Mediterranean fast-casual chain Cava opens new location in Carson

Mediterranean-inspired bowls, pitas, dips and dips are coming to the South Bay with the opening of a new Cava restaurant this month.

The fast-casual chain’s latest location opened Friday, Oct. 18, at the SouthBay Pavilion Mall at 20700 Avalon Blvd.

The new location will employ around 40 people and before opening the company partnered with the Office of Samoan Affairs to donate meals prepared during the restaurant’s formative period to members of the local community.

Cava was founded in 2011 by first-generation Greek-American childhood friends Ted Xenohristos, Ike Grigoropoulos and executive chef Dimitri Moshovitis. The company also produces a line of sauces and spreads in a Culver City kitchen.

Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Cava opened a new location Oct. 18 in the SouthBay Pavilion Mall at 20700 Avalon Blvd. (Photo courtesy of Cava)

Menu items include restaurant staples like garlic pita chips, steak, chicken and lamb pitas, various bowls like steak, spicy chicken, Harissa honey chicken, Greek salad and others. The chain is also known for its homemade juices that include flavors like pineapple, blueberry and cucumber mint.

The new location joins other restaurants in the mall, including Charleys Philly Steaks, Smash Burger, Pieology and more. CAVA has more than two dozen locations across California, with local restaurants in places like Costa Mesa, El Segundo, Culver City and Hollywood.