When husband-and-wife duo Taylor and Leann Mason opened Pizzeria LUCA in fall 2023, they brought their farm-to-table Italian philosophy to a more accessible format. 🍕
This locally-owned Lancaster pizza gem emerged from the success of their flagship restaurant, LUCA, which had earned national attention since 2016 but required reservations weeks in advance.
The Masons created a space where Lancaster families could enjoy the same quality and locally-sourced ingredients without compromise—serving artisanal pizzas baked at 650 degrees using slow-fermented dough and farm-driven toppings seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
How LUCA won Lancaster’s hearts
Chef Taylor Mason, a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2020, and his wife Leann recognized that their original restaurant, LUCA, had become too refined and exclusive, requiring reservations to taste their coveted wood-fired pizzas.
They envisioned a place where families didn’t need to compromise on food quality—a locally-owned pizza destination offering their farm-driven approach at more approachable prices without reservations.
The pizzeria’s success stems from its unwavering philosophy: create great dough through 48-to-72-hour fermentation, then top it with impeccably sourced ingredients from Lancaster County farms and Italian artisan producers. 🌾
Mason’s approach produces 11-inch artisanal pizzas with blistered, charred crusts that deliver both Neapolitan appearance and satisfying snap—a texture contrast he calls “crack.”
What truly won hearts, however, is the Pizza With a Purpose program launched to give back to the Lancaster County community that supported their restaurants.
Each month, 10% of sales from a featured pizza goes to local charities, raising approximately $1,000 monthly for organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation Lancaster chapter, Breast Cancer Innovation Fund, and Power Packs Project.
This combination of artisan quality, family accessibility, locally-sourced ingredients, and tangible community impact transformed the pizzeria into Lancaster’s beloved neighborhood gathering spot where exceptional food meets purpose.
Food Highlights
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Piccante Pizza: A fan favorite creation featuring savory tomato sauce, garlic, mozzarella and pecorino cheeses, spicy soppressata, Aleppo chili, and hot honey that delivers the perfect balance of heat and sweet. 🌶️
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Stellina: A show-stopping star-shaped pizza stuffed with ricotta cheese, topped with classic Margherita ingredients, and drizzled with Sicilian extra virgin olive oil.
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‘Doppio’ Margherita: An elevated version featuring organic tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, garlic, double basil, fior di latte mozzarella, and burrata cheeses.
- Vincenzo: A standout white pie featuring garlic crema, Brussels sprouts, mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano, pecorino cheeses, caramelized onions, and pancetta.
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Norcia: An indulgent masterpiece combining taleggio crema, thyme, mozzarella, and grana padana cheeses, pancetta, and black truffle.
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Five Cheese: A vegetarian dream layered with taleggio crema, parmigiano, garlic, smoked mozzarella, ricotta, provola, and pecorino cheeses, finished with balsamic vinegar for tangy richness. 🧀
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Salsiccia: A robust option featuring savory tomato sauce, garlic, mozzarella and provola cheeses, red onion, oregano, pork sausage, Aleppo chili, and pecorino for bold Italian-American flavors.
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Funghi: A mushroom lover’s paradise with taleggio crema, roasted mixed mushrooms, garlic, thyme, mozzarella and fontina cheeses, chives, and pickled mustard seeds. 🍄
Atmosphere
The restaurant’s stylishly spacious interior creates a welcoming environment that balances sophistication with family-friendly casualness.
Pizzeria LUCA’s design emphasizes accessibility—guests can walk in without reservations, order via QR code at their table, and enjoy a relaxed dining experience that feels both modern and warm. 📱
The open layout accommodates everyone from date nights to large family gatherings, with counter seating offering views of the pizza-making process.
The vibe perfectly captures the Masons’ vision: a place where quality never compromises convenience, creating an atmosphere where guests feel equally comfortable bringing kids or celebrating special occasions over artisanal pies and Italian aperitivos.
Bottom Line
Visit for artisanal pizzas with 48-to-72-hour fermented dough that delivers incredible texture, locally-sourced ingredients from Lancaster County farms and Italian producers, the meaningful Pizza With a Purpose community giving program, family-friendly accessibility without reservations, and James Beard-level quality at approachable prices. ✨
Address:
1200 Christopher Place, Lancaster, PA 17601
📞 (717) 553-5770
🕔 Open Daily 11 AM–9 PM