The Cheesecake Factory in Raleigh, North Carolina: Restaurant Review

Can you have dessert before your main course? At The Cheesecake Factory this would be a great alternative to the normalcy of dining. The ultimate "feel-good" restaurant in Raleigh is successful because of one item, the cheesecake. Known for over 50 signature cheesecakes, The Cheesecake Factory is a great restaurant to grab a meal or simply a quick dessert.

First Impressions

Upon entering The Cheesecake Factory, one is taken to a majestic world of fantasy. The high ceiling completely engulfs guests and pulls you into their world. The non-linear approach to the seating was charming as well. One noticeable flaw of The Cheesecake Factory was the lack of intimate seating for two without sitting next to someone else.

Wait Staff and Menu

What impressed me the most was the uniformity of the wait staff. The plain white shirts, black pants, and tie were simple, yet effective. The servers began the meal with explain the most popular dishes, also including their favorites. When they were asked question, there was never a moment of hesitation. Their studied a lot or simply knew that much about their job.

Aside from the cheesecake, The Cheesecake Factory does have over 200 menu items from soups and salads to fresh seafood dishes. Another noticeable opportunity was the price. The average price for an entrée was over $12 and the price went up from there. For a large party, the cost of a meal will go beyond $100 in no time.

Specialties

Avocado egg rolls

Luau salad

Cajun Jambalaya pasta

Miso Salmon

White Chocolate raspberry truffle® cheesecake

Linda's Fudge cake

Strawberry martini

Pros

Family friendly

Accommodates large parties

200 menu items

50 cheesecake selections

Curbside to-go

Cons

Pricey

Not designed for an intimate meal

Not allergen friendly

200 items on the menu

My Take and Thoughts

The Cheesecake Factory is a great place to have a mix of fine dining with world class dessert. The only thing I didn't like was the price. The food was of high quality, but did not match the price tag. The lack of intimate seating had me second guessing returning for a meal with my spouse. If one were to eat at The Cheesecake Factory alone, a guest would most certainly feel awkward.