About Pizza luce
Discover the passion, craft, and community behind every pizza luce we make. Since our founding in Middletown, CT, we've been dedicated to bringing bold flavors and authentic recipes to your table.
A Family Dream Turned Into a Community Staple
Pizza luce was born from a simple belief: great pizza deserves great ingredients. Founded in 2008 by Marco and Elena Ricci, our first small kitchen on Washington Street became the heart of Middletown's food scene. What started as a neighborhood secret quickly grew into something much larger.
Every dough ball is hand-stretched. Every sauce is slow-simmered from whole tomatoes. Every topping is sourced from local farms and artisan suppliers. The pizzaluce tradition — meaning "pizza of light" in Italian — reflects our commitment to creating food that illuminates your day with joy and warmth.
Today, we serve hundreds of families each week from the same address, with the same recipes, and the same love that Marco sketched in a notebook over fifteen years ago. We're proud to be your pizza luce destination.
Our Mission & Core Values
The luce pizza philosophy is rooted in three pillars — quality, community, and craft. These values shape every decision we make, from sourcing ingredients to greeting guests at the door.
Our Mission
"To craft exceptional pizza luce that brings people together — using honest ingredients, time-honored techniques, and an unwavering commitment to the communities we serve in Middletown and beyond."
View Our MenuFresh Ingredients
We source locally whenever possible, partnering with Connecticut farms to bring you the freshest produce in every bite of our pizza luce.
Handcrafted Tradition
Every pie is shaped by hand, following the same authentic pizzaluce recipes passed down since our founding. No shortcuts, ever.
Community First
We're more than a restaurant — we're a gathering place. From local sponsorships to school fundraisers, giving back is in our DNA.
Relentless Quality
We never compromise on taste. Every luce pizza that leaves our kitchen meets the same high standard you've come to expect and love.
The History of pizza lucs & How We Grew
From a small family kitchen to a beloved Middletown institution — here's how pizza lucs (as our regulars fondly call us) built something lasting.
Marco and Elena Ricci opened Pizza luce on Washington Street with a single wood-fired oven, three tables, and a recipe notebook. Locals lined up around the block opening week.
Voted "Best Pizza in Middletown" by Connecticut Magazine for the first time — an honor we've repeated three times since. Our pizza lucs reputation was officially on the map.
Demand for our handcrafted pizza luce at events led us to launch a full-service catering division, bringing fresh pies to weddings, corporate events, and community gatherings.
We doubled our kitchen space, added a second oven, and introduced our signature pizzaluce dough recipe made with a 48-hour cold ferment for superior flavor and texture.
We launched our digital ordering platform, making it easier than ever to get your favorite pizza luce delivered hot to your door anywhere in Middletown, CT.
With franchise opportunities now available, Pizza luce is ready to bring authentic pizza luce to new communities — while keeping every pie rooted in the same founding passion.
The People Behind Every Pie
Our team is the heart of Pizza luce. Every person brings a dedication to craft and a love of food that you can taste in every slice of our pizza luce.
Marco Ricci
Founder & Head PizzaioloMarco trained in Naples before bringing his craft to Middletown. He hand-stretches every signature crust and still approves every new recipe personally.
Elena Ricci
Co-Founder & OperationsElena keeps the magic of pizzaluce running seamlessly — from supplier relationships to making sure every guest leaves with a smile and a full stomach.
James Carter
Executive ChefWith 12 years of culinary experience, James develops our seasonal specials and ensures every luce pizza hits the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and visual appeal.
Sofia Morales
Catering ManagerSofia orchestrates our catering events with precision and warmth — ensuring pizza luce arrives fresh, beautifully presented, and perfectly timed for every occasion.
Come Visit Us or
Order Your Pizza luce Today
Whether you want to dine in, order for delivery, or chat about catering your next event — we're here and ready. Visit us at our Middletown location or reach out directly.