This location is cramped, noisy, and generally unpleasant to eat at. It's like sitting in an echo chamber. I don't recommend it unless your getting food to go. read more

Good experience here, but not perfect, hence the four stars. There were a lot of people here around 1:15 pm today. Most of the seating was spoken for, and I had to wait in line for a couple of minutes. While waiting, I familiarized myself with the options and after hearing a few people order the bowl, I decided it was ok to pony up the extra $1.25 for a bowl vs. a pita. I then opted for brown rice and selected three of the dips and spreads: tzatziki, eggplant and red pepper, and spicy harissa. Then I momentarily struggled between grilled meatballs and falafel and ended up giving the meatballs a chance. Next, I asked for all the toppings except the kalamata olives and feta cheese. Finally, I chose the lemon herb tahini. It was hard for the workers to hear me with everyone in the store, so I had to repeat myself a couple of times. Then when the two people ahead of me were ready to check out, there was a delay. I think there wasn't enough lids for people wanting a take out order. I got home in the next 15 minutes and enjoyed my bowl. Wow, bold flavors, and people are not kidding! The spicy harissa packs a punch! I loved the combination of everything but next time, I will try a different protein and do without the lemon wedge and pickled banana peppers. I might also lay off the harissa. They don't really mix your food so if you want a more even spread of the ingredients, you'll have to do that yourself. Happy to try another fast casual, customizable place in the DC area. Let's see that's Chipotle, ShopHouse, &pizza, Cava Mezze.... read more

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You'll a lot of people in line wearing workout clothes, but that doesn't mean you'll see people ordering rabbit food an cold pressed juice. This fast casual restaurant allows you to build bowls or sandwiches with fresh Mediterranean inspired ingredients. We've come a long way in a assembly like food chains since Chipotle came on the scene. I kid you not, I remember being impressed that Chipotle used romaine lettuce rather than iceberg! Don't get me wrong, I still love Chipotle bowl or a Roti rice plate, but Cava is the one that feels the most balanced and nutritious. In addition to romaine, you can choose arugula, spinach or my favorite, the supergreens. A mix of chopped kale, chicory, cabbage, broccoli and shredded disks of Brussels sprouts. All full of vitamins, folic acid and dietary fiber. Now comes the non-rabbit food part: scoops of jalapeño stuffed feta dubbed "crazy feta", spicy Harissa, hummus, or tzatziki create a flavorful creamy platform for a delectable serving of braised lamb or beef, lamb or beef meatballs, grilled chicken or falafel. All of their proteins are delicious except I find the falafel a little underwhelming, it's texture isn't crunchy enough. Then you get to put on a ton of Greek standards of olives, cucumber tomato salad, and feta but also non-traditional ingredients like banana peppers from Gordy's pickle jar (so good), sriricha yogurt or quinoa (more protein!). The place also has a nice variety of low sugar fruit waters and teas. Though I'd recommend getting a jar of Morningbyrd teas, especially the Montgomery mint. Morningbyrd is a fellow local food business that makes delicious ice teas. The tea is at a premium price, but it tastes great! Also, Cava always has a clean industrial space that's comfortable and soothing. Also all of their packaging is compostable. Affordable, delicious and nourishing food served fresh and quickly in a comfortable space by a responsible company. This is how a food chain should be. read more

CAVA - I love this tea. Made in DC! - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Like that cava feels healthier than other fast food places - so I eat here a few times each month. This location is convenient and cheap-use parking in the DC USA building. I haven't had to wait in too long a line here (compared to bethesda location) but beware that several times I've see people come in with a massive list of orders for co-workers.. Weird: when you order falafel on your salad at this location they give you exactly four; in Bethesda they give you five.. Tables are generally clean and I've never had to wait for a seat. Quality of cava's food never an issue - wish they would expand farther into NW!! read more

CAVA - Yummy falafel bowl - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Definitely a fan of Cava! Fast, simple, affordable and delicious! I usually get the salad as the base for a healthier option. I love the "super greens" mix they have! The base can also be rice, pita, or a mix of greens & grains. For protein there is a variety of meats.. but i recommend the FALAFEL!! It is vegan per the website. (: The falafel is great. You can choose from a variety of "sauces" such as hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, roasted eggplant, yogurt etc. I love all the veggies you can add on your salad and they really load it up! From a salad bowl I usually get 2 meals. You can ask for free pita as well, if they don't offer it. Website clearly states what is gluten free / vegan, for those who need this information! The line goes fast here and service is efficient. One of the cashiers that served me the last time was super friendly and sweet. I love the look/feel of the store with the large wooden tables. Overall, I love Cava!!! Great "take out" meal that is reasonably-priced and can be made really healthy if you choose lots of veggies!! This location is conveniently located right out of the Columbia Heights metro as well. read more

Out of all the Chipotle style restaurants, Cava Mezze is the best. They produce colorful arrangements of fresh vegetables and seasoned meats that you know if actually good for you. Will definitely be back. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/cava-mezze-grill-washington?select=R0nAqaRRpgy_CqkLxH9V0g#RT09V3T3Y0xVfCxZIPyO5A Food 4 Service 5 Value 3 read more

CAVA - Lamb meatballs - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

No matter how much you mash a Cava bowl, you just can't match it! Seriously. I have gotten three or four different combinations of bowls here and none of them have tasted either slightly off. The key I've found to getting a successful meal here is to take a fork and mix and mash the heck out of all the ingredients in the bowl. Every bite is a mixed taste of win in which all of the ingredients go together. And it's these bowls of mashed Greek food that separate this place for Roti. That and the fact that the customer gets an insane amount of choices to put in a little bowl - up to eight heavier dips and lighter toppings. And each of their dips and spreads, all vegetarian, provide a great base, some spicy, some savory, mixed with their yellow rice. Their falafel has full chick peas inside for a surprising (in a good way) consistency but a tasty treat. To top it all off, personally, I get a lot of feta and dill sauce. Both taste really fresh and cut through any of the other ingredients. But I do love the fact that no matter what ingredient I get, that Cava tries to get their ingredients as locally and organically as possible. This is truly a D.C. fast casual restaurant. And, I have to face facts. Since I'll never be able to afford the actual Cava, this will have to serve as a substitute. But what a substitute it is. read more

CAVA - Even the garbage is healthy here. - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place is the Mediterranean Chipotle. Same exact layout/style. Freshly made toppings that you layer on either a bowl, pita (aka burrito), or mini pitas (aka tacos). Had the mini pitas. The bread is really good quality. The harissa spread is epic. Falafel is delicious- just the right amount of fried taste, plenty of flavor. Shredded beef was spicy, lamb burgers were well seasoned and very, very tasty. The feta is excellent. Not too sour, but still very potent. Staff was really friendly, location was well designed and clean (obviously-it just opened.) I'll be eating there once a week at minimum. read more

CAVA - Mini Pitas with Shredded Beef, Falafal, and Lamb Burger. - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Not too much to comment on - these folk really kill it. A Mediterranean-styled restaurant, Cava is similar to Chipotle in the way you choose your entree. You go through the line and pick your base, meat/vegetable, sauces, dressings and garnishments. Overall, there's not really a combination that is bad. You can see the cooks making the food across the kitchen and everything looks and tastes fresh. Also an incredible place to go for vegetarians. The falafel is amazing and there are plenty of options for non-meat sauces, dressing, and toppings. Perhaps the best part is the plethora of condiments. From sriracha greek yogurt to spicy harrisa, there are so many different flavors to experiment with. Don't forget to check out one of their homemade drinks. They offer seasonal and traditional beverages that basically rock your world. Definitely recommend this for a quick and affordable meal. read more

CAVA - Chicken Grains and Greens Bowl. Sriracha Greek Yogurt, onions, feta, and peta bread. - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Mmmm. So another Mediterranean Chipotle. Love it. You choose your base, add toppings and meat (more choices than Medi), and of course their specially made hummus and dips. So yum. On the pricier side for fast food, but huge portions and super worth it. Need to go and try the restaurants in Chinatown and Arlington. No whole grain pita or brown rice yet though. They'll do it one day :-) I'll be back even before then regardless. read more

The best takeout place in the Columbia Heights 14th street strip. I don't care that it's a chain. It's delicious and fresh and affordable. My all time favorite is the pulled lamb with two scoops of baba ghanoush (eggplant) and one scoop of tzatziki (yoghurt and cucumber) half-rice, half-super greens (Brussel sprouts, broccoli, kale) bowl with all the toppings except the banana peppers, tortilla chips, and feta (which leaves quinoa, tomatoes and cucumber, lemon, mint, pickled onions, lettuce). The falafel and beef meatballs are also quite tasty. I wish this place was by my office. I'd be here every day. read more

What happens when it's Cinco de Mayo and the Chipotle line is horrendously long? COME TO CAVA! :) + easy and quick process + generous size bowl + yummy falafel bowls with saffron basmati rice + add all the toppings you want! + under $10 The only downside for me is that if you choose to go with falafels, you get a small serving compared to the chicken serving that is almost double. Overall though it is very good value and even if I'm no longer in college... your girl is still on a budget! read more

Not to be confused with Cava Mezze (the sit-down version), Cava Mezze Grill is fast causal dining at its best. Cava is quickly becoming my go-to destination for a quick and healthy lunch or dinner when I'm in Columbia Heights. Resembling a Mediterranean version of Chipotle, walk down the assembly line and pick your base, meat, dips, toppings and dressings. The world is your pickle. Personally, I'm a huge fan of their "super greens" salad which include kale and shredded brussel sprouts among other delicious greens! Add a little chicken, tzatiki, harissa, hummas and as much toppings as you can load on with a drizzle of the yogurt dill sauce and BAM! you got an incredible salad. I also highly recommend grabbing one of their rotating juices -- always fresh and pair nicely with your Mediterranean food. First timers, don't be scared. The customer service at Cava is fantastic and they are always more than happy to walk you through your first experience. Seating can sometime be difficult to grab during high traffic hours but luckily Columbia Heights circle is just down the block and has plenty of space to grab a seat outside. Now if only Cava would franchise so that they are on every corner like Starbucks and Subway. read more

I am visiting from Texas and I tried Cava for the first time today. The customer service is great! Alston and Gerardo were definitely very welcoming and made my first experience a great one! the food is fresh and healthy (my favorite kind of food) and the grilled chicken was delicious! Can you open more in Texas please?! read more

I usually get salads at the Silver Spring location, but was working from home, as we all are, and ran over to the local Columbia Heights. Wow. Not even close to the quality of the Silver Spring location. The salad was HALF the size, the greens were wilted/old, and the pita was not fresh. Really disappointing. read more

This place is...eh. I've tried Cava's spreads at a variety of taste testings around town. They offer them here and the best part of this place is that you can get ALL of them in your meal. The harissa spread is VERY spicy (coming from someone who can handle a good deal of spice) and best in moderation. The hummuses are nice, though my favorite by far is the Crazy Feta spread (a jalepeno infused feta mousse). Definitely worth trying all of them. I ordered a bowl, and the rest of the meal was forgettable. The meatballs were overcooked and dry. The other toppings were nothing special. Will I go here again? Probably. I'll probably just get a lot more of the spreads and try a different protein. read more

The beef meatballs were lackluster but everything else was so good, they get 4 stars despite whiffing on the protein. I'd try it again with chicken though. The rice and veggies and dressing just tastes really fresh and bright and delightful. The beef was kinda tough and just didn't really jive with the rest of my bowl. That and for meatballs spread over that bowl doesn't really cut it. You get meat in your bite like 1/8 of the time maybe. read more

I love that every time I come here there is not a HUGE line like some places right next door! Friendly workers who are happy to answer your questions. Cool that their packaging materials, napkins, and plasticware are all made from recycled materials. I love the minis and usually enjoy the falafel on one and chicken on another. The harissa is key if you like spicy things. Definitely my favorite quick spot to eat in Columbia Heights! read more

Fast service, check. Tasty accoutrements, check. "Green" plates and cutlery, check. And best of all, no line, CHECK!!(Maybe I should not write this, in fear that the lines will grow. :/) Well, this is my second time here and I am just as happy about what I ordered as I was the first time. The chicken is nicely seasoned and grilled then cubed. The crazy feta which is a feta whipped with jalapenos is just as tangy as I remember. The red pepper and eggplant has an amazing zing and the kalamata olives got piled on and on and on and on!! Oh mama, this is one flavorful bowl and filling at that. Nice work guys! read more

After trying Cava for a second and third time, I believe some of my dislike about their food may have been due to opening-pains. They have improved the turn-around on their food significantly and I've been very impressed with the temperature and quality of my food when it comes out. The bowls are still a pretty good deal and I find that if you ask for a little extra rice it make a better stuff-to-rice ratio (no charge!). In addition, the braised lamb is excellent and the flavors of the food are great. I always have good service when I go in there and I like that it's something different than a burrito (which there are many of in the neighborhood). I'm glad it's there and it's always a consideration for dinner when I'm too lazy to cook. read more

CAVA - Bowls are definitely the way to go. As is the braised lamb. - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Maybe put labels on the dressings because it was my first visit and I told them that as well. I read the list of items that were in the dressings and I chose two that fit my standards. I told the lady the two dressings and I read it to her and she asks me "oh the green sauce" and I said I'm not sure what color it is but the name is.... And I said do you not know which sauces are which and she shook her head no. So I said well you work here not me so maybe ask one of your coworkers.....am I wrong or is she wrong.... Yeah next time I'll go to Chipotle that's ridiculous....and on top of them putting a very tiny spoonful of ingredients like what is this toddler food read more

I love CAVA! When the mood strikes to fill myself with flavorful veggies, meat, and lots of sauces, there's literally nothing better. I usually get a grains/greens bowl with Splendid Greens and white rice, for the best of both worlds. There's a lot of wiggle room to customize a bowl how you like it. I've also had salads and grain bowls, but I've never gotten a pita sandwich there. In my opinion the bowls are best because you can really load up on the toppings! I almost always order mobile from this location on the CAVA app, and my dish is always done on time or early and pickup is easy. In the mobile app, you can request extra of certain ingredients. Don't forget to get the free side pita!! It's a great bonus- I'll either eat it with my bowl or save it for later. read more

First time here and loved it. You can choose to create a bowl, pita sandwich or a salad. It kind if resembles a chipotle, just Mediterranean version as what others have posted. I opted for the chicken and falafel, while the husband got lamb. All meats were flavored really nice. There is a vast amount of dips and toppings to go with the meats, have one or have it all! Flavor explosion in your mouth. This location is particularly always busy as it is in the center of Columbia Heights. Staff is superfriendly! read more

I came to check out this (new for me) lunch spot. Initially I was daunted by the lack of pre-combined options, but I dove in and started picking out what I knew I liked - rice (basmati delicious), chicken (not very warm, but bite sized), pickled cabbage, pepper hummus and two other large spoonful-sized sauces, and a mix of diced veggies (... and not done yet), a cilantro-yogurt sauce. So basically, there are a lot of decisions to make when ordering here, but the final result of the eclectic mix in my bowl went deliciously well. Pretty healthy, local (or at least regional) ingredients, upper-end of the fast food pricing range. In the end, you feel good because it tastes good, and because it is good for the planet. Win-win! read more

The CAVA on 14th is the bomb. I'm from NY and was looking for something yummy and unusual on Yelp. This place had great reviews and now I know why! We walked in and ordered. They let us taste the sauces before choosing and then after telling them we are in from NY they treated us to dinner. I highly recommend not only was the food out of the world. I will make it a point to go back this week. But, the customer service is stellar! read more

CAVA - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

If I could eat CAVA every damn day I would. I love their seasonal items. Its on my list to try the tomato soup w/ harissa.. right now as I type, Im drinking the Strawberry Mint Lemonade. Its so good! Keep on keepin'. read more

I made an order online, and when my food arrived I didn't have anything that I had ordered, I ordered 2 portions of pickled onion, 3 portions of tzatziki, 1 of cabbage slaw, and tomato, but only on the plate I had 5 pieces of cevilla, 3 tomatoes, no cabbage slaw, a serving of tzatziki, and 3/4 of the duck was spinach read more

I just love this place!! I love that you get to basically create your own salad/ bowl! I particularly like the chicken and spicy meatballs as a protein choice. The ingredients are always tasty and fresh! The pita on the side is good also. My fav hummus dips are the roasted eggplant and harrissa read more

CAVA - Chicken salad, mixed greens, original hummus, roasted eggplant hummus and harrissa. - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Really good fast food! Super helpful for gluten-free/celiac. Just let them know! Harissa is spicy and tasty! So many options here, hard to go wrong for anyone. read more

Stay away bad sensitive staff . I used to go there very often. I look like Latino but I am not . They think I am lying . Stay away from that location read more

I tried their salad bowl for the first time today. I give this place three stars because of the following: 1. Pros: The food tasted good I could make an account and order online on their website They used eco-friendly packaging which is always a plus for me 2. Cons: One major thing: the quantity is NOT as full as advertised. I was disappointed to see my bowl to be about half full. So if you expect your food to be as much as the pictures they show online, don't. $10.31 for a little bit of kale, some bits that I assume was Brussels sprouts, some cabbage, Arugula, chicken bits. Three tbsp of spread and two dipping sauces on the side. Can't say that this is a good deal. Lastly, upon having my first bite, I encountered a big hard veggie stem. After finishing my bowl I got two stems. I'd appreciate them being more careful with processing the food. Verdict: I'd probably eat at Cava again if there aren't any other restaurants around. read more

This is my least favorite cava location. They aren't very nice. Their customer service sucks. And they give you the least amount of food possible. They never have pita crisps. BUT you can count on them to always mess up your online order! Trust this bad review comes after numerous visits ! read more

CAVA is not worth money. They are not clear on the menu. The woman that waited on me asked if i wanted half & half, i asked if there was an extra charge, she said no. I got sweet potatoes and falafel, when the cashier told me the total it was almost $15.00. After reviewing my receipt, i asked questions. Here is where the rea problem comes in, really couldn't understand a word that was coming out of her mouth and explanation was did not make sense. I reiterated what was discuss before order was taken, makes no sense at all. They need someone to make everything clear before customers order. Put prices up and have a menu handy with extra cost. Won't going their anymore They are way too high. Competition is greatly needed. I wish Mezeh would come into that area. read more

A unique, yet familiar experience. This is a new fast food restaurant in the CHeights. Think Chipotle meets Mediterranean fare. You line up cafeteria style, and order the specifics of your meal (salad, gyro, rice bowl) from a series of attendants. Price is a little high ($8), but for a valid salad- I am okay with the price. Salad has three different salad mix choices, including spinach and spring lettuce mix. I like to mix all three salads in mine. The meats-- the chicken is not that great, but the falafel and lamb are delicious. You can try the spicy hummus (harissa) and the crazy feta. YUM! Other toppings to enjoy include tomato/cucumber salad, kalamata olives, and pickled onions! I still haven't had my fill of trying different topping combinations. There is very limited seating (especially actual tables). There is some bar height seating, but still a small space. read more

I'm naturally suspicious of assembly-line eateries just because they've cropped up all over the place in the last few years. Ever since Chipotle became a huge success, you'd see different reincarnations of the same concept with hit-or-miss results. I stumbled upon this place on a Saturday afternoon, and there were already ten people in line ahead of me. I decided to order the bowl, which comes with basmati rice and gives you the option to choose your protein (lamb sliders, meatballs, falafel, braised lamb, braised beef, grilled chicken), sauce (choice of two from half a dozen variations), and toppings (maybe 12 different selections). Their other options are the pita and salad with the same options. Portions are much smaller than the Chipotle bowl, but I am fine with this. I don't need to chow down 1000+ calories in one sitting, but for those who prefer the "more is better" approach to food, you might be in for a disappointment. Price came down to about $11, which includes the bowl dish and a bottle of water. Despite the small portion size, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the food itself was very tasty. The meatballs were succulent, and the hummus and harissa sauce complemented them perfectly. The basmati rice was also well cooked. My favorite topping was this reddish pickled vegetable, which looked like the lovechild of a red onion and sauerkraut and had a fiery, spicy flavor. Overall, I look forward to going back to this place and trying out different permutations of their bowl and salad. read more

I only give two stars cause cava has great food. The customer at this place is so terrible it almost worth not going. I was just in today Monday October 2nd at 11am there was maybe one or two guest begins me and the woman taking the orders was so short and rude I got nervous stumbled over my words and ended up with food I didn't even want. She put the wrong meat on my pita. Then the cashier was nicer than the other lady but in all Honest didn't much care either. It was just the worst and now I've spent $22 on fast food service with a sit down price tag. read more

This is the first time I try CAVA, and I'm excited for the next time I go! I was so impressed by the flavor fusion, it was outstanding. Incredible. Every bite was so good, I kept looking forward to the next bite. I wanted to eat CAVA forever. Forever. read more

CAVA - CAVA has my heart - Mediterranean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Simple, delicious, flavorful, goodness. Wonderful flavors, dishes made to order, and right in front of your eyes. Cava is simple and clean, but with a modern feel to it. The staff is friendly and move you through the line, but not in a rude manner (at least in my opinion). Food is Mediterranean, but the flavors are not too overpowering. I tried the meatball for the first time here and they were tasty. Basically like Chipotle in terms of set up: you choose your base, your protein (Vegetarian options included), sauces, and all the fixings. Multiple combinations, all wrapped in your choice of either pita or a bowl. Price is right, food is delicious, and good service? Welcome to the neighborhood Cava. read more

GREAT fast casual spot. One of the best in the city. I'm something an expert in the arena of fast casual food (eating it like, 6 days a week), and the hierarchy probably goes something like: 1. District Taco (never bad) 1b. Sweetgreen (yay, look at me, I'm ... healthy now) 2. Shophouse (novelty effect of its newness, mostly, but it is damn good) 2b. Cava Grill 3. Chipotle (stalwart, although the Barrack Rows incarnation almost ruins it for me) 4. California Tortilla (did you know they delivered?!) 5. Roti ... ... 50. Merzi ... 75. Baja Fresh ... ... 1000. Burrito Brothers Make sure you get the red pepper hummus and the sriracha yogurt sauce. Supergreens salad is delicious with the brussel sprouts, which I wish other places would offer. (docked a star because the employees are generally in really shitty moods, but the food is good) read more

A couple of days ago I received a menu for Cava Mezze as I was walking to Target. I looked it over, found out a few of my friends had tried it and liked it, and decided to give it a go today with said friends. The "Chipotle does Mediterranean" summation is accurate, in a good way. It's fast, easy and convenient and there are about a thousand different ways to dress your meal. Being friends with a lot of vegetarians but unable (unwilling?) to go veggie myself, I often find it hard to find a place that makes everyone happy. Luckily Cava has both falafel and basic vegetable options, in addition to several meat offerings. I was pretty hungry, so I went with a bowl (with basmati rice), but next time I think I'll try a pita (you can also have a salad). I dressed my bowl with tzatziki sauce (very creamy and delicious with a good cucumber flavor), feta cheese, chicken, a pile of fresh mint and a lemon wedge. The chicken has a lemon-pepper taste to it, and you can also get beef, lamb, falafel or meatballs. I love tzatziki, but there are other spread options: hummus, harissa, eggplant and red pepper, etc. You can also get sides like chips or pita bread with dips. The prices are pretty humane, too, about on par with Chipotle. I'm still satisfied about three hours later and feel like the portion was generous. Definitely a place I'll visit again. Extra points given for: 1. gluten-free offerings, 2. detailed online nutrition guide, 3. generally healthy options (not terribly calorie-heavy, and about a third of the sodium for my meal was in the feta alone, ouch) and 4. having compostable everything. read more