CAVA — Restaurant in Houston

I like the occasional foray into Mediterranean food. There are sit- down, full service restaurants that serve Mediterranean eats, but most of the ones I frequent are quick serve/self- serve, like CAVA Mediterranean Restaurant, on Washington Street in Houston.

This restaurant is quick service and features the build your own concept. You order at the counter, then select toppings for your base meal, which is generally centered on bowls and pitas. With the bowls, you can select from such options as Falafel Crunch, Steak and Harissa, Chicken and Rice, etc and the pitas include such options as Steak and Feta, Garlic Chicken and Veggie, Greek Chicken, and more. The bowls and pitas are basically the same, the exception being that the bowls offer a lower carb option.

With the toppings, it is nice to have so many options, and it helps ensure that your selected menu item is made to your liking. The food is good and fresh and if you select something with meat, you should leave feeling full and satisfied. If you have room for more, there are a few sides and desserts, among them pita chips, dips, brownies, and others.

Another thing to like about CAVA is the beverages. You can select a packaged beverage when you enter, like milk or flavored sparkling water, or request a fountain drink and serve yourself. I recommend selecting a fountain drink because the options are unique and go quite well with the food. Cucumber Mint Lime, Pineapple Apple Mint, Blueberry Lavendar, and other unique options await and if you would rather have a soda, they serve Maine Root Fountain sodas, which is a nice change from the usual beverage choices found at most restaurants.

CAVA Mediterranean doesn’t offer much in terms of atmosphere, but this isn’t the type of place you visit for lovely artwork or scenery. You visit CAVA for a quick- serve, satisfying, Mediterranean inspired meal, which is exactly what you get. It’s a good choice when you want something better than the typical fast-food offerings and have limited...

Cava is undeniably a fantastic spot for fresh, flavorful food. The menu is diverse and customizable, making it easy to find something that fits your taste, whether you’re looking for a hearty bowl or a light, healthy option. The ingredients taste fresh, and the flavor combinations are thoughtfully crafted. Every bite felt like a celebration of Mediterranean cuisine, and it’s clear they take pride in the quality of their food.

However, there’s a noticeable gap when it comes to the customer experience. During my visit, I encountered some younger staff members who didn’t seem particularly happy to be there. When I asked a couple of simple questions about the menu, the responses I got were either dismissive or a careless “I don’t know” attitude. It’s unfortunate because these interactions can really shape the overall dining experience.

I understand it’s a fast-paced environment, but a little more enthusiasm or willingness to assist could go a long way. A friendly demeanor or even an honest effort to find an answer would make the customer feel valued.

Overall, Cava still gets high marks for their incredible food, but the service experience left something to be desired. With a bit more focus on training staff to create a welcoming atmosphere, they’d easily be a five-star spot. For now, I’d recommend the food but suggest managing expectations when it comes to...

Only giving this Cava location 2 stars because all in all, I love Cava's food. However, I will not be going to this location anymore. Every time I come here, the workers have attitudes and are so rude. With the exception of one guy that is always smiling and so sweet, the rest of the workers on the food line are just terrible. They rush you and make you feel like you have to hurry up and pick your food, like you can't order fast enough. Asking for extra anything? Expect them to roll their eyes at you or at like it's a problem. By the way, charge me for anything extra, I don't care but please just let me order what I want. Also, this location has drastically cut down on their portion sizes but prices have increased. The last time I went in, I asked one of the girls working for her name, because she was so rude and I was considering reporting her to corporate, it was so bad. When asking her name she asked why I wanted to know and i said because every time I come here everyone is so rude. She smiled and just said okay, never apologizing. I agree with other reviews that the tables are always a mess, it's hard to find a clean table to sit and eat at. I have had to sit at dirty tables at this location before because not a single one was clean. Needless to say, I won't go back to this location. I will try my luck with the one in the Heights and hope for a...