The Cheesecake Factory: A Safe Haven for Vegetarians
Despite the number of restaurants that do little or nothing to accommodate their herbivore cliental, there is one restaurant that is a shining star when it comes to vegetarian options on it's menu-The Cheesecake Factory.
Anyone who has been to The Cheesecake Factory knows that the menu is practically a book containing pages and pages of scrumptious and innovative creations, not to mention the famous cheesecake. But there is something else to sink your teeth into-the abundance of vegetarian dishes available.
There are pizzas, quesadillas, sandwiches, salads, and pastas-all made without meat. Many of the dishes can also be made without cheese and still taste phenomenal.
Here are my personal favorites:
Grilled Portabella Sandwich- In my opinion, this is the very best item on the menu. I order it without the cheese, but it is still delicious, especially the spicy mayonnaise that it comes with. The caramelized onions on the sandwich melt in your mouth-even the bun it comes on is worth mentioning. Word to the wise- it is very messy to eat because there is so much on the sandwich. Ask for extra napkins.
Avocado Egg Rolls-I absolutely love these! They're made with avocado, cilantro, and sun-dried tomatoes and come with a cashew dipping sauce that is unbelievable! This dish is a favorite with meat eaters too!
Traditional Green Salad- This salad is anything but traditional. It comes with the usual salad basics on it, but it also has squash and zucchini slices. Plus, the vegetables are always fresh and the ranch dressing is delicious. Be sure to ask for extra dressing because, like everything else at The Cheesecake Factory, the salads are enormous too!
Thai Lettuce Wraps- Even though one of the ingredients is chicken, you can substitute it for extra of something else. The curry noodles are excellent and the peanut, cashew, and chili sauces that accompany the dish are great.
There you have it. The four dishes above only comprise a small number of the vegetarian options available at The Cheesecake Factory, but in my opinion, they are the best. So the next time you're looking for a restaurant that appreciates those of us who don't eat meat, remember The Cheesecake Factory, a safe haven for vegetarians.
Published by Dana Barnett
Dana is currently attending graduate school but enjoys writing in her very limited spare time. She also has two dogs who are the loves of her life. View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentI have been a vegetarian for twenty years, and I am not "appualed' by their menu. I am, however, appalled by the fact that you say all of their salads have meat? I ate there last week and had a lovely salad with tons of veggies and meat free salad dressing. My son, who is also a vegetarian, had the cheese quesadilla. I'm not sure why all the negative feedback?
This is a HORRIBLE review. I have been vegetarian for almost 9 years and Cheesecake Factory's are one of about 4 establishments I have ever had trouble eating at, I tried to "Google" to see if anyone could recommend what I MIGHT be able to eat there besides a grilled cheese or special requesting plain pasta, even the salads all have meat, and I am appauled to have found this instead.
Therereallyarentmanyitemsforvegetariansontheirmenu.Youhavetosiftthrougheverythingtofindonlyoneortwoactualentreeitems,breakfast,lunch,dinner.Verysparseunlessyouwantasalad.
What the heck. WHY is it not a law that every animal ingredient is not listed. I am tired of finding out I ate animals! THIS IS F*D Up.
Well, someone needs to inform PETA of this because PETA voted Cheesecake Factory best vegetarian restaurant like two years in a row!
Just found the veggie offerings on the cheesecake factorys website (go to their FAQ and to veggie offerings): http://home.thecheesecakefactory.com/frames.asp?fm=aboutus&pg=http://home.thecheesecakefactory.com/aboutus_faq.asp
That makes 3 appetizers, 2 pizzas, 1 specialty, 3 pastas, 2 salads, 1 sandwich, 2 omelettes. Hardly what I would call vegetarian-friendly.
I used to eat meat and enjoyed the cheescake factory (CFs) extensive menu for years. I became vegetarian about 2 yrs ago and was shocked when I went back to CF and learned that practically everything on their menu had some meat-based sauce that cannot be made veg-friendly. The manager told me herself that the sauces for the dishes arrive at the restaurant pre-mixed and they cannot do anything to alter them. The dishes that are listed in this article seem safe but all in all when I calculated there are no more than 10 asian-safe/vegan-safe vegetarian items on CFs menu (other than salads). boooo :(
They are okay but, as others pointed out, you need to be careful regarding what you choose. Gelatin is in many items. Some of their food is good and safe, but still a bit pricey, in my opinion.
The cheesecake is made with beef gelatin.
You have to ask at this restaurant. However veggie friendly they want you to think they are, they make you harass your server about what is and what isn't veggie.
I ate a meal here and spent all night in pain with chicken broth going my system. I've called to complain and they just say you have to ask their servers - the menu seems to be clear (some meals list meat, some don't) but it's not. Most national chains that I go to mark veggie items. Because this one thinks it's veggie friendly I let my guard down.
The ambiance in most of these is awful and the food is greasy anyway. But my sister wanted to go...
I guess if the cheesecake has gelatine then it's pointless for them to be veggie friendly anyway.