Every detail of a pizza pie from Luca’s Pizzeria, a family-owned neighborhood pizzeria on New Salem Highway, matters.
“They seem to have mastered the perfect ratio of toppings to cheese to sauce to crust,” said a pleased local customer, Amy, following a meal from Luca’s. “Nothing in life is perfect but a slice from Luca’s comes pretty close!”
The New York-style pizzas, built on a thin and foldable crust with just a bit of crispness on the bottom, contain a blend of whole milk and part-skim mozzarella cheeses, so they come out not too greasy, but still with some deep, creamy flavor from the cheese.
Restaurant owners Margherita and Juan Medina make many of the sauces and dressings from scratch at their Murfreesboro establishment, named for their (now 12-year-old) son Luca.
The pizzeria, bursting with the aroma of garlic, serves as more of a pick-up or delivery spot, with only four tables available for dining inside and a couple more located outside. Despite the dining room’s modest size, the Murfreesboro restaurant serves some quality pies, according to almost all accounts.
Emily Ducker said she was “blown away” by Luca’s “true, authentic New York-style pizza.”
“I’m a bit of a pizza snob, as I have worked for a few reputable mom and pop type pizzerias . . . I judge pizzas pretty hard,” the diner said. “You guys have nailed it! Can’t wait to try more things that you have to offer.”
Luca’s even makes its Italian sausage fresh and from scratch.
“We get raw pork and season it and cook it,” according to Margherita.
Another customer, Stephen McKenzie, appreciates this.
“The sausage is the best I’ve ever had,” he said. “Best pizza I’ve ever had!”
A deliciously sweet balsamic glaze punctuates the margherita pizza with a lovely flavor.
“The margherita is my favorite,” another pleased customer, Melissa, said. “They’re quick with delivery orders and always so nice. I’m so glad we discovered them.”
The Medinas have put some time and love into perfecting their bread and pizza dough. The very garlicky garlic rolls remain pillowy soft and fluffy on the inside while crisp on the outside.
One customer called these rolls pieces of “garlic heaven” and said this ultimate garlic bread was the perfect way to start an Italian meal.
“Garlic rolls to die for!” another Luca’s patron, Amy Abrams, said. “Stromboli, on point! . . . If you want anything close to New York pizza, this is the place . . . the best pizza in Murfreesboro and the surrounding area. And the owners, Margherita and Juan are two of the sweetest people you will ever meet.”
Another customer stated that the Hawaiian pizza had a decent amount of toppings, while Scott Hurst said Luca’s Pizzeria is “probably our favorite place to eat.”
“Everything I’ve had here is amazing. The owners work here and have always been extremely friendly,” Hurst said.
If a customer wants a sauce other than the marinara, try a pizza with pesto, buffalo, barbecue or Alfredo sauce, or the house garlic butter, rather than the standard red sauce.
The Luca’s menu also contains Italian sausage, meatball or eggplant parmigiana sandwiches, for $9.99 apiece—or $10.99 for a chicken parm—as well as calzones and stromboli.
“The calzones are ridiculous,” Matt Garner reported. “The marinara is so good.”
And find a wide selection of pasta dinner options, spaghetti—with meatballs, sausage or eggplant, if desired—manicotti, lasagna, baked ziti with meat sauce or ziti carbonara, a ziti dish with Alfredo sauce, bacon, onions and mushrooms.
“The best manicotti I have ever had! You can absolutely tell they use fresh ingredients and make it fresh,” Ally Farley said. “Between the garlic rolls, pasta and cannolis Luca’s has become our new favorite restaurant.”
This fantastic cannoli, made in-store with real ricotta cheese, cinnamon and flaky pastry tubes, has earned Luca’s quite a few local fans.
“You should eat the cannoli. Eat. The. Cannoli.” Joseph Reynolds stressed. “Furthermore, their pizza just hits the spot, every time, when I want a pizza that is thin, crunchy and just the right amount of burnt.”
In the midst of all of this Italian influence, the establishment offers a special carnitas pizza, topped with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, onions, tomatoes and cilantro. But otherwise, Luca’s focuses on pasta, pizza, sandwiches, cannoli and calzones inspired by Italy.
Margherita has a strong connection to Italy—she is a first-generation American whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Italy, while Juan’s family hails from Columbia. The couple formerly owned and operated seven restaurants in South Florida before relocating to Murfreesboro.
And many Middle Tennesseans are glad that they did come to the Murfreesboro area.
“The Giovanni’s ziti and meat lasagna are absolutely delicious and the pizza is great too! Overall I’ve not had anything I don’t love,” Jessica Graham said.
As food costs continue to rise, a couple of loaded large pizzas at Luca’s—or anywhere—can get into $50 territory.
But for a deal, on Mondays and Tuesdays, grab a 16-inch cheese pie for only $10 (cash only).
Luca’s also has some special lunch values, such as two one-topping slices and a drink for $6.99 or spaghetti and a drink for $7.99.
The restaurant offers a cauliflower, gluten-free crust, as well.
Feed a large crowd with huge trays of lasagnas and other pastas, large strombolis and other catering options.
For those willing to donate to helping to feed their neighbors, Luca’s runs its Altruistic Slice program. Prior to the pandemic shutdowns, every third Monday the restaurant provided pizza to the Journey Home to serve to the local homeless community.
Although those meals have been put on hold, Luca’s has moved its Altruistic Slice proceeds to the Good Shepherd Children’s Home. All Luca’s customers who feel led can donate whatever monetary amount they can afford, with each dollar donated covering the cost of a slice of pizza for residents at the children’s home.
Juan says he would eventually like to provide pizza to both local organizations.
Luca’s Pizzeria
2658 New Salem Rd.
Mon.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
615-900-1045
16-inch meat lovers pizza: $21.99; 12-inch stromboli: $11.49; Meatball, sausage or eggplant parmigiana sandwich: $9.99; Mediterranean salad: $10.75; 12-inch Hawaiian pizza: $13.99; 10-inch Nutella pizza: $11.99
lucaspizzeriatn.com
