CAVA — Restaurant in Asheville

This review is going to be broken up into 2 parts.

Part 1: The food is outstanding. It really is. It's fresh, fast, and incredibly flavorful. The bowls themselves are overflowing and I always leave with a meal sized portion for the next day.

As far as I'm concerned...this food is really the best lunch in Asheville because it never makes me feel too full and is PACKED with nutrient dense flavor.

okay for...

Part 2: I had a very wierd interaction today with an employee named Tyler. I could tell from far away that he was not in the mood to be talking to anyone.

The place was packed so I assumed he was just slammed. I used to work in the restaurant industry and I was aiming to tell everyone on the line that they were BOSSING it, because that feels good when you're in the weeds.

The first woman on the line helped me navigate my very picky sons order. When I had said I'd order one thing, she suggested I do it another way to save money and pack a punch. Clearly she is a mom.

When I got to Tyler, he not only handed me sass straight out the gate, but made sure to let me know that I couldn't have it the way I was told I could. I told him that I was happy to have it upcharged and to just put it in the bowl...that the other person said I could. He went on to let me know that she was wrong and "he was the manager" in a tone that was innappropriate for lunch.

The truth is, the information that he shared was fine.

But it was the way he said it to me. LIke how dare I be a person with preferences, and how dare I suggest that I want it the way the woman said I could have it.

I then told him that it didn't have to be that confusing, that I'd be happy to pay the money and that I wanted the steak anyway, and his response was "I never said you couldn't have the steak."

Okay.

At this point, I actually wasn't sure anymore what was happening, other than that this man really didn't want to be dealing with me or anything at all for that matter.

I then dug deep, and complimented him the way I had intended. He said thank you through gritted teeth and then continued to plate my food in anger, squeezing on the sauces with what seemed like 'malice'?

Your cashier was delightful. She kind of smoothed everything over with a genuine smile and made sure that I went to my table feeling like I mattered.

However my son and I spent the entirety of our meal talking about how uncomfortable we felt and what could possibly have driven this man to talk to us that way.

The reason I'm sharing this is because no. I spent $30 in a place I love to eat at, and felt unwelcome from the moment I encountered this person.

Should I go back to get delicious food and be treated like crap? I'm...

Mixed feelings. If you see a long line expect to wait a while because most everyone will be doing the "build your own" menu item which takes a while .. There was a long line and we decided to stick it out but you can tell the staff was getting stressed from the line. I noticed there was a separate staff in the back making and filling online orders which seems a bit unfair to have those orders skip the people standing in line ..seems like there should be a better system that gives physical patrons a priority. It would also be nice to have water cups at the water fountain for people who are waiting a while. Anyways, I ordered the chicken pita off the menu and the girl must've been new because she got overwhelmed and asked someone for help .. who then said they were not available and then she looked as if she was going to cry. She then moved on to my husband's order who asked for the greek chik salad and they were out of romaine so she was gone for a long time trying to restock the lettuce. Seems like they are training new staff which is fine but I still couldn't help but notice people working peacefully in the back while the front of the house was noticeably chaotic and stressed .. seems like some issues need to be addressed. I will return because the portion was nice and Asheville is severely lacking in mediterranean options but be weary of the line and everyone slowly ordering...

If you're looking for a delicious and healthy meal in Asheville, Cava is the place to go! From the moment you step inside, you'll be greeted by friendly staff who are more than happy to help you choose the perfect meal.

One of the things I love most about Cava is the fresh and flavorful ingredients they use. From the juicy tomatoes to the crispy cucumbers, everything tastes like it was just picked from the garden. And the sauces? Don't even get me started. They're the perfect complement to the veggies and proteins.

But what really sets Cava apart is their commitment to customization. Whether you're vegan, gluten-free, or just picky about your toppings, they'll make sure your meal is tailored to your preferences. Plus, with so many options to choose from, you can come back again and again and never get bored.

The atmosphere at Cava is also great. It's bright, clean, and modern, with plenty of seating for individuals or groups. And if you're in a hurry, you can always grab your meal to go and enjoy it in one of Asheville's beautiful parks or green spaces.

Overall, I highly recommend Cava to anyone looking for a healthy and delicious meal in Asheville. From the fresh ingredients to the customizable options, it's clear that they care about making every customer happy. Don't miss out...