CAVA — Restaurant in Pasadena

A few days ago, I tried Cava for the FIRST time. The vibe was pretty cool. It feels like an upgrade of Chipotle (lol) of which I love, so Cava is very good.

What I noted was how attentive the folks taking my order were. Each one gave me such loving attention! I was telling them how it was my first time at Cava. I also noted that I was on a budget , (as I am a teacher), so I was looking forward to checking out their food. The conversation flowed as I ordered what I wanted on my salad as I stepped down the line to the cashier. I let them know my Mom had died. I felt that COMFORTABLE to talk about her, because the employees seemed so kind.

Well, when I went to pay for my food, the cashier said it was taken care of. What?!!! First time - free salad with great fixins. I promise you my transparency of my life story was not for food. I battle depression, generalized anxiety, chronic fatigue replete with ADHD. Yuh - a good mix of brain chemical imbalances compounded by losing my Mom. Grief is real and with my pre conditions; all the realer.

I needed this! Not a free salad - but by their gestures, it CONFIRMED WHAT I ALREADY KNEW - Jesus Christ Is God! He Is REAL. And yes, He works miracles. My faith has been challenged for a few years. God Is ALWAYS FAITHFUL! It was me doubting, because that's what REAL Christians do. We acknowledge our humanity in the midst of serving The Living Christ God Who tells us to operate in faith. That was a second miracle that day.

I say all this to say, "If you have done to the least of My Brethren, you have done unto to Me." (The Words Of Jesus Christ).

Thank you, Cava, for stepping out on faith - hearing my struggles and blessing me. I...

I used to love coming to this place a few times per week. Lately the experience has been far from stellar.

Came here last night 6/29 and every single employee had the worst attitude. It just seemed like they were annoyed by customers coming in, mind you, a full 2 hours before closing time. I heard of few of them mutter to each other ‘why do they keep coming in’ & ‘start telling them we are out of all toppings’. For starters, they always seem to be out of everything, even on days when I have gone in for lunch. Last night this didn’t stop an employee from telling me they were out of certain items and then go in the back and fill their personal bowl with items they were ‘out’ of after I had already sat down a few feet away.

The employees are not only rude to customers, but each other as well, making for an awkward experience for the customer. One employee making mobile order bowls kept reaching in and in between the employee making my bowl, almost as if they were playing some weird game of twister, the person serving my bowl seemed annoyed that not even an ‘excuse me’ was used.

Every employee I encountered seemed miserable and they definitely conveyed that message to the customer.

Honestly, if it weren’t for the food I would...

This place opened up 2 weeks ago, located where Pieology used to be. It's right next door to Corner Bakery. This is one of those build your own bowls, salads, or wrap places, but with Mediterranean inspired meats and flavors. The location is a fairly large open space with plenty of good light. The staff was pretty friendly, and they responded well to the myriad questions that came their way. I got the 1/2 bowl/(super)greens with the chicken. They gave ample meat, and I noticed that some meats have an added cost (which they clearly spell out). They also give you 3 sauces (like hummus and yogurt flavors) and unlimited other toppings, which takes some time to analyze the first time through. My wife got the mini pita. The pita is very fresh and thick, almost like a thicker tortilla, and is unlike the typical pita you buy in the grocery stores. My wife and I thought the food was absolutely delicious. This is a great and perfect addition to the Lake Ave Shops area! I will...