CAVA

3.4 (217 reviews)

ModerateSalad, Mediterranean

Closed • 10:30 am - 10:30 pm

Updated 2 weeks ago

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CAVA - Salad Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Falafel bowl with half rice and half greens

Michelle S.

I tried CAVA in San Marcos for the first time this past Sunday. It's a newer location and was pretty packed, which I took as a good sign. Parking was easy, although the shopping center itself is very busy. The restaurant was clean, bright, and open with plenty of seating (inside and outside). The staff was friendly, and the line moved fairly quickly. The setup reminded me of a Mediterranean version of Chipotle where you move down the line and customize your bowl. My favorite part was definitely the sauces and dips. The Crazy Feta was so good that I would honestly buy a jar of it if I could. I also liked having black lentils as an option since that's not something I've seen anywhere else. Overall, I thought the flavors were good, but there were a few things that missed the mark for me. The falafel had great flavor, but the texture was very doughy and not my favorite. The lamb meatballs were also on the dry side. I also found myself wishing they offered gyro meat. I'm glad I tried it and can see why it's popular. While I'm not rushing back, I'd definitely give it another chance and try some different menu items next time.

One bowl has yogurt dill and lemon tahini and one has lemon tahini so why did they give me 2 garlic? Also no pita

Lydia G.

Interesting second experience. I received a free meal for complaining to cava so I finally came back. The customer service was much better. But the food was worse? My first bowl Was really good even though the sauces were wrong but this one wasn't. I wish I just ordered last time cuz this was different but not much so I don't know how? Maybe cuz I tried different meat. The lamb and chicken shawarma weren't great and I also didn't love the honey harissa chicken. I did receive the correct order and the free pita so it seems like they have improved but I still probably won't be back again

Crystal F.

I was excited to try this place out, the food was great and met my expectations. It's Mediterranean food that is fresh and tasty, and the portions were generous. I ordered the steak and harissa bowl, it was so good! The service was okay, the workers seemed to be training on the job, because they were scrambling around looking for ingredients and reading off instruction cards when making food. The server helping me rushed me when I was adding extras to my bow,l before I finished ordering he pushed my order over to the register...rude. Overall I did enjoy the food, and hopefully the staff will have better customer service and manners next time.

Falafel crunch bowl with a side of pita bread

Thea M.

Updated review: food on point no question there. My usual falafel bowl sin cheese. But why does the food line counter always have to be visibly dirty. Sloppy drips etc. wet rag it. Not gonna lie it gave me the ick, so I'll just order and pick up so outta sight out of mind....

Jessica C.

It's always busy, and always good. It's worth the wait, the ingredients are fresh and tasty. Love their drink options. Love how I customize my bowl to whatever I'm feeling like for the day!

Julie C.

My pick up order barely had any chicken, and looked like someone played soccer with it. $20 for this mess is a joke.

Jessica P.

I remember seeing this place but I didn't expect it to be a Mediterranean place. This is located in the plaza that can be really packed (has In-N-Out, Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A) or more. While there is a lot of parking spots, sometimes it can be a bit packed and some traffic with getting in the plaza, inside the plaza, or leaving out of the plaza. The inside is decently clean and there is sometimes a line (usually about 5-6 people) but it goes by super fast (as long as people know what they want). I will say when I'm telling them what I want (or trying to hear what they ask) can be a bit hard cause the music is a bit loud or just too much noise going on. But people are still friendly regardless so it's good with me. They give good decent amount of meat and veggies that you want so I'm happy with that. I always get the bowl and the flavor with the meat, grain, dressing, veggies, and more makes it so good! You can customize it or choose their premade one (if you feel overwhelmed). Everyone is friendly to help! I also do like the drinks that they have available, which is something I always grab now. And you can't forget about those pita chips - one of the best crispy pita chips I've ever had! They used to have their spicy pita chips as a limited time (or experimental) and it was so good that I hope they will someday bring it back as a permanent menu! Overall, I definitely would come here again and I'm just glad they have one in North County! Definitely stop by if you want some Mediterranean food.

Jan L.

His name was either Mario or Marcos, working the line on 10-2-25, but he was engaged with customers. So nice. When I told home the county I was from he guessed my hometown on the first time! I ordered a Greek salad, pita chips and a drink. Fits my first time there and will be back! Good was very good and customer service rocked! Seating outside and inside. Kudos to everyone behind the counter!

Wynesha K.

This my first time at this location but love it!!! This place gets busy but food well worth the wait but I think for the 40 minutes waiting they should have given free small drinks or 10% off for courtesy. This keeps your customers happy and supportive. The staff are hard working individuals that somehow manage to keep at when the line is at the door. Amazing food, polite service, and ambiance is chill. Great for lunch or dinner with friends and has patio dinning. Be sure to try the various sauces on your Bowls or pita and don't forget the drinks which are all natural and fresh. Love Cava and will be back but maybe not at 1:00pm

Marinated lamb, super green, black lentil and brown rice, with avocado, fire roasted corn, olives, tzatziki

K C.

First time here and everything was cool. I give them a 4.5. It took a minute to decide what I wanted since it was my first time. I can see that being a little of a wait at a busy time. I ordered some fried cinnamon pita chips that went with like a honey and those were cool (a little on the burnt or overly fried side) but a good balance from the savory. Now we just need one of these in Oceanside. People were friendly here in San Marcos. It is pricey and it takes a while to earn a reward on their APP. I may be back when I'm in the area. It was clean and spacious and had a lot of outside seating. I'm now using a walker and it is handicap accessible. There are vegan options an

Thuy C.

We've been to CAVA in Encinitas and that's where our CAVA experience have been. However, we were so happy to see a San Marcos location open and excited to try. While the food and taste is the same (5 stars) for healthy but good tasting food! This location is really poorly ran and filthy! Immediately when we walked in, my first thought was wow, this place is dirrrrrtrryyy, food on the floor, none of the tables were cleaned and had food all over. It was disappointing as this is not the normal Cava and standards that I am used too. We almost left because of how dirty it was but we were also starving. It seems like there is no management here and ran by a bunch of college students. Hopefully the owners realize there's a problem here with cleanliness and operations as everything was out and really low on stock. It didn't look appealing to be getting the bottoms left of food scrapes. Let's do better Cava, this is a great location so please get the sanitary and operations together as we want to come back more often because we love Cava but will drive to Encinitas location for cleaner and better operations

Erick M.

DELICIOUS!! Heathy food that's Packed with Favor! It's Mediterranean food where you pick your meat and toppings. We got the custom bowl of chicken and lamb. Chicken is good but I HIGHLY recommend the lamb! It's cooked perfectly, tender & juicy! You'll pay a bit more than your typical fast food but it's worth it! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

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Jon P.

1 year ago

Sad how this location has gone down hill so soon. Night crew always makes sure to not restock items 2 hours before closing. Every employee is stoned, cannot focus on taking an order. read more

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Faith O.

1 year ago

I wanted to give a shout out to Jess and Ezz that work here!! They are both so sweet, provide the best service, and make the most amazing bowls!! I've personally observed how they both can handle a rush hour like true professionals and I feel that both of their work ethics and personalities stand out amongst some of the other employees! read more

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B P.

1 year ago

Food was good despite the fact that I literally found 3 hairs in my bowl I ordered :( I advise your workers to wear hairnets because the last thing I want to find in my food is black lockets of hair. In addition I felt like the employees were skimping out when it comes to portions. read more

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Erika D.

1 year ago

This place is delicious. After church we went and had lunch,there was a line but it move so quickly. The staff was friendly specially this young lady name Jessica. She make sure all our bowls were made to our liking as well gave us great recommendations. She was very nice, friendly and helpful. Place is super clean! I recommend this place 100% read more

CAVA - San Marcos Location - Salad Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Chris N.

1 year ago

Decided to give this location another chance. Placed an order using the app for 7:15pm pickup and purposefully showed up 20 mins late and the order was still not ready. I understand that they're busy but I've never seen a team of people work so slowly despite how busy they are. Just watch the people assembling the to go orders, it's completely unbelievable. We are never coming back here. read more

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Stephanye P.

7 months ago

They ran out of food before closing time and they didn't wanna give us anything. I feel like they should try to keep up the food coming til it's 10 mins before closing time . I feel like it's unfi for peple that go out there way to come to cava just for their not to be food before closing hours. read more

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Denis S.

1 year ago

I have a chance to eat at several locations throughout San Diego area the food is good and consistent. What I dislike about Cava is the cleanliness of their locations. maybe not a top priority for the company. read more

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Lauren K.

10 months ago

This was a terrible experience. One guy started my pita and put the chicken on it and then walked away. It sat there and got cold while several other employees including the female manager worked on Togo order. My food was so cold and bad when I finally got it. I will never go back to a cava because of this experience. read more

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Paulin M.

1 year ago

I've tried Cava at the Encinitas and Delmar locations, the San Marcos location has by far been the best. I don't even go to the other locations anymore I only crave the San Marcos locations. The meat is cooked very well, they make my bowl beautiful. All the toppings and rice / lentils taste best here. It is very busy but worth the wait. read more

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Archer H.

1 year ago

I feel that the employees here are usually stressed or moody but this super chill blonde dude had great customer service and made my day ty!

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EJ E.

1 year ago

Workers were nice enough, but really stingy with the portions. Hardly any greens or meat were in the bowl. I asked for an extra scoop of chicken and it looked like a tablespoon worth of meat but was $5 extra. Ended up paying $20 for a half filled bowl. Even a male Asian worker secretly added extra meat to a girl before me, so her portion was twice as large as mine without been charged extra. Good for her, but quite unfair customer treatment. read more

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Matt T.

10 months ago

The food has good flavor, but is often cold. Like, not room temperature... cold. And I'm talking about the meat, too. Not just the sauces. The college kids working there tend to seem a bit put out. And if you ask them if they're bringing out any more of something (like the meatballs they've been out of our last two out of 3 visits), they tend to either stare at you blankly or give you a muted "uhhhhh... no." Good quality ingredients claws back a third star, but I'd recommend Pita Guys off the next exit first. read more

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Alma R.

1 year ago

I decided to try Cava for the first time with my friend and omg it's so good!! The ingredients are so fresh and full of flavor. I built a custom chicken and rice bowl through the app and it exceeded my expectations! This place is actually tastier and cheaper than Luna Grill. read more

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Dexter F.

167

1 year ago

Management Attention! This location lacks leadership; untrained employees and short staff. I understand it's new store but been here a couple of time and still appears to be disorganized and no improvement. This may be another failed food chain in our area. read more

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Nancy R.

9 months ago

This is my first ever bad review on Yelp. Made an online order for pick up.... Ordered two Greek chicken pitas, both were made incorrectly, one had so much vinaigrette the bread was spongy and fell apart, hardly had any chicken and the chicken was overcooked and stringy and it was LOADED with brined pickles. It was the worst sandwich I have ever eaten. The pita bread is not real pita bread, it is more like focaccia with some hard grain in it that almost broke a tooth. I will not be returning. read more

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Bob C.

1 year ago

So disappointed in this location. I love CAVA and was excited for one to come to San Marcos but on my first visit to this new store I was given a bowl with a huge bone in it. Definitely not returning to this location, the store in Encinitas is more reliable. read more

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Gigi B.

1 year ago

I ordered on line. Grains and green bowl. With everything I ordered the bowl was half full. I paid 2.95 to add avocado. You had to search for the greens. The is the second time this has happened. You obviously have to go in to get an accurate order. Not getting what I paid for. read more

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Cinthia D.

1 year ago

I was so excited to find out a Cava was opening up in San Marcos! Finally, healthy food. We ordered the Harissa Avocado Bowl. Unfortunately, this bowl did not meet my expectations. There was barely any rice in my bowl, the rice was hard, and the food had no taste. Definitely not worth the $15+ for this bowl. read more

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Naudy M.

1 year ago

Had the most amazing experience at Cava. Melinda was so friendly and so was the entire staff. Our one year old loved her! The food was 10/10, always with the best ingredients. We can't wait to go back and visit again soon :) read more

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Zeriah B.

1 year ago

Hello! I love love love cava and regularly take the 20 minute drive to encinitas to enjoy my bowl. I was very excited to see that one was opening up 5 minutes away from my house! My first time coming i was greeted poorly by the first person who gets the bowl started, he had no people skills and was very snappy. I work in customer service myself and was incredibly disappointed by that interaction. The girl who did my toppings was very sweet, she made up for the latter. Coming to the register i was very nice, i greeted them with a smile, and they had a bad attitude towards myself and company. They forgot about my drink as well as my side pita and rolled their eyes upon reminder. When handing the cup, they grabbed it and shoved it in my face without even looking at me. terrible first experience i hope this improves soon. read more

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Jon N.

1 year ago

Good food at a decent value. It is Mediterranean light food and pretty good for you. You do have to go a couple of times to get it down what you want and like. It is like the Mediterranean version of chipotle read more

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Alia K.

1 year ago

Me and my family decided to stop here on our way back to Orange County and couldn't have had a better takeout experience. We have always heard about Cava but never had the chance to try it. The employees were so patient and helpful in explaining what everything was and how their process worked. The food was absolutely delicious. Will definitely be back!! read more

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Miguel B.

1 year ago

I am a true cava supporter, I love the food but I went today and the customer service was so bad it shocked me. Hope this gets better.

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Nathaniel L.

10 months ago

Food was great and Hailee provided excellent service with a smile ! Ill stop by everytime i am in the area

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Clever A.

9 months ago

Way overhyped. When this place first opened there were lines out the door so my wife and I waited a few months to try it. Finally gave it a shot and honestly I am glad we were not among the early crowds. It is nothing special. Just average Mediterranean, definitely not worth the hype. read more

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Kristina M.

1 year ago

This place was our first time visiting CAVA. Food was filling and the manager, Melinda, was very friendly and helpful. Thank you Melinda! We will be coning again! read more

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Christy B.

1 year ago

I've been a huge fan of Cava for a while, so when I found out they were opening a location in San Marcos, I was super excited--especially since it's so much closer to home! I couldn't wait to bring my husband, who had never been, and I was hyping it up. While the food was, as always, amazing, the experience overall left a lot to be desired. The service was a letdown. There were only two people working the assembly line, and it felt like there were 15 other staff members doing everything but helping at the front. We waited over 15 minutes just to be asked what toppings we wanted on our bowls, which felt pretty ridiculous. I kindly mentioned to who I think was the manager (a super young guy) that they needed more help up front, and instead of acknowledging the issue, he started talking about how much he loves his team and how great everyone is doing, going on about "positive vibes" and some millennial malarkey. I tried to explain that what they really needed was more hands on deck, not more pep talks, and another customer next to us was also frustrated. In the end, the manager comped her meal but not ours, which felt a little strange considering we were equally disappointed. When we finally got our food, we decided to eat on the patio, and that was another ordeal. Every single table was dirty, and the chairs were all secured by cables, making it almost impossible to sit comfortably. I even saw another customer bring a chair from inside just to be able to eat outside. It was honestly pretty frustrating. I love the food at Cava, but unfortunately, I don't think I'll be coming back to this location. They really need to bring in some older, more experienced staff to help guide the younger crew--it was honestly a bit concerning. Hopefully, they'll get it together, but for now, I'll stick to the other locations. read more

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Bree A.

1 year ago

Found a new lunch spot! Upon arrival the place was clean and the atmosphere was friendly. The line moved pretty quick and I was met with great service. I ordered a steak bowl with avocado. Everything tasted fresh! Jessica was very kind and knowledgeable about all of the sauces and food and gave me great recommendations. I'm always looking for something fast and great quality for lunch, glad I came across Cava. It was my first time, but I will definitely be back!! read more

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Talina J.

11 months ago

Everytime I order here they forget the pickled onions. I ask for extra? No onions. I ask for triple? It's one serving. Actually insane. Also the portions are pretty inconsistent, but sometimes the bowls are made well. Friendly workers though! read more

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Bailey S.

1 year ago

Ordered online. Bowl was barely even filled halfway and they forgot all 3 dips. Really skimped on all items. Ordered 2 cookies and they got those wrong too. I tried calling to get it sorted out and i was hung up on. read more

CAVA - Harissa chicken bowl - Salad Near Me - San Marcos, California

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Arlet C.

1 year ago

Went in for lunch super busy, shira & the crew were great!! The food was great so excited for the new Cava in town! read more

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Tyler D.

1 year ago

I had never been to Cava so when i heard of a grand opening, I decided to try it and see what all the hype was about. The customer service was great even though the line was out the door. One of the workers Esme helped me with my bowl when i had questions and was very attentive and kind. The cashier Alex made sure I had everything i needed and even offered me a water cup although I didn't even ask. The food was amazing and well prepared. The ambiance in there is well setup and it seems everyone there understands the importance of high quality food and service. read more

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Tyler Y.

1 year ago

Shae and Allen were the most professional and friendly workers that spread their kindness with warm smiles even when it was super busy. they got me in and out quick and I'd highly recommend a place with service and food that good. gotta check it out read more

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Terri O.

1 year ago

Melinda was awesome. The brown rice in our bowls weren't cooked completely and she was more than happy to assist us and make us new bowls. Great customer service and she also removed the rice to make sure other customers food was perfect. The food is amazing. read more

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Roxanne B.

1 year ago

No a/c in this store. The employees look flushed and sweat from their foreheads. What inconsiderate working conditions. As a customer, you wouldn't want be in there for 5 minutes. How the cooks are beating that heat & servers too. We were here 3 weeks ago, a/c was broken then. Beginning of summer heat, today was 88. read more

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Doral F.

1 year ago

Good food but the service is horrible. They are constantly understaffed and never have enough proteins prepared. This causes both the line in the restaurant and online order to back up. I've been there a few times and this has been a consistent issue. Won't be going back unfortunately because I really like their food. Encinitas location is so much better. read more

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Valerie B.

1 year ago

Love cave food but every time I come to this place it's always out of stuff. I ordered my order online 30 min prior to coming in. And I've been sitting waiting for my food for about 30 min now. read more

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S M.

1 year ago

Visited Cava today for a quick bit and was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was. Also really appreciated the service, I believe it was Laron and Shay who helped me. They did a great job! They were friendly, efficient and helpful with deciding what to get. read more

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Reese R.

1 year ago

Food and customer service is great! Shout out to Ezz she was a big help and was super cool. It was clean inside and not loud or busy. 10/10 experience :) read more

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Brandon C.

1 year ago

This place is ass. Workers are high on something because they seem to be doing everything but their job. Food is late and occasionally the orders are just wrong. I'd rather drive my fatass an extra 20 minutes to the encinitas location. read more

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Page 4 of 6

573 Grand Ave
San Marcos, CA 92078
Directions
(442) 385-6081
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.cava.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does CAVA open?

CAVA opens at 10:30 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does CAVA close?

CAVA closes at 10:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM

Payment methods

Does CAVA take credit cards?

Yes, CAVA takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does CAVA serve alcohol?

No, CAVA does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does CAVA allow dogs?

Yes, CAVA allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does CAVA have parking?

Yes, CAVA has parking options. Validated Parking

Other Amenities

Does CAVA have free WiFi?

Yes, CAVA has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

CAVA is a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant serving feel-good food with customizable greens + grains bowls, salads, and pitas.

More Info

Special Hours, Health Score

Ask the Community - CAVA

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Review Highlights - CAVA

“The staff were friendly and a nice employee named Shira was extremely helpful helping me get signed up for the app.”

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A friend recommended I check out Urbane cafe since I've driven past it but have yet to stop in. I…read morewas curious about it to see what's up and I was pleasantly surprised! A moderately sized space that was very clean and organized. Convenience of being able to order from a screen, and staff were easily to get a hold of with any questions as needed. There's another restaurant chain similar but I find Urbane to be much more attractive to me based on pricing, portion and quality. The salad was delicious, refreshing and the perfect side to go with the sandwich. I got the SoCal sandwich which was very filling for me. The sandwich was a bit messy to hold but still delicious and balanced decently. Definitely worth coming here for a filling meal without breaking the bank.

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Salmon Bowl (lid off). Overall pretty decent, though I think there were a few too many sweet potatoes in there

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I love this place! Food is delicious. Would recommend to…read moreanyone, it's a little loud inside but if you're not eating there it doesn't matter. Staff is friendly. I did however have a bit a negative experience, picked up lunch couple days ago and got a chicken kabob bowl and as I bit into it noticed the chicken was undercooked. Didn't have time to go back and share with staff.

Why did I come here?…read more With a hunger for mediterranean and the worry that nearby Aria may be a bit too pricey for a quick meal, I brought my son out to The Pita Guys for some gyro or shawarma. What we found were limited options, higher than expected prices, less than helpful staff, and not the best of food. Being my first time, I had questions about the menu. The young pair behind the counter didn't seem to know what they were serving, as they kept looking at one another for guidance with little ability to give me much relevant info on anything other than what types or protein they had. Once I finally ordered, they started to taking and filling the orders of people behind me. It wasn't until a much older woman came in from the back before my own dinner started being prepared. Seriously, it was a pretty weird setup. The food was served Subway style, where they go down the line asking what you wanted added to your wrap. Shawarma meat is minced, staying warm in a tub, and scooped to order by a spoon resting in a bin of cloudy water. Not only did it feel a bit gross, but it also seemed that the bulk of the juice in the meat came from that watery spoon, as the shawarma I ate was very dry. When it came to my son's Shawarma Plate, the menu stated that it came with two sides. What they don't tell you is that the only choices on the 'sides' menu open to you are Hummus and a Salad. The much more desired sides of Falafel, Baba Ghanoush, or even kid friendly Fries, were not offered. Needless to say, my son ate his chicken and rice, but wouldn't touch his hummus. So, a Shawarma Plate and a Shawarma wrap ... dinner for two, not a ton of food, neither of us were all that impressed ... and it cost us over $40. Needless to say, with how everything tasted and what it took to get ... we won't be coming back. For the price it cost us, I think we'll stick with the far superior Aria up the street. Or, at the very least, try the Kebab Shop down the block.

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This is a "large" bowl for $17. Pretty sad considering you can buy an entire rotisserie chicken at any grocery store for like $6-10.

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Food is amazing! I got the Siena sandwich and it was perfect - light, healthy and satisfying!…read moreReally sad I just found out about this place :( Can't wait to try out the rest of the menu.

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I had a wonderful lunch at Samy's today and wanted to complement my amazing host and server Josh…read more He was exceptional and provided excellent service and great recommendations. I absolutely loved everything and highly recommend Sammy's Woodfired Pizza. Thanks Josh!

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Copper Kings Burgers

Copper Kings burgers is an absolute staple, their smash burgers are so good. Service is always…read moregreat, they've got really good beer, house-made quality sauces, and a really fun menu to choose from. I always get the classic, and I've never been let down here. The only con is that it is a little bit pricey in my opinion, but I have found it to be worth it. Another pro is I love that they have outdoor seating, and I can bring my dog. They also have TVs for sporting events that they show. It's also kind of a bonus that it's across from the bowling alley! Solid place, always recommend.

Came here for Happy Hour and it did not disappoint…read more The ordering system was super convenient. You can order via a QR code right at your table or at the host stand inside. Since it was our first time, we went inside to order our mains first and then easily added dessert later using the table QR code. The outdoor seating is great! It was nice and sunny, though it did get a bit chilly later on, so definitely bring a jacket just in case. The "Crappy Meal" from the HH menu comes with a beer can and it was delicious. The Anaconda Bar from the dessert menu was incredible. It's like a seriously elevated Klondike bar. Their entire menu looks incredibly intriguing. I'll definitely be back to try more items, especially their June specials like the Pineapple Express Burger and the Spam Musubi Fries!

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Clean Empty Dining Area

Seasonal salad

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Lemonade (fresh)

Pizza Nova

First time eating at Pizza Nova and I was very happy with my food. I had the lunch special with…read morepersonal size pepperoni pizza & the best house salad. The salad had apples slices, candied walnuts, dried cranberries with a delicious vinaigrette. It was a good size along with an 8" individual pizza. Very filling. And they serve garlic knots at no charge. Restaurant has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Staff very friendly. TVs in the bar area for sports games.

Friendly staff and tasty dinner items including standouts: Thai chicken pizza and BBQ chicken…read morepizza. Easy to-go night meal to make the family happy with easy pickup at the front. Pro tip - grab their delicious chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

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Chicken Tequila Fettuccine with Shrimp substitute

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Need I say more?!

Boudin SF

I like this place…read more I have been coming here for years. It was quick to order as well which is nice and everything was clean. The only issue is where they store the pastries, there are flies, but I am not afraid of flies lol and still wanted a pastry. I came in after my hair appointment on May 30th with my mom. She ordered a half sandwich and salad combo and I ordered a half of turkey sandwich with clam chowder combo. I paired my meal with a dirty Dr. Pepper that I made there and my mom got a coke. We also ordered 2 chocolate chips cookies which were soft! And she got a coffee cake. Everything was tasty while we ate our lunch outside. Will definitely be back to eat more clam chowder.

There are many choices.....the service is good...you order at the register...restaurant has lots of…read moreseating...both indoor and some outdoor seating available... I

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Crispy Chicken & Avo Caesar

Crispy Chicken Caesar Wrap

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House Fries

Draft Republic San Marcos

Just wanted to shout out Rory F. -- hands down the best waitress I've ever had! Her customer…read moreservice was absolutely amazing from start to finish. We ordered our drinks and food and everything came out quickly, and she was so attentive the entire time. She was friendly, professional, and made sure we had everything we needed without us even having to ask. Rory truly made our whole experience better and deserves major recognition. If you get Rory as your waitress, you're in great hands. We will definitely be back

We came to watch the Fifa26 Mexico vs Korea. They definitely have a lot of screen to watch the…read moregame. Small little fun arcade was part of the restaurant. Reminds me a mini Dave and Buster type but more chill and vibes. Definitely a place to hang out with your friends and co workers. We ordered two drinks: sparkling paloma and prickly pear margarita. It's definitely not out favorite and it just taste alcohol or too diluted . We drank it just to drink it. For food we ordered chips and guacamole, truffle fries, buffalo hot wings, Brussels sprouts and a classic burger with a beer. Overall, food is decent in your typical American sport bar food. If k have to pick my favorites out of the stuff we ordered, would be the truffle fries. Even with happy hours pricing.. we spent about $120 on appetizers , two drinks and two beers. As far with the game, I wish it was louder or have better speakers inside. As we walked out, we realized outside speakers is louder than inside

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8 lane bowling alley

Full Swing Golf Simulator

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Arcade

Amalfi Cucina Italiana

The food at Amalfi Cucina Italiana was decent and the flovors were authentic, but the experience…read morewas just average.

The crowd here is fantastic, they play live music downstairs on the water and the Italian food is…read moreexcellent. Marco, our server, recommended a wonderful Italian wine and we had a perfect evening.

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Salad w shrimp

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Adult beverages

The Money Pit Drive Thru

I sometimes come here on lunch break during the weekdys. I'd actually go everyday if I could. The…read moreonly thing that stops me is the long wait at the drive-thru during lunch rush. I'm into their veggie wrap and greek chicken wrap. Both extremely fresh and light. I don't get that post-prandial feeling after eating a typical fast-food lunch. I always feel perfectly fine and my body doesn't hate me afterwards.

Excellent hamburgers with lots of fresh produce and thousand island dressing. Burgers were made to…read moreorder, with nice soft buns, wrapped In n Out style. Fries were tender, yet crispy and moist. Shake was. Super "chocalatey" and made with ice cream. Mmmm. Casual, Texas diner road house vibe, order at the counter, they bring it out fresh. Friendly staff...busy place for a Friday afternoon! Reasonable, old school prices. Unique, money themed decor inside. I will returning again for sure.

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Self Serve Beverages and Ketchup

Triple MESS Sandwich with side of Zucchini

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Onion rings. A different type of batter than I'm used to...

The Melt

Just found out about this place when I was passing the plaza that used to have the Five Guys. These…read moreburgers are wayyy better! Better quality, and better prices, prompt service, chill vibes. I'm coming back!

Fast service, food tasted amazing, Daisy was very attentive and confirmed everything was okay!read more

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SHABU-WORKS®

Food-staff and place they are really satisfying and the price was not that really bad either.read more

Amazing food 3rd time being here in a Week absolutely loved all the food and the service was also…read moreamazing

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The Money Pit Drive Thru

Self Serve Beverages and Ketchup

Triple MESS Sandwich with side of Zucchini

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Onion rings. A different type of batter than I'm used to...

Amalfi Cucina Italiana

The food at Amalfi Cucina Italiana was decent and the flovors were authentic, but the experience…read morewas just average.

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Salad w shrimp

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Adult beverages

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11 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Sophie S.

1 year ago

The service at this establishment was utterly appalling. The staff appeared far more preoccupied with exchanging jokes amongst themselves than with attending to their customers, which resulted in a multitude of egregious errors. Their inattentiveness and lack of professionalism were both glaring and unacceptable. Moreover, their demeanor toward individuals unfamiliar with the CAVA experience was notably condescending and dismissive. Rather than offering guidance or assistance, they exhibited an air of judgment and impatience, which created an unwelcoming environment for newcomers. Astonishingly, all four of our relatively straightforward orders were completely mishandled, further emphasizing the staff's lack of attentiveness and care. To make matters worse, during our meal, a fellow patron accidentally spilled a beverage on themselves and across the floor, creating a conspicuous commotion. Despite making direct eye contact with several employees, not a single staff member made any attempt to assist or express concern. Their indifference in that moment was both disheartening and deeply disappointing. In summary, the experience was profoundly unsatisfactory due to the staff's unprofessionalism, lack of hospitality, and failure to uphold even basic standards of customer service. read more

Alexa H.

138

1 year ago

I recently ordered from Cava via DoorDash, and unfortunately, my experience didn't live up to the usual standards I've come to expect from the brand. For a $26 order, the portion size was incredibly small. The bowl I received was tiny--I've never seen a bowl so underwhelming in terms of quantity. My order was missing the pickled onions, and the chicken portion was minimal, maybe about an ounce at best. I'm a big fan of Cava, but this time, they really didn't do it justice. To add to the disappointment, the chicken was cold, and the rice didn't have that distinct saffron flavor that usually makes it stand out. Honestly, it felt like they were cutting corners. Given the price, I was expecting a much better meal. If I'm comparing it to a similar spot like The Pita Guys, it's clear Cava has some work to do in order to stay competitive. They're charging nearly the same price, but the quality and portion size from this order didn't match up. I'm hoping this is just a teething issue since they're still a relatively new restaurant, but for now, I'm a bit let down. Fingers crossed for a better experience next time. read more

Paulina D.

532

1 year ago

I've been a loyal customer of this restaurant for years and have had great experiences at the Del Sur and Carmel Mountain locations. Unfortunately, the San Marcos location is a completely different story -- consistently the worst and slowest service I've encountered. I placed an online pickup order and was given a scheduled pickup time. I showed up on time and ended up waiting a full hour past that time for my food to be ready. No communication, no updates, just sitting and waiting -- and I wasn't the only one. It was a huge inconvenience and totally avoidable with better organization and customer service. This wasn't a one-time issue either -- it's a pattern I've noticed every time I've ordered from this location. It's incredibly frustrating, especially when other locations clearly have it figured out. Love the food, but the San Marcos location seriously needs to improve their operations. Until then, I'll be avoiding this one. read more

Maria L.

1 year ago

I visited Cava for the first time, and the food was absolutely amazing! Although they were out of certain toppings, Alex, the cashier, went above and beyond to make up for it. He made our visit truly enjoyable with his attentiveness and outstanding customer service. Alex's effort to ensure we had a great experience really stood out. I'll definitely be back--highly recommend! read more

Isaac T.

1 year ago

First time going to cava, the food was really great good tasting, and for how busy it was, we got in and out pretty decently quickly. And the store was very loud, but that's only because it was packed to the brim hahah read more

Emma L.

5 months ago

Amazing workers at this location! Mackenzie, George, and Ashley were especially kind and helpful today Plus the food is always so good, definitely recommend and I will continue to support this location! read more

Chandler V.

5 months ago

I love this location! The staff is always super nice and helpful, especially Mackenzie, Ashley, and George -- they brighten up my day! I highly recommend this Cava read more

Robert M.