Middle Eastern “Chipotle”

The Part That Still Frustrates me is That 

It's Always Romaine, not a Field of Greens

Blog photog Alex and I struggled for weeks to find time to meet up with the brains behind Cava, Brett Schulman, Managing Partner, and his new fast food spot in Bethesda.

Open since January 2011, Cava's been a huge hit thanks to the owners, a trio of Greek guys who grew up watching their parents in the Greek restaurant biz, making gyros and whatnot. Their vision far exceeded their parents, though.

A View from the Street

Cava Mezze Grill
4832 Bethesda Avenue

Bethesda, MD 20814

(301) 656-1772

I found out about Cava one random day back at the beginning of 2011. I got a job here in Bethesda, and after about three months in the position, I was strolling down Bethesda Avenue, and I saw their shop. I thought…can it be? Middle Eastern Fast Food. I mean, I guess it’s probably available all over the well, the Middle East, but really? Here? In the Washington DC, area? We get the odd gyro shop like Dupont Circle’s Zorba’s, or well, we used to, but I cannot recall the last time I had great Greek food that wasn’t a sit-down restaurant like Murayo (again in Dupont). And now Cava in downtown Bethesda no less; in the land of yuppie cupcakes, gelato, and faux French restaurants, comes sensible fast/casual dining where everything, even your bowl is compostable.

Happiness is a Cava Rice Bowl

It’s a Chipotle-take on Middle Eastern fare that rumor hazzit was good enough to place the three chefs behind it on the cover as 2010 Washingtonian restauranteur of the year. The truth appears to be just as surprising, and thankfully, long-lasting.

After 4 months that included running out of money during construction, the restaurant finally opened in the fall of 2006. A year later with the help of word of mouth they made Washingtonian’s Top 100 Restaurants, and the rest is history. There are now 3 Cava locations, and a fast casual spin off called Cava Grill.

Harissa, Crazy Feta, Hummus, Eggplant,
Red Pepper Spread Oh My!

The chefs, long-time friends, Ike Grigoropoulos, Ted Xenohristos, along with chef Dimitri Moshovitis first opened full-service, sit-down restaurants on Capitol Hill and in Rockville, Md. The day Alex and I dropped in on Brett. Cava had just opened its latest “fast/casual” effort in Tysons Corner, Va., on March 19, 2012, next to the American Girl shop. They seem to be sensing that the money is in selling themselves as a family/kid-friendly food place.

Prior to arriving at the interview, I had put out an all-call at work to get feedback prior to interviewing Brett, and here’s what I got from Jo in Production:They are filling in an already tight market with the likes of Panera, SHOPHOUSE, Noodles and Co., etc.

An experience at Cava is marked by the consistency of the food, the freshness of the ingredients, and the variety of choices allowing you to vary your meal in so many wonderful ways. Add that to the staff efficiency and great attitude, and walking into Cava is always a pleasure. The speed of service at the height of lunch time rush is a testament to an efficient system of service conducted by folks who are genuinely pleased to be working at Cava. The staff takes the time to let you know that management treats employees right.

I have eaten nearly every lunch at Cava since they opened well over a year ago and I can tell you the quality of the food has taken inches off my waist line by making lunch both tasty and healthy.

Here’s the cool part: I mentioned Jo’s tale to Brett and he knew exactly who Jo was. This guy is a managing partner, but he has bothered to get to know his customers. I was duly impressed, especially since the sum total of his knowledge about running a restaurant comes from a Wall Street job for 12 years. Yup…that’s right, he has no experience running a food shop at all.

However, he’s got eyes. And when I mentioned the “Chipotle Middle Eastern” thing, he says, “Well, if you are going to imitate someone’s food line approach, imitate the best. You know Steve (the guy who created the Chipotle “Line”) actually came in here and checked us out. I was really pleased that he was impressed. We’re doing a great business here and it shows.”

Simple Menu Simple Line Terrific Meal

Brett hadn’t set up a tasting for us, but from my past experiences, I will say that the food has a lot of great touches. It can get a bit same-y for my liking although, but if I want a healthy bowl of rice with lamb or chicken, hummus, an eggplant and roasted red pepper dip, or harissa, this is the place. Cheap too! It’s affordable, and the environment is chic enough for a lunch on your own, a date night, or an outing with co-workers.

I think eventually, Brett may be right, “Mexican and Italian food has matured in this country now; it’s everywhere.” he says. “But middle eastern/Greek food hasn’t really made its way into the mainstream, so parents don’t think to take their kids here, yet. But it’s a really kid-friendly cuisine. Children love humus and the other dips we make. There’s no reason to pass this place up because your kids will only eat fish fingers,” says Brett. There is a whole ‘nother cuisine out there, and it’s Cava.

A Coda

CAVA sells little pots of hummus, red pepper spread, and their terrific harissa at Whole Foods throughout the mid-Atlantic.

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