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Cava, a popular Mediterranean chain of 450-plus restaurants known for its build-your-own bowls and Crazy Feta dip, is finally making its way to Northern California
Santana Row in San Jose is getting the first location in this part of the state, the center confirmed. The Cava Group picked the Bay Area over Seattle and Salt Lake City as an expansion market after a social media vote by customers, SFGate reported
Customizable bowls, salads, wraps and pita chips with dip are Cava’s stock in trade. Diners can select from menu options like Pomegranate-Glazed Salmon, Steak & Avocado, Greek Salad and Falafel Crunch or create their own, Chipotle-style, by picking a base, protein, add-ins and toppings
The fast-casual chain was founded by three Greek American childhood friends — Ike Grigoropoulos, Dimitri Moshovitis and Ted Xenohristos — in Maryland in 2010 with CEO Brett Schulman, according to the company history
A few years earlier, the trio had opened a full-service restaurant, then hit it big by selling their signature dips and spreads in grocery stores and other retail spots. There are six: spicy harissa, roasted eggplant, tzatziki, hummus, red pepper hummus and the trademarked Crazy Feta, which is feta cheese whipped with jalapeño, onion and olive oil
Nationally, Cava restaurants are now in 30 states. Southern California is home to more than 40 locations
