Like most folks, I usually order the same thing at every chain restaurant and fast food spot I go to. At CAVA, I was a staunch beef meatball girl, until they were taken off the menu. I’d always go with a grain bowl and pile on all the pickles and yogurt my heart desired. Now that my go-to protein is discontinued, I turned to the newest in the lineup on my last visit: chicken shawarma.
(Note: Pricing and availability may vary by location.)
You can try it in a pita or a bowl for a limited time and pair it with whatever toppings you’d like. For this review, I tried them exactly as they are on the menu, as follows:
I tasted the poultry on its own first. The chicken was warm-spiced, savory, garlicky, tender and very moist, as shawarma is meant to be. (ICYMI, it’s a Middle Eastern dish that calls for slow cooking chicken on a vertical rotisserie and carving it, like gyro or al pastor.)
Next, I dug into the wrap. This one is definitely best for eating immediately in one sitting, as the pita turns soggy from the produce rather quickly. I adored the double-dose of pickled onions and cucumbers, because I’m always down for something acidic. However, I thought the halved tomatoes were a bit clunky and added a lot of moisture to the interior. I also felt it could have used something creamy or spicy (the chain’s Crazy Feta? Harissa, perhaps?) to pull it all together.
Finally, I tried the bowl. If you’re someone who likes to have leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day, this menu item will certainly keep longer. Dip stans will also love how loaded the bowl is with spreads and dressings. I preferred this to the wrap because I thought it was 1) more satiating and 2) more complementary, as in all the toppings made for a more balanced, diverse bite. Specifically, I loved the contrasting sweet and sour notes of the corn and pickled onions here.
It’s no beef meatball, but I suggest trying the shawarma (and new pita chips) while you still can.
