Lucia Pizza of Avenue X is a charming corner slice shop serving up a nostalgic mix of expertly crafted pies, from classic pepperoni to a weekly clam delicacy.
"If not for the branding, Lucia Pizza would seamlessly fit into Sheepshead Bay as a decades-old slice shop. That’s probably because owner Salvatore Carlino has credibility from his parents running Papa Leone, a Manhattan Beach pizzeria and restaurant nearby. Now, Carlino has become a part of the class of new-school slice purveyors in New York, with outposts on the Upper East Side and in Soho (the latter also has an attached wine bar.)" - Emma Orlow, Eater Staff
"Lucia is a slice shop with deep roots in Brooklyn. The owner comes from the same dynasty behind Smiling Pizza and Papa Leone, and excellent sauce in a number of styles flows freely through their veins. If you’re only getting one slice here, make it the Caramelle Picantti, a mix of hot cherry peppers, pepperoni, and Mike’s Hot Honey. But there’s also the Papa Leone—a very good vodka slice that uses a '70s-era sauce recipe from the family’s old Manhattan beach spot—and the clam pie, which you can only get on Fridays. Settle down at a table with your pizza-loving friends, and order as much as you can eat. Lucia Pizza also has locations in Soho and on the Upper East Side." - willa moore, bryan kim, neha talreja, arden shore
"If you want to eat at Lucia Pizza in Sheepshead Bay five days a week, that sounds like a fine idea, and we aren’t going to stop you. Just make sure that one of those days is Friday. That’s when you can try the clam pie, a weekly special made with chopped cherry stones, translucent cross-sections of garlic, and a white wine butter reduction. Like the rest of the pies at this retro-inspired slice joint, it has a thin, crisp, slightly chewy crust that’s puffy around the edges like a fresh-made zeppole. Squeeze a lemon wedge over the top, and enjoy. The slice with whipped ricotta and crumbled local Italian sausage is another box to check, and the spinach with bechamel is highly underrated. Lucia Pizza has two other locations—one in Soho, and another on the Upper East Side." - bryan kim, willa moore, kenny yang, carlo mantuano, molly fitzpatrick
"Like Amore (see above), this decades-old slice joint produces quality, straightforward pies. But Lucia is particularly great when you’re walking down Roosevelt Ave and need a quick snack. You won’t find any tables here, just a few stools and a counter you can lean against while you bite into some impeccably crispy crust and immediately burn your mouth on strands of mozzarella dripping with amber grease. " - carina finn koeppicus, kenny yang, neha talreja, bryan kim, molly fitzpatrick
"The Dish: Plain or Pepperoni Slice L’Industrie is marvelous, and Joe’s is an institution. But when you hear the term “classic New York slice,” it’s Lucia you should think of first. The narrow Flushing pizzeria has no tables, and it isn’t trying to impress anyone with artisanal toppings or a natural wine program. Choose from cheese or pepperoni, then enjoy your crisp and impeccably ordinary slice with cascading amber grease and molten strands of mozzarella that stick to your chin." - bryan kim, sonal shah, willa moore, will hartman, molly fitzpatrick, neha talreja
