I Just Discovered Cava

Cava opened in Encinitas a few weeks ago, and I just discovered that it's something great.  It was started by three Greek childhood friends in Maryland, and by the end of 2018 had expanded to 75 fast casual restaurants.  Their dips and spreads (hummus, eggplant, tzidaki) can also be found in Whole Foods.  It's what I would call a Mediterranean Chipotle.

The price for a bowl, their most popular item, is about $10.  Start with a base of either lettuce(several different mixes) or grain(several kinds of rice and lentils), or half and half.  Then add three dips. Most are mild, like hummus, tzadiki and eggplant, but they have several spicy toppings if you so desire.  Then, choose your protein.  Chicken, lamb, beef meatballs, falafel, or roasted veggies, or half and half.  Then come the final toppings:  cucumbers, pickled onions, tomato and onion mix, couscous, quinoa and mint.  You can have as many of these toppings as you like.  Dressings are also availble, like yogurt dill and vinegrette, but are not really necessary.  Finally, a piece of pita is served with the bowl.  All this for $10, and it is really delicious.

Drinks include the standard sodas, lemonades and waters, but several additional options are available.  They have a beet drink (didn't try it) and a cucumber/mint drink that was delicious.

Cava is a really healthy, delicious choice for a casual lunch or dinner.  I can't wait to go again and try some other combinations.  They also have a daily soup.  The day I was there it was spicy tomato, too spicy for me.  Hope you give Cava a try.