Kouzina
My wife and…read moreI have visited Kouzina on two consecutive Saturdays for lunch, and both trips left us looking forward to the next one. Located at 1325 Miller Road in Greenville (across from Frankie's Fun Park), getting there means braving Woodruff Road if you don't know the back way behind Mauldin High School.
The restaurant has a warm, rustic feel with rough-sawn wood walls, dark concrete floors, oversized barrels, plenty of TVs tuned to sports, and a few Greek touches throughout. My guess is the space was once a bar or wine-tasting venue before becoming Kouzina. Today, though, it is very much a family restaurant. Large dark-wood tables and high-tops make it easy to accommodate groups, and there's a covered patio with plenty of fans to keep the air moving.
The staff impressed us on both visits. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and quick to answer questions. During one visit, I was standing beneath the menu monitors studying the daily specials--and their very tempting photos--when our server hurried over to make sure I wasn't waiting for assistance.
According to the restaurant's story, Dad Sofokli, Mom Georgia, and brothers Nektari, Vasili, and Nas came to America in 2001 to open a pizza restaurant in New Hampshire. After a few hard winters, they relocated to South Carolina, bringing their authentic family recipes with them. Seeing teenagers clearing tables while younger kids linger nearby gives the whole place a "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" vibe. It feels like a true multi-generational family business.
Pizza may be the star at Kouzina, but the menu is loaded with tempting gyros, pastas, sandwiches, and desserts.
On our first visit, we split a large Kouzina Special Pizza ($28). The crust is thick yet airy, providing a sturdy base without feeling heavy. The tomato sauce has a pleasant tang and enough body to stand up to the generous toppings: pepperoni, sausage, hamburger, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, and plenty of cheese. It was a very good pizza and large enough that we boxed up nearly half of it to take home.
On our second trip, my wife ordered the Authentic Greek Gyro ($15). This monster-sized pita comes stuffed with rotisserie pork, homemade tzatziki, onions, and tomatoes, then topped with Greek-seasoned fries. The pork was easily among the best gyro meat I've ever had--thick, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. This is an authentic "YEE-roh," not a pre-packaged, dumbed-down "gie-ROW."
I chose the Tuna Salad Roll-Up ($12), a fresh wrap filled with house-made tuna salad, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. The tuna salad was remarkably fresh and not overly mayonnaise-heavy. In fact, I should have asked whether Greek yogurt played a role because it was that good. Served cold, it made for an ideal South Carolina summer lunch.
This time we indulged with dessert. We shared a slice of Strawberry Cheesecake, and it was an excellent decision ($7). The slice was tall and creamy with a graham cracker crust that may have included a hint of cinnamon. It was topped with strawberries--plural, not decorative singular--and finished with two generous swirls of whipped cream. It's the sharing of a single piece that will test your relationship. Near the end, you find yourself hoping your spouse's phone buzzes long enough for you to sneak the last couple of bites.
As for our next visit, the decisions won't be easy. The Greek Pizza, Spanakopita, Meat Lasagna, Chicken Gyro, Veggie Caprese, Hulk Smash Burger, and something called Chocolate Lovin' Spoon Cake are all competing for our attention.
Kouzina combines generous portions, authentic Greek flavors, excellent service, and a welcoming family atmosphere. We've already been back once, and we're looking forward to trip number three.
