The food, service and ambiance was outstanding. Such a special place. You can see the love and care that goes into every dish that is prepared as well as the personal treatment they give to every guest. We met the owner, who cooks many of their signature dishes, his daughter who manages the restaurant, and his granddaughter who was the hostess that night. We happened to be traveling through the area, celebrating our 50th anniversary, and they went out of their way to make it a memorable night for us! The restaurant has the feeling of a your smaller, neighborhood Italian restaurant that makes their dishes from recipes that have been passed down from one generation to the next. By the time we left, they made us feel like we were part of their extended family, if only for an evening. And when you're traveling on the road, that's a mighty nice feeling! Do yourself a favor, the next time you are in the area, plan on making this a destination. It's well worth it! (Consider making a reservation or at least calling ahead because they are pretty popular.) read more

The good: The food was absolutely magnificent. The chef is likely classically trained. Presentation was excellent. The sauce was as good as i have ever had. The bad: The wait staff was not very engaged. I wanted this review to be about the food but that just wasn't meant to be. The Ugly: I am very well travelled on 3 continents. I've dined elegantly as well as from street vendors and I have NEVER had service that was this off putting to the point of being overtly rude, and I am an American who has eaten in France and doesn't speak much French. When we wouldn't sit at the bar, even though the main area was only 1/4 occupied They moved our party of 2 into the side room with chairs up on tables. It went downhill from there. Due to this, it wasn't possible to really enjoy what should have been a fine meal. I will say it is a wise policy to ask for payment and tip ahead of this type of service before it is provided. read more

If you are looking for amazing Italian, this is the place to be! You must order the Lost Bread, Cosenza Pizza, Lasagna, and a special asparagus pasta dish with guanciale. Everything was exceptional. Make sure to BYOB your wine since they allow you to and they don't have a liquor license. Chef came to our table and made sure we had the best experience! Highly recommend! read more

Lucia's Italian Kitchen - Italian Near Me - Effingham, Illinois

Easily one of the best Italian restaurant in the area and the US! Everything is made on site with the finest ingredients. You can taste the chef's and the family's dedication. This will be in the Michelin guide so get there before everyone else does! read more

My daughter recommended this place after she saw a post on social media. We visited it today and I am so happy we did. What a wonderful place! We had the carbonara, lasagna, and Trentino pizza. Everything was delicious but the carbonara was definitely my favorite. It took me back to my trip to Rome! This is what real Italian food tastes like Absolutely delicious! The owner is really nice. It's clear he wants to serve only the best food! We drove from CU and it was absolutely worth it! We will be back soon! You should definitely try it! read more

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We have been coming to Lucia's since the beginning! We love the recent upgrades in the ambiance, and the food has always been great! We recently did the chef's experience for a birthday night out and had a great time with Chef Geno! Some classics enjoyed as well as some off menu specials! We really appreciate the quality of the ingredients and the heart that goes into your meal. read more

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Can we give this place 10 stars? Chef Geno and his team serves up the most amazing pasta, pizza and deserts EVER We drive just over 2 hour to enjoy this place read more

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First time trying Lucia's and did not disappoint! We tried 5 different things and took 2 types of desserts home and MORE Bread! Staff was very knowledgeable and Geno was awesome!!! Highly recommend!!! read more

I'll be honest the food is very good. I've had homemade Italian all over the country. This place has really great pasta and bread, pizza is decent, the last two times I've had it the crust wasn't done enough. What's difficult and turns me away...the price and ambiance. This place is still 60% a Jimmy John's spot. You get your own drinks, no menus, order before being seated and then pay $24 for a medium pizza. If this was an actual restaurant with servers and what not. I'd have no problem for the price and value. The issue I have is it's a Jimmy John's Italian fast casual place with amazing food. I'd rather go to Firefly for the price and sit and enjoy my meal. Highly suggest they make it more of an actual restaurant, at a minimum don't make me get my own drink for these prices. Wild. Could be something great but it's ran like a fast casual dining spot vs restaurant. read more

Wow! This is a hidden gem in Effingham. The menu is excellent, all genuine ingredients sourced from Italy or this own on site garden. Staff is friendly and the ambiance is outstanding. read more

Lucia's Italian Kitchen - Meat pizza - Italian Near Me - Effingham, Illinois

Driving through Effingham and decided to try Lucian's based on other reviews. We ordered a pizza and Caesar salad at 5:30 on Saturday night. Wanted to customize our pizza but we were told no customization. When we picked up our order at 6pm we were told "this was the last take out for the night, we were lucky". At 6pm on a Saturday, really?? The 14" pizza was $25 and was just ok. Probably won't be going back. read more

Oh my gosh. This pasta was incredibly delicious. I almost never finish my food. I finished this dish. From what I understand, they change their menu from time to time, but others I came with got other dishes and they looks just as delicious. Service is nice, the woman at the counter was very nice and recommended me this dish. You pick up a number and they bring the food to you. They also helped to facilitate us finding a place to sit as we had about 8 people total. If I ever came back to Effingham I would come back here to eat. read more

Lucia's Italian Kitchen - Italian Near Me - Effingham, Illinois

An excellent restaurant. We were passing through this city and had a great meal. It was very tasty. I recommend it to everyone.

What a nice surprise on our road trip down Interstate 70 in Effingham IL. Stopped at Lucia's Italian Kitchen and the service was great and the food was amazing. We had a shareable of green beans done an Italian way and the lasagna was hand made to perfection baked in a stone oven. Might want to make a reservation so you don't miss out! read more

This was such an unexpected treat. Pastas are just amazing. The deconstructed grilled cheese ... just stop it! OMg- ah-mazing. Then we had lasagna, the mushroom pizza, the carbonara and a mushroom egg noodle rosemary pasta. The Caesar salad is also worth noting. It's worth every penny. Absolutely delicious. read more

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Utterly disappointed. The rave reviews about rustic bread mean nothing - they didn't serve us any. If you do go here you must by all means keep them from seating you outside. The ambiance is comprised of a deafening freight train going past within 100 yards of you every 5 minutes. The food we did have was very good, but not at all enjoyable due to the racket. read more

Lasagna was dry. Pizza was ok. Salad was great. Know what you want before you get in there. Overall reviews were good so I tried it. Being from New Jersey It just didn't do it for me. read more

Food was good. Bizarre that an Italian restaurant doesn't have Italian dressing for salad. Incredibly over priced. Big prices, small portions. Sad. Rude service. You order up front and pay then you get a table. We didn't tip because no service had been rendered at the time so we usually tip in cash. They were rude after that. read more

What can I say that would adequately describe how enjoyable this meal was? We sat front and center at the bar as they prepared a tasty deconstructed grilled cheese appetizer, then came the most delicious lasagna and creamy pasta that I've ever eaten. Make sure you save room for Luciano dessert! It was over the top phenomenal! I've already picked out my next meal, because we will be back! The staff and owner were very kind, as well! read more

Passing through on a long roadtrip. Stopped in and enjoyed the experience. Great food and great service.

THIS PLACE IS A GEM!! Randomly stopped here during our road trip and were blown away by the food! We got the deconstructed grilled cheese (10/10) and the rigatoni pasta (also a 10/10), absolutely recommend if you're near by! read more

Lucia's Italian Kitchen - Rigatoni - Italian Near Me - Effingham, Illinois

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They moved ..this isnt correct location. They said yelp wouldnt change the address without large fee and even used the term extortion. So look at their other location ... its the correct Food is delicious. read more

Chef Geno creates the most amazing dishes! Be sure to get the deconstructed grilled cheese...you will not be disappointed!

We were greeted the moment we walked in the door. There were five of us. The hostess was ver knowledgeable and was able to answer our questions. We ordered the Mortadella, bread and butter, Rigatoni Roman Carbonara, Ribs, and Meat and More Pizza. Mortadella and Bread & Butter arrived promptly. Bread is out of this world good. The entrees were delicious. We shared all 4 main entrees. The Ribs were delicious. Tangy with a slight spicy to them. Both pasta dishes were cooked perfectly. It's obvious the pasta is made in house. Rigatoni was not over sauced and the sausage in it is delicious. The pizza is outstanding. Not only the crust as delicious and fluffy as the bread; but the sauce and meats are perfectly matched. Not too much tomato flavor and not too sweet. This is a real deal kitchen that brings good, locally sourced ingredients to its customers. Very informal. They have a tables and also a bar where you can watch them prepare your meal. Give it a try. You will not be disappointed. Oh and if you want some wine or a cocktail. Bring it in with you. read more

We stopped on a cross country road trip. What a great little gem! We had the Peperone pizza and a salad- it was delicious. BYOB! Friendly patrons! Other dishes looked delicious as well! Food was quickly prepared, staff was courteous. read more

I was sadly very disappointed with our meal. You walk in, order, pay, get your fountain drink, seat yourself and bus your table. All things I'm fine with doing but for $77 for 3 entries no appetizers or dessert that's a high price to pay. The food was a complete let down. Carbonara had no flavor at all. Tasted like plain cooked noodles. Lasagna was so overcooked the top and bottom noodles were stone and not cut-able with a fork. Gnocchi had good flavor but the ice cold ball of cheese in the middle quickly made the entire dish cold. Food looked pretty though and staff was kind.... read more

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Drove out of our way to stop by but obviously closed at 5pm when website said open until 7pm. Make sure you call ahead of time.

Food is always good! My is my wish is they had the menu more available and more vegetarian options since they don't allow customization.

Only reason it got 5 stars is because 6 wasn't an option. If you are a foodie, if your driving on interstate 70 and want something exceptional this is your spot. Everything is homemade including the pasta, bread, pizza dough, sauces, cured meats. Pork cheek carbonara, Vietnamese Banh mi crustini. This place is phenomenal. If you appreciate good food, get here. Heads up, no liquor license but you can bring a bottle of wine with you. Highly recommended. read more

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Excellent fresh made right behind the counter in plain sight! Definitely will be back. If you are a first timer like us; you order when you walk in at cashier counter. Then find your seating. Seating is limited so be prepared to possibly sit at counter if necessary. Prices are higher than your chain type Italian restaurants it you get amazing food and good portions. Again it is also about the experience and individual made entrees in plain sight. Give it a try read more

Stopped by while passing through Effingham. Maybe one of the best pizzas I've ever had--just fantastic. Staff were friendly and very welcoming. read more

Lucia's Italian Kitchen - Italian Near Me - Effingham, Illinois

Just had this steak Saturday evening. Went in at 3:50 (door was open). Wouldn't take our order or seat us until 4:00 pm. Understandable. Man at the front door was rude and was sure to tell us that our table was reserved for 5:30 pm and that we would have to finish eating before that. This was before we had even ordered. Were seated and told to get our own drinks. We ordered the prime rib for 2, and Caesar salad for 2. We got 1 steak, 1Caesar salad, and 2 glasses of iced tea. Our total (including tip) was $105.00. The steak and salad were very good, but not worth $105.00. The atmosphere was nice, but more on the order of Steak & Shake. The girls were very nice, but the male at the door needs to come down off his high horse. Also, witnessed the owner downgrade one of the girls at the entrance for giving us menus and talking to us before opening time. (10 minutes). Needless to say, we won't be back. read more

Stopped in on a busy Sunday at noonish. We were met with I assume the very helpful owner who led us through our first visit there. We ordered the deconstructed grilled cheese and a meaty pizza. My husband said he could pour that cheese sauce directly into his mouth, which is high praise for my picky eater! The workers were friendly and respectful to each other and the customers as the kitchen is open to the patrons. The atmosphere was light hearted but the food was serious! Only thing I would have preferred is waitstaff. read more

The food was amazing! Pizza was some of the best we've ever had. Quaint ambiance with a really cool pizza oven. Quick and friendly service.

Great food! My GF and I go here at least once a month. The lasagna is a must! Home made Caesar salads are another good choice for a great menu. read more

Know before you go! Seating is very limited. It was very cold, so dress warm. When we asked about turning up the heat - the owner told the employee, he could turn it "up one degree"! Be prepared to pay $20+ for a plate of pasta! I could make better pasta at home and for A LOT less money. The accompanying bread was overdone - blackish on top. Also be prepared to wait for your food. After we ordered our food at the register, we waited approximately 30 minutes for it to arrive at our table. I was VERY disappointed because all of the reviews I have read were so positive. I'm not sure if it was just an "off night" for them. Again, everything I have seen and heard has been so positive - but I would not go back even if you paid me or if it was free. read more

My favorite place to eat in Effingham! Its a month go to for me and my husband to try the pizza of the month, and they never disappoint! read more

Lucia's Italian Kitchen - Italian Near Me - Effingham, Illinois

Great pizza for this area! Homade hand tossed crust! Fresh ingredients. Chef Gemo is always very friendly... like a perfect portrait of an authentic Italian family man and pizza chef! The pasta dishes are very good too! Homemade all the way around! I wish they served beer. Also, the inside is a little small and the hours are not regular, but if you get a chance, defiantly worth a little wait and you will want to repeat your visit! read more

I have enjoyed eating at Lucia's a few times and every experience was delightful! The service is top notch and the food is delicious! Destructed grilled cheese is to die for! Bring your own alcohol and enjoy watching all the action at the bar! read more

My husband and I both love food and we don't think twice about driving an hour or more to go to a favorite restaurant. Tonight we were tired and didn't want to go far so we ate local. We've been to Lucia's before and I have never taken the time to review. They definitely deserve it tonight. They were busy and short staffed, yet they all worked like crazy to keep the food coming. Kudos to Jamie for making an excellent pizza. It rivaled some of our favorite out of town places. Definitely best pizza in Effingham. read more