Piccola Italia in Mauldin — Restaurant in Mauldin

Based on the many glowing reviews of this restaurant, and specifically the owner, we were very excited to finally place an order. I will say the meatballs tasted very fresh and were delicious. The price, however, not as great @ $7.00 for 4 meatballs. The cheese garlic bread would've been much better had there been consistency of cheese across all pieces. There was too much cheese in the middle and close to none on the 4 pieces on either end. The eggplant parmesan wasn't bad; although the flavor would've been greatly elevated had the eggplant not been sliced so thin. I couldn't tell when I was getting a bite of the eggplant or just more of the cheese, which I felt overpowered the dish. As for the salad, I was very happy with how fresh the ingredients were and the Greek dressing was an excellent choice. It would've been nice had there been a piece of bread or at least a cracker included w/it. But, inflation. I get it. I suppose I was spoiled growing up in Erie, PA where bread is included with every Italian entree (and crackers come with every salad). My husband had the chicken Parmesan. He said it was good but tasted a bit salty. This, being said by the guy that typically adds salt to every meal, was admittedly a bit surprising for me to hear. I didn't get a chance to try the chicken before it was gone, so I think it's safe to say he still enjoyed it. My final comment about things that surprised me was the reception I received when I walked in to pick up my order. I did not get the welcome so many others have reported. Based on so many reviews, I arrived with the anticipation of getting to see the owner that everyone says is such a joy to meet. There were 2 women at the counter, neither of whom even bothered to say hello or share a smile as I walked through the door. Rather, the greeting I received was more of a rather awkwardly placed smirk once I introduced myself. This was followed by their only comment, which was to say that they had been wondering when I was coming (as I would soon find out my food had been sitting there for awhile). Hmm. Perhaps they need to check their online ordering system's timing estimator before making their next smirk to another customer? Their system gave me an estimated pickup time of 6:00-6:05pm. I did think needing that much time seemed a bit excessive, but it was the dinner hour and it is homemade food so I didn't think twice about it. Until, the text msg that hits my phone moments later telling me that my order was already waiting for me. My food had likely been sitting on the counter for 20 minutes by the time I was able to get there. Not on a warming shelf to keep it warm, just a counter. They handed me my box, and off I went, somewhat in shock as they didn't say another word. There was no thanks for coming in, there was no we hope you enjoy your meal, there was no come back and see us again soon. There was just nothing. They had me in/out so fast that I barely made eye contact. In fact, I couldn't even tell you what they looked like. This was not even close to the reception I had so long-anticipated to receive. I really did enjoy the meatballs, but the way I was treated has me wondering if I'll ever consider going back to try anything else. I hear the owner is very nice and passionate about his food, but we work too hard to be treated like our business doesn't matter. If you've read this far and plan to place an online order, you might want to call the restaurant directly to get a more accurate estimation on when your order will be ready. Our entrees were no longer hot by the time I...

The moment I walked into Piccola Italia, I felt as if I had been warmly invited into someone’s Italian home for Sunday dinner—yes, it’s that authentic. Don’t let the name fool you: this charming spot is a true “Piccola Italia in Mauldin”, bursting with lovingly crafted, handmade Italian dishes that deliver an unforgettable dining experience.

Handmade & Homemade Quality What truly sets this place apart is their unwavering commitment to scratch-made everything. From the dough to the sauces, every element is handled with care and pride, reflecting a deep-rooted love for genuine Italian flavors. You can taste the difference in the very first bite; there’s a freshness and richness here that’s simply impossible to replicate with store-bought shortcuts.

Lasagna Their lasagna is a dream—layer upon layer of velvety homemade pasta sheets, savory ground beef, creamy ricotta, and a slow-simmered tomato sauce that’s bursting with perfectly balanced herbs. This hearty dish delivers all the warmth and comfort of a family gathering in the Italian countryside.

Alfredo Pasta The Alfredo pasta is a revelation of indulgent creaminess—the freshly made noodles are blanketed in a luxurious sauce that boasts real butter, garlic, and quality cheese. Opt for grilled chicken and add a succulent twist that elevates the dish to gastronomic perfection.

Calzone Don’t leave without trying the calzone, a golden, hand-tossed creation that arrives stuffed to the brim with gooey cheese, zesty sauce, and the freshest ingredients. The warm, bready exterior gives way to a treasure trove of Italian flavor, and their signature homemade marinara makes the perfect dip.

A True Family Welcome Beyond the mouthwatering dishes, the staff’s hospitality provides an extra layer of authenticity. From the moment you’re greeted at the door, you’ll see how much they cherish each visitor—just like an Italian family, they want to feed you until you’re happily stuffed!

All in all, Mauldin's Piccola Italia is that rare find where authentic, handmade Italian cuisine meets heartfelt service. If you’re seeking the comforting taste of Italy right here in the Upstate, do yourself a favor and indulge in the homemade magic of this hidden gem.

5/5 Stars – A Must-Visit for Anyone Craving Authentic...

I went the first time for Gyros, I mean it’s in the name. While there eating my gyro, which was really good, I realized that the pasta was the best thing to order here. The chef was awesome and came out to greet everyone eating the pasta. They didn’t have a wine available yet on the menu but they brought some out to another table and said it would be available soon over a very long conversation. So I went a second time over a month later to experience the pasta and the wine and the great conversation I observed my first time there. When I sat down I asked if they had wine available now, I was directed to the liquor store next door. I asked for the meatballs appetizer and I could hear the waitress and chef arguing for quite a while over the “spaghetti and meatballs” appetizer. The app was just meatball samples, clearly the waitress didn’t know that. A bottle of limoncello was then then brought to another couple at a table near by……. Didn’t think they had alcohol. The pasta was seriously very good!!!!! The chef briefly said hello, which was nice, but not what I had seen the first time. I witnessed another table give the waitress their credit card to pay their bill. She accepted it, ran it and brought it back to be signed, standard procedure. I asked to pay my bill and offered my card, the waitress walked away. When she returned with the check I offered my card again. She snatched the card while giving me a dirty look and leaving the check behind. I nicely asked if I was supposed to pay at the counter and she rudely said yes, not what the other tables had done. So I followed to the counter, paid and left 20% because that’s what I do. Food: best pasta around. Service: Rude!!!!!!!! Or just hate gays, because everyone else was treated better than my husband and I. Both times now that I...