Mark Iacono owner of Lucali and die hard fan of Yankees turned down 30 men reservation by Los Angeles for Yankees.
Mark Iacono, the celebrated owner of the iconic Brooklyn pizzeria Lucali, is known for more than just his artisanal pies and rustic dining experience—he’s also a die-hard New York Yankees fan. Iacono’s loyalty to the Yankees is so deep that it influences the very operations of his famed eatery. This devotion was recently put on full display when he turned down a lucrative reservation request that most restaurateurs would have scrambled to accommodate.
The story goes that a prominent group of 30 from Los Angeles sought to make a reservation at Lucali, a spot that normally sees a line of eager diners willing to wait hours for a table. But the timing clashed with a high-stakes Yankees game. For Iacono, the choice was clear: baseball over business. In true form, he politely declined the reservation, proving once again that his love for the Yankees is not just a casual fandom but a way of life.
Lucali has long been known not only for its perfectly charred, thin-crust pizza but also for its atmosphere that feels like a slice of old-school New York. Its dimly lit interior, flour-dusted countertops, and handwritten chalkboard menu transport patrons to a simpler time. But for Iacono, Lucali isn’t just a business; it’s an extension of his identity—a blend of family traditions, community spirit, and baseball loyalty.
Turning down such a large group from Los Angeles, a city with its own passionate baseball culture centered around the Dodgers, was no small gesture. It highlighted an unspoken rivalry that runs deeper than the usual East Coast-West Coast banter. By choosing to support his beloved Yankees over a potential high-profile reservation, Iacono showed that the soul of Lucali is bound by more than just ingredients; it’s tethered to tradition, loyalty, and an unwavering allegiance to his team.
For fans of the Yankees and patrons of Lucali, this decision was no surprise. Mark Iacono has always worn his pinstripe pride on his sleeve, and when push comes to shove, pizza might be his craft, but the Yankees are his heart.