About Pizza luce
We are pizza luce — a neighborhood institution rooted in Selby Ave, St Paul, serving handcrafted food made with passion, local ingredients, and genuine love for our community.
How pizza luce Began
Pizza luce was born from a simple conviction: that great food should be handcrafted, honest, and served with heart. What started as a small kitchen on Selby Ave has grown into one of St Paul's most beloved dining destinations — without ever losing the spirit that made it special from day one.
Our founders believed that a pizza could be a canvas. They sourced local produce, experimented with bold flavor combinations, and welcomed every guest like family. That same spirit carries through everything we do today — from our stone-baked crusts to our scratch-made sauces.
Over three decades later, pizza luce remains independently owned, deeply community-rooted, and fiercely committed to the craft of great food. We're proud to be your neighborhood's kitchen.
View MenuOur Mission & Values
Everything we do at pizza luce is driven by a commitment to quality, community, and creative food made from scratch.
Made with Heart
Every dish is prepared by people who genuinely care about what ends up on your plate. No shortcuts, no compromises.
Fresh Ingredients
We partner with local farms and suppliers to source seasonal, sustainable ingredients that make our food taste the way it should.
Community First
We belong to this neighborhood and give back to it. From local events to charitable giving, community is at our core.
Consistent Quality
Whether it's your first visit or your hundredth, you deserve the same excellent experience every single time you walk through our door.
What Makes pizzaluce Different
At pizzaluce, we don't follow trends — we set them. Our kitchen runs on creativity, technique, and a relentless pursuit of flavor. From our hand-tossed crusts to our house-fermented doughs, every element is crafted with intention.
72-Hour Cold-Fermented Dough
Slow fermentation gives our crust its signature flavor, texture, and digestibility. Worth every hour.
House-Made Sauces & Toppings
Nothing comes from a can. Our sauces are cooked fresh daily using whole tomatoes and fresh herbs.
Stone Deck Ovens
Our imported stone deck ovens fire at the perfect temperature to achieve that blistered, golden crust every time.
Dietary-Inclusive Menu
With vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-aware options throughout the menu, there's something for everyone at pizzaluce.
pizza lucs History Timeline
From a single oven to a St Paul institution — here's how pizza lucs has grown over the decades.
The First Slice
Pizza luce opens its doors at 1183 Selby Ave, St Paul. A single stone deck oven, a handwritten menu, and a belief that honest food made with great ingredients could build a community.
Growing the Kitchen
Demand outpaces the original space. We expand the kitchen, add a second oven, and introduce our now-legendary house-made dough recipe that still anchors every pizza we make.
Community Recognition
Pizza luce is named Best Pizza in the Twin Cities for the first time. We begin partnering with local farms, cementing our farm-to-table approach and earning trust from the broader Minnesota food community.
Full Dining Experience
We renovate the dining room, introduce a full craft beverage program, and expand our menu to include pasta, salads, and shareables — creating a destination dining experience on Selby Ave.
Online Ordering Launches
We launch our digital ordering platform, making it easier than ever for guests to enjoy pizza luce at home. Delivery and takeaway now account for a growing share of our business.
A New Chapter
Three decades in, pizza luce continues to evolve. New seasonal menu items, an updated dining space, and an even deeper commitment to the community that has supported us from the very beginning.
Meet Our Team
The passionate individuals behind every meal, every smile, and every slice served at pizza luce.
Marcus Reid
Founder & Head ChefMarcus founded pizza luce in 1993 with a single vision: serve extraordinary food to ordinary people. Thirty years later, he still personally approves every new recipe.
Sofia Navarro
Executive Sous ChefSofia joined the pizzaluce kitchen in 2008 after training in Chicago and Rome. She leads our seasonal menu development and heads our specialty pasta program.
Derek Osei
General ManagerDerek ensures every guest experience lives up to the pizza luce standard. He oversees operations, staff training, and the warm hospitality our regulars have come to expect.
Priya Kapoor
Head of CommunityPriya leads our partnerships with local farms, coordinates community events on Selby Ave, and champions the charitable initiatives that make pizza luce more than just a restaurant.
Passionate about food and community? We're always looking for great people.
View Open PositionsOur Core Values
These principles aren't printed on a poster — they're lived out every day in our kitchen, at our tables, and in our community at pizza luce.
Radical Hospitality
We believe every person who walks through our door deserves to feel genuinely welcomed — not just served. Warmth is built into everything we do.
Ingredient Integrity
We never compromise on what goes into our food. If we can't source it fresh, local, or responsibly — we don't use it. Full stop.
Creative Courage
We push flavor boundaries while honoring classic technique. Our menu evolves with the seasons and the curiosity of our chefs.
Inclusive Table
Our table has always been — and will always be — open to everyone. Diverse perspectives make our community, and our food, stronger.
luce pizza & the Art of Gathering
luce pizza — meaning "light pizza" — is more than just our name. It's our philosophy. Food should illuminate a moment, bring people together, and leave guests with something worth remembering.
We believe the best dining experiences aren't about white tablecloths or Michelin stars — they're about warmth, laughter, and dishes that make you close your eyes on the first bite. That's the luce pizza experience, and it's what we strive for every single day on Selby Ave.
From our open kitchen to our welcoming dining room, every element of pizza luce is designed to make you feel at home — and make every meal feel like a celebration.
"Every pizza tells a story."
— Marcus Reid, Founder of Pizza luce