By serving build-your-own bowls, Cava and Chipotle offer a unique experience, suitable for customers with different palates and preferences.
This type of personalization has made the restaurants increasingly popular.
Cava and Chipotle provide similar food assembly styles, but the cuisine from the two is incomparable.
Cava is Mediterranean-inspired, while Chipotle is Mexican.
The Cava location in Collegeville has a noticeably warm atmosphere with welcoming staff members who assist customers in making their bowls or other items.
Customers have the option to choose a base of greens or grains, a dip, a protein, and toppings for their bowls.
To start, sophomore Cassandra Shurtz got a bowl with a base of romaine and brown rice.
She chose not to get any dip, and her proteins were roasted white sweet potatoes and grilled chicken.
Her toppings consisted of fiery broccoli, salt-brined pickles, pita crisps, and garlic dressing on the side.
The roasted white sweet potatoes were well seasoned and made a nice addition to the bowl. The fiery broccoli was delicious and left us wishing we were given more.
Senior Julia Sipes chose to get a pre-created menu item called the Greek Chicken Pita.
The pita is made with grilled chicken, hummus, tzatziki, pickles, tomato, onion, feta, romaine, and a Greek vinaigrette.
The pita was fresh and wrapped tightly, making it easy and neat to eat.
Another order that we tried was a greens and grains bowl with romaine, saffron basmati rice, roasted eggplant dip, falafel, fiery broccoli, Persian cucumber, and pita crisps with a balsamic date vinaigrette.
The saffron rice was a great option for a flavorful base, and the falafel was a great protein option.
The roasted eggplant dip was a highlight of the dining experience and was much more flavorful than expected.
The foundation drinks at Cava are also extremely unique.
We tried the blueberry lavender drink, which was refreshing and perfect for the spring weather.
Chipotle also offers a similar assembly experience to Cava, only it serves Mexican food.
Sipes ordered a bowl with white rice, chicken, black beans, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, and guacamole.
She appreciated the charred chicken and evidently fresh ingredients.
Another bowl option that satisfied was an order made with white rice, pinto beans, sofritas, lettuce, fajita veggies, and corn salsa.
The dish was flavorful and familiar, making it a perfect go-to order.
Chipotle serves notably hearty portions.
Overall, the two chains both offer their own unique flavor palates and cuisine, making them difficult to compare.
The service from both locations was incredible, and the customization was appreciated.