Two sources (including a Columbia County government official and one of the construction leaders on the project) confirm what’s been a hot restaurant rumor in our community for several months.
National franchise, CAVA, is coming and will be 50 feet from the entrance to Diablo’s Southwest Grill; adjacent to Chipotle in a 1.3-acre outparcel in front of Mullins Colony Shopping Center.
Chipotle’s property is subdivided with Mattress Firm, and CAVA will share its building with an undisclosed tenant as well.
CAVA’s fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant theme is very similar to Chipotle, featuring a simple menu of build-your-own bowls, salads, and pitas with different kinds of Greek-spiced protein like chicken, ground sirloin, lamb, pork sausage, and more. Their “go-to” dip/spread is called Harissa, made with chilies, tomatoes, olive oil, and peppers.
Representatives from CAVA’s corporate headquarters in Washington, D.C. did not return a media request from ABD via e-mail or voice mail. In previous media reports, CAVA indicated the 2,000-plus square foot restaurant was opening in Evans, without saying where or when.
Last week, contractors framed the building and began work on the roof and the exterior walls, before they start the finishing phase, such as installing utilities, windows, drywalling, and more.
A key on-site construction worker tells me the building should be complete by August and open soon after, pending the permitting process of Columbia County commercial inspectors.
CAVA is taking direct aim at the customer base of locally-owned and fast-growing Laziza Mediterranean Grill at 4272 Washington Road in the Evans Towne Centre. The restaurants will be exactly ½ mile apart.
That location is Laziza’s flagship restaurant. In 2020, Co-owner/founder, Nader Khatib, added a second Laziza Mediterranean Grill at the corner of 9th and Broad Street in downtown Augusta, and a third restaurant will open in 2025.
Khatib (on right) and his wife Lisa were awarded 2024 Entrepreneurs of the Year by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce.
He released this statement to ABD about competition from CAVA.
“As the founder of Laziza Mediterranean Grill, we take great pride in serving the CSRA with delicious, made-from-scratch Mediterranean cuisine. For over 13 years, we’ve built our reputation on real flavors and genuine hospitality.
While we welcome healthy competition and recognize the appeal of national chains like CAVA, Laziza offers something different. We’re a family-owned business rooted in this community. Our food is handcrafted daily, our team members know our guests by name, and our recipes reflect tradition, not trend.
We don’t just serve meals—we serve memories, comfort, and culture. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick lunch or catering a family gathering, Laziza delivers with heart, quality, and authenticity. We’re not here to be the biggest—we’re here to be the best for our neighbors.
We’re also excited to grow with the community—our newest location will be opening soon in Aiken, SC, bringing our signature flavors and hospitality across the river.”
Like CAVA, Laziza has pita wraps, bowls, and salads. They also serve an array of traditional Mediterranean platters featuring Souvlaki, Gyro, Chicken Shawarma, with other proteins and staples like hummus, pita bread, rice, soup, and salads. Other specialties include Feta Fries, Baba Ghanoush (fire-roasted eggplant dip), Falafel baskets, and traditional Greek sauces such as tzatziki.
If CAVA follows the business plan in other nearby, larger cities, expect more locations of their brand to compete with Laziza in the CSRA.
Of the 300-plus locations nationwide, five are open in Columbia, South Carolina, and more than a dozen are open in the greater Atlanta area.
For information on both restaurants, visit www.cava.com and www.lazizagrill.com
