Cava restaurant is a Mediterranean-inspired fast-casual restaurant chain that offers a variety of customizable meals and sides. With over 100 locations across the United States, Cava has become a popular go-to spot for healthy and flavorful food options. The restaurant’s menu features a range of dishes, including salads, grain bowls, pitas, and dips, all made with fresh ingredients and bold flavors.
Cava’s mission is to provide customers with a dining experience that is both delicious and convenient. The restaurant’s ordering process is simple and efficient, with customers able to customize their meals to their liking. From the base to the toppings, Cava offers a wide range of options to cater to different dietary needs and preferences. The restaurant also prides itself on its commitment to sustainability, using eco-friendly packaging and sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible.
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What is Cava Restaurant
Cava Restaurant is a Mediterranean-themed restaurant chain that specializes in serving healthy and flavorful dishes made from fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant offers a wide range of menu items, including salads, sandwiches, bowls, and dips, all of which are made from scratch daily.
Cava Restaurant was founded in 2011 in Washington D.C. by three childhood friends who were inspired by the flavors and ingredients of their Mediterranean heritage. The restaurant chain has since expanded to over 100 locations across the United States, including in California, New York, and Texas.
One of the unique features of Cava Restaurant is its customizable menu. Customers can choose from a variety of bases, proteins, toppings, and dressings to create their own personalized meal. The restaurant also offers vegetarian and vegan options, as well as gluten-free and dairy-free choices.
Cava Restaurant prides itself on its commitment to sustainability and community involvement. The restaurant sources its ingredients from local farmers and producers whenever possible, and partners with organizations to support food access and education initiatives.
Overall, Cava Restaurant offers a fresh and flavorful dining experience that caters to a variety of dietary needs and preferences. Its focus on locally sourced ingredients and community involvement sets it apart from other fast-casual dining options.
History of Cava Restaurant
Cava Restaurant was founded in 2003 by Chef Todd Gray and his wife, Ellen Kassoff Gray. The restaurant is located in the historic Barracks Row neighborhood of Washington, D.C. and has become a staple of the local dining scene.
Chef Gray’s culinary background includes training at top restaurants in New York City and France, as well as serving as the Executive Chef at several prominent D.C. restaurants. He has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades for his innovative cuisine and commitment to using locally-sourced ingredients.
Cava Restaurant’s menu features Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant also boasts an extensive wine list, with a particular emphasis on Spanish and Portuguese wines.
Over the years, Cava Restaurant has earned a reputation for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, attentive service, and exceptional cuisine. It has been featured in numerous publications, including The Washington Post, Bon Appitit, and Food & Wine. The restaurant has also been recognized with several awards, including a Michelin Bib Gourmand and a RAMMY Award for Best Upscale Casual Restaurant.
Today, Cava Restaurant continues to be a beloved fixture of the D.C. dining scene, attracting locals and visitors alike with its delicious food, impeccable service, and inviting ambiance.
Menu at Cava Restaurant
Build-Your-Own Bowls
- Base: Choose from greens, grains, or rice.
- Proteins: Choose from grilled chicken, falafel, roasted vegetables, or lamb meatballs.
- Toppings: Choose from hummus, baba ghanoush, tzatziki, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, feta cheese, and more.
- Dressings: Choose from lemon vinaigrette, garlic dressing, or skhug.
Pitas
- Crispy falafel pita
- Spicy chicken pita
- Greek chicken pita
- Spicy lamb meatball pita
Salads
- Market Spice salad
- Lemon chicken salad
- Greek salad
- Tahini Caesar salad
Sides
- Hummus
- Baba ghanoush
- Tzatziki
- Roasted vegetables
- Pita chips
Kids’ Menu
- Cava Kid’s Bowl
- Cava Kid’s Pita
- Cava Kid’s Salad
Desserts
- Baklava
- Halva
In addition to these items, Cava also offers a variety of beverages, including fountain drinks, coffee, tea, and beer.
The prices for the items on the menu vary depending on the location, but you can expect to pay around $10-15 for a build-your-own bowl, $6-8 for a pita, and $5-7 for a salad.
Cava also offers a variety of catering options, so you can bring the delicious flavors of Mediterranean cuisine to your next event.
Different ways to customize your meal at Cava Restaurant
Cava Restaurant is a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant chain that offers a customizable menu of salads, pitas, bowls, and sides. Here are some different ways to customize your meal at Cava Restaurant:
- Choose your base: You can choose from a variety of bases for your bowl, including greens, grains, or rice. For example, you could choose a bed of quinoa for a protein-rich meal, or a bed of spinach for a lighter option.
- Choose your proteins: You can choose from a variety of proteins for your bowl, including grilled chicken, falafel, roasted vegetables, or lamb meatballs. If you’re looking for a vegetarian or vegan option, you can choose to omit the protein or add a plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh.
- Choose your toppings: You can choose from a variety of toppings for your bowl, including hummus, baba ghanoush, tzatziki, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, feta cheese, and more. You can also add your own toppings, like avocado or roasted red peppers.
- Add or remove items: You can add or remove any items from your bowl, so you can create a meal that’s perfect for your taste. For example, if you don’t like cucumbers, you can ask them to be left out.
- Adjust the portion sizes: You can adjust the portion sizes of your bowl, so you can get a smaller or larger meal. This is a great option if you’re trying to watch your calorie intake or if you’re sharing a bowl with someone else.
- Make it vegan or vegetarian: Cava Restaurant can make any of their bowls vegan or vegetarian by omitting the meat and dairy products. They also have a variety of vegan and vegetarian toppings available.
Health benefits of eating Mediterranean cuisine
The Mediterranean diet is a healthy eating pattern that originated in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It is characterized by a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds; moderate intake of fish, poultry, and dairy; and low intake of red meat, processed foods, and sweets.
The Mediterranean diet has been linked to a number of health benefits, including:
- Reduced risk of heart disease: The Mediterranean diet is rich in heart-healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber. It is also low in saturated fat and cholesterol. These factors can help to lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
- Reduced risk of stroke: The Mediterranean diet has also been shown to reduce your risk of stroke. This is likely due to its high content of antioxidants, which can help to protect your brain from damage.
- Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes: The Mediterranean diet can help to control blood sugar levels, which can help to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
- Reduced risk of cancer: The Mediterranean diet is rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect your cells from damage. This can help to reduce your risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer and colon cancer.
- Improved cognitive function: The Mediterranean diet has been shown to improve cognitive function in older adults. This is likely due to its high content of antioxidants and healthy fats.
- Increased lifespan: Studies have shown that people who follow the Mediterranean diet tend to live longer than those who do not. This is likely due to the overall health benefits of the diet.
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