CAVA — Restaurant in Chattanooga

I recently had a very disappointing experience at Cava that raised serious concerns about their food safety practices. While I’ve enjoyed their food in the past, what I witnessed on my last visit was unacceptable and makes me think twice about returning.

As I waited in line, I saw an employee dump a container of lettuce directly into the serving area without washing it or even checking its condition. That’s a basic step in food safety, and skipping it is not only careless but also potentially dangerous.

Even more disturbing was watching the same employee use a rag—clearly meant for wiping down the counter tops—to wipe the inside of the bowls that were about to be handed to customers. Using the same cloth for cleaning surfaces and touching food containers is a major health code violation and shows a lack of proper food handling training.

Food safety should be a top priority in any restaurant, especially one that serves fresh ingredients. Based on what I saw, it’s clear there is a serious lack of training and oversight at this location. I hope Cava takes these issues seriously and implements better hygiene standards before someone gets sick.

Edit they seem to be review bombing themselves "9 5 star reviews on the same day" to bury this review. Proceed with...

Update #2: Decided to give it another go. Placed the order on the app. Pickup time was set for 6:45, waited inside until 7:10 before my order was ready. No one said a word to me while I waited. Just super content with me waiting around. To-Go is just not a priority for them at all. Could have gone through the line in person 4 times.

Update: The order pickup experience continues to be terrible. The app gives you a time and they just have no respect for it. They have no problem making you wait for 15-20 minutes past the pickup time — The ONLY thing keeping this from being a 1 star review is the great opening day experience we had, but today I placed an order for drive thru pick up, and it was terrible.

Order was slated for a 1pm pickup time. Got in line and waited 30 minutes to move forward 3 car lengths, with 10 cars ahead of me.

Went in to get a refund and was told the store couldn’t do it and that we had to go through the app. I told the manager she should go out and let the drive thru cars know how much longer the wait might be and she told me she didn’t have time, so we ended up leaving

It’s clear to me that the manager on duty wasn’t looking to solve problems for customers. She was just trying to get customers not dining...

My impression right now is a meal for the garbage can!!

(Oh my! This place is sooo good. Everyone says it’s good, but don’t underestimate it, it really was so amazing! Everything was so fresh and tasted like it was straight from your mom’s garden. In love with it. Would definitely recommend again & again. The fact it is right by 4 gyms and would be a great healthy option afterwards rocks my sox! I got the pineapple/mint/apple juice which I’m stoked they have natural options for drinks cause you could taste the slight fruit pulp in it. The bowl I got was amazing called the steak harissa with falafel and extra sauce. 🙂🙏💚)

Update: make sure to order your sauce on the side or you will literally receive a bowl with sauce poured all over the top!

Update on June 8, 2025 - First time they have ever messed up my order tonight. Wasn’t worth getting! Left off the avocado and sauces and gave me hummus instead of crazy feta. Disgusting!! Got some rice with no sauce and falafel balls with lettuce and nothing to dip it in. What a way to use my points. Whoever made this order doesn’t deserve...