Imagine Chipotle, but Mediterranean. If that sounds appealing, you’re in luck because CAVA just opened at 7135 Kingery Highway in Willowbrook. In November 2025, the fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, with over 400 locations in the United States, opened just 15 minutes from NC. 

The first thing I noticed was the clean, bright atmosphere, accompanied by a good amount of seating in the restaurant. There was a long line; however, it moved quickly with multiple workers preparing meals behind the counter. At first glance, the produce looked fresh and colorful. I also noticed that workers restocked mix-ins quickly if they were running low. At CAVA, customers can build bowls, salads, or pitas. The restaurant also offers a menu with a variety of fixed meals to choose from. I decided to create a bowl. 

The first thing to pick is a base, which includes various types of greens and rice. I chose arugula and white rice. After choosing my base, I moved down the line to select my protein and dips, as well as spreads. Some protein options include chicken, falafel, steak, and spicy lamb. I chose the falafel. I really enjoyed the dips CAVA had to offer: hummus, tzatziki, spicy hummus, crazy feta, and roasted red pepper hummus, to name a few. I got two scoops of hummus and one scoop of crazy feta. Next, they had a wide variety of toppings to choose from, including olives, feta, tomatoes, pickles, cucumber, onions, etc. I got feta, olives, and a mix with tomatoes and red onions. Lastly, customers choose salad dressings. Popular options include Greek vinaigrette, lemon herb tahini, and yogurt dill. I chose Greek vinaigrette, which was very delicious, with hints of red wine vinegar, garlic, and oregano. 

I enjoyed the warm pita that was included with my bowl. On the side, I got crispy pita chips ($2.90). The pita was crispy, and the bowl was very flavorful and filling. The crazy feta dip had a bit of spice from the jalapenos in it. I enjoyed the freshness of the hummus. The falafel had a nice texture, as it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside; however, the chickpea flavor was overbearing. The pita chips were crunchy on the outside, but maintained that soft, chewy pita texture on the inside. They also had the perfect amount of salt on them. I loved the mix of textures and flavors when dipping the pita and crispy pita chips into my bowl. While my bowl was flavorful, it was a bit rich with the amount of dip I got in it. Prices for bowls, pitas, and salads all range depending on the ingredients customers put into them. Certain proteins have upcharges. My bowl cost $13.48. 

At CAVA, customers can truly customize their meals. With the amount of mix-ins the restaurant offers, people can try various flavor combinations, and if they want, different types of meals every time they go. Overall, I had a great experience at CAVA. The workers created great service, the restaurant was clean, and they provided delicious options for every customer. 

CAVA is open from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. It is a delicious, fun, and quick experience for the quality of food that customers walk out with. Don’t miss out on this new trending grill!

5/5 paws