Introduction
The Cheesecake Factory is a popular restaurant chain known for its delicious food and wide variety of menu items. But did you know that there are some secrets that the Cheesecake Factory doesn’t want you to know? From hidden menu items to calorie counts, Eat This Not That has uncovered seven secrets that the Cheesecake Factory doesn’t want you to know. Read on to find out what they are and how you can make the most of your next visit to the Cheesecake Factory.
7 Secrets The Cheesecake Factory Doesn’t Want You to Know
The Cheesecake Factory is a beloved restaurant chain known for its delicious food and extensive menu. But there are some secrets the restaurant doesn’t want you to know. Here are seven of them.
1. The Menu is Overwhelmingly Large
The Cheesecake Factory’s menu is so large that it can be overwhelming. With over 250 items to choose from, it can be hard to decide what to order. To make it easier, try narrowing down your choices by looking for the “SkinnyLicious” section, which features lighter options.
2. The Portions are Huge
The Cheesecake Factory is known for its generous portions. Even the smaller dishes can be enough for two people. If you’re not looking to share, consider ordering an appetizer or side dish instead of an entree.
3. The Cheesecakes are Not Made In-House
Despite its name, The Cheesecake Factory does not make its cheesecakes in-house. The restaurant sources its cheesecakes from a bakery in California. However, the restaurant does make its own sauces and dressings.
4. The Cheesecakes are Not All Cheesecake
The Cheesecake Factory’s menu features more than just cheesecake. The restaurant also offers a variety of other desserts, such as ice cream, pies, and cakes. So if you’re not in the mood for cheesecake, there are plenty of other options.
5. The Restaurant is Not Cheap
The Cheesecake Factory is not a cheap restaurant. The average cost of a meal is around $20 per person. If you’re looking to save money, consider ordering an appetizer or side dish instead of an entree.
6. The Restaurant is Not Healthy
The Cheesecake Factory is not known for its healthy options. The restaurant’s menu is filled with high-calorie, high-fat dishes. If you’re looking for a healthier option, try ordering from the “SkinnyLicious” section.
7. The Restaurant is Not Vegan-Friendly
The Cheesecake Factory is not a vegan-friendly restaurant. The menu does not feature any vegan options, and the restaurant does not offer any vegan substitutions. If you’re looking for vegan options, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Cheesecake Factory puts a lot out there. We’re talking 21-pages-worth-of-menu-items.
Founded in 1972 by baker Evelyn Overton, the chain is now as renowned for its plethora of menu options as it is for its commitment to indulgence. From being named after one of the most decadent desserts to the super-sized portions it proudly presents, there’s nothing subtle about this dine-in chain. It’s common knowledge that when you take a trip to The Cheesecake Factory, you’re going to go big before you go home.
But one thing you won’t find on that giant menu is the chain’s secrets. We did a bit of digging, and it turns out there are a few things The Cheesecake Factory isn’t quite as loud about.
For more fast-food news, check out 8 Worst Fast-Food Burgers to Stay Away From Right Now.
At Eat This, Not That! we do our fair share of rankings. From the unhealthiest order at any restaurant to meals with crazy amounts of sodium, calories, and sugar, the Cheesecake Factory’s menu items are an unfortunate regular on these lists. It’s worth bearing in mind that they have so many menu options that they might just be statistically more likely to end up on any given roundup. But when the ranking to end all rankings was done by Consumer Reports, The Cheesecake Factory did take the number one slot on the unhealthiest restaurant overall.
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If you’re a cheesecake connoisseur, maybe this is less surprising. However, given that the dessert is Cheesecake Factory’s pride, joy, and namesake, we were a bit taken aback to learn that its after-dinner delicacies are actually made in Calabasas, Calif. and Rocky Mount, N.C. and shipped to locations nationwide.
Speaking of cheesecake, here’s something we can almost guarantee that the Factory would rather keep non-viral: it is possible to make a convincing copycat version in your own kitchen. We shared this recipe, which offers all of the deliciousness and significantly fewer dietary drawbacks.
In 2019, a former Cheesecake Factory staffer sat described what it’s like behind the scenes of that famously luxurious dining room. Among the revelations? Even the smallest details in the way the chain operates are regulated by corporate policy. The ex-employee said it was the most intense training they’d been through for any job, and that there were strict regulations for everything from how much ice to put in a drink to the exact angle at which you were supposed to slice the bread.
But the training process isn’t limited to just learning corporate regulations, according to the former server. Apparently, your first week on the job is dedicated to memorizing that behemoth of a menu. The Cheesecake Factory gives out stacks of flashcards to help, but ultimately they do make their staff take multiple written and verbal tests to prove that they are ready to serve.
One might expect that, as a waiter, you work less traditional hours and are often required to clock in on nights and weekends. At The Cheesecake Factory, you are supposed to be able to work a handful of those shifts each week. Apparently, as holidays are also busy for the Factory, it is company policy that workers aren’t allowed to request time off on holidays. Most people end up working “at least one big shift” over a holiday.
The Factory Burger is gone but far from forgotten. It was essentially a standard cheeseburger sandwiched between two pieces of the restaurant’s brown bread. They removed the item a few years ago, claiming it didn’t sell as well as it used to, but the word on the street is you can still snag it. All you have to do is ask.