I recently visited Lucia, and was absolutely blown away by the quality of their pizza. From the first bite, it was clear that this place knows how to craft a truly exceptional pizza. I started with their classic Margherita pizza. The crust was a perfect blend of thin and crispy on the outside, yet delightfully chewy on the inside. It had just the right amount of char from the oven, adding a subtle smokiness that complemented the fresh toppings beautifully. The tomato sauce was bright and tangy, clearly made from high-quality tomatoes, and it paired perfectly with the mozzarella. A generous scattering of fresh basil leaves added a wonderful aromatic freshness that tied everything together. Next, I tried their piccante Pepperoni pizza. The pepperoni and pepper slices were thick and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice. They were evenly distributed, ensuring that each bite had a delicious burst of meaty goodness. The crust once again did not disappoint, providing a sturdy base without being too heavy. Lucia also offers some unique specialty pizzas, which are an absolute revelation. Each ingredient was in perfect harmony, showcasing a balance of flavors that is hard to find. What sets Lucia's pizza apart is the evident care and craftsmanship that goes into each pie. Sal's dedication to using fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional techniques results in pizzas that are not only delicious but also memorable. Each slice is a testament to the passion and expertise behind the scenes.In summary, Lucia's pizza is nothing short of phenomenal. Whether you go for a classic like Margherita or something more adventurous like the creamy spinach, you are guaranteed a pizza experience that is second to none. Sal has truly mastered the art of pizza-making, and Lucia is a must-visit for anyone who loves a...
Read moreAfter falling to our knees in Happier Grocery as the hot bar was put away early, we stepped into Lucia to grab a couple slices of pizza to cope with the pain.
The first thing I noticed about this place is the smell. It is the literal personification of what you think of when you think of New York Pizza. It stopped me dead in my tracks the first time I walked by it. "Tf is this!?!?!" I was gonna get a slice but the line was CRAZY that time.
On a Saturday at 8pm, we only waited about 6 minutes from getting in line to getting our slice. Efficiency. JOES COULD NEVER.
The staff is WORKING in here. Stretching the dough while precisely putting on the correct tomato sauce/cheese ratio, carefully moving pies to ensure they don't get overcooked, and meticulously putting basil leaves on.
Everyone was hyping the vodka slice up, but I don't know that just isn't me. I'm either getting a plain slice of cheese or a slice of pep. I don't need my pizza to be all cute and creative. I was feeling carnivorous so I got 2 slices of pep.
It came hot, but a little too oily for my specific taste... but I'm that dork that dabs his pizza with a napkin to get some oil off so you probably shouldn't take my opinion as bible. The slices were thin and crispy without being overcooked, and the pepperoni slices were DELICIOUS and actual quality pepperoni. I would eat a bowl of just these cooked pepperonis.
My big homie got the 1 vodka slice and 1 pep slice, but said he wished he would have just got 2 peps. But people do love that vodka slice so idk, do you.
For me, this was a top 10 slice I've had in the city. I love a thin crispy slice. Top 5 tho...? I don't know about all that...
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Read moreThis neighborhood desperately needed a good pizza spot and instead it got a GREAT one, making some of the best pizza in the city. Quintessential New York style, thin and crispy, this is the pizza that everyone wishes Joe’s was.
I tried the salsiccia (sausage, onions, chilis, whipped ricotta) and the cream of spinach. The salsiccia definitely packs some heat and the cream of spinach was a little creamy but not too heavy at the same time. Both slices had a ton of flavor and you can really taste each ingredient. The crust was perfectly crispy with just a touch of char; I don’t usually like the crust but really enjoyed this one. They’re most famous for their vodka pie which I’ll definitely be trying next time I’m here (which will undoubtedly be very soon).
This is a great spot for lunch, dinner, or a late night bite (open until 3 AM on weekends!). And to top it all off, Sal, Richie, and the whole crew are super friendly and you can tell they’re excited to bring their excellent pizza to Manhattan (their OG location is on Ave X in Brooklyn). While I still need to visit their Ave X location someday, I’ll be a regular here in the meantime.
P.S. While they just have some standing counters for now that are great for a quick bite, they’re opening a cafe next door in the next couple months where you can sit down and enjoy a pie and a glass from a great wine list. Excited to check...
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