The Cheesecake Factory

 The Cheesecake Factory --- Lone Tree

If you have never been to the famous Cheesecake Factory you are either not a fan of cheesecake, you live under a rock, or you hate waiting forever to get into a restaurant. Let me just tell you though, those 3 reasons are not good enough. You need to be like the millions of other people and go and try the place out.

I'd say that at least 95% of our group had been to the Cheesecake Factory more than once before going for Eating Club. Because people had been before though was the reason we were so excited to go as a group. Typically we try to go to places most of us haven't been before, but let's face it, sometimes you just want to go to a place you know will enjoy.

Of course this place sells Cheesecake. And for around $8/slice you can eat a very fatty, creamy piece of heaven. There are probably 20 different dessert choices, 90% of them being cheesecake. But although this restaurant is known for its dessert, it has deliciously divine meal options as well. I don't know how they do it...probably lots of butter and cream...but they can offer things from tacos to meatloaf to pasta to fish, and everywhere in between, and almost every single thing you get there is good. The most random variety of meal options, yet everything is done with so much flavor perfectly done that even though you are stuffed and totally satisfied, this is the one place you can't say no to dessert...that is the main reason you came here! At least you can be smart and get a cheesecake to go (and you can even request extra whip cream and they will fill up the rest of your to go box (or plate) with more thick whip cream swirls as a bonus!) 

This place is crowded every night of the week (maybe because it is part of a mall?), but expect a decent wait. I think I remember us being able to get a reservation, but I am pretty sure you have to be a large enough group to get that...not sure on that. You will be either crammed into a booth or sitting alongside another individual at the very closely neighboring table, but who cares, you made it in and you are going to enjoy yourself. The staff is fairly courteous, but nothing special, they know you want to eat there so they don't have to try particularly hard to please you. They bring your meal in a timely manner and keep your drinks filled, and other then that they are busy.

As cliche as it is, The Cheesecake Factory continues to earn their reputation. The ambiance and service are nothing to write home about, but the food...well let's just say it is worth the indulgence every now and then. 

Prices are closer to the $20 and up range for a very filling meal, and around $7-10 for dessert.

The delicious Adam's Peanut Butter Fudge Ripple cheesecake. Photo courtesy of cheesecakefactory.com