CAVA — Restaurant in San Diego

Normally a great experience that serves good portions of great food if I want something quick. I remember going for the first time being absolutely blown away, wanting to show everyone I knew about it.

My most recent experience has been downhill. A guy by the name of Rahim gave subpar service last week. I placed a pickup order directly from the Cava app. Upon picking it up, I realized the bowl was really light and only about half full. I waited by the register for a while, trying not to interrupt the workers who were tending to the line, but I finally got asked what I needed by Rahim. I at first really appreciated him checking in, but when I asked if I could get a bit more since this was less than I was normally served, he told me that what I was given is normal. I pointed to a couple other bowls on the counter and also mentioned that past times I’ve been there I’ve been given more. He told me that the other bowls ordered greens, but not all of them were. I also saw much more protein being served to these bowls. Rahim continued to tell me that not everyone is properly trained and that the portions in mine were correct. I told him, “cmon man this bowl is half full. I paid for a full meal. If I don’t get that, could I at least get a partial refund?” But he stood on business and continued to say the portions were correct.

Others in line agreed the portions were pretty skimpy and that they had to ask for more earlier in the line. I even had someone come up to check out what the bowl looked like and when I showed him, he was like, “oh nah that’s way less”. Rahim finally told me that he’d remake the bowl (not at all what I needed and actually used more portions) and told me that if I wasn’t satisfied that he’d give me a refund. This was an alright solution, but honestly I just wanted more protein since it was so lackluster.

I mentioned to him that, although he had probably had a long day, it would be really appreciated if he had first started with apologizing and acknowledging ANYTHING rather than going straight into defense. I told him a few other things and he said, “thank you for your input” in a sarcastic manner. I told him to have a good night and left. Upon eating it, he had fluffed up the portions with a bunch of rice and I had only a couple pieces of chicken (not at all what I saw in the other bowls being served).

This was a subpar visit and not something I think I’ll go back to when it comes to a later night meal. I attached a photo of the second bowl he made which was better, but definitely not what I expected from my past awesome experiences at Cava. I wish I got a photo of the last bowl, but I’ll just say it was about an inch less tall than...

12/21/24: One year update

3 stars. Came back to this Cava location after one year. Saturday afternoon. It definitely seems like it's improved since the last time I was here! The store & prep stations were clean. There seem to be a good amount of staff.

Got the Chicken & rice bowl. Food was decent but the brown rice was severely undercooked. It was hard & crunchy. Rice is like the glitter of food & I couldnt pick it out or eat around it. So disappointing cause I really wanted to enjoy mt bowl. This also happened the last time my husband got brown rice as well. He ate it thinking it was supposed to be like crispy rice...

Anyway, good to know this location took customer feedback seriously. I'll likely be back sooner than later!

Fsome reason, I always have a terrible experience at this particular Cava. When I dined in, they were out of a lot of regular toppings & the store wasnt busy/hardly a line. It was even a weekday. Today, I ordered delivery and it took nearly 2 hrs - I live about 8min away. The driver (who had already been waiting 30min) sent me a picture of the store, and there seem to be only a couple customers in-store at the time. The workers were still "working on the order". I dont know if its poor management or understaffing but I just cant wrap my head around the food taking over an hour to "make".

UPDATE: Finally got our food - missing 2 items - wasnt even on the receipt on their end. Asked for sauce on the side but was dumped into both the bowl & burrito - SO MUCH SAUCE that the...

Exceptional Service and Customizable Delights at Cava in San Diego

Cava in San Diego offers a delightful Mediterranean dining experience, and my recent visit was no exception. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by Matt, whose warm demeanor and expertise immediately put us at ease.

Matt's guidance in crafting our bowls was invaluable. He took the time to understand our preferences and dietary needs, ensuring that each ingredient was perfectly tailored to our liking. His knowledge of the menu and willingness to accommodate our requests made the experience truly exceptional.

The food itself was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The variety of ingredients allowed us to create unique combinations that satisfied our cravings for Mediterranean cuisine. From the tender grilled meats to the vibrant array of vegetables, every bite was a delightful journey through Mediterranean flavors.

The ambiance of the restaurant was inviting, with a modern yet cozy atmosphere that added to the overall dining experience. The attention to detail in both the decor and the service further enhanced our enjoyment of the meal.

Overall, our experience at Cava was nothing short of fantastic. With outstanding service from Matt and delicious, customizable dishes, it's clear why this restaurant stands out in San Diego's culinary scene. I highly recommend Cava to anyone craving a taste of the Mediterranean with a...