About Pizza luce — Handcrafted pizza luce Since 2009
Born in Portland, OR, Pizza luce was founded on a single belief: that great pizza starts with honest ingredients, bold creativity, and genuine care for every guest who walks through our door.
Passion
The Story Behind
pizza lucs — Where It All Started
It started in a small East Portland kitchen in 2009, where founder Marco Lucetti began experimenting with slow-fermented doughs and hyper-local toppings. His mission was simple: bring the soul of Neapolitan pizza to the Pacific Northwest without losing the adventurous spirit of Portland.
The name pizza lucs — a playful shorthand that regulars coined — stuck, and soon the tiny storefront on E Burnside St became a neighborhood institution. Word spread through Portland's food scene, and lines began forming before the ovens were even hot.
Today, Pizza luce serves hundreds of guests daily, but the ethos remains unchanged: every pie is hand-stretched, every sauce is made from scratch, and every ingredient is chosen with intention. We believe food made with care tastes different — and we think you'll agree.
Our Mission & Vision
Every slice we serve is a reflection of our commitment to quality, community, and creativity.
Crafted With Fire
Our wood-fired ovens reach 900°F, giving every pizza that authentic char and perfectly melted cheese that no conveyor oven can replicate.
Local Ingredients
We source over 80% of our produce from farms within 150 miles of Portland, keeping our menu seasonal, fresh, and connected to the community.
Community First
We partner with local schools, food banks, and cultural events because we believe a restaurant is only as good as the neighborhood it serves.
Made With Love
From dough proofed for 48 hours to hand-picked basil leaves, every detail is an act of care for the people sitting at our tables.
The pizzaluce Values
These values aren't words on a wall — they guide every hire we make, every ingredient we choose, and every pizza that leaves our kitchen.
Uncompromising Quality
We use 00 flour imported from Naples, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella delivered daily. There are no shortcuts in our kitchen — and our guests can taste the difference.
Radical Creativity
We celebrate the classics while embracing the unexpected. Seasonal specials, chef-driven experiments, and community-suggested toppings keep our menu alive and exciting year-round.
Inclusive Welcome
Pizza luce has always been a place for everyone. Our menu offers vegan, gluten-sensitive, and allergy-aware options because great pizza should be accessible to all.
Sustainable Practices
From compostable packaging to zero-waste kitchen protocols and solar-assisted ovens, we take our environmental responsibility seriously — one slice at a time.
The luce pizza Timeline
From a humble kitchen experiment to Portland's most beloved luce pizza destination — here's how we got here.
The First Oven
Marco Lucetti opens a 12-seat pizzeria at 2140 E Burnside St. The menu features just six pizzas, all made with dough fermented for 48 hours in a centuries-old tradition from Naples.
Portland's Choice Award
Willamette Week names Pizza luce "Best New Pizza in Portland." The recognition sparks a surge in demand, prompting a full kitchen renovation and seating expansion to 60 covers.
The Vegan Revolution
We launch Portland's first fully vegan pizza line, featuring house-made cashew mozzarella and seasonal vegetable toppings from local farms. It becomes our best-selling category within six months.
Second Location Opens
We open our North Portland location in the Mississippi neighborhood. The new space features a full bar, live music nights, and a dedicated gluten-free preparation area.
10 Years & 500,000 Pizzas
We celebrate a decade of luce pizza in Portland with a community block party on E Burnside. Chef Marco personally hand-stretches 500 complimentary pizzas for guests — a nod to where it all began.
Online Ordering & Delivery
We launch our revamped digital platform and in-house delivery service, bringing pizzaluce handcrafted pizzas directly to homes across the Portland metro area within 35 minutes.
The Future Is Bright
We open our third location in SE Portland and announce our first catering kitchen, serving corporate events and weddings throughout Oregon. The next chapter of Pizza luce is just beginning.
Meet Our Team
Behind every great pizza is an even greater team. Say hello to the people who make Pizza luce what it is.
Marco Lucetti
Trained in Naples and Modena, Marco brought his obsession with authentic dough technique to Portland in 2009. He still hand-tests every batch of flour that enters our kitchen.
Sofia Reyes
Sofia joined in 2013 after stints at top PDX restaurants. She pioneered our vegan cheese program and leads daily kitchen training for all prep staff.
James Park
James keeps the whole machine running. From supplier logistics to team scheduling, his background in hospitality management ensures every shift runs like clockwork.
Alicia Tran
Alicia coordinates our catering, community partnerships, and live events. She's the reason Pizza luce is a fixture at Portland's best food festivals and block parties.
A Space as Warm as Our Oven
Our E Burnside location is a labor of love — reclaimed wood, exposed brick, and open kitchen views that let you watch every pizza come to life. Whether you're dining in, picking up, or ordering for delivery, every experience is crafted to feel like home.
- Dine-in, takeout & delivery available
- Private dining for groups of 10–40
- Dog-friendly patio (seasonal)
- Full bar with Oregon wines & craft beers
Place Your Order at Pizza luce
Whether you're a first-timer or a lifelong regular, there's always something delicious waiting for you at Pizza luce.