Back in the early 1970’s, LJ and Lenore Moser of Berne, IN sold everything they had and moved their family to Mesa, AZ to open LJ’s Pizza Restaurant.

The small town of Berne thought this was a wild dream of the middle-aged couple, especially since neither had any experience in the restaurant business. However, their dream of running their own business made their determination to go West stronger than their fear of failing.

They loaded all their personal belongings into LJ’s 1953 truck and trailer, saying goodbye to the only town and people they had ever known. LJ, along with his youngest son (and now current owner) Clay and the family dog, made the long drive out to a new house in Mesa, not too far away from LJ’s today. Meanwhile, their daughter Wendy and son Jeff went to restaurant training in Dallas, TX.

The family found an old brick building that had been empty for several years. They got to work cleaning and clearing and restoring the old building. Finally, when the big day arrived, LJ and the boys ran the Kitchen, Lenore and Wendy waited in the dining room, and Lenore’s 80 year old mother did the dishes.

The troubled economy and gas shortages made the early 70’s rough years for the Mosers, but nonetheless they held fast to their dream. And in times like those, their $1.29 pizza buffet soon gained fame. Who could pass up all that pizza for such a good price?

Their family continued to grow with the business as their children married and started families of their own. All of LJ and Lenore’s daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, along with all of their grand children, have worked hard and contributed to the family atmosphere and success that LJ’s has been blessed with for the last 38 years.

The restaurant is now owned by the youngest son Clay; and along with his sister-in-law Debbie, they still pride themselves on the dream that LJ and Lenore made reality years ago.

Come and see what our family – with help from one another, hard work, and the determination of our parents – has done for almost 40 years.

From our family to yours: thank you and we hope you enjoy the LJ’s experience!

By Debbie Moser, edited by Will Bueti