Mediterranean chain Cava to open first Ohio location in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Cava, a fast-casual chain known for Mediterranean bowls and pitas, is expanding into Ohio with a Columbus location.

The national brand is aiming to open the new restaurant at 1370 Polaris Parkway, according to a building permit submitted in June to the city of Columbus. A Cava spokesperson said in a statement to NBC4 that the chain does intend to open in the Columbus area but isn't able to confirm any other specifics or a time frame at this point.

Cava is home to Mediterranean-inspired bowls, pitas, dips, and dressings, like the "Spicy Lamb + Avocado" bowl with lamb meatballs, avocado, feta, red pepper hummus, pickled onions, lentils and lemon herb tahini. Customers can mix and match their favorite greens, grains, proteins and toppings to build their own bowl or pita.

Founded in 2010 in Maryland, the brand has grown to more than 400 location across 28 states. The Columbus restaurant across from Polaris Fashion Place will mark the chain's first Ohio location.

The new Cava is taking over the space most recently home to a Shake Shack location that shuttered in September. The eatery was among nine locations nationwide that Shake Shack marked for closure given they were "not projected to provide acceptable returns in the foreseeable future," the brand said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Cava spokesperson said the chain is looks forward "to welcoming the Columbus community to our table," and encouraged Ohioans to continue checking Cava.com for the most up to date information on openings.