It started with a simple, rebellious idea: what if pizza could be so much more? In 1992, founder Tom Pearson opened a tiny storefront on a busy Minneapolis corner with nothing but a blazing-hot deck oven, a stack of family recipes, and an obsession with fresh, local ingredients.
"We weren't trying to make the best pepperoni pizza in Minneapolis. We were trying to make the most interesting pizza in the world."
From day one, Pizza Luce broke every rule in the book. Toppings that had never seen a pizza before — Thai peanut sauce, roasted beets, herbed goat cheese — became signatures that Minneapolitans lined up around the block to taste.
Today, with six locations across the Twin Cities and a team of over 120 passionate people, we're still that same little operation at heart: driven by creativity, fueled by community, and absolutely obsessed with making the most delicious, adventurous pizza you'll ever eat.
Every decision we make — from the ingredients we source to the people we hire — is guided by a clear set of principles that have shaped Pizza Luce since day one.
We partner with Minnesota farmers and local suppliers to bring the freshest, most seasonal ingredients to every pizza we make.
We believe pizza is a canvas. We push flavor boundaries and celebrate culinary artistry — no combination is too daring to try.
Minneapolis made us. We give back through local partnerships, charitable events, and by creating jobs that pay living wages.
A seat at our table is for everyone. We champion diversity, welcoming customers and team members of all backgrounds, identities, and walks of life.
We never cut corners. Every dough ball is hand-stretched, every sauce scratch-made, every topping placed with intention. Quality isn't a policy — it's a reflex.
We minimize our footprint through composting, sustainable packaging, energy-efficient equipment, and by partnering exclusively with responsible local farms.
We treat every customer, team member, and partner with honesty and respect. Our word is our bond — from food sourcing to how we handle every complaint.
We never stop experimenting. Our rotating seasonal specials and daring chef collaborations keep our menu fresh and our kitchen alive with new ideas.
From a single storefront to six Twin Cities locations, every chapter of our story has been written with flour-dusted hands and a whole lot of passion.
Tom Pearson opens the original Pizza Luce on 16th Ave S in Minneapolis with a 10-seat dining room, one deck oven, and a menu full of unconventional toppings that shocked and delighted the neighborhood.
Riding a wave of popularity and rave reviews, we expand to a second location in the Seward neighborhood. The kitchen grows, the menu expands, and the legend of Luce begins to spread across the city.
Pizza Luce crosses the river. Our St. Paul location on Grand Avenue brings Luce's creative energy to a whole new community and earns us recognition as one of Minnesota's top dining experiences.
Ahead of the curve, Pizza Luce launches an extensive dedicated vegan menu — one of the first pizzerias in the Midwest to do so. The move is celebrated nationally and brings a whole new audience through our doors.
We bring the Luce experience to your living room with a robust online ordering system, allowing customers across the Twin Cities to order their favorite pies for delivery or pickup in just a few clicks.
With six thriving Twin Cities locations, a devoted community of pizza lovers, and our most adventurous menu ever, Pizza Luce enters its next chapter — still boldly independent, still community-owned, still unapologetically us.
Behind every perfect crust and every daring topping combination is a team of passionate, dedicated people who pour their hearts into every single shift.
The original pizza rebel. Tom founded Luce in 1992 with a single oven and a vision to make Minneapolis's most exciting pizza. He still tastes every new recipe before it hits the menu.
CIA-trained and endlessly curious, Maya leads our culinary team with a passion for global flavors. She's the creative force behind our rotating seasonal specials and beloved vegan offerings.
Marcus keeps all six locations running seamlessly. With a background in hospitality management, he ensures every guest experience — from dine-in to delivery — lives up to the Luce standard.
Sophie is the beating heart of our community connections. She leads our charitable partnerships, local events, and social media presence — making sure Pizza Luce gives as much to Minneapolis as Minneapolis gives to us.
Love what we do? We're always looking for passionate people to join our team.
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