Fresh fast food
Healthy bowl chain Cava to sprout in revitalized Oak Cliff development
Cava will join Kroger, El Rancho Supermercado, and LA Fitness at a revamped Oak Cliff development.
A prolific eatery famous for its customizable menu featuring proprietary crazy feta and healthy bowls is under construction in Oak Cliff. The fast-casual Mediterranean chain Cava is building a branch at 671 W. Illinois Aven., in Wynnewood Village, which continues to undergo a multi-million-dollar redevelopment project.
Located west of I-35 East at the corner of Illinois Avenue and Zang Boulevard, Wynnewood Village's first big announcement for the updated outdoor shopping center was the tenancy of a Target store at 655 W.Illinois, which opened last January after three years in the works. It joined existing tenants including Kroger, El Rancho Supermercado, LA Fitness, Burlington Coat Factory, Ross, Five Below, James Avery, Bath and Body Works, with more to be revealed.
The first modern-day version of Cava was founded in 2010, inspired by a trio of Greek guys nostalgic for the slow-roasted lamb, lemony roasted potatoes, and bowls of tzatziki of their youth, according to company literature. It arrived in Dallas in 2020. It now just opened its 500th store in the United States (Minneapolis), and has approximately 25 locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Diners first choose a base of salad, pita bread, or a bowl of grains and greens. Then you can build your own salad, sandwich, or bowl from rows of ingredients such as salmon, steak, chicken, falafel, hummus, tomato, onion, cucumber, sumac cabbage slaw, and loads of seasonal options. Or choose a signature combo like the Greek Goddess steak or salmon or Falafel Crunch.
According to its Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing, the new 2,391-square-foot Cava was supposed to be complete this summer, but the final inspection status remains unconfirmed.
A representative from Cava confirms to CultureMap that the brand intends to open the Wynnewood Village store in the first half of next year.
“We aren't able to confirm any other specifics or a time frame at this point,” Emma Vogt, brand communications manager, says, noting that "we look forward to welcoming the Wynnewood Village community to our table.”
Wynnewood Village shopping center has more than 80 stores, restaurants, and service tenants, but they’re spread out with huge sections of parking and roads that owner Brixmor Property Group is working to make more approachable for cars and pedestrians, according to a press release.
“We will make traffic flow better. Now it’s kind of a free-for-all,” Brett Milke, Brixmor’s vice president of redevelopment said in a statement. “We want to get it more pedestrian friendly because even though it’s a large property, people really do shop it on foot.”
