CAVA — Restaurant in Snellville

We recently visited Cava in Snellville for the first time, hoping to try something new and different for lunch. I had heard a lot of buzz about the brand, and since they specialize in Mediterranean-inspired bowls and pitas, I was curious to see how it would compare to some of the other fast-casual spots we frequent. Unfortunately, our experience was underwhelming and left much to be desired.

First, I want to start by acknowledging the positives. The restaurant itself was exceptionally clean and well-maintained. From the dining area to the counters, everything looked spotless and organized, which is always reassuring when trying a new place. The staff seemed friendly enough, and despite the crowd, they remained courteous and professional throughout our visit.

However, there were several aspects of the visit that made it disappointing overall. When we arrived around 1:00 p.m., we encountered a surprisingly long line. I don’t mind waiting if the food is worth it, but after standing there for a while, it was disheartening to hear that they were completely out of steak by the time we got to the counter. I was honestly baffled — how can a restaurant that prominently features protein options in its bowls and pitas be out of one of its main offerings so early in the afternoon? It just didn't make any sense. Running out of steak at peak lunch hour suggests poor planning or inventory management, both of which are concerning for a new customer trying to form a good first impression.

Since the steak was unavailable, I opted to create a custom bowl with chicken instead. When I finally received my meal, I found it to be just average at best. While the ingredients were fresh, the flavors were somewhat muted. I expected bold Mediterranean spices and vibrant, well-seasoned meats, but the overall taste was bland and forgettable. I kept thinking that places like Chipotle — while a different cuisine — deliver a stronger punch of flavor and satisfaction at a similar or lower price point.

Portion size was another letdown. For the price point, I expected a hearty, filling bowl, but what I received felt small and somewhat skimpy, especially compared to other fast-casual restaurants. I didn’t leave hungry, but I didn’t leave feeling like I got a good value either. It's disappointing when you pay a premium for "fresh and healthy" food, only to feel like you didn’t quite get your money’s worth.

Considering all these factors — the long wait, the shortage of a key menu item, the mediocre food, and the relatively small portions — I don’t think we’ll be returning anytime soon. There are just too many other options nearby that offer better flavor, larger portions, and a more efficient experience for the same or less money.

Overall, Cava was not a terrible experience, but it certainly wasn't memorable in a good way. Maybe we caught them on an off day, but first impressions matter, and this one just didn't leave us excited to come back. Hopefully, they can address some of these issues because the concept has potential — it just fell flat in execution...

Tonight, 2/4/25 @ about 7:00pm we placed a $60 order through DoorDash. Upon delivery we immediately noticed that some of our items ordered were not included. We reached out to the store and the person who answered was the rudest, most unprofessional, and argumentative person I've EVER dealt with. She first blamed the driver for ‘not delivering the items’, but after letting her know that the dasher did not keep any of the items and actually offered to and was on his way back to the store to pick up the remaining items, she proceeded to be super disrespectful. She over talked me, kept cutting me off and became super argumentative while she condescendingly called me honey numerous times and then sweetie. When I requested to speak to the store manager, she said she was the manager. I have a hard time believing that, b/c as a person in leadership with HR background, I have a hard time believing that someone in that position would talk to customers in that manner and be so comfortable doing so. When asked, she said her name was 'Abby'. Not only was she disrespectful, she also refused to correct the order. When the nice gentleman returned to the store for the items, he called back saying she refused to give it to him and told him we needed to contact DoorDash. If I could give negative stars I would. Don't waste your time going there. Please read the reviews. I just did and it looks like I’m not the only one. There are other locations with better service elsewhere. To the corporate office, Abbey is going to put this location out of business. This is way beyond having a bad day. She needs to be retrained, at best, disciplined or terminated. As the leader/manager for that location, she is mistreating customers and is setting a horrible example to her direct reports on customer service and leadership. I am a frequent customer, but first and last time at...

I love the Mediterranean-inspired food at Cava, so I went there for dinner last night. It was in the 8 o'clock hour, so in the latter part of the evening, but I waited in line for about 10 minutes before ordering my food. I was disappointed that some of the items I wanted were not available because they had run out, but it was understandable due to the time and I could see the store was still pretty busy. The employees making my food provided great service despite the few missing items. It took a turn when I made it to the cashier who asked me if I had ordered 3 bowls. I let her know that I had ordered 1 pita and 2 bowls. She rang me up and told me my total. I pulled out my card and tapped to pay for my items. Once the payment completed, the cashier walked away and started helping another customer who was there to pick up an online order. I waited while she finished with her since my food had not yet been bagged. Once she finished with that customer, she walked to the food prep area while I continued to wait for my paid-for food to be bagged. The customer behind me was then also waiting to pay while I waited for my food to be bagged and the cashier wandered doing random things. I asked one of the food line employees if they could help me which they did. Once I got my food and receipt from the other employee after standing in front of the register for 5 minutes, the cashier meandered her way back to the register. I asked her why she walked away after my order was paid for instead of completing my order, and she flippantly told me she had other things to do. I informed the manager of the encounter who apologized and said she would speak to the rude cashier. Hopefully, the cashier will be retrained on customer service so she doesn't ruin the otherwise pleasant experience of...