in heaven!
I would definitely like to see more episodes like this! I’ve never seen an organ pizza place until you posted this.
How absolutely bizarre, i’ve never seen anything like it. Post more!
Would definitely love to see more, maybe include the food too?
I really enjoyed restaurant archeology. Do more if you can. Here in W. Michigan we had Roaring 20s Pizza in Grand Rapids. Don’t think it survived the 1980s but it was always an adventure.
Would love to see more restaurant videos! Any unique or dying establishments would be cool. You do such amazing work cataloguing all of these places that will one day be only remembered here. Thank you.
Great video. In Greenfield,WI we have a very similar place called Organ Piper pizza. Love it
Cool looking restaurant! Great video