CAVA — Restaurant in Brookside

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 If I could give more stars, I would!

I’ve been to plenty of CAVA locations, but the experience at the Christiana Fashion Center in Newark, DE is on a whole different level—and it’s all thanks to the incredible team. Today I had the pleasure of crossing paths with Erin, Will, Efrain, and Iyanna.

From the moment I walked in, I felt like more than just a customer—I felt welcomed, very welcomed. Erin brings this energy that sets the tone for the whole space—professional, upbeat, and genuinely kind. She remembers me from my past visits and on the account of how many people frequently come and go at this location that really made my day. She made sure my order was perfect and checked on me during my lunch. My experience here today was quite memorable and I felt this team needed some serious recognition. You don’t come across this a lot now a day. After a long day at the construction site I felt my lunch was terrific and not just because I had an appetite. Cava employees served kind and professional afternoon for me.. such care it felt like I was being hosted in someone’s home, not just a fast-casual restaurant.

Big shout outs!!!!!

Will- is the type of team member every establishment dreams of having. He moved with efficiency and ease while still managing to throw in a few kind words and a smile. You can tell he takes pride in his work, and it shows.

Efrain- A rockstar behind the line. His attention to detail, speed, and precision didn’t go unnoticed—everything was fresh, beautifully arranged, and seasoned like a dream. He made my bowl look like a work of art.

And shoutout to Iyanna, who was a total ray of sunshine. She brought so much warmth and patience to the experience, offering suggestions and making me feel like my meal was being made with heart.

This team works like a well-oiled machine but with real soul. Their chemistry, hustle, and customer service are unmatched—and trust me, I’m picky when it comes to hospitality. If you want a delicious, fresh meal served up by some of the kindest and hardest-working folks in the game, run, don’t walk to this CAVA.

Thank you, Erin, Will, Efrain, and Iyanna—you made my day. I’ll absolutely be back (and bringing friends)!

-& don’t exclude the back of the house, between them whipping up some amazing food alchemy, they don’t shy away from a friendly smile to the people who walk in the door.

Thanks Y'all...

Food is great, so, so yummy! I HATE the online ordering. The food is NEVER ready when it says it is, and they don’t use the huge racks for pick up orders so you have to wait to be noticed (which is usually quick) but that person is also working the line, so to go orders are coming out but the person is not watching that because they’re working the line, so they have to ask your name again and again…and again while you’re watching the orders come up behind them and wondering is that one mine? I get that people are probably taking the wrong orders, so they can’t leave the shelves unattended, but they could have a designated person at the shelves, or a designated to go person that is just helping the pickup people. The text when your order is ready does not work at this store, but does work at other locations, so that would be nice, or even a live estimate showing order is being made, order is ready, etc. and if it’s going to take longer, estimate longer. (I have had this happen at another store and they notified me.)I hate coming in a few minutes past the “your order is ready” pickup time and still having to wait an additional 15 min. I could’ve come in and gone through the line twice for the amount of time I waited for an order that was supposed to be ready based on their online system. I have come at different times, days, etc. it’s never ready when it says. Food, 5/5, Staff 5/5, online...

Out of the 9 cava restaurants I've experienced eating at while working throughout the East Coast, the Christiana location is by far my most favorite one to go to. The staff has been super welcoming and always greet me with a very pleasant smile and energetic welcome every time I step foot in the restaurant. The food I love, not only because of the fresh quality and the fact that they'll literally cook the food right in front of you, but the energy I feel after eating the bowl helps me to power through the rest of my day. I'm a huge fan of their pita baked chips, so anytime I come in, I ask for a fresh batch and many staff members literally go out of their way to make sure l have them fresh out of the oven, and I never mind waiting for them if need be because in the mist of waiting, I get to watch the smiles, they put on their other customers faces as they deliver top-notch quality service to them as well. The icing on the cake for me is the fact that their restaurant, inside and outside seating, and even the bathrooms are always super clean and well managed. I could literally sit there for hours and take care of logistics for my business while enjoying a meal and they're clean restaurant without feeling like I'll be bombarded or distracted by trash or bugs, or like I am a burden to the ambience as I'm clicking away on...