Cava's fresh Chicken Shawarma offering stretches tradition with a Western twist on an age-old Eastern Mediterranean dish

Cava, the popular Mediterranean restaurant concept known for its build-your-own approach, is shaking things up with a new addition to its menu. Starting in January, White sweet potatoes will return to the Cava menu, but the real excitement lies in the Garlicky Chicken Shawarma Bowl.

Priced around $15, depending on location, this curated bowl offers a four-ounce portion of chicken, reflecting the hospitality found in Mediterranean cultures. The chicken is marinated, stacked, and roasted at a central production facility before being delivered to the restaurants, ensuring consistency in taste and quality.

The Garlicky Chicken Shawarma Bowl is a modern take on a Mediterranean classic, featuring shaved chicken over saffron basmati rice, red pepper hummus, Crazy Feta, corn, a tomato and cucumber mix, pickled onions, broccoli, arugula, skhug, and garlic dressing. Skhug, a vibrant herb-based green sauce from the Levant, adds a burst of flavour to the dish.

The Chicken Shawarma offers a protein-rich white meat chicken with a new flavor profile, inspired by the traditional method of stacking and slow roasting meat on a vertical spit, a common practice in the Levant region. The aim is to recreate an authentic Mediterranean experience.

In addition to the bowl, Cava is also introducing a new limited-time item: the Chicken Shawarma Pita. This wrap features hummus, tomato and onion, shredded romaine, DPP, garlic dressing, lemon herb tahini, and can be requested with harissa. However, due to the additional prep required, the Chicken Shawarma Pita is slightly premium priced compared to other chicken items on the menu.

To promote the new offerings, Cava is hosting a multi-city food truck tour, starting in New York City and continuing to Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Dallas. Consumer response to the Chicken Shawarma during market tests in Dallas and Florida was favourable, indicating a successful addition to the Cava menu.

Currently, the Cava menu boasts eight proteins, and the Chicken Shawarma takes the eighth spot. The restaurant is also experimenting with flavour innovations, such as Cava's pita chips, with Cinnamon-sugar chips and honey for dipping set to be the next menu addition.

Whether you're a fan of Mediterranean cuisine or looking to try something new, the Garlicky Chicken Shawarma Bowl and Chicken Shawarma Pita are worth a taste. So, mark your calendars for January and get ready to embark on a flavourful journey with Cava.

Cava's fresh Chicken Shawarma offering stretches tradition with a Western twist on an age-old Eastern Mediterranean dish