From sipping Shirley Temples as a kid to running one of New Jersey’s top Italian restaurants, Jon Jorge’s journey is a recipe for passion, persistence, and pasta.
In this episode of I Hope This Helps, we sit down with Jon Jorge, owner of Lucco Cucina & Bar in Florham Park, NJ, to uncover the real story behind the restaurant business. Jon shares how he fell in love with hospitality while working at his uncle’s restaurant, left to gain new experience, and worked his way up from dishwasher to bartender to owner.
We talk about how he built Lucco from the ground up—learning systems, managing suppliers, and adjusting when key staff left. Jon also gives a behind-the-scenes look at Lucco’s famous meatballs, the importance of customer satisfaction, and how he uses social media and a $10,000 holiday marketing plan to give back to loyal guests.
Whether you’re a foodie, a restaurant owner, or dreaming of opening your own spot one day, this episode serves up insights, inspiration, and a side of Jersey pride.
For more information about Lucco and Jon you can visit
https://www.luccobar.com
🎧 Now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.And if nothing else… I Hope This Helps.
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