What is the big draw to The Cheesecake Factory?

[purbeast0]

It's just a chain commercial restaurant that has decent food and nothing more. Just like Outback Steakhouse, TGIFridays, Red Robin, etc.

 

[K1052]

The only time I might patronize one is when it's the best food option available while traveling. Given how many malls I end up getting stuck in for work that has been more often than I'd like.

I never eat more than half of anything I order there since the calorie counts are mind boggling.

 

[K1052]

It's just a chain commercial restaurant that has decent food and nothing more. Just like Outback Steakhouse, TGIFridays, Red Robin, etc.

I'd place all of those at a substantially lower quality than CF these days, not that I'm recommending people eat there either.

 

[ultimatebob]

I gotta admit that their cheesecake is pretty damn good. Their portion sizes are insanely big, though.

 

[purbeast0]

I'd place all of those at a substantially lower quality than CF these days, not that I'm recommending people eat there either.

TGIF and Red Robin are, but Outback is about the same level as far as quality goes. Both are just chain restaurants that are family friendly and nothing special. But sometimes that is just what the doctor ordered.

 

[glenn1]

It's just a chain commercial restaurant that has decent food and nothing more. Just like Outback Steakhouse, TGIFridays, Red Robin, etc.

This. Middle class suburban whites with vanilla palates really seem to enjoy places like that since they aren't scary like downtown restaurants serving food native to places where brown people live.

 

[QueBert]

The Adam's whatever half cheesecake half cake fudge Reece's pie thingy they have is amazing. Also the only national place I know of that serves deep fried mac & cheese balls. Not even on my top 10, but for those 2 things alone I love going there. The Buffalo Blasts are pretty good too imho.

 

[CraKaJaX]

The size of their dishes seem to be over-the-top for about the same price as any other mediocre chain. There's a lot of fat people out there that can be satisfied by this place.

 

[Tweak155]

I like their food for the most part. Was just at the Chicago one not long ago, got a grilled chicken sandwich that was pretty dang good. But, I wouldn't go crazy if I could never go to one again.

And yes, their Cheesecake is pretty dang good, but the slice sizes are made for comas.

 

[zerocool84]

Cheesecake Factory I find is also similar to PF Change... in that they both have gone downhill as of recent.

Chilis and Friday's I won't even touch anymore.

It's not that I'm too good for them or anti-corporate or anything... They have all just legitimately dropped in overall quality. Food wise and guest wise.

I would rather pick up a burrito bowl at Chipotle over any of those places.

Chipotle is even worse than all those.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Chipotle is even worse than all those.

Meh, the ones I go to aren't dirty with sticky floors like Chili's and Fridays, and as far as the food is concerned it is overall fresh and tastes decent.

I know some of you guys are adamantly against Chipotle, but I haven't experienced any bad cases.

 

[Aharami]

Decided to go there for brunch after my daughter's bday party. The wait between ordering and getting our food was rather long even though it was relatively early in the morning. Food was mostly ok, but I did like their pancakes. But won't be going there again.

 

[Kaido]

Giant portions, reasonably tasty, plus tons of cheesecake options.

I use to really like them. I'm not sure if their quality went downhill or if my cooking got better, but I don't like them anymore. I got a Cheesecake Factory gift card for Christmas & was disappointed with everything I got. I'll stick to making cheesecakes in my Instant pot, kthxbye.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I've gone several times over the past 10 years. The food is overall decent and you do get decent sized portions, but the pricing is somewhat pricey and yes, the wait can be ridiculous at times (Sunday's around lunch time seem to be the worst).

Pros:

• Good portions
• Cheesecake is good
• Free bread is really good
• Food is decent

Cons:

• Wait times can be long
• Slightly more expensive than other restaurants of the same type

 

[KeithTalent]

Went there once; it was fine, but no real desire to ever go back. They are pretty much the same as any of those fast casual restaurants, though this place is not fast at all. Way too fucking slow and I met someone who worked there who said they purposely try to draw things out so there are line-ups and the place always seems busy. That's annoying, if true.

KT

 

[ponyo]

I went twice. Once in the 90s and once in 00s. I can see the appeal. It has the fake luxury decor and can accommodate large crowds. It has crazy extensive menu so even picky eaters will find something they like. The portions are huge with nice presentation and prices are cheap which are key if you want to appeal to American dining crowd.

The last time I went for lunch about 15 years ago, there was some problem in the kitchen and the food came out little slow for about half of the restaurant. The manager came out and went around the tables, apologized, and comped everyone's meal. I've never seen that done before where about hundred people got free meals. My wife and I waited about extra 20 minutes for our meal but we weren't in hurry. I thought being comped for the meal when we didn't complain was great customer service. I think the food at Cheesecake is average and wouldn't go on my own but if I was part of a large group and they wanted to go, I would have no objection.

 

[Tormac]

I have never eaten at their restaurant, but I have had their cheesecake and thought it was overpriced, and only average.

I can't imagine waiting in line to eat it.

 

[OutHouse]

ive been twice about 5 years apart. the food is HORRIBLE and the prices are just has horrible. the last one we went to on the 16th street mall in Denver the lights were so dim we all had to use our cell phone flashlight to read the menu.

 

[Ns1]

the last one we went to on the 16th street mall in Denver the lights were so dim we all had to use our cell phone flashlight to read the menu.

they do that so you can't see the pool of butter your pasta is sitting in until you get home.

 

[OutHouse]

Chipotle is even worse than all those.

ill never understand the Chipolte hate on here.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

never been there but i always heard the waitresses are pretty hot

There's an inverse proportionality between hot waitresses and food quality. The hotter the waitresses the worse the food.

ill never understand the Chipolte hate on here.

Because Chipotle sucks. Fast food Mexican should be fast, spicy and cheap. Chiptole isn't any of those things, it's rice and beans with delusions of grandeur.

 

[Nashemon]

Because Chipotle sucks. Fast food Mexican should be fast, spicy and cheap. Chiptole isn't any of those things, it's rice and beans with delusions of grandeur.

Sofritas are the best thing on the menu. Spicy and delicious, but often get overlooked because they have no animal byproducts, so people auto gravitate toward the other offerings.

I'm sure there's some discrepancy between locations, but $8 isn't cheap, but it sure isn't expensive. And they are definitely filling. Once you get past the line that's usually out the door, it takes like a minute from "burrito, please" to transaction completed. Go before the lunch rush, and there's no line. Two minutes after you get out of your car, you have made to order food.

 

[sdifox]

ill never understand the Chipolte hate on here.

I have only seen one here. Not sute it is the same as what you guys get. But I cannot ignore cube beef. That is not food

 

[nakedfrog]

There's Mexican fast food that's actually spicy?
I assume by "Mexican fast food" we're referring to chain restaurants, like Taco Bell, Taco John's, Amigo's, Chipotle, Del Taco... dunno what others. Haven't tried Del Taco, the only one I know if is in a mall.

 

[gorcorps]

ill never understand the Chipolte hate on here.

It's not an AT specific hate, there's just a couple very vocal haters here. Just like how vegetarians will let you know they're vegetarians... chipotle haters always seem to have to work how much they hate chipotle when they can. Just like this one, and I wasn't at all surprised who said they hated chipotle first.