I Get it Now ... It's the WAIT !!!

The idea of waiting being part of the experience is ridiculous. I can't stand waiting and will only do it for something really special like Red's Eats. I can tell you that I usually do well enough at planning that I usually don't have to wait even at the places that draw big crowds.

I have eaten at the Cheesecake Factory and would go back, but if they couldn't seat me right away, forget about it.

I mentioned this whole thread to my sis, and she refreshed my memory that she did'nt even like her cheesecake there. (just like you did'nt JRPleff )Too mushy/spongy she said ... about the only thing she really liked was the whipped cream

I do admit I've enjoyed their choc. chip cookie dough cheesecake, though

p.s. That was so well worded and accurate JRPleff regarding the appeal of the CCF!!

I went to one in Vegas a few years ago. The allure of it was that it was there at the time we were hungry. The food was above average and I would eat there again, but a 2 hour wait isn't going to happen. Claim Jumper is another chain that thinks packing people in a lobby and out on to the street is a good idea. Their lobby looks like a Gulag when you walk through it, not a smile in the place but folks will wait it out until the bitter end for some strange reason.

The cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory is horrible!

I was walking around Blueback Sqaure tonight, where the West Hartford CF is located. The lines were insane for the restaurant, but I had heard the cheesecake was pretty good, so I decided to stop in and try a couple slices. They have lots of variety of cheeseback, but I went with the plain (the best way to compare any food is the most basic version of it) and the lemon-raspberry. Only 2 slices were ordered to go, but it still took 20 minutes to get. Both slices tasted like they were made at a factory, very institutional (fake) tasting, very low quality. Their cheesecake had a liquid-like consistency and was not dense compared to many superior cheesecakes I have had. I was also upset that the 2 slices of garbage cost $14.50. I would love continue to rant about how overrated this place is, but I will stop now.

I have never personally had an issue with the Cheese Cake Factory. Maybe it is because I have alway been there early? Their menu is huge, the food that I have received was very good and the cheesecake I received was very good.

They also served healthy cocktails and by healthy, I mean large.;

Paul E. Smith
knoxville, TN

I have never personally had an issue with the Cheese Cake Factory. Maybe it is because I have alway been there early? Their menu is huge, the food that I have received was very good and the cheesecake I received was very good.

They also served healthy cocktails and by healthy, I mean large.;

Paul E. Smith
knoxville, TN

Supposedly Pizza Bianco in Phoenix (or is it Scottsdale) has an incredible line that starts forming at 4:30 PM before they open at 5:00 PM. This place is supposed to have one of the best pizzas in the entire country. People are always complaining they cannot get into the place.

When Cheesecake Factory opened at the Sunrise Mall (?) out near Weston, Florida, it had lines like what you guys have been describing. Then they started using those remote flashing and vibrating buzzer things which are great. But, they ran out of those with so much business and so the next group of people had to wait.

I always liked Cheesecake Factory even though I am not a a big cheesecake lover. Their's all come in frozen from their
commissary(s). Not that it matters with cheesecake. But, I've tasted their's...I think Junior's is much better.

But, waiting more than 30 minutes for any place is tough. Good for them though. Once in a while a chain does it right. Like Cheesecake and Houston's.

Wheregregeats - I'm interested in hearing of your experiences on South Beach..I never waited at Joe's. I was only there one time and the people I was with knew someone to get us in. But, I'd have been pissed, if someone got in ahead of me, while I waited like some schmuck. Is that what you are referring to? I have heard that happens all the time there. If so, roadfooders should know...Maybe you know some actual stories you can share with us?

My one time at Joe's was hideous ... I was hosting some biz associates and because we didn't know anyone, or know how to bribe the obnoxious guy at the door, we had to cool our heels in the bar forever ... The bar tab was more than the meal. They know what they are doing.

To another earlier post: I have zero sympathy for a restaurant that doesn't have enough servers to handle the business. If they can't manage the front of the house, how good can the food be? Suppose you went to McDonald's (hypothetically) at lunchtime, ordered a burger and were told they weren't expecting so much biz and you'd have to wait ???

quote:

Originally posted by Sundancer7

I have never personally had an issue with the Cheese Cake Factory. Maybe it is because I have alway been there early? Their menu is huge, the food that I have received was very good and the cheesecake I received was very good.

They also served healthy cocktails and by healthy, I mean large.;

Paul E. Smith
knoxville, TN

If you think the cheesecake there is good, I feel bad for you. There are much better examples of that dessert out there. My favorite is the Whistle Stop in Oceanside, NY. Check out the link below, I believe they might ship - if you don't mind a cheesecake that's a day or two old. Unfortunately, that is quite far away from Knoxville.

http://www.whistlestopdesserts.com

quote:

Originally posted by jjjrfoodie

Ummm..the plan it to undersize your restaurant to require guests to spend $$$ in the bar prir to dining. Applebees, Olive garden and the likes have doing it for a decade or more.

That is it exactly. I was host/line cook/bar tender/Management at a Bennigans and in all positions it was known that the bar is where the money is made, everything else is support. They would prefer to present good food (that another post someday), they want business, but the bar by far is the money maker. The more people wait, the more people buy at the bar, the more people think they are at a local bar (think Cheers), the more they will drink. The more they drink the more money. Do the math on one bollte of Jack Daniels, if they can throw in a frozen steak to get you to order two drinks, then they already make a profit on your seat.

Can someone tell me what the big deal about Cheesecake Factory is? That doesn't sound like a dining experience so much as a place to get manufactured cheesecake..

I would not give Cheesecake Factory a bad rap because there are better examples of cheesecake elsewhere. But, it is their name so....The food is pretty good. There is a huge varity of it to choose from and the portions are ample. That's what people like about th place. it is not cheap though.

It was started by two guys out in California I believe. They came up with some interesting combinations of foods and it clicked. They are incredbily successful. I don't know if you guys know this, but there is such a demand for their presence that landlords literally have to pay to put up their places. They eventually get paid back and then some as they share in a percentage of the gross sales. In some cases landlords are made "whole" in as little as 3 years. They are such a draw to attract paying tenants to the rest of a landlord's development that he's are willing to do this.