Est. 1992 · Duluth, MN

The Story Behind
Pizza luce

Born from a love of pizza luce craftsmanship and community spirit, we have been handcrafting extraordinary pizzas in Duluth, Minnesota for over three decades. Our story is one of passion, flavor, and people.

Family-Owned Fresh Ingredients Daily Community-Rooted 30+ Years Experience

Our Story

Where It All Began

pizza luce was born in 1992 on the shores of Lake Superior, in the heart of Duluth, Minnesota. What started as a small neighborhood pizza joint quickly grew into one of the most beloved pizzaluce destinations in the Upper Midwest — a place where bold flavors, creative toppings, and genuine hospitality came together under one roof.

"We believe great pizza is about more than dough and toppings — it's about the people who make it, the community that shares it, and the memories created around the table."

Our founders, Marco and Elena Lucetti, brought old-world Italian techniques to the American Midwest, blending traditional luce pizza methods with local ingredients sourced from Minnesota farms. Every crust is hand-stretched, every sauce made from scratch, and every pizza baked with intention.

Today, Pizza luce serves thousands of guests each week — from loyal regulars who have been coming since day one, to newcomers discovering our menu for the very first time. We are proud to be part of Duluth's fabric, supporting local musicians, artists, and causes that make our city great.

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Pizza luce kitchen with handcrafted pizza being prepared

30+ Years of Pizza

1992 Founded

80+ Menu Items

4.8 Avg. Rating

What Drives Us

Our Mission & Values

At pizzaluce, every decision we make is guided by a core set of values that define who we are and how we serve our community.

Made With Love

Every pizza we make carries the passion of our team. From hand-stretched dough to freshly sliced toppings, love is our secret ingredient.

Fresh & Local

We partner with Minnesota farmers and suppliers to source the freshest, highest-quality ingredients for our luce pizza creations every single day.

Community First

We are more than a restaurant. We are a gathering place for Duluth's diverse community — supporting local events, artists, and neighborhood initiatives.

Uncompromising Quality

We never cut corners. Our recipes are crafted with precision, our kitchen held to the highest standards, and your satisfaction our only measure of success.

Sustainability

We are committed to reducing our footprint through eco-friendly packaging, waste reduction, and supporting regenerative farming practices.

Always Innovating

Our menu evolves with the seasons and with our guests' palates. We are always experimenting with bold new flavors while honoring timeless classics.

Safe & Inclusive

Our doors are open to everyone. We create a welcoming, safe environment where all guests and team members are respected and celebrated.

Honest Business

Transparency in ingredients, pricing, and operations. We believe honesty builds trust — with our guests, our suppliers, and our team.

pizza lucs Through the Years

Our Journey

From a humble corner kitchen in Duluth to a celebrated pizzaluce institution — here is how we grew.

1992

The First Slice

Marco and Elena Lucetti open the original pizza luce location on Superior Street in Duluth with a 12-item menu and 20 seats. The line stretches around the block on opening night.

1997

Expanding the Kitchen

Growing demand leads to a full kitchen expansion and a seating capacity of 80. We launch our now-legendary late-night menu and start hosting live local music on weekends.

2004

Second Location Opens

Luce pizza demand takes us to Minneapolis with our second location. The Twin Cities embrace our signature style, earning us the "Best Pizza in Minnesota" award for the first time.

Pizza luce Minneapolis location opening in 2004

2012

Going Digital

We launch our online ordering platform and delivery service — bringing the pizzaluce experience directly to your door. Same handcrafted quality, now with maximum convenience.

2019

Plant-Based Revolution

Pizza luce becomes one of the first major pizza brands in the Midwest to introduce a fully plant-based menu section — over 20 vegan and vegetarian options made with the same love and craft.

2024

A New Chapter

We celebrate over 30 years of luce pizza excellence with a full brand refresh, new catering services, and the launch of our franchise program — inviting passionate pizzamakers to share the luce spirit nationwide.

The People Behind the Dough

Meet Our Team

Pizza luce is nothing without the talented, dedicated people who show up every day to craft something extraordinary for our guests.

Marco Lucetti

Co-Founder & Head Chef

Born in Naples, Marco brought his family's century-old pizza recipes to Duluth in 1992. His dedication to the craft of pizza luce is the soul of everything we do.

Neapolitan Technique Recipe Creator 30 Yrs Exp

Elena Lucetti

Co-Founder & Operations Director

The organizational force behind the pizza luce brand, Elena oversees all operations, community partnerships, and the vision that keeps our team moving forward together.

Operations Community Strategy

Jordan Price

Kitchen Manager & Pizzaiolo

A Duluth native who trained in Chicago and returned home to lead our kitchen team. Jordan's expertise in wood-fired techniques elevates every luce pizza that leaves our oven.

Wood-Fired Menu Dev Team Lead

Sasha Moreno

Guest Experience Manager

The warm face that greets every pizzaluce guest at the door. Sasha ensures every visit is memorable, from reservation to the final bite, with warmth and genuine care.

Hospitality Events Guest Care

Interested in joining the Pizza luce family?

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Ready to Taste the Pizza luce Difference?

From our family kitchen to your table — every pizza we make is a reflection of 30 years of passion, craft, and community. Come join us.

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The Story Behind Pizza luce