CAVA — Restaurant in Cary

We've been to this CAVA location multiple times and normally love it, so I hate to leave a bad review, but we had a terrible experience getting takeout from them today. We ordered takeout for our family and every part of the meal had multiple issues. I'm tempted to drive back over there with the food to get a refund or something. I normally only post good reviews and rarely ever complain about food, but this is unacceptable. I ordered an avocado harissa bowl and the rice was hard and undercooked and the entire avocado through the bowl was rock hard (couldn't even cut it with a fork) and as I tried to eat it I found 2 chicken bones... My wife ordered a make your own bowl and her lentils were dry and rock hard (I don't know if they were cooked at all...) and she got a mint/lime/coconut drink that was absolutely horrible. It's like they added half of the normal ingredients they'd use and then diluted the rest with water... very little flavor and just a bitter and sour watery mess... Then my two kids meals didn't have the chips that were included and my daughter's had the lentils that were also the same as my wife (hard and barely cooked).

I understand stuff happens and there are bad days but when you decide to spend the money to get the special "good takeout" and spend $16 for each bowl and there were multiple mistakes with every persons meal I gotta leave a bad review. Hopefully we're back to having a great experience next time because we normally...

I started to not write this review because I wanted to just let this pass but after reading other reviews I could not. Do the folks behind the line hate this place or me (a black woman with 2 small kids). First I was ignored when I entered the building, only after 2 non black customers came in did any one come to the line. Yes they took their order first although I was standing in front of them waiting at the counter where the food is ordered. THEY WERE LITERALLY BEHIND ME, AND SHE WALKED TO THEM FIRST AND SERVED THEM! I kick myself for not walking out, I think I just wanted to see how this would play out. After another wait, someone else put on gloves and asked if they could help. I dont know if she just did not want to help but literally another guy came over to take my oder. I said oh great I am not invisible, he starred at me blankly, like whatever, and we began to make my bowl. Second, no one behind that counter smiled they all seemed miserable. I know we just went through a storm and their roof was leaking everywhere but OK, let's move on. If it were one person, I would let it pass everyone had a bad vibe. I usually go to the one on Daniels St, I think that is the one that works...

I love the food here but their customer service is atrocious. I have consistently waited 15-30 mins past the time my order was supposed to be ready. One time, I was there for a pickup order (already past the pickup time). the person asked my name, found my order that had not yet been made and then proceeded to make bowls for every person in line including those that came in after me before making my bowl. Completely unapologetic. I love the food but will stop eating here since this is a consistent problem.

Another time I ordered curbside carry out, they hadn’t made my bowl when I arrived (even 15 mins after my pickup time). I waited and waiting for at least 15 more minutes. When my food never came I called again and the employee started to argue with me about the spelling and pronunciation of my name. He told me he was too busy to come ask for clarification and that he intended to ignore me until I gave him my “correct name” which was right the whole time but the last few letters had been cut off on the receipt. I couldn’t believe that instead of apologizing for being inundated with orders he chose to tell me that it was my fault for mispronouncing my OWN NAME. My recommendation: go anywhere...