Pizza Lucé reminds Andrew of his Dad (good memories) and his Dad’s wings (not-as-good memories).
QUICK LINKS
THE STORY
Sense memory is an amazing thing. One bite into Pizza Lucé’s buffalo wings and I was back in college. My flip-phone rings, it’s Dad.
“Hey buddy! Want to come over for some football and wings?”
I wasn’t much for football, but wings have always been the way to my heart. And without much money, I took wings where I could get them (actually, that much hasn’t changed).
I’d make the drive north, and come into the warm kitchen to find my Dad’s classic baked buffalo wings. Always fresh, made with love, but always a tad undercooked and soggy. Did that mean I didn’t enjoy them? No, they were totally fine. Besides, my Dad didn’t need to be good at making wings, he had other skills, like helping his three sons get through school and a little thing called “paying the bills.”
And that is my thesis today, wing lovers: Pizza Lucé’s wings were were fresh, made with love, but just a tad undercooked and soggy. Did that mean I didn’t enjoy them? No, they were totally fine.
Baking wings is hard: I happen to be a believer in one method (adapted from this recipe by the always-on-point Chef John) involving baking powder and a good, long bake. But even that can be hit or miss. When it comes to classic wings, there is just no real substitute for a hot fryer.
That said, Pizza Luće’s sauce is pretty tasty and has a nice complexity, if only more of it stuck to the wings. Pizza Lucé: You are not one to shy away from deliciously indulgent foods. Case in point, The Bear pizza. So if it isn’t health, what’s keeping these wings from the fryer? Maybe, like my Dad, you’re just focused on other things.
THE VERDICT
58/100 |
Texture: 3.25/10 |
Flavor: 4.5/10 |
Meat Quality: 7/10 |
Value: 6/10 |
Experience: 8.25/10 |
Total: 29/50 possible points |
SCORE BREAKDOWN
![]() Andrew |
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Notes: Love you, Dad! |
![]() Esther |
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Notes: Meat tasted good and fresh |
THE DETAILS
Price: $9.99 for 11 wings
Website: https://pizzaluce.com/
Address: 3200 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55408