Three new franchises are joining Cordova Mall's food scene. Get to know them here.

Mall food has come a long way over the years, especially at Cordova Mall. Now, the restaurants along the mall’s perimeter as well as those tucked away inside the central food court have become lunch and dinner hotspots for a satisfying meal. It’s no surprise that the court's popularity has captured the attention of national franchisees looking for a busy place to land. Here are three new eateries to try out in Cordova Mall’s growing food scene.

Popeyes

Estimated opening: Now open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m.

Location in mall: Food court

The story: The franchise now known for its Southern styled fried chicken started out 50 years ago just a short drive across Mobile Bay to New Orleans. The restaurant group has humble roots as a small Louisiana fried chicken shack called “Chicken on the Run” in 1972 before being renamed to Popeyes several months later, per the company’s website. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that Popeyes launched their signature chicken sandwich that made it famous. Growth continued from there, with Popeyes opening 208 new restaurants last year for a total of 3,000 restaurants. The Pensacola location was part of a company push to open even more locations in the 2022 year.

The menu: The Popeye’s menu is broken up into different sections, but the real question is — how do you want your chicken? Sandwiches, tenders and nuggets dominate the menu, with the option to add-on Louisiana sides, like Cajun fries, mashed potatoes with Cajun gravy, red beans and rice and flaky buttermilk biscuits. The Louisiana-influence is apparent in how the sandwiches are flavored, like the creole chicken, marinated 12 hours in onion, garlic, red and black pepper, and the Cajun fish, a fried hand battered whitefish seasoned with signature Cajun spices. There are also a variety of sauces to top off the meal, like BBQ, ranch, chili and Louisiana tartar.

CAVA

Estimated opening: Dec. 7

Location in mall: In between Chico’s and Pieology

The story: If you liked Zoe’s Kitchen, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, you’ll likely be a fan of CAVA, the new restaurant that acquired it. CAVA also specializes in Mediterranean cuisine and prides itself on being a health-food safe haven with food that “tastes good and makes you feel good,” per the company’s website. The flavors were intended to capture the Mediterranean flavors inspired by its Greek founders, Ike Grigoropouos, Dmitiri Moshovitis and Ted Xenohristos.

The menu: CAVA’s Mediterranean-forward menu is broken up into green and grain bowls and also pita wraps. Bowls can be customized with different ingredients, or customers can choose a house creation, such as the Balsamic Date Chicken salad bowl, spicy lamb meatball pita, or the top-selling harissa avocado bowl, made with hot honey chicken, hot harissa vinaigrette, Crazy Feta, fire-roasted corn, avocado, pickled onions, Persian cucumber, feta, basmati rice and SuperGreens. CAVA also offers some refreshing iced beverage choices made in-house daily, like the cucumber mint lime, classic lemonade and jasmine tea.

Super Chix

Estimated opening: 2023

Location in mall: In-between Chipotle Mexican Grill and Red Robin

The story: If you thought there was only way to do chicken, think again. Super Chix claims to have made “The Last True Chicken Sandwich” with over 11 variations of grilled and fried sandwiches on their menu, per the Super Chix website. In addition to their fresh, never frozen chicken, Super Chix also offers fresh salads and premium frozen custard. The house-churned custard is made with a signature Super Chix vanilla blend and a rich chocolate version with Guittard chocolate.

The menu: The Super Chix breaks menu down into chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders and salads with, you guessed it — chicken on top. The sandwiches are loaded up with different styles and flavors, like the hot honey doused Hot Honey, onion ring-topped Cheesy BBQ, or the BLT inspired Bacavo Ranch. Salads can come with chicken grilled or breaded, and styled as a Southwest Salad, House Salad or Asian Sesame. There are also a variety of sauces to choose from to level up on flavor, like the sweet and smoky Signature Sauce, spicy Nashville Hot and peppery Korean BBQ. For dessert, the sweet treats come in different forms, like the hand-spun shake or the cold fusion, which blends the frozen custard with mix-ins.

More information on Cordova Mall retailers and estimated opening dates can be found on the Cordova Mall website.