Fast-Casual Cava Adds La Jolla To Its Growing Area Expansion Plans

Washington, D.C.-based Cava is making good on its plans to rapidly expand across San Diego, with a newly announced outpost landing in La Jolla this fall.

The Mediterranean chain will join the dining lineup at The Shops at La Jolla, a sprawling outdoor center home to Snooze, Sprinkles, Nékter Juice Bar, and Philz Coffee (8800 Villa La Jolla Drive). The popular fast-casual eatery serves a highly-customizable menu of salads, pita breads, or grain bowls filled with more than 50 varieties of dips, proteins, toppings, and sauces.

As of now, there are plans to plant five Cava locations across the health-conscious county by late 2020. Carmel Valley’s brand new One Paseo mixed-used complex is getting ready to welcome a Cava this summer. Another is slated to land inside Westfield Mission Valley mall in early 2020. An additional location will debut late 2020 in The Watermark, a Scripps Ranch development anchored by Whole Foods Market and The Lot.

The brand’s first area location debuted last fall in the Encinitas Town Center with 52 seats across about 2,700 square feet. Current spring offerings include roasted vegetables like brussels sprouts, butternut squash, carrots, and cauliflower, sumac radish toppings, roasted tomato soup, and a spicy lime tahini dressing.

Cava was founded in 2011 by childhood friends Ted Xenohristos and Ike Grigoropoulos, along with executive chef Dimitri Moshovitis. There’s currently 78 locations from coast to coast, with 12 branches in Southern California.

The company recently acquired another casual Mediterranean chain, Zoe’s Kitchen.

• D.C.’s Fast-Casual Cava Announces Arrival Date in Encinitas [ESD]
• The Definitive Guide to All the Eateries at One Paseo [ESD]
• Cava Is Acquiring Another Mediterranean Fast-Casual Chain [EDC]