Cava comes to Whittier
CAVA, a casual dining Mediterranean restaurant, opened its newest location this past month in Whittier, California. CAVA has grown tremendously in the last year, almost doubling their number of locations. This is partly due to the popularity it has garnered on social media apps such as Tik Tok. Users have taken over the platform to show off their CAVA orders and recommendations. What attracts people to CAVA is the option to create their own bowl for an affordable price.
CAVA’s app to place orders
The easy to use app allows customers to create their bowl from the ease of their smartphone.
However, CAVA isn’t the first casual dining restaurant with this concept. Subway, Sweetgreen, and Chipotle are all food chains who have the ‘create your own’ concept. Many have gone on to compare CAVA and Chipotle. Both offer the option to create your own bowl, so what is the difference? One Tik Tok user, @therealogk_, uploaded a video expressing her love for CAVA and how it is the new go-to place for bowls. ‘If you’re still out here eating Chipotle, and it’s CAVA out here with pita chips, then you really just - you are in freaking 2016 still,’ said the Tik Tok user.
Tik Tok user sharing her thoughts on CAVA (via Tik Tok)
The topic of, ‘Chipotle vs. CAVA,’ has seemed to created some discourse online. Users are showing their support for CAVA and commenting how their bowls are significantly better than Chipotle. While others are sticking behind the Mexican style chain, and saying they will remain loyal to Chipotle. Whittier resident Rebecca Hernandez, who is a fan of both chains, weighs in on the debate. ‘CAVA and Chipotle are two different vibes, one is Mediterranean and the other is Mexican,’ said Hernandez. ‘You can’t really compare them fairly, but if you’re really asking me for my honest opinion… I’m going to CAVA.’ Fresh ingredients and larger serving sizes are what Hernandez states are the factors that sets CAVA apart from Chipotle.
It is no doubt that the new addition of CAVA in Whittier has sparked buzz around the city. Many residents have been eager to try the Mediterranean bowls either from seeing viral videos on Tik Tok or influencers posting their bowls on their stories. Whittier resident, Jio Gudino, shares his excitement over CAVA’s new Whittier location. ‘I had seen the bowl on my girlfriend’s Instagram story and instantly wanted to try it. I’m a fan of Mediterranean food so I wanted to see if CAVA compared.’ said Gudino. ‘I wouldn’t drive all the way to Los Angeles for it, but since there’s now a location five minutes away from my house, it will be my quick go-to spot for Mediterranean.’
CAVA is just as equally excited to open it Whittier, as much as Whittier is to welcome CAVA to their city. Prior to their grand opening, CAVA offered free bowls to Whittier residents. All they had to do was reserve a time slot on their website to show up to the restaurant location and receive their free bowl. CAVA’s mission statement expresses that they firmly believe ‘in relationships over transactions.’ To try your carefully crafted bowl, visit CAVA located on 11840 Whittier Blvd, Whittier, CA, 90601.
