CAVA — Restaurant in Newington

Atmosphere was nice, was pretty busy. We went on a Saturday around 6pm. The workers had seemed like they all just woke up. Or hungover. No “Hi welcome to Cava what can I get for you?” or whatever they have to say. This was my first time here so I had no idea how the ordering went or what the options were and yes, I know everything’s listed on the glass but it would’ve been nice to have them walk you through it, asking you what else you’d like on your bowl instead of having to figure it out on my own holding up the line. The tall blonde girl had a look on her face that basically told me she hated life. Or working there. Zero emotion and didn’t say a word while scooping ingredients into the bowl like a zombie. Then here comes someone off the grill with a whole sheet pan of chicken and literally over the shoulder of Wednesday Adam’s, slams the pan down into the other pan that’s on the line to get the chicken off lol. I’m SURE there’s a better method of transferring food. Then we get to the cashier. Another blank face. No “is that all?” or “can I get you anything else?” not even a hello. My daughter wanted Cesar dressing on the side and yes we should’ve asked the server but again we felt rushed as we were new to this. So we asked the cashier for a side of the dressing. She looks at me as if I had four heads. Sorry you had to move 18 inches to your left and had to do something that maybe “wasn’t your job”. Lastly, we get home and the lid to her side of dressing apparently wasn’t secured so it spilled all over the inside of the bag. All over everything. That’s when my daughter says, “yeah, did you see the way she put the containers in the bag??” I didn’t notice tbh as I was probably paying at this point but it wouldn’t surprise me if she threw them in the air and tried catching them in the bag. But let’s be honest, that would’ve required effort. Something this crew knows nothing of. Cava, maybe some better training with your staff would help. Then maybe I wouldn’t have to wipe my containers down before placing them on my counter. Thank god the food was decent. Decent and crappy service is enough for me...

As a devoted Cava lover, I eagerly anticipated the opening day. I attended the soft opening on June 27th and left thoroughly impressed. The event featured complimentary food for those who pre-registered, with Cava encouraging donations to a local charity by matching them. Upon arrival, the staff warmly greeted me, showcasing their friendliness and professionalism. Despite the long line, which moved swiftly given the new team, everyone exuded kindness and enthusiasm. My meal surpassed expectations, delivering a truly satisfying experience.

However, my recent visit this past weekend was disappointing. Eager to satisfy my craving for Cava after a long day at work, I arrived just before closing time on Saturday. Unlike my first visit, I didn't receive the same warm welcome upon entering. I noticed several staff members focused on fulfilling online orders, leaving those of us in line feeling neglected. Emily was the exception, offering apologies for the delay and ensuring my order was handled attentively.

Despite these efforts, several items I requested were unavailable, including pita chips. Strangely, when another customer behind me requested chips, they were promptly made. I agreed to wait for them, planning to dine in. After finishing my meal without receiving the chips, I inquired multiple times. Each time, I was assured they were being prepared, only to see others receiving chips who had ordered later.

When I finally received the chips, after persistently asking, they were cold and stale. I questioned why it took multiple reminders for them to be prepared while others were served promptly. The response was met with blank stares and a lack of explanation from Shamare, who eventually handed over the chips that had been sitting on the line. Dishearteningly, I overheard disparaging remarks from Shamare and Brandy about my persistence calling me names.

Overall, while my initial experience during the soft opening was exceptional, my subsequent visit left much to be desired in terms of service and consistency. This past experience has left me with a sour taste and not wanting to return due to...

Edit: I initially gave this CAVA location three stars due to an off-night when the food didn’t quite meet expectations. However, I’m happy to update my review after returning and having an amazing experience! The food was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared—exactly what I’ve come to love about CAVA. It’s clear that that one visit was just a rare miss because this time everything was top-notch. I’ll definitely be coming back regularly!

I usually enjoy dining at this CAVA location and have had great experiences in the past, but tonight was a bit disappointing. The line was long, and only one employee was serving, which slowed everything down considerably. It seemed like she was doing her best, but it was clear that she could’ve used some help, as there should have been more staff available during a busy time.

Additionally, the food quality was noticeably off compared to what I’m used to at CAVA. The falafel tasted as though it was a few days old, being hard and tough to bite. The steak was excessively salty, and the vegetables were cut into large chunks, making them difficult to eat. These issues were surprising because CAVA typically has great food quality. I hope this was just an off night and that future visits will return to the...