CAVA — Restaurant in Dallas

I was so excited to try CAVA for the first time today after hearing amazing recommendations, but my experience at this location left me extremely disappointed.

I came in to build my own bowl and was the only customer in line. The employee assisting me - a slender, older white woman - seemed visibly annoyed from the start because I didn’t know the menu by heart. I explained it was my first visit and even offered to show her the notes I had from recommendations with details of what to order, but she quickly waved my phone away, saying she couldn’t read that. That in itself would have been fine, but her overall demeanor was so rushed, short, and unwelcoming.

As I read down the list of what I wanted while she moved through the line, she seemed rushed and visibly annoyed, making short, clipped comments like, “We’re out of that,” without offering any suggestions for alternatives, or saying, “That’s back there and will be extra,” in a tone that made it clear she was irritated about having to walk back a few steps. Keep in mind, I was still the only customer ordering - there was no line and no reason for such impatience.

At the register, when relaying my order to a colleague who seemed briefly confused by the order details, she was equally curt with her - cutting her off, saying “I got it,” and signaling for her to move aside so she could enter the order herself. She then rushed off to check on pickup orders without so much as a polite goodbye or any other comment for her colleague.

There was no line, no rush, and no clear reason for this kind of impatience and attitude. My initial excitement was completely deflated, and I even considered walking out mid-order.

The food is great indeed, but I won’t be back at this location. I’m not someone who is easily turned off, but she was just so extremely unpleasant - not only toward me, but also toward her coworker - that I have no desire to repeat...

EDIT: So, I went there on a weekend. I definitely liked it. Tried the greek salad and it’s really good. I’m changing my rating to 5 stars. I downloaded the app and saw that you are able to remove ingredients through there; this was my main complaint and it’s solved! Will definitely order again.

I live about 4 blocks away from this location. It used to be a Zoes Kitchen which I loved and ordered from all the time for lunch as I work from home and there aren’t lots of healthy options around when you aren’t in the mood for cooking. I was sad it closed but CAVA opened instead. Wanted to give it a try as the food seems like a good healthy option as well. Tried ordering online for pickup but there is no option to remove items online (I dislike very few food items but unfortunately one of those is olives). I called and I was told I can’t place a pick up order over the phone only in person or online. The food doesn’t look bad but having to go order in person and wait for my order during my workday when I live so close for a quick pickup is a big inconvenience. It’s highly unlikely I’ll become a regular or even order due to that which is a shame cause I really wanted to to like it after my beloved Zoes was...

They don’t put orders out on the shelf to pick them up. You have to walk up to the counter and basically cut in line and interject to get attention of an employee to obtain your order if it’s busy. I went in today expecting my order to be placed on the shelf and, after waiting 20 minutes with maybe 3 customers and 5+ employees working, I went to the counter to ask for my order. I was told she hadn’t had time to put it in a bag — but it was sitting on the counter behind her ready. If you aren’t going to put orders on the shelf, please put a sign so customers don’t sit there waiting. We order ahead on the app for a reason.

Update: I dared to order again today and they left off my order of pita. I wasn’t intending to eat until much later so by the time I saw the missing item, it was too late. This location SERIOUSLY sucks. I don’t even want my order without it. I am ordering different food on UberEats and taking my food back tomorrow for a refund. Incompetency is absolutely not it for me. I’ve worked in food service most of my life. Getting my order wrong this many times isn’t just an accident, I haven’t gotten a single correct order...