CAVA — Restaurant in Kyle

Overall, an ok experience. I'd say this place is like a 'mediterranean' chipotle or freebirds. Not as many choices and they are not as 'giving' with the portions as most other places (for the prices). Took my mother-in-law there for her birthday dinner (her choice). The young lady that took our order was very patient until she got to me (there were 6 ppl in our party). The store got crowded right after we walked in and they were now on a 'wait'. I wanted a bowl with the rice on the bottom, she couldn't handle that. It was out of protocol for how they make their bowls and it threw her off. All I wanted was the rice on the bottom of the bowl. She was adamant that I have my greens on the bottom and the rice on top of my greens. So, I did. No big deal, just thought it was odd. That being said, my wife ordered one lamb meatball to try. It took 10 minutes to get one off the line because the 'manager' was cooking them on the back grill and kept saying they'll be done in a minute. When I finally walked over to see what the hold up was, she walked right over to the line and got one off the line. Why couldn't you have done that 10 minutes ago and we could have all eaten together instead of my wife and I eating behind everyone over something pretty silly if you ask me. Also, her salad (greek) was drowning in dressing. Put it on the side or at least ask. My last complaint is the portions. If you are going to charge what you do for double protein, give double protein. Not one and a half, double. And 4 falafel is not a portion. For the money we paid, I was disappointed. There were a few bones in the chicken, but hey, it's chicken. Just have to be aware. Lastly, the trash area was pretty unsightly. And when the young man came to clean it up, the bag broke and trash was all over the floor on that side of the dining room. Took way too long for someone to recognize and come help the young man, but eventually 2 others did. All in all, the food was pretty good in flavor, lacked in portion. The pitas were great, too. We'll go back, because that's what we do. Give second chances when the food has potential. If warranted after the second try, I'll gladly amend...

A GASTRONOMIC APOCALYPSE*

--When Dreams Turn to Nightmares--

The food quality of this establishment didn't just go downhill—it plummeted off a cliff, burst into flames, and crashed into the abyss of culinary despair.

The chicken? Chef's kiss Absolute perfection, a golden beacon of hope in an otherwise tragic tale. The lettuce practically sparkled with dewdrops of freshness, crisp as autumn air and bursting with life.

But then... THE RICE.

Sweet merciful heavens, what unholy ritual did they perform on those innocent grains? This wasn't rice—this was a war crime against my molars! Each kernel had been transformed into miniature meteorites, harder than diamonds and twice as merciless. I'm convinced they must have borrowed concrete from a construction site and seasoned it with pure suffering.

Every single bite felt like chewing on gravel from Satan's driveway. My teeth wept. My jaw filed a formal complaint. I'm pretty sure I heard my dental work crying out for mercy. The meal went from "dinner" to "medieval torture device" faster than you can say "al dente."

If the construction crews outside my house weren't operating what sounded like the percussion section of hell's own orchestra, I would have LAUNCHED myself back to this establishment with the fury of a thousand disappointed food critics to demand justice for this culinary atrocity.

URGENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SURVIVAL: For the love of all that is holy, LEARN TO COOK RICE. It should be fluffy clouds of carbohydrate heaven, not weapons-grade pellets! QUALITY CONTROL, people! Fish out those volcanic rock chunks before they destroy another innocent soul's dental work!

The audacity. The sheer,...

Horrible service and mediocre food...don't waste your money.

I visited CAVA for the first time today, and I will not be back. I went in around 3 PM. It was nearly empty. There was one person in line ahead of me. This is important, because some of rudeness I experienced might have made sense had there been a long line, but there was literally no one behind me.

I decided on a build your own bowl, ordered rice and greens, and then asked the employee serving about the options for toppings. As she was kindly explaining the options to me, the man in the photo came around behind the counter and harshly told her to tell me to look at the menu. She and I both looked at each, shocked by his rudeness. He then pointed out to me that the options were printed on a little sticker on the glass. I am not illiterate. If I wanted to read through the options, I would have. Instead, I was asking the employee her opinion on the different options. After this man's rude behavior, I should have just left, but I proceeded with my order. When I was further down the counter, I apparently touched the glass as I was trying to show the employee the topping I was describing, as I did not know what it was. Again, the man pictured appeared out of nowhere, telling me in a very annoyed tone, "You cannot touch the glass!" I should have confronted him on his rudeness right then and there, but I was too shocked to respond in the moment.

I paid for my food and left. The food was "meh" at best. The rice looked dried out, like it had been sitting out since opening. The lettuce was wilted. The olives were squishy. Overall, just gross. The price for that gross bowl of food was $12. That was with...