Passion for Pizza — Restaurant in Greer

We tried Passion for Pizza on Wade Hampton in Taylors, SC.

It's a stone's throw from Target. Years ago, it was a Wedgy's Pizza when Target was still a wooded hillside.

But, you would never know that tiny counter, small benched waiting area, pizza-to-go joint could have or would have been totally transformed into a family style Italian restaurant.

The inside is well-designed and decorated, a nice friendly homey feel, with comfortably sized tables all spaced out well.

We came by right at 11 am on a Saturday, so I believe we were the first customers. We were immediately welcomed by Amanda who invited us to pick any table we wanted.

She had our drink orders and menus in a heartbeat.

We ordered off the lunch menu.

First up: big mozzarella sticks. Hot, crispy, good pull. Served with a warm marinara sauce. The sauce was a little chunky, zesty, and a fine pairing with appetizer. Next time, I want to try the garlic knots.

My wife ordered the lunch-sized spaghetti with meat sauce. I got the two slices of pepperoni pizza and drink combo. It was a tough choice since there was also a Philly cheese steak hoagie. But I thought I'd better try pizza at a place called Passion for Pizza.

The spaghetti was served with a salad first. Lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and cheese with a sweet and tangy balsamic dressing on the side.

When the spaghetti came out with the pizza, there was a side of Italian bread and butter.

My wife thought the spaghetti serving size was perfect, a simple little bowl. The sauce had a great tang, plenty of meat.

Amanda brought over shakers of garlic powder and oregano to go with the red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese already at each table.

My pizza was brought on a big metal plate. Two big slices of thin crust, cheesy, pizza covered in small pepperoni slices. The thin crust had a fluffy interior, and hard crusty exterior. Floppier than Chicago's thin, crisper than a New York slice. I'd definitely get it again, as the sauce was tangy and substantial.

The pizza didn't need any of the extra shakers--and that a good thing. The pizza is well-made and the recipe perfected.

The menu includes a couple of salads, a range of pizzas, spaghetti, ziti, Stromboli, calzones, and more.

As we were finishing up, even after a couple or refills along the way, Amanda brought over two to-go drinks for the road. We didn't have to ask. It's summer time!!

For dessert we split a creamy, solid cheesecake.

3 Mozzarella sticks and marinara: $10

Lunch special spaghetti with meat sauce, salad and bread: $12

Lunch special pizza slices with Pepsi:...

A journey of a thousand miles ends with …a slice of pizza?

But seriously.

My wife and I took a rambling journey through the upstate today in search of her favorite snack. When she gets the munchies there’s just no substitute for her favorite Cookies n Cream Crunch bar from Atkins Foods . Our 16 year old Shih Tzu , Sasha, loves them as well . Problem is they only sell them at Ingles and Walgreens , and even more problematic is that they were discontinued over a month ago . We live 1/8 of a mile from the SC border of the Georgia shore of Lake Hartwell , and have already picked North Georgia clean . So today we scoured the upstate , and this meandering trail ended in Taylors at Passion for Pizza .

The aroma was enough to inform us that we had made a great choice .

We were greeted warmly by staff and served promptly . We started out with the mozzarella sticks , and they were right up there with top tier performers from our favorite spots .

My wife had the wings , and a Caesar salad . She said that the Caesar was as good as her longtime favorite spot , if not better , and enjoyed the wings , but had to push away from the hot buffalo sauce in favor of the mild .

I ordered the 18 inch pepperoni , don’t judge me , I like leftovers . The crust is proofed , and tangy and perfectly crisp . Bites are rewarded with a snappy crunch . There is no flop . The cup and char pepperoni was tasty , and delightfully browned on the edges . The only thing I might change is to order heavy sauce . Don’t get me wrong… there’s plenty of sauce , the pizza is perfectly in balance , but I like a lot of sauce , especially when the sauce is this incredible .

Interestingly none of the other diners were having pizza . I saw pasta dishes and an awesome looking meatball sandwich .

Yes I was scoping out their plates , but not in a creepy way . Ok , ok … not TOO creepy .

I heard one lady remark that the spaghetti was absolutely delicious.

I am late to the Passion for Pizza party and I know my review is only echoing many voices before mine , but hey , here’s yet another opinion in favor of Passion for Pizza .

If you haven’t been , what are you...

This place is ah-mazing!! The garlic knots are to die for!! They are tender and soft on the inside and crisp but not crunchy on the outside. We each ate 3 of them dunked in that deliciously melty, garlicky fabulousness!! (Not a word but it should be) Next came the French Fries!! Oooffff, how are they THE BEST French fries we've ever had??? This is a pizza joint!! How did they make them so perfectly crispy and pillowy soft AT THE SAME TIME????? We finished those off just in time for the star of the show, THE Protein Pie! Thank GOD we ordered a small!! We inhaled each piece with joy in our hearts!! The meats, the cheese, the sauce, the crust... Perfection on a plate!! Just as we thought we were done, there's Banana Pudding!! Ummmmm, YES PLEASE!! I make a wonderful banana pudding. I may never make it again!! I think I'm out of a job!! That's okay though, it'll give me more time to eat at Passion for Pizza!!

We cannot forget to mention our fantastic server, Amanda!! Y'all, she was the only one there and she juggled every table that was seated, the bar, and the phone like a trapeze artist!! Never did we have a glass empty or a plate uncleared! And she took a moment to make everyone feel welcome! She's a...