We recently tried unsuccessfully getting into Lucali two separate times. We have now been a bunch of since, so we know what exactly it takes to get into the famous pizza restaurant. We wish we had a guideline for this in our hands before we went, so our unsuccessful trips inspired this blogpost. This is a step by step guide on how to get into Lucali. Before we begin, please note that your best chances to get into Lucali are from Mondays to Thursdays. Most busy restaurants in the Brooklyn will always be booked Friday and Saturday nights, and Sunday nights happen to be when the Queen Bee is getting her pizza with extra Jalapenos. And speaking of booking, don’t bother with reservations or take out. There is a place online that you can make reservations, but most of the days will say that they are full. Okay, now that you know all that, here are your SEVEN steps to get you started:
Step 1) Before you do anything else, you need to have a transportation strategy in place. Don’t even bother with parking in the area. You may get lucky, but my gut is telling me (a hungry gut now thinking about Lucali) that you probably won’t. Either take an Uber or ride on the subway.
Step 2) Go hit the ATM first. Lucali is one of the few places around where plastic is not accepted. Their pizzas also cost anywhere from $30 to $40 a pie, so go to the ATM before hand and make sure your pocket has green in it. You don’t want to be that guy that the waiter will have to tell to wash dishes all night with Jay-Z sitting at the next table.
Step 3) Once you have the cash issue squared away, go an find a nearby liquor store. There are plenty in the vicinity so just find one with quality wines and shoot on over. Lucali is BYO, and if you are investing your time and money on such a high quality pizza, your best bet is to pair it with a great wine choice.
Step 3) Now with your wine in hand, make your way over to Lucali. Be forewarned, there is no actual sign saying “Lucali”, so make sure that you know where you are! Here is a hint: there will be a long old school car parked right in front of it. They open their doors at 5:45, but you will need to get there between 4:00 and 4:30 to wait in line and give them your name before they open their doors.
Step 4) Find something to do to fill the next two hours. Once the hostess jots down your name, she will most likely tell you to return in an hour or two (or maybe more). They only have one small bench in front, and its mostly a residential neighborhood, so find somewhere else to kill time.
Step 5) When you arrive back in the two hours, be prepared to wait up to another hour or so. The time the hostess tells you to come back for is just an estimation, so be prepared to wait a little more. You may get lucky and not have to wait any longer, but the chances of that happening are not in your favor. Don’t fuss or be upset about it, this is an everyday occurrence at Lucali.
Step 6) Be cool and patient. Getting rude with the hostess will not expedite the process, it might actually prolong things. If you are waiting longer than expected, just be patient, the pie is worth the wait.
Step 7) Your name is finally called! Make sure to order the Pepperoni and Jalapeno pizza (our go-to pie) and enjoy every bite. You just made your way into one of the most difficult pizza places in the world.
Picasso Baby 