GT
Greg Thompson
Mar 17, 2026
Stopped by at 8:45 p.m. on a Tuesday night for dinner. This location was mildly busy when I arrived, and got busier after I sat down to eat. Didn't have a problem finding a table, however, and the food was just as tasty as usual.
My problem during this visit was with the beverages. For those who are familiar with CAVA, their drink options are several natural fountain sodas, and a variety of other beverages like tea, lemonade, and fruit/vegetable-flavored waters all served from bubblers.
After paying for my food, I grab my tray and cup, and turn around to go get some tea. To my surprise the bubbler machine that has the tea in it is completely dismantled.
I asked the lady cleaning it if they have more tea in the back - she says they do not, and that the tea is "done for the night."
Okay, fine, that's a bummer - I go with the cucumber mint water instead. I fill my cup, have a seat, and start enjoying my dinner.
At about 9:15pm, halfway through my bowl, I run out of drink, and go back to the drink station to get some more cucumber mint water.
The other bubbler, that used to hold the cucumber/mint water, is now also completely dismantled. I literally check the writing on the front door to confirm they don't close until 10pm...yup, 10pm.
Look, I understand what happened here. I've worked five different food service jobs at some point in my life - it sucks to have to stay late after closing to clean a labor-intensive piece of equipment. It always makes you feel a little bit better to sneak a jump start on your closing duties.
But....an hour and 15 minutes before you close? Really? C'mon now.
I might understand this if you were a "typical" fast food restaurant that serves greasy burgers and french fries - there's no way tea, or cucumber mint water, would be one of your most popular beverages. But for a place like CAVA that clearly positions itself as a healthier place to eat, even more clearly demonstrated by the fact you offer 6 non-soda drink options, dumping all these drinks down the drain over an hour before you close is majorly lame.
It'd be best if you don't close things down, until, you know, you CLOSE. But, if you absolutely have to let the workers start cleaning these drink stations early, how about 15 minutes before you close, instead of an HOUR and 15 minutes before you close?
That way you can get the cleaning started, but also leave the remaining tea and lemonade and juice in pitchers for a short period of time to still keep them fresh and allow any last-minute diners to enjoy them to drink.
I'm fully aware this is a classic example of a true "first world problem" - but when I pay $17 for a bowl of food, and over $21 by the time I add a beverage, I expect to be able to pick any drink I want when the store is open. This is an easy fix, y'all....make it happen! 😊