The order counter at the Sweetgreen on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago, showing salad and vegetables
Cold toppings included spicy broccoli, pickled pink onion, and red cabbage.
  • I visited rival salad chains Cava and Sweetgreen to get build-your-own bowls.
  • Both restaurants offered an extensive choice of bases, vegetables, sauces, and toppings.
  • But Sweetgreen charged extra for many of its tastiest add-ons.

Salad-bowl chain Cava has ambitious expansion plans. It opened 72 net new restaurants in fiscal 2023 and expects to open at least 50 in 2024.