From dishes to dreams: Local restaurateur Luis Pedraza’s inspiring journey to success
PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Walking into Luca Italian Restaurant, diners are greeted by vibrant décor, lively music and the irresistible aroma of home-cooked meals. For Luis Pedraza, Luca is not just a restaurant; it's a testament to his hard work and resilience. "I want to show people that anyone can do it," Pedraza said. "It’s all about you, whether you have money or you don’t." Having immigrated from Mexico at the age of 13, Pedraza faced significant challenges. Without a green card, he was unable to attend school, so he began washing dishes every day at Giuseppe's Pizza until he could afford to purchase Luca from a friend 14 years ago. Since then, he has opened seven more restaurants, each offering a blend of Mexican and Italian cuisine that reflects his heritage and the food he grew up making. Pedraza when he starting working at Giuseppe's Pizza at age 13 after moving to the States.10 years ago when Pedraza got his green card and visited his grandparents in Mexico.Pedraza and his family after Luca Italian Restaurant was bought.Pedraza and his son, Luis Jonathan Pedraza, when they started working together in the kitchen.Pedraza in Prince George two years after moving to the U.S. The following are restaurants that Pedraza has opened: Luca Italian Restaurant in Prince George County Luca's Italian Restaurant in South Hill Three Guys in Franklin Morelia Mexican Restaurant in Prince George County Romas Italian Restaurant in Richmond Cesare's Ristorante & Pizza in Chester Pino's Pizza in Bowling Green Morelia Mexican Restaurant in Surry County Pedraza's success has inspired him to give back to the community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated over 1,000 free meals to those in need and continues to support local churches by providing weekly meals for the homeless. Both Pedraza and his brother Miguel never imagined getting their green cards or reaching this level of success. Their early experiences in the kitchen ignited a passion for creating a lasting impact through food. Pedraza credits his success to his faith in God, which he says allowed him and his family to achieve their version of the American dream. "I want to be an example for everyone so they can be as successful, or even better than me," he said, sharing his hopes for future generations. His nephew, who manages one of Pedraza’s other restaurants, embodies this aspiration. "I tell him, 'You’re going to be better than me,'" Pedraza said. Most of his employees in all eight restaurants are family or have known the Pedraza family for years, and some of them worked with Luis before he opened his first restaurant. Pedraza said he's just glad to have the ability to help his family and friends achieve the goals they want. He emphasized how important it is to him to give back to the community that gave so much to him when he came to the U.S. with nothing. “When we moved here, we had to sleep on the floor of our mobile home. Now, we own so much stuff, we own more than one house," Pedraza said. "God gave this to me, so why shouldn’t I give back to the community?" As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Pedraza’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the possibilities that come with hard work, determination and a desire to uplift others.
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PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Walking into Luca Italian Restaurant, diners are greeted by vibrant décor, lively music and the irresistible aroma of home-cooked meals. For Luis Pedraza, Luca is not just a restaurant; it's a testament to his hard work and resilience.
"I want to show people that anyone can do it," Pedraza said. "It’s all about you, whether you have money or you don’t."
Having immigrated from Mexico at the age of 13, Pedraza faced significant challenges. Without a green card, he was unable to attend school, so he began washing dishes every day at Giuseppe's Pizza until he could afford to purchase Luca from a friend 14 years ago.
Since then, he has opened seven more restaurants, each offering a blend of Mexican and Italian cuisine that reflects his heritage and the food he grew up making.
Pedraza when he starting working at Giuseppe's Pizza at age 13 after moving to the States.
10 years ago when Pedraza got his green card and visited his grandparents in Mexico.
Pedraza and his family after Luca Italian Restaurant was bought.
Pedraza and his son, Luis Jonathan Pedraza, when they started working together in the kitchen.
Pedraza in Prince George two years after moving to the U.S.
The following are restaurants that Pedraza has opened:
- Luca Italian Restaurant in Prince George County
- Luca's Italian Restaurant in South Hill
- Three Guys in Franklin
- Morelia Mexican Restaurant in Prince George County
- Romas Italian Restaurant in Richmond
- Cesare's Ristorante & Pizza in Chester
- Pino's Pizza in Bowling Green
- Morelia Mexican Restaurant in Surry County
Pedraza's success has inspired him to give back to the community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated over 1,000 free meals to those in need and continues to support local churches by providing weekly meals for the homeless.
Both Pedraza and his brother Miguel never imagined getting their green cards or reaching this level of success. Their early experiences in the kitchen ignited a passion for creating a lasting impact through food.
Pedraza credits his success to his faith in God, which he says allowed him and his family to achieve their version of the American dream.
"I want to be an example for everyone so they can be as successful, or even better than me," he said, sharing his hopes for future generations.
His nephew, who manages one of Pedraza’s other restaurants, embodies this aspiration.
"I tell him, 'You’re going to be better than me,'" Pedraza said.
Most of his employees in all eight restaurants are family or have known the Pedraza family for years, and some of them worked with Luis before he opened his first restaurant.
Pedraza said he's just glad to have the ability to help his family and friends achieve the goals they want. He emphasized how important it is to him to give back to the community that gave so much to him when he came to the U.S. with nothing.
“When we moved here, we had to sleep on the floor of our mobile home. Now, we own so much stuff, we own more than one house," Pedraza said. "God gave this to me, so why shouldn’t I give back to the community?"
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Pedraza’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the possibilities that come with hard work, determination and a desire to uplift others.
