Lucia's Italian Kitchen

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Lucia's Italian Kitchen Italian Kitchen
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Ask and you shall receive! Chef Geno is launching a new lunch menu!Lunch menu begins Thursday October 22. Lunch menu wil...
10/16/2026

Ask and you shall receive!
Chef Geno is launching a new lunch menu!

Lunch menu begins Thursday October 22. Lunch menu will be available from 11 am - 2 pm!

See all youse guys next week!

10/16/2026

LUCIA’S ITALIAN KITCHEN
CONSTITUTION

Effingham, IL – Founded in service of Authentic Italian Cuisine

PREAMBLE
We the people of Lucia’s Italian Kitchen, in order to honor the heritage of Italian cuisine, to serve the most authentic pizza and
pasta, at the highest level, and to govern this house by clear and shared belief of true hospitality do hereby ordain this
constitution.

Article I – The Concept
Lucia’s is Effingham’s authentic Italian restaurant – a modern temple to pizza and pasta of the highest quality, built on the
traditions of the Italian Nonna that made it famous across the world.

Article II – The Category
Lucia’s competes to be the best restaurant in Effingham, Illinois, and the United States. Not an American restaurant pretending
to be Italian, not an Italian fusion restaurant, authentic Italian – with conviction, with heritage, and with a point of view about
pizza and pasta that no other room in the town is willing to defend.

Article III – The Quest
We love everyone. We celebrate hospitality and the important moments in people’s lives – from birthdays and anniversaries to
business clients and foodie enthusiasts all over the world. Hospitality is in our DNA, and we look forward to rising to the
occasion every day, and yes – that means gluten free and celiac too.

Article IV – The Standard
The best pasta program in the United States, from the best flour mills in the world. Three non-negotiables:
Our pasta is our signature, and it will never change.
We are a luxury product and we are worth it.
Every table is a true hospitality experience. Never a transaction

Article V – The Team
Citizens of Lucia’s believe our house is a cathedral, not a chain. Service is a craft, not a job. Heritage matters, we hire hospitality
professionals who want to work beside other hospitality professionals in the best restaurant in town.

Article VI – The Menu and the Room
We will always be known for pizza and pasta, the best caesar, and our unmatched Italian bread. We will never serve flavorless
starters, gimmick pasta dishes, or anything that betrays the Italian vocabulary. In the first thirty seconds of arrival, the guest
must feel they have walked into the most important room in town.

Article VII – Amendment
The concept can evolve. The concept cannot drift. We can add true Italian American dishes. We cannot add burgers and fries.
Any change to this constitution requires written rationale that ties back to articles I, II, III. Drift is defined as any decision that
cannot be defended against the founding concept.

In witness whereof, we sign in service this constitution,
Gene McWilliams
Founder & Chef

What makes Lucia’s flour so easy to digest for people who are gluten intolerant? Here are a few of many reasons… Fruc...
10/15/2026

What makes Lucia’s flour so easy to digest for people who are gluten intolerant? Here are a few of many reasons…

 Fructans: Wheat contains fermentable carbohydrates that can cause IBS-type symptoms. These are not gluten.

 Long fermentation: Traditional pizza dough fermentation can reduce some fermentable carbohydrates and make it easier to digest. As Lucia’s fermentation is a minimum of 48 hours.

 Different flour composition: Italian flour may differ in wheat variety, protein content, milling, and formulation. Never bleached and never enriched.

 Fewer additives: Guests may react to dough conditioners, sweeteners, preservatives, or other ingredients in commercial products— Lucia’s flour has none of these. This is the main reason why people react to wheat flour.

 Our portion and meal differences: Lucia’s recipes, serving sizes, toppings, and preparation may differ substantially from what they usually eat and what other restaurants offer.

Many guests have reported back to let us know that they can eat all our pizza, pasta, and bread with zero reactions. If you are sensitive to gluten, I would recommend you give us a shot. We literally can change your life!



We are hiring… Join our amazing team! Our focus is guest experience and hospitality is our Northstar. We are an open kit...
10/10/2026

We are hiring… Join our amazing team! Our focus is guest experience and hospitality is our Northstar.

We are an open kitchen where every move matters. Are you working with C players? Do you feel you have more to give then working with flat grills, fryers, and microwaves?

Come put your talent on display here at Lucia’s.

Contact Chef Geno 815-325-6551
We are looking for the best!

Another Chef Experience in the books! Not sure who enjoys these more… our amazing guests, or Chef Geno! Hospitality and ...
10/09/2026

Another Chef Experience in the books! Not sure who enjoys these more… our amazing guests, or Chef Geno!

Hospitality and Guest Experience at the highest level 💪

**Zuppa di Patate**(Potato Soup)Yes… it is as good as it looks 👀 Chef says… tonight only! See ya soon! Cheaper than a pl...
10/08/2026

**Zuppa di Patate**
(Potato Soup)

Yes… it is as good as it looks 👀
Chef says… tonight only! See ya soon!

Cheaper than a plane ticket to Italy 🇮🇹

You may have to find your way to Effingham, Illinois, to discover Chef Geno McWilliams—but once you do, you’ll understan...
10/08/2026

You may have to find your way to Effingham, Illinois, to discover Chef Geno McWilliams—but once you do, you’ll understand why Lucia’s Italian Kitchen is worth the journey.
With handmade pasta, brick-oven pizza, genuine hospitality, and the kind of craft that belongs on any great culinary stage, Chef Geno and Lucia’s can hold their own alongside restaurants recognized by the James Beard Foundation.
Rural America has extraordinary chefs, too. Sometimes, you just have to know where to look.
📍 Lucia’s Italian Kitchen — Effingham, Illinois

** Chef Special **Mandarin Burratta SaladSweet mandarin with creamy burratta, cucumber, asparagus, shallot, topped with ...
10/07/2026

** Chef Special **
Mandarin Burratta Salad
Sweet mandarin with creamy burratta, cucumber, asparagus, shallot, topped with fried capers then finished with our amazing honey lemon vin!

Cheaper than a plane ticket to Italy 🇮🇹

What an absolute incredible performance from the best team around! Our Lucia’s team along with an additional ten have pu...
10/05/2026

What an absolute incredible performance from the best team around! Our Lucia’s team along with an additional ten have pulled off one of the most impressive wedding receptions I have ever seen. From cocktail hour, three bars, plated Michelin Star dishes.. two courses, to a complete late night bbq!

Systems and training are an understatement. But what it takes to perform at the highest level is pure Hospitality! The willingness to put the guests first!

Lucia’s Team are absolute killers!
Thank you guys for believing in our vision and working together to be better every day!
Chef Geno ❤️

Address

400 W Clark Street
Effingham, IL
62401

Opening Hours

Wednesday 5pm - 9pm
Thursday 11am - 9pm
Friday 11am - 9pm
Saturday 11am - 9pm
Sunday 11am - 9pm

Telephone

+12172070226

Website

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