Feeling a bit out of place giving a less than perfect rating, but I wasn't impressed.
I had previously tried CAVA at other locations and loved it! This was well before making its appearance in Houston. My first introduction to CAVA (in California) was inspiring... Similar to the likes of Chipotle, Subway, and Mod Pizza, they offer a quick "build your own" approach, with tons of customization options. Every salad, bowl, or wrap I tried before was delicious, the ingredients fresh, and portions generous. It was a favorite go-to of mine for a quick & satisfying meal. I was so impressed by CAVA that I considered it a golden business opportunity, if one were to open a franchise in Houston... So, I was excited to hear about new stores opening around town. However, my visit to The Woodlands location fell short of expectation.
Compared to my experiences at other CAVA's:
1.) Bowls were prepared more skimpy & scanty. I observed smaller scoops of rice & proteins, lighter sprinkles of toppings, and employees were extremely hesitant to provide extra (except for the sauces, which they drowned everything with).
2.) While I'm normally a big fan of lamb & enjoyed it before, this batch was far more "game-y." It was a tad offensive in odor and flavor, swimming in braising liquid that wasn't strained before being plopped into my bowl.
3.) The final product lacked visual appeal. Sloppy assembly made for ugly presentation, having no resemblance to the picture perfect product shown in the brand's marketing & advertising. My bowl was a sad mound, swimming in a puddle of yogurt & tahini, that sunk down into the crater of a plate that was too big for the meager portion.
Perhaps I got unlucky and caught them on an off-day. Perhaps there's still a lack of training or experience... Perhaps challenges with the supply chain or geographical differences play significant factors. Whatever the case, there are noticeable contrasts between locations, and this one is shadowed in comparison.
I think CAVA (overall) is an awesome concept, but I can't jump onboard the hype train for The Woodlands. At least, not based on this visit. The bar is set high, and there's room for improvement. To be continued... read more