Brooklyn's legendary pizza joint. No reservations, cash-only, expect a wait. Worth it for their famous thin-crust pies.
This Brooklyn institution is a pilgrimage site for pizza lovers, serving up thin-crust pies that have earned a legendary status. Be prepared for a wait, as this cash-only, no-reservations spot is known for its lines, but many argue the experience and the pizza are well worth the time invested. It's a place where the atmosphere and the food combine for a quintessential New York pizza experience.
Renowned for its thin-crust, brick-oven pizzas and calzones, the food receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with many calling it the best they've ever had. The pizzas are characterized by fresh basil and a simple yet delicious preparation. Some diners have noted that the calzones are particularly noteworthy and might even surpass the pizza.
"While the pizza is the main draw, many also highly recommend the calzones. Some diners also praise the meatballs."
Customers rave about the exceptional pizza, often describing it as life-changing and a must-try New York experience. However, the long wait times and no-reservation policy are significant drawbacks for many.
Important Note
The restaurant is cash-only and does not accept reservations, requiring patrons to arrive early and wait in line, often for several hours. Service can be inconsistent, and some diners have found the experience not worth the wait.
"Lucali in Brooklyn is mentioned as a place to try."
Neutral"Lucali is listed as one of several recommended pizza places."
Positive"The original poster would like to try Lucali's but doubts they will wait an hour for it."
Positive"Lucali is described as unique and possibly the oldest of the 'Modern' style, though it doesn't quite fit with most modern places."
Neutral"The original poster was able to walk into Lucali around Christmas two years ago."
Positive"This place, along with John's of Bleecker, is considered 'old school' if it has a coal oven, is pie-only, and is over 30 years old with a charred crust."
Positive"This is mentioned as a favorite pizza spot, likely fitting into the 'old school' category due to its reputation and style."
Positive"Following a recommendation, the author tried Aromi and enjoyed their special spicy sausage pizza with a crispy yet chewy crust, well-cooked toppings, and a good cheese blend. The orchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage was also very good, but their favorite dish was the radicchio salad."
Positive"The author mentions experiencing a similar situation at Lucali, where it was not an issue, though they had to return later."
Neutral"Lucali is listed as a restaurant suggestion."
Neutral"This is a follow-up comment from the author, thanking the recommender for the suggestion and stating they will try Aromi."
Neutral"This commenter suggests that the appeal of Lucali extends beyond just the pizza, mentioning the 'vibe' as a factor."
Neutral"The commenter praised the meatballs at Lucali as the best thing they've eaten there and described it as an excellent neighborhood joint with a perfect vibe, solid pizza, but disliked the lines."
Positive"This commenter notes that Lucali is not difficult to get into during colder months. They consider the pizza very good, the calzone excellent, and the pasta good, also mentioning it's BYOB and affordable."
Positive"This user reported that the door staff at Lucali have been consistently rude, suggesting they treat neighborhood patrons poorly unless they appear wealthy."
Negative"The commenter had a negative experience at Lucali, involving a 1.5-hour wait, being given a much later table slot, and rude staff. Despite the pizza being 'pretty good,' they wouldn't return due to the poor experience and now prefer F&F in the neighborhood."
Negative"The commenter ordered the calzone on a whim and found it to be the main reason to visit Lucali, not the pizza."
Positive"The commenter agrees that Rubirosa is legitimate and has never had a bad pizza there, implying it might be better than Lucali."
Positive"This commenter feels that Lucali was one of the best pies when it first appeared, alongside Di Fara and Totonno's, and still holds its own among the many great pizza shops today."
Positive"The commenter notes that cold weather impacts wait times at Lucali. They also mention having been to Lucali and not wanting to wait for it again."
Neutral
