Cava Mezze Grill might just take over the world - or at least the DC metro area - and that might not be a bad thing.
Think Chipotle, but with a Greek chef who is extremely intent on modernizing the food he grew up with using fresh ingredients that will appeal to a wide range of customers.
Commitment to Transparency and Health
While other fast food chains are providing calorie counts for their dishes, Cava Grill knows that today’s generation of consumers is more concerned with clean, transparent food that has a healthy profile.
That’s why Cava Grill’s menu board displays all the ingredients and their nutritional elements - gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, soy free.
The menu board also includes messages to let customers know where the food is sourced.
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Cava Grill Experience
Unlike, the Cava restaurants which can be found in Rockville, Clarendon, and Barrack’s Row, Cava Grill mixes the counter assembly-line takeaway with casual eating space.
However, the Cava Grill in Tenleytown goes one step further than its counterparts in Bethesda, Tyson’s Corner and most recently, Columbia Heights.
Tenleytown provides customers with real plates, glasses, and silverware while the other shops use disposable eatware - compostable, environmentally-conscious disposables, of course.
For the time-conscious, budget-conscious, and health-conscious customer, Cava Grill in Tenleytown is the perfect balance between fast food and restaurant.
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Building Your Meal
Regardless of which Cava Grill you frequent, you will always find a diverse selection of food.
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First, start by building a base - a pita, two mini pitas, a salad or a basmati rice bowl.
Then, you have your choice of protein - grilled chicken, grilled meatballs, braised lamb, braised beef, and falafel. If that wasn’t enough, there’s always a seasonal selection.
Next, add as many toppings as you want, ranging from cabbage slaw to diced cucumbers to fresh mint and crumbled feta.
Finally, finish off your meal with sauce or dressing - I recommend the Yogurt Dill or Spicy Harissa - it reminded me of Greek spaghetti sauce!
Possible Combinations
- If you want a light lunch, you could have the juicy grilled chicken on a salad with feta and cucumber.
- If you’re looking for a heavy dinner meal, you could have braised lamb with rice.
- Or you can put together a grilled meatball pita sandwich.
There are countless variations. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong.
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It usually takes customers about three tries to find their perfect combination.
One perfect combo is a delicious falafel on soft pita topped with tzatziki sauce, lettuce, cucumber, and a touch of Crazy Feta.
Menu Highlights and Recommendations
Here are a few tips:
- If you’re not a meat fan, choose the falafel.
- If you are a meat fan, still choose the falafel, it’s that good.
The falafels are moist and perfectly flavored with cilantro and parsley because Chef Dimitri mashes half the chickpeas and leaves the rest whole.
If you like meat strongly flavored with turmeric, cayenne and coriander, you’ll love the braised lamb.
If you like a little kick, try the Crazy Feta. It’s made with jalapeños and onions sautéed in olive oil with feta, and it’s amazing.
The Roasted Red Pepper Hummus is also a must try.
If you leave Cava Grill craving more hummus, you can find all the dips in Whole Foods and select local organic markets.
Nutritional Information Table (Example)
| Item | Calories | Fat (g) | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falafel | Approx. 200 | 10 | 8 | 20 |
| Grilled Chicken | Approx. 150 | 5 | 25 | 0 |
| Braised Lamb | Approx. 250 | 15 | 20 | 5 |
| Crazy Feta | Approx. 80 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Roasted Red Pepper Hummus | Approx. 70 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary. Check Cava's official website or in-store menu for the most accurate details.