As a young man he traveled extensively, exploring such varied locales as Canada and the Bahamas, before finally reaching Miami, Florida where he began his pursuit of the American Dream. Lucio and Dorthy Gamboni fell in love with the mountains of WNC when they vacationed here in 1984. Living in Miami, they yearned for a quieter life where they could raise their daughters, Erika and Tanya.
Lucio brought his love of food to this area, becoming a top destination for Italian cuisine in Western North Carolina. He and Dorothy started Lucio's in 1984 and quickly established themselves as one of best places to eat in Franklin, NC, with region-wide notoriety soon to follow. The restaurant was truly a family affair with the girls helping out after school peeling garlic and making Lucio's famous rolls.
Lucio brought his love of food to this area, becoming a top destination for Italian cuisine in Western North Carolina. He and Dorothy started Lucio's in 1984 and quickly established themselves as one of best places to eat in Franklin, NC, with region-wide notoriety soon to follow. The restaurant was truly a family affair with the girls helping out after school peeling garlic and making Lucio's famous rolls.
Reviews (24)
Gwen Bradley
Jan 25, 2022
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Julia Ware
Dec 27, 2021
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We are here as a family for Christmas and decided to come here for dinner. What a great experience! Our waiter, Daniel, was very informative and knowledgeable about the menu and attended greatly to our needs. I had the chicken parmigiana, which I’m usually iffy on getting, and it was delicious! If we ever return to Franklin, I will be coming back!
Jennifer Vandermark
Nov 12, 2021
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Ray Adams
Sep 24, 2021
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Rebecca Strobel
Jul 19, 2021
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Brent Simpson
May 16, 2021
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Rita Lang
Apr 26, 2021
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Disappointed. Read such good reviews but that was not our experience. Everything was underwhelming. Salad dressings "made on site" had no taste, were all oil based and was nothing I'd heard of before. Food tasted frozen, definitely not fresh or made on site. The garlic rolls were store bought and just topped with butter and garlic. Not fresh and ours were burnt on the bottom. I couldn't even cut with s knife.
Tammy Thomas
Feb 28, 2021
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We have had a home here for 16 years, Lucio''s was recomend to us the first year. We have gone there as much as possible. The food is "out of this world" I would recommend this too anyone looking for great tasteful food. It taste as if it is cooked by grandma.
My great grands when we are up, want to go and enjoy. If a 10 year old request a certain restaurant, you know it's good. So enjoy!
My great grands when we are up, want to go and enjoy. If a 10 year old request a certain restaurant, you know it's good. So enjoy!
Abraham N.
Jan 03, 2021
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I love Lucios. Small town atmosphere...big city taste. Our waiter was super attentive and friendly. I had prime rib with fettuccine, wife had chicken Alfredo, daughter had chicken parm, and son had spaghetti with two huge meatballs. The fried mozzarella was awesome as an appetizer along with the killer rolls. The house salad is pretty basic but the desserts were amazing. They bring you out a little tray with a live sampling of every dessert on the menu. I love that place. They also have really good veal.
Greg Gipson
Oct 01, 2019
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Winn E.
Aug 04, 2019
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My wife and I had dinner there last night . My wife had an average linguine and clams. I had veal marsala . It was terrible sauce . They had to take it back and give me a second try . That failed also. They then brought me out a chicken Parmesan which was average to say the least . Didn't offer anything of a discount or even a drink . I'd say stay away and keep your money they're overpriced for what you get . The owner was very arrogant saying she had 35 years in this business and knew what she was doing . I believe they didn't have any more Marsala wine
in the back and substituted
in the back and substituted
Olivera P.
Apr 07, 2019
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Joan S.
Jan 11, 2019
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Visited with foodie family in Franklin, who brought us here. Food was fabulous, wait staff friendly, and pricing, especially with the 2-for-one-price special, was very affordable. Specials came with unlimited salad and the fantastic garlic rolls. We had a variety of dishes and everyone was happy with clean plates. We didn't save room for dessert.
Sue S.
Sep 21, 2018
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We just moved to Franklin, and heard wonderful things about Lucios' We were NOT disappointed! Small restaurant (especially moving from Chicago!) - but oh my! Everything is home made, and it tastes it. The stuffed shells were beyond any Italian restaurant I ever had in Chicago. Paul our waiter was great. Very attentive, and quick. Only reason it's not 5 star, is the buns were a little hard & cold. If they were warm - nothing, and I mean even my Sicilians' Grandma's cooking could stand up to this place.
John L.
Sep 21, 2018
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Gary W.
Sep 14, 2018
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This is the worst place in the world,
We had a one hour wait outside--they said half hour
Got in and had forty five minute wait for glass wine and water, another 15 minutes foe salad that comes with all meals.
Then another half hour for spaghetti dinner---very mediocre
Then we asked for one additional wine for the 2 hour wait and the owner, name of Tanya came out screaming at top of voice and told us to get out--most horrible experience ever had at a restaurant. Definitely won,t go back
Service poor, food medicore
We had a one hour wait outside--they said half hour
Got in and had forty five minute wait for glass wine and water, another 15 minutes foe salad that comes with all meals.
Then another half hour for spaghetti dinner---very mediocre
Then we asked for one additional wine for the 2 hour wait and the owner, name of Tanya came out screaming at top of voice and told us to get out--most horrible experience ever had at a restaurant. Definitely won,t go back
Service poor, food medicore
Brian S.
Mar 22, 2018
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Wife and I have eaten here a handful of times. The food is usually very good. Service is average. Salad served before the main dish. The dressings are very good. We love the blue cheese dressing. It's unusually tasty without being overbearing. Last meal, I had the Manicotti and my wife had the spaghetti with sausage and peppers. Both meals were excellent. Of note, the spaghetti meals are tremendous. If you're really hungry, that's your ticket! The manicotti was portioned well and the ricotta was fantastically smooth and creamy.
The single biggest issue I have with the
The single biggest issue I have with the
Ashley G.
Dec 30, 2017
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I've been coming here with my parents for years. The staff is always very friendly and the restaurant is very clean. We love their salad and the homemade dressings that come with it. Their garlic rolls are really tasty and pair well with their dishes. I love their pizzaiola sauce and I most recently got in over veal. The have a nice deal for weeknights where you can get two dishes for $23.50- which makes the restaurant more affordable for those wishing to be more frugal. I suggest coming early because it does get pretty busy around 5 when they open and they are a smaller restaurant. Overall
Michael N.
May 01, 2017
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Lucio's is definitely a favorite with locals. Before the restaurant opened at 5PM on Thursday, there was a line waiting at the door to get in. Luckily, we were seated as part of the first grouping of eaters. I say luckily, because this place was hopping! Even when we left there was an even longer line waiting to get in.
Part of the draw this particular evening may have been the dinner special they were offering (also offered Wednesday nights) - two people pick two entrees (from a specific list - but had plenty of choices) with unlimited salad and fresh garlic rolls for $24. The garlic rolls
Part of the draw this particular evening may have been the dinner special they were offering (also offered Wednesday nights) - two people pick two entrees (from a specific list - but had plenty of choices) with unlimited salad and fresh garlic rolls for $24. The garlic rolls
J. E. L.
Jan 20, 2017
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It's been about ten years since my last visit, but the overwhelming smell of garlic at door made me want to kick myself.
From the first bite of an appetizer, it's apparent that Lucio's is a living embodiment of long forgotten childhood favorites. Garlic and barely cooked tomato sauces led the way to great flavor.
The current trend with the best restaurants is to make very obscure ingredients sing. Lucio's is a prime example of very familiar items that are so comforting and flavorful, that I would take this over new "cheffy" cuisine any day.
I ate so much of the
From the first bite of an appetizer, it's apparent that Lucio's is a living embodiment of long forgotten childhood favorites. Garlic and barely cooked tomato sauces led the way to great flavor.
The current trend with the best restaurants is to make very obscure ingredients sing. Lucio's is a prime example of very familiar items that are so comforting and flavorful, that I would take this over new "cheffy" cuisine any day.
I ate so much of the
Gail C.
Aug 15, 2016
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This looks like an Italian restaurant, but looks can be deceiving.
We knew this was going to be a rough dining experience when we were given 3 menus for a party of 14. The meals were hit or big time miss. The veal marsala and the veal picatta were both over priced , tough and chewy. My veal parmigiano was wonderful until my husband tasted it and told me I was given chicken not veal. They were out of seafood. The dressing was very salty. Service was blaze and slow.
A few pluses-good salad and garlic rolls. Homemade ravioli and tortellini.
We were given our bill with a 20 percent tip added
We knew this was going to be a rough dining experience when we were given 3 menus for a party of 14. The meals were hit or big time miss. The veal marsala and the veal picatta were both over priced , tough and chewy. My veal parmigiano was wonderful until my husband tasted it and told me I was given chicken not veal. They were out of seafood. The dressing was very salty. Service was blaze and slow.
A few pluses-good salad and garlic rolls. Homemade ravioli and tortellini.
We were given our bill with a 20 percent tip added
Robert B.
Jul 11, 2015
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La Vida Yoga & Body W.
May 23, 2015
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I was really excited to find some place to eat in this town. As I walked in, I saw a sign that said to state your business and leave quietly. We should have left then. But there isn't many choices to pick from. The dining area was very nice. The lights were low and several TVs were playing sports. Great! I got into a car race on one of the TVs. Just as number 33 was winning, an old grumpy man stepped out from behind the bar and turned the volume off, then turned on some soft jazz. OK, fine. As I sit and look around, I found a rack card on the table with a note that advised they don
James P.
Jun 28, 2013
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