Legendary Brooklyn pizza joint; BYOB, cash-only, no reservations. Expect long lines for amazing thin-crust pies & calzones.
This Brooklyn pizzeria is a legendary spot, renowned for its exceptional thin-crusted, brick-oven pizzas and calzones. It's a cash-only establishment that operates on a strict walk-in basis, meaning diners must be prepared for significant wait times, often lining up hours before opening. Despite the logistical challenges, many patrons consider the experience and the food to be well worth the effort, solidifying its status as a highly coveted pizza destination in NYC.
The pizzeria is celebrated for its thin-crust, brick-oven pizzas and calzones, often hailed as some of the best in NYC. Patrons frequently recommend the classic pizza with fresh basil and pepperoni, and the calzones are also a highly praised item. While overwhelmingly positive, some feedback mentions the pizza appearing 'sad' or 'lazy' in photos, with debates around crust thickness and basil presentation, though many loyalists insist the taste transcends visual critiques.
"The thin-crust pizzas, particularly with pepperoni and fresh basil, are highly recommended. The calzones are also frequently praised as exceptional and a must-try item."
Customers generally rave about the pizza and calzones, often describing them as life-changing and the best they've ever had. However, the notoriously long wait times and difficulty in securing a table are consistent points of frustration.
Important Note
The restaurant does not accept reservations and operates on a walk-in basis, leading to potentially very long wait times, especially during peak hours or weekends. It is also a cash-only establishment. Some diners have reported issues with the consistency of the pizza or found the wait not worth the experience.
"Lucali is suggested as a pizza option, but a wait might be necessary depending on the length of the visit."
Positive"Lucali is a famous pizza place where a wait might be worth it for visitors, depending on their stay duration."
Positive"This user wants to visit Lucali to see if the hype is truly worth it, as they have been ranking pizzas in New York since birth. They acknowledge the insane wait times."
Neutral"The user states that Lucali lives up to the hype."
Positive"This restaurant is listed as a repeat spot."
Neutral"This restaurant is listed as a repeat spot."
Positive"This commenter recommends Lucali's pie as a protege of Dom, suggesting it carries the torch with its own distinct style."
Positive"The commenter has eaten at Lucali three times and finds Mondays generally easier for getting a table. They suggest arriving around 2:30-3:00 PM to secure a desired time. The wait time is also influenced by weather conditions; for example, there was no line during a heatwave."
Neutral"When asked what reservation they would volunteer for, the user identified Lucali."
Neutral"This user believes that Lucali is not worth the wait."
Negative"The user shared their personal experience of waiting from 3 PM to 6:15 PM for takeout, but suggested that lines might be shorter due to the heat."
Neutral"The user believes it is likely possible to get takeout around 5 PM if arriving just before 4 PM on a weekday."
Neutral"Lucali's pizza can be ordered over the phone for pickup."
Positive"Lucali is mentioned as a restaurant with no corkage fee, and they allow patrons to bring their own stemware as they do not provide any."
Positive"The commenter lists Lucali among several places, noting that not all are bad but some are overhyped."
Neutral"Includes Lucali on a categorized list of restaurants."
Positive"Suggests losing Lucali from the list of restaurants."
Negative"KazaamFan agrees that visiting popular restaurants during off-hours is a smart strategy to avoid crowds, as it aligns with people's work and family schedules."
Neutral"eh183205, a local who loves Lucali, notes that AC must be a new addition as last year there was only a fan, and the oven makes it very hot; they opt for takeout in the summer, which is convenient for residents."
Positive"resonaut advises that calling for takeaway is a viable option to get food from Lucali without having to wait in line."
Positive
