Lucca Grill is an Italian restaurant that is located on East Market Street in Downtown Bloomington. Lucca Grill was established in 1936 by the Baldini brothers Fred and John. The name of the restaurant comes from the birth place of the Baladini’s which was Lucca, Italy. Whenever customers come in and visit, they always feel like they are “at home” with the famous antique mahogany bar, the ornate tin ceiling, and many framed newspaper articles that feature Lucca Grill. Lucca Grill is home to the first pizza in Central Illinois. Lucca Grill has also been featured in newspapers from The Pantagraph, to the New York Times and The Washington Post. Known as the melting pot of Bloomington/Normal, Lucca Grill always has customers from throughout the country that stop by to visit and eat. The restaurant has been around for six decades and is still run by the family of the original founders. Lucca Grill’s menu offers customers a variety of food. The menu consists of appetizers, soups and salads, pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and classic Italian dishes. One of Lucca Grills famous pizzas is the A La Baldini. This is a pizza that has pretty much everything on it. This pizza consists of sausage, pepperoni, ham, onions, mushrooms, green peppers, and pepperoncini. Lucca Grill is a great place to go to for a nice Italian meal in a friendly environment.
Lucca Grill Inc. 116 East Market Street Bloomington, Illinois 61701 309 828-7521
http://www.luccagrill.com/index.htm
Lucca Grill, an Italian American food restaurant, has a lot to offer in it's own unique way to the public of Bloomington/Normal. According to customer comments, Lucca's corner location, dim interior atmosphere, and older decorations of hockey/sport gives this eating out experience much like that of the city. Parking can be tricky and this adds to the city like feel were you have to park back behind the restaurant otherwise walking a few blocks is necessary. The number one menu choice customers talk about? The A la Baldini pizza with a large variety of toppings is always made to perfection, but if your not feeling up to the vegetables, the Meat Combo Pizza is an excellent second choice. Other great selections are offered on the menu, but the pizza is definitely the hot item. If you were to call ahead, a pizza can be made for pick up and boxed for you. One thing to remember is that the crust of the pizza's are authentically thin and crispy, almost like a wood clay oven pizza crust. This is not the place to find a Chicago-style thick crust!
Seating is divided between two floors and the service is efficient and friendly. The main floor offers a bar with a great selection of beer. According to reviews, the main floor is a better option due to fluctuating temperatures on the second. If one calls ahead, seating arrangements are possible to be made to accommodate larger groups or preferred seating for the disabled. Lucca Grill serves amazing appetizers, past dishes, and of coarse, pizza. For the best Lucca Grill experience, belly up to the bar and enjoy the nostalgic low-lighted environment, looking at the antique décor, enjoy meeting friends, and ordering a variety of dishes. Customers often claim that the best seating is on the main level where the fun and unique surroundings make for a great dinner out.
Many customer's who found Lucca Grill return after years of having graduated from Bloomington/Normal's local school such as Illinois Wesleyan and Illinois State University, along with those from around the country who have moved from State Farm business transfers. This shows a real appreciation for the casual and unique personality of Lucca Grill owned by Chuck Williams whose children can claim to being the fourth generation of this respectable corner restaurant.
"I love the atmosphere whenever I go into the Lucca. The lighting, the pictures on the walls, the detailed ceiling, to the hanging globe-like light that has the toy horses inside. That has always been my favorite thing ever since I was a little girl. My Uncle Johnny helps manage the Lucca so I have been visiting the restaurant at least once a year since I was very young, even if it was just for Koch family get-togethers. My favorite dish, besides the A La Baldini of coarse, is the Fettuccini Alfredo and a side salad with the house dressing. Although Johnny may have to make sure I want the pizza or the Alfredo, he never has to guess the drink. It always was and always will be a Shirley Temple with extra cherries for his favorite niece!" - Love, Rae Rae Pickle Head.
