I originally gave 5 stars on CAVA at the Reston location one month ago, but deducting 2 stars now based on latest experience yesterday, 9/22/17.
Went there yesterday and again very understaffed and out of alot of things that should automatically be maintained without being told.
When I got there yesterday, there were only 4 tables of people and no one in line so when I got to the counter I'm standing there and standing there while the staff flitted about ignoring me. I turned to walk away and heard one staff person tell the one closest to where I had been standing to take my order. Now this guy that was told to take my order had been standing only a foot away right at the station before I started to walk away so here he knew he was the one to take my order and he's standing there but he seems totally clueless and ticked that he was told to take my order. After he was directed to help me he's giving me 'the evil eye' like he's mad that he was told to do his job which I thought was so bizarre.
Anyway, I go through the line completing my order and proceed to get a drink only to find out they're out of ice plus half the drink containers are almost empty. I tell one of the employees about the absence of ice and the drink containers being close to empty (2 containers already were). I proceed to get utensils but there's only metal knives and plastic utensils. I tell the staff again about the need for metal utensils (especially forks) and one of the employees walks over to the utensil station to look it over and says they have no more forks. I said you mean you have no more forks washed and from what I could gather (it was a bit hard to understand her), she said they had no more utensils and would have to use the plastic. I certainly don't mind using plastic but these are the cheapie kind that break very easily. So again, strange that the staff couldn't seem to be bothered to wash the utensils or add ice or fill the drink station when the place was virtually empty. The capper was that when I went to the loo there was absolutely no soap or towels at all. That told me that not only the employees but all the other customers were spreading germs (e-coli anyone?) for God knows how long. This one restroom is for both men and women but as if having no soap or towels wasn't bad enough, there was urine on the floor around the toilet. I would assume this might be due to a male who had terrible aim (which is just one of the reasons I prefer separate bathrooms).
So although the food is good, I find they are totally lacking in taking any initiative to keep the place going unless you tell them to do something. On my way out, I told one of the employee's on the line (no manager or anyone in authority that I could see to speak to), and told this young lady the restroom was out of soap and towels and she barely acknowledges me telling her anything. As I'm walking out I turn back to look at that employee and there's no one in line and she hasn't made any move to tell anyone or God forbid, take the initiative to maybe take care of the soapless bathroom.
Yep, I love the food but this place needs some serious oversight in making sure things stay stocked and that you get waited on without the staff having to be constantly told to do their jobs but for me the clincher is knowing that everyone using the restroom before me were not using any soap and the employees knowing this (because they have to use the same loo) were going right back on the line with urine or poopy hands making our meals. Yep, don't think I'll be going back anytime soon. Very glad I keep anti-bacterial gel with me.
Now let's see if even a manager replies to this posting. read more