Lusco's, A Memoir
The Lusco’s story began around the turn of the 20th century when Charles and Marie Lusco left their homeland and immigrated to the United States. The couple, with their three children Sam, Sara, and Mary, entered the US through New Orleans and settled in Glencoe, Louisiana. While there, the family welcomed their fourth child, Marie. It was also in Louisiana where the Luscos began blending their Italian cuisine with Creole techniques, ingredients, and recipes, which became the distinctive Lusco’s cuisine so many now know and love.
Eventually, Charles brought his family to the Mississippi Delta region where several of his brothers had put down roots. In 1921 Charles and Marie open a grocery store that also offered a small menu of dishes. Located on the corner of Johnson and Main Streets in Greenwood, the three Lusco daughters helped Mama Lusco in the kitchen while Papa Lusco peddled his wares, goods, and food in a horse-drawn “rolling store” to all the nearby plantations.
The original Lusco’s location was destroyed by fire in 1929, and the family business went through a period of limbo. After the tragic deaths of Sara Lusco Gory’s daughter and husband, the fate of Lusco’s was finally decided – Sara and her sisters Marie Correro and Mary Portero would revive the family’s legacy in a new location.
The family purchased the building at 722 Carrollton Avenue in Greenwood. One side of the building was home to a pharmacy, and the other they furnished with a grocery store in the front and private partitioned rooms in the back for dining.
Lusco’s reopened in March of 1933, with food prepared by Sara Gory, her sisters, and Mama Lusco. Amid prohibition, Papa Lusco’s homebrew made Lusco’s a popular local gathering place. The adjoining pharmacy eventually closed and the thriving restaurant took the opportunity to expand, adding additional private dining space. The private booths and extraordinary cuisine made Lusco’s a dining experience that has continued to this day.
Lusco’s remained under the operation of the second generation sisters until October 1976, when it passed to the third generation, Sara Gory Pinkston and fourth generation, Andy Pinkston. Several years later in October 1981, Andy and his wife Karen became the sole owners. Lusco’s tradition of family continued into the fifth generation, with Karen and Andy’s son Drew joining them in 2008 and their daughter Sara in 2011. Karen and Andy’s grandchildren, the sixth generation of the Lusco family, were not far behind.
After many years working alongside his grandparents at Lusco’s, Andy and Karen’s grandson Thomas Long will own and operate Lusco’s together with his father, Rhyine Long, and great uncle, John Ramsey Miller. Thomas is continuing the unique blend of Italian and Creole cuisine that has defined Lusco’s and made it a destination dining tradition.
In 2024 Lusco’s will move to its new home in Taylor, MS. The much loved location at 722 Carrollton Avenue in Greenwood unfortunately required renovations that were prohibitive, and difficult decisions once again had to be made about the continuation of the family’s legacy.
Having the location be one of a very few changes has been a big focus. After their encore opening in Greenwood, Thomas and his father will carefully remove all the interior and exterior elements of the restaurant location in Greenwood. When constructed in Taylor not only will the exterior of the building mirror the one at 722 Carrollton Ave, it will also include the reclaimed elements the have given Lusco’s its unique ambiance. The famous curtained booths will be a feature in the new location, as will the front room store area. The historic exterior signage is being professionally restored before arriving at its new home in Taylor.
The sixth generation of the Lusco’s family is looking forward to welcoming you and sharing not only the extraordinary cuisine, but the Lusco’s experience as well – a focus on enjoying the time spent with good company in a laidback atmosphere.
