Cheesecake factory
What is the first thing you think of when I say that there is a restaurant, called the Cheesecake factory, and how does it make you feel? My answer when I heard that for the first time, was: ‘Oh my God, I love cheesecakes, and I have to go there right now!’
So I went, and in this post, you can read more about this restaurant (which is not really a cheesecake factory, because they make them in one location, freeze them and then ship them to the real restaurant - random facts 101).
A little bit about the restaurant
Cheesecake factory can (almost) be considered an upscale restaurant. The quality of their food is superb, and while it is more pricey than your regular restaurant, I can still justify eating there every once in a while. And if you were reading my previous posts, you know how obsessed I am with saving money.
So, the Cheesecake factory is not only known by its signature ‘dish’ - the cheesecakes, but also by its very eye - catching interior and exterior. The exterior looks like it is made out of bronze, and there is a big ‘cheesecake factory’ sign above the entrance, just so you know that you are definitely at the right place.
On my way to the Cheesecake factory.
The interior is divided into several parts. The first part is the bar. The good thing about the bar at Cheesecake factory is that you can actually eat there if there are no tables available in a regular dining area. What I like about sitting at the bar (despite the small space) is the fact that you can watch the bartenders prepare some pretty impressive drinks.
My seat at the bar.
The second part is the smaller dining area, where you will find tables for two to four people, and this area is perfect for me, because it is the most quiet part of this restaurant. Because, for example, if you are going on a date, I assume that the last thing you want to hear, is a group of people, screaming around a table next to yours.
The third part is the bigger dining area, that accommodates bigger groups, and if you choose to be seated in this area, you can decide between sitting around a table or in a booth. I generally prefer booths, simply because they are more comfortable, and they also give you a little more privacy than regular tables.
Oh, and have I mentioned how beautiful the interior decoration is? The walls are what looks like marble. Well, it might just be a marble imitation, but if it is an imitation, it is a very good one, and this is one of the things that gives the Cheesecake factory a more upscale restaurant feeling.
There is also a lot of plants and dark wood, and I cannot even explain how great it feels eating there. After all, you will feel like you are in a restaurant where one dish costs over one hundred dollars!
What’s on the menu?
Whenever I eat at the Cheesecake factory, I am having a hard time choosing what I want to try, and I am also almost always divided between trying something new and ordering a dish that I really loved during my last visits. It also does not help that their menu has so many good sounding things on it that it takes me more than ten minutes just to read through it.
A small part of the Cheesecake factory's menu. As you can see, they also have pizza, which I yet have to try.
Well, their menu is basically divided into two menus. One of them is the regular menu, and the other one is the so - called ‘healthy menu’. healthy menu offers low calorie dishes, which you will also find on the main menu, but, like the name suggests, they will be healthier if you choose them from that menu.
So far, these were my favourite items on the menu:
Avocado toast seems to be the main ‘hipster food’ nowadays. And I cannot say I am against it, even though it is expensive. Well, you can always make it by yourself it home, but once you try the one at Cheesecake factory, you will just want to get it there. Their avocado toast is not your ‘typical’ avocado toast. It comes topped with sea salt, olive oil, tomatoes, onions and radish. And it is finger - licking good.
Avocado toast at the Cheesecake factory really is something special. It looks good, and, even more important, it tastes great too.
One of the must - try foods in Cheesecake factory for me is the so - called Glamburger. Well, like the name suggests, a Glamburger is just a more fancy hamburger, and by fancy, I mean loaded with so many toppings that you could make a whole new dish out of them. All the Glamburgers come with a side of french fries, or you can substitute them for a house salad, if you are feeling healthy.
The Santa Fe salad with chicken that is marinated in lime sauce - do I need to say more? I thought so. This salad is listed under appetizers, but the portion is big enough for it to be considered an independent meal. It consists of a lot of vegetables, corn chips, and chicken stripes.
My favourite dish on the ‘healthy options’ menu is definitely pasta with shrimp in lemon sauce. See, I told you I am obsessed with lemons! This pasta has a strong garlic flavour, and it pairs perfectly with any cocktail on the Cheesecake factory's menu.
Cheesecakes at Cheesecake factory
Cheesecake factory is, believe it or not, famous for its cheesecakes. No, seriously. (Sarcasm off.) And who does not love cheesecakes? Well, I do, and I am proud to say that I have, up to date, tried nine different cheesecakes at the Cheesecake factory. Well, that might not seem a lot, but once you see how big they are, you will understand.
The cheesecake slices really are generous, and they come with a whipped cream on the side (and occassionally chocolate sauce, depending on the cheesecake flavour), and if I eat something else before ordering a cheesecake (even a salad), I am usually unable to finish it and I have to ask for a box so I can bring it home and finish it later. So which cheesecake flavours have captured my attention and why? Here we go:
The first cheesecake that I have ever tried at the Cheesecake factory, was the Key lime pie. Remember my blog post about the lemon bars recipe? Well, the story is basically the same with key lime - I just love the flavour. So I could not resist ordering it - and it totally exceeded my expectations. It is just a little sour, well, after all, this is key lime, but if you dip it into the whipped cream, the flavour will even out.
Tiramisu cheesecake is a slice of perfection for all tiramisu lovers, including me. It has a stronger coffee aftertaste than I expected, but not in a bad way. And it comes with coffee beans on the side!
Caramel pecan turtle cheesecake is another winning cheesecake flavour at Cheesecake factory? Why should you order it? Well, because it contains three different, but amazing flavours, and you will definitely like at least one of them. Made with caramel fudge, pecan pieces and chocolate sauce, this is the ultimate dose of sweetness and deliciousness.
And last but not least, Hershey cheesecake. Hershey chocolate is incredibly popular in the United states of America, and although it is not the healthiest, I love the flavour. And of course, when I saw the Hershey cheesecake on the menu, I had to order it. And I was not disappointed. I mean, I do not think you can ever be disappointed by a cheesecake, but still… This cheesecake has a core that is still liquid, so it kinda feels like hot chocolate. Yummy!
Prices
Most foods on the menu cost less than thirty dollars, with an exception of the steaks. Well, but I am not a big steak fan, so that does not affect me, and therefore my wallet. Avocado toast is surprisingly cheap, it only costs around ten dollars, and the shrimp pasta will cost you fourteen dollars.
Prices for the cheesecakes range between seven and twelve dollars, depending on how fancy they are. Fountain drinks all cost less than three dollars, and they all offer unlimited free refills.
A few words for the end…
Once I went to the Cheesecake factory for the first time, I knew I will be visiting this place again and again. While more expensive than the restaurants I usually go to, I think that the ambient, the food and the friendly staff are compensating well for a little higher price.
