Excellence
A Pizza Born from
a Simple Dream
It all started in 1999 when founder Marco Deluca opened a small corner kitchen in Hopkins, MN with one oven, three employees, and an unwavering belief: great pizza should be accessible to everyone.
Marco had spent years apprenticing under Italian pizza masters, absorbing techniques that had been handed down through generations. He brought those skills home to Minnesota and married them with locally sourced produce, craft cheeses, and bold American creativity.
"Pizza is more than food — it's the center of the table, the reason people gather. We make every pie like it's the first one we've ever made."
Today, Pizza Luce serves thousands of families, students, and food lovers each month. Our recipes have evolved but our soul hasn't — every dough is hand-stretched, every sauce is made from scratch, and every pizza leaves the oven with care.
Our Mission & Values
Every decision we make — from the ingredients we source to the way we serve you — is guided by these core values.
Made with Love
Every pizza is crafted by hand with genuine care. We treat each order as if it's being made for a dear friend — because it is.
Fresh Ingredients
We partner with local farms and producers to bring the freshest seasonal ingredients to your table. No shortcuts, no compromises.
Community First
Pizza Luce is more than a restaurant — we're a community hub. We give back, hire locally, and invest in the neighborhoods we serve.
Uncompromising Quality
From our 48-hour fermented dough to our house-blended cheese, we refuse to cut corners. Quality isn't a goal — it's our standard.
25 Years in the Making
From a tiny corner kitchen to Hopkins' most beloved pizzeria — here's how we got here.
The First Oven Fires Up
Marco Deluca opens Pizza Luce in a 700 sq ft space on Blake Rd with a single stone oven, 3 employees, and a dream to bring authentic Italian-American pizza to Hopkins, MN.
Community Recognition
Pizza Luce wins its first "Best Pizza in Hopkins" award from the local Star Tribune readers' poll. A tradition that continues every year since. Our dining room expands to 60 seats.
Farm-to-Table Commitment
We formalize partnerships with three local Minnesota farms, committing to source over 70% of our produce locally. Our seasonal specials menu launches to celebrate the harvest.
Catering & Events Launch
We launch our full-service catering division, serving weddings, corporate events, and community gatherings across the Twin Cities metro area. Catering becomes 30% of revenue.
Online Ordering & Delivery
We launch our digital ordering platform and in-house delivery fleet, bringing Pizza Luce to doorsteps across Hopkins and neighboring communities within a 10-mile radius.
25 Years & Still Rising
We celebrate our 25th anniversary with a full menu refresh, a renovated dining space, and our biggest community event to date — serving over 2,000 guests on opening weekend. The best is still ahead.
Meet Our Team
Passionate, skilled, and dedicated — these are the people who pour their hearts into every pizza we serve.
Marco Deluca
Founder & Head Chef
With 30+ years in the kitchen and training under Neapolitan masters, Marco brings old-world craft to Minnesota's table every single day.
Sofia Reyes
Executive Chef
Sofia leads our kitchen team and spearheads seasonal menu development, blending global influences with the freshest local ingredients.
James Holt
Operations Manager
James ensures every order leaves on time and every guest experience exceeds expectations. His eye for detail keeps Pizza Luce running at its best.
Amara Osei
Customer Experience Lead
Amara champions every guest interaction — from first visit to loyal regular. Her warmth and dedication define the Pizza Luce hospitality experience.
Passionate about food? We'd love to have you on our team.
Join Our Team