Our Story

About Pizza luce

Welcome to pizza luce — where every slice tells a story. Born in Hamden, CT, we've been crafting bold, unforgettable flavors with fresh ingredients and genuine passion since our founding. Discover the people, values, and history behind pizzaluce.

pizza luce kitchen — fresh ingredients and handcrafted pizzas

Since 2010 — Hamden, CT

Our Story

The pizza luce Story

Pizza luce was born from a simple but powerful idea: great pizza should be bold, honest, and crafted with love. What started as a small neighborhood kitchen in Hamden, Connecticut, has grown into a beloved destination where locals and visitors alike come to experience something truly special.

Our founder, Marco Deluca, spent years studying traditional Italian pizza-making techniques before returning to the States with a vision to blend Old World methods with creative, modern flavors. The name "luce" — meaning "light" in Italian — reflects our commitment to bringing brightness and joy to every meal.

Every dough is hand-stretched. Every sauce is made in-house. Every topping is sourced from local farms and trusted suppliers. This is what sets pizzaluce apart — an unwavering dedication to quality that you can taste in every single bite.

14+ Years Serving

50K+ Happy Guests

30+ Menu Items

4.9 Avg. Rating

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What We Stand For

Our Mission & Values

At pizzaluce, our core values guide everything we do — from sourcing ingredients to welcoming every guest through our doors.

Fresh & Local

We partner with Connecticut farms and local suppliers to bring you the freshest, highest-quality ingredients every single day.

Crafted with Passion

Our kitchen team pours genuine care into every pizza, pasta, and salad — because we believe food made with heart tastes better.

Community First

Pizza luce is more than a restaurant — it's a gathering place. We're proud to be part of the Hamden community and give back whenever we can.

Bold Innovation

We honor tradition while embracing creativity. Expect classic Italian soul with unexpected, exciting twists that keep our menu fresh and exciting.

Our Mission Statement

"To serve every guest an extraordinary luce pizza experience — rooted in authentic Italian tradition, elevated by local ingredients, and delivered with warmth and care that makes every visit feel like coming home."

Our Journey

The pizza lucs Timeline

From a single oven to a full-service restaurant — here's how pizza lucs and the Pizza luce story unfolded year by year.

2010

The First Oven

Marco Deluca opens the original Pizza luce kitchen at 2987 Whitney Ave, Hamden with just 6 tables, one wood-fired oven, and a dream to bring authentic Italian pizza to Connecticut.

2012

Community Recognition

Pizza luce wins the Hamden "Best New Restaurant" award two years running. Word spreads quickly — weekend waits stretch to 90 minutes. The neighborhood has found its favorite spot.

2014

Expanding the Kitchen

A full kitchen renovation doubles our capacity. We introduce our signature pizzaluce dough recipe — a 48-hour cold-fermented blend that creates that unmistakable airy, crispy crust our regulars love.

2017

Catering Launch

Pizza luce launches its catering division, bringing handcrafted pies to weddings, corporate events, and private parties across Connecticut. Over 200 events served in year one alone.

2020

Adapting & Thriving

When the world paused, Pizza luce pivoted. We launched contactless online ordering and introduced our famous "Pizza Kit" delivery boxes — allowing families to recreate the luce pizza experience at home.

2022

Franchise Program Opens

After years of perfecting our systems, Pizza luce opens franchise opportunities. Our proven model allows passionate entrepreneurs to bring the pizzaluce experience to their own communities.

2024

50,000 Happy Guests

Pizza luce celebrates serving over 50,000 guests — a milestone that humbles and motivates our entire team. We refresh our menu with seasonal specials and introduce our new online ordering platform.

Today & Beyond

Still Going Strong

Pizza luce continues to grow, innovate, and serve bold, authentic flavors to our beloved community. The journey is far from over — the best slices are still ahead.

The People

Meet the Team

Behind every great pizza is an even greater team. These are the passionate people who make Pizza luce what it is every single day.

Founder & Executive Chef

Marco Deluca

Trained in Naples, Italy, Marco brought authentic wood-fired pizza traditions to Hamden. His 48-hour dough recipe remains the heart of everything we make.

Head Pastry & Sauce Chef

Sofia Reyes

Sofia crafts every sauce and dessert from scratch. Her San Marzano tomato blend and house-made tiramisu have become legendary among our regulars.

Operations Manager

James Park

James ensures every shift runs smoothly — from kitchen logistics to guest experience. His dedication to operational excellence keeps Pizza luce running at its best.

Catering & Events Director

Amara Johnson

Amara leads our catering division with creativity and precision. She has orchestrated hundreds of events — ensuring every gathering gets the full Pizza luce experience.