Just Salad opens in Massapequa Park; Cava in East Northport

The build-your-own-salad trend shows no signs of stopping. Last week, two new outposts of popular fast-casual salad chains opened on the Island, in Massapequa Park and East Northport. Your daily greens have now become easier to access. No excuses, eat green!

Just Salad, Massapequa Park

Just Salad, the fast-casual restaurant chain focused on healthy eating, opened in Massapequa Park, the ninth Long Island location for the Manhattan-based chain, which opened in Plainview and East Meadow last year, and will soon add another storefront in North Babylon's Sunset Plaza.

Like many of today’s salad shops, Just Salad embraces a DIY salad-philosophy. Diners choose a lettuce, wrap or grain bowl base, then pile on veggies, proteins, crunchy toppings and house-made dressing. There are 15 suggested combinations on the menu, including standards like Cobb and Caesar salads alongside modern creations like Tokyo Supergreens ($12.99), which features organic sesame tofu, edamame, avocado, carrots, broccoli and a sprinkling of furikake, a dry Japanese condiment, with miso ginger vinaigrette.

Seasonal specials include the Maple Crispy Chicken with arugula, baby spinach, dried cranberries, roasted corn, carrots, honey maple walnuts, chicken and white Cheddar doused in maple cider vinaigrette ($12.99) and the Winter Harvest with roasted sweet potatoes, sliced apples, black lentils, chopped almonds, oven-roasted chicken and Mike's Hot Honey goat cheese ($12.99). The brand’s Earth-Friendly Salads use vegan cheeses and plant-based meats.

The same instructions apply to wraps (starting at $12.69) and bowls (from $12.99), with warm ingredients ranging from sweet potatoes to brown rice to quinoa. There are also market plates and soups (from $4.69). Smoothies round out the offerings and cater to diets including vegan, keto, paleo and gluten free.

In the spirit of living a greener life, Just Salad’s signature Reusable Bowl Program offers diners the option of a free salad topping with every reuse.

Founded in 2006, Just Salad debuted its first Long Island spot in Commack in 2023, and growth has been steady since, with other sites in Westbury, Oceanside, Hauppauge, Port Washington and Huntington Station.

Just Salad, 4962 Merrick Rd., Massapequa Park, justsalad.com; open daily 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Cava

If you like your bowls and salads Greek-inspired, another fast casual chain has expanded to East Northport; Cava, the takeaway Mediterranean spot, has landed its third Long Island location, on Jericho’s Turnpike, next to Fat Boy’s Burrito.

With a similar setup to Just Salad's, at Cava guests can choose from a salad, grain, or salad and grain combo base ($13-$16). Grain bases include saffron basmati rice, brown basmati rice, or black lentils. Add to that proteins including steak, lamb, chicken, avocado and falafel, and veggies including sweet potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, broccoli, peppers, corn, olives and more. Top with hummus, tzatziki, sumac slaw, tahini, feta and more.

New seasonal options include the Spicy Lamb and Sweet Potato bowl with lamb meatballs, white sweet potato, tzatziki, red pepper hummus, pickled onions, feta, tomato, cucumber, sumac slaw, greens, brown rice and tahini Caesar and the Harissa Honey Chicken, with white sweet potato, Crazy Feta, hummus, avocado, sumac slaw, tomato, onion, fiery broccoli, cucumber, greens and a yogurt dill dressing. These protein packed bowls are slightly pricier and run between $19 and $22.

If you prefer carbs, wrap any combination in a pita, or grab a side of crunchy pita chips or a soft pita to dip in creamy spreads ranging from spicy whipped feta, hummus, harissa to roasted eggplant. 

Based in Rockville, Maryland, Cava has more than 400 restaurants across the U.S. The first one Long Island debuted in Melville in 2021, the first in Nassau followed in Westbury in 2023. Founded by friends Ted Xenohristos, Ike Grigoropoulos and Dimitri Moshovitis,  who were inspired by a shared Greek background, the trio launched their first Cava in 2006.

Cava, 4097 Jericho Tpke., East Northport; 631-801-0281, cava.com; open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed Monday.