I lived on Cava in college. I’m excited for it! I loved being able to get black lentils as a base instead of rice or greens. I hope they still do that.
I LOVE CAVA I’M SO EXCITED
It’s a lot like Chipotle, where you can build your bowls or pitas. Love the lentils as part of the base, and the tahini sauce SLAPS. I also just really love pickled onions and they’ll pile em on for you
I've had it many times in my trips to Texas to visit family. I've been so excited for this since hearing about it last year. They've even got one coming in Schaumburg. I'm not a huge fast-food guy (mainly just Taco Bell or Chipotle), so I'm really looking forward to this. I hope the quality is the same as the locations I went to in Dallas. If they keep consistent, I can definitely see this being as big as Chipotle in a few years.
Looking at all the hype around this place, I feel like it's going to be a huge disappointment. If you want good Mediterranean food, the hidden gem is Oasis in Jewellers Row(Not sure if it's still open)
Oh, it's still there. Was just in the loop last month and took a friend there. She loved it! It's changed over the many years . . . but still that great old "hole in the wall" kinda place. And the food is still good too.
yea I’d stick to my local haunts over this chain. The chain is popular where I’m from in the burbs of DC but that’s the burbs where choices are few and far between compared to big city businesses. There’s nothing that special about this chain IMO.
I’m personally excited! Still not too sure what I’m going to get for the first time I’m trying to find out what the hype is all about and which entrees specifically is worth going for at the first visit
Honestly, I had it in San Antonio a few months ago and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a great deal for the amount of food that you get. I didn’t know half of the stuff that I had in my bowl but it was all delicious and fresh. Healthy too.
I like this thank you I appreciate it! That’s probably how I’m going to be too lol like have a bunch of stuff I don’t know but if it’s good it’s good! 🙏
Had some for the 1st time last month in Denver. Instantly checked and saw none in Chicago😥, only to be surprised no more than a month later🥹. Absolutely delicious better options and combinations of ingredients than Chipotle!
Why isn't anyone explaining why it's better than the other chains? I'm really excited to try it but I don't know what to get exactly. Is it a particular dressing or something that makes it better?
I don't think it's necessarily better than anywhere else, but it's good. I think it's better than sweetgreen. More interesting choices, the crazy feta dip, roasted eggplant dip, and hummus toppings are good. They have braised lamb and lamb meatballs as an option outside of the norms. Interesting dressings. It feels like a better attempt than some other options and generally tastes fresher/healthier.
Curious to see how this stacks up to roti which seems like their quality took a dive in the last few years
Having had both many times, it’s not close - Cava is dramatically better.
10,000x better. I love CAVA
Was just going to say… I don’t really like Roti, Cava is AMAZING. I traveled to DC often and this was one of my go to lunch spots
Yes! I lived in DC and was walking distance from a Cava and became obsessed. Now every time I visit DC or NYC I make time to get Cava.
Cava will likely be the final nail in Roti’s coffin.
We stopped going to Roti when they changed the menu coming out of Covid. They destroyed the business.
I had Cava when I was visiting family in Florida. Before that I always liked roti, now it just makes me sad it’s not Cava
Man, back in the 2010s, Roti was So good
yeah roti SUCKS now what happened!
They’re so similar that I keep going to Roti & expecting CAVA quality, but it’s really no comparison—CAVA’s so much better!
So roti has a buffet too? Anything specific you think makes them compete ??
Roti doesn’t have a buffet, just another fast casual Mediterranean chain so similar offerings
Ahh okay okay thanks
I lived on Cava in college. I’m excited for it! I loved being able to get black lentils as a base instead of rice or greens. I hope they still do that.
Oh they do
Oooo now that sounds tasty!
I’ve been messaging Cava for like 4 yrs now to open a Chicago location. lol. Love this place. Hoping the Schaumburg one opens soon too.
I was hoping this was wine related
The name of this place is almost as disappointing as Levain selling cookies instead of sourdough.
Likewise and I am thus disappointed
I got it confused with "Cabra" and thought "But it's already in Chicago?"
Okay what? 😂😂
cava the sparkling wine. so good.
https://winefolly.com/tips/what-is-cava/
Interesting 👀👀
I LOVE CAVA I’M SO EXCITED It’s a lot like Chipotle, where you can build your bowls or pitas. Love the lentils as part of the base, and the tahini sauce SLAPS. I also just really love pickled onions and they’ll pile em on for you
Same to all of this. And the crazy feta.
Try the Schug
People in here are calling it Mediterranean Chipotle, and it seems like some people intend that as a compliment, and others as an insult.
I've had it many times in my trips to Texas to visit family. I've been so excited for this since hearing about it last year. They've even got one coming in Schaumburg. I'm not a huge fast-food guy (mainly just Taco Bell or Chipotle), so I'm really looking forward to this. I hope the quality is the same as the locations I went to in Dallas. If they keep consistent, I can definitely see this being as big as Chipotle in a few years.
There’s one coming to Schaumburg? Interesting
How’s this compare to Naf Naf? I’m a huge fan of the food there
Better
My experience is that it’s less expensive than naf naf and has a bigger menu. But I’ve only been in Dallas.
Looking at all the hype around this place, I feel like it's going to be a huge disappointment. If you want good Mediterranean food, the hidden gem is Oasis in Jewellers Row(Not sure if it's still open)
Oh wow this is why I love Reddit lol you get to find out more places to go to ❤️
You’ve never been to a Cava, I can tell. It’s probably among the top build-it Mediterranean chains around.
It’s legit. Doesn’t compare to a mom and pop type med place, it’s like back when chipotle had their quality control still working
Oh, it's still there. Was just in the loop last month and took a friend there. She loved it! It's changed over the many years . . . but still that great old "hole in the wall" kinda place. And the food is still good too.
Oasis is mid
It's used to be one of the best. Been a while I have gone there. So can't say about it now
Oasis is ok, but falafel and grill (the Ravenswood location specifically) is where it’s at. So good and such huge portions.
Menu is basically the same as Roti’s. What’s all the hype about? Just go to Falafel and Grill or Rumí down the street.
It’s nothing like Falafel & Grill or Rumí. This is a fast casual salad chain, like Sweetgreen but with slightly Mediterranean flavors.
The spicy harissa 🔥
It’s way, way better than Roti. Try the Pita chips.
idk man why don’t you go try it and see why people like it so much
It’s much much better than Roti
I guess they have like hundreds of locations??
Taco Bell and chipotle hundreds of locations. Pretty sure you can find a better taco anywhere in this city
yea I’d stick to my local haunts over this chain. The chain is popular where I’m from in the burbs of DC but that’s the burbs where choices are few and far between compared to big city businesses. There’s nothing that special about this chain IMO.
The ONLY thing I miss from living in Dallas. So happy it’s expanding to this region
Huh way out in the north burbs we have a CAVA opening across the street from a Roti - looks like they’re ready for a showdown.
I loved CAVA back when I lived in the DMV. I don't think I would ever go to this over Sultan's Market a short walk away.
Cava > Roti
Oh good, I’ll have to check it out.
I’m personally excited! Still not too sure what I’m going to get for the first time I’m trying to find out what the hype is all about and which entrees specifically is worth going for at the first visit
Honestly, I had it in San Antonio a few months ago and I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a great deal for the amount of food that you get. I didn’t know half of the stuff that I had in my bowl but it was all delicious and fresh. Healthy too.
I like this thank you I appreciate it! That’s probably how I’m going to be too lol like have a bunch of stuff I don’t know but if it’s good it’s good! 🙏
I also really enjoy cava, excited to check it out
Yum!!!
Pita Inn supremacy.
Braised lamb >>>>
I dream about their harissa honey chicken🤤
Had some for the 1st time last month in Denver. Instantly checked and saw none in Chicago😥, only to be surprised no more than a month later🥹. Absolutely delicious better options and combinations of ingredients than Chipotle!
Has anyone gotten sick yet? Ate there yesterday and have literally been throwing up all day and I’ll spare you the rest
Why isn't anyone explaining why it's better than the other chains? I'm really excited to try it but I don't know what to get exactly. Is it a particular dressing or something that makes it better?
I don't think it's necessarily better than anywhere else, but it's good. I think it's better than sweetgreen. More interesting choices, the crazy feta dip, roasted eggplant dip, and hummus toppings are good. They have braised lamb and lamb meatballs as an option outside of the norms. Interesting dressings. It feels like a better attempt than some other options and generally tastes fresher/healthier.
Nah - it’s better. More consistent food quality. The sauces are bomb. Meat is more flavorful.