The Factory (as I call it) ALWAYS hits the spot.
For first-time diners, I highly recommend keeping it simple.
For apps, the Quesdilla is one of my go-tos & is delicious - tip: don't have them remove the Green Chilis(they'll ask you) as they add a depth of flavor & authenticity that's lacking in many other Quesadillas, and really aren't spicy. They definitely do it right.
Also, the Lettuce Wraps are delicious - both savory & quite sweet, they are also(at least as far as I can tell) pretty darn healthy!!
Other offerings are less successful:
The Nachos & Cheeseburger Spring Rolls are run-of-the-mill & unremarkable IMO. But not bad. Just pretty average.
I did, however, enjoy the Egg Roll Sampler; which isn't a bad option for a group with differing tastes & preferences. Like the Quesadilla, it's a good app to share as you peruse the exhaustive menu, which can be a bit overwhelming with its myriad choices.
Onto the Main Courses.
Generally speaking, the Chicken dishes stand out.
The Orange Chicken w/ Rice offers a fix for those who would've preferred Chinese food.
The Chicken & Avocado Club is another go-to standout, despite its rather humble description. One caveat: the sandwiches & fries don't reheat very well at all; so if you're planning to save some for the next day, you should order something like a pasta dish, which(so long as you add a little water to your bowl or plate - like literally just a few drops on a wet plate) will reheat as good as new in the microwave.
I also HIGHLY recommend the Chicken Marsala - it's probably my favorite dish and is large enough to split, and like the other pasta dishes, reheats very well. Also, I always ask for pasta instead of mashed potatoes when I order the Chicken Madeira, as the potatoes are often lumpy, and a veritable "gut bomb" with FAR too many calories - especially given the sub-par rendition of a potato classic. But to each his/her/their own.
For non-chicken eaters, the Fish & Chips are great (my best friend LOVES them) & Shrimp Scampi also looks good (though I admittedly I have not tried yet, but it looks like a good bet).
Dessert is usually awesome, so long as you know what to order.
My favorite is definitely the Cinnabon Swirl Cheesecake; it's delicious & definitely worth the sugar & extra calories.
I also like the Key Lime Pie, and the "burnt" Classic Basque cheesecake, which is garnished with fresh berries.
Stay away from anything chocolate if you like Cheesecake, as I've found the Chocolate flavor tends to overwhelm the deliciousness of the custard-like filling & cheesecake flavor(I LOVE chocolate, but the two just don't pair as well as I would have expected).
But again, this is just my opinion(although I DO think I'm right 😉)
The Cheesecake Factory is loved by many people, and there's often a wait for a table(which is always a good sign), and under-appreciated by others.
Some of my snobbier culinary compatriots might dismiss a restaurant like The Factory straight out of the gate. But this would be a mistake, as a lot of the food really hits-the-spot. And I firmly believe that if they actually sat down w/ an open-mind, they'd walk away happily surprised; likely telling me, through gritted teeth, that I was right- it actually is pretty darn tasty. But I'm just speculating.
Long & short, The Factory can be great so long as you keep things simple & order correctly. Also, The Factory isn't cheap. Make sure you're prepared to pay approximately $40 per person. Of course, it'll likely be a bit less than that, and can easily be a bit more. But if you order strategically, you can get this number down significantly. As a general guide, I think a $40minimum is pretty accurate, if one eats well & after tax & tip. Hopefully this is helpful.
Of course, if you're drinking alcohol, this price-per-person(PPP) estimate will go up significantly, but most offer free refills on sodas. Definitely something to keep in mind before you go.
Hope this helps somewhat, and Happy Dining!!
PS - Avoid the Cuban Sandwich. Pork was WAY too fatty. But that's an anomaly - most other menu items I've tried generally fall into the Pretty Good to Excellent category👍
PPS - Please know that this post reflects my own experience, and is just my opinion. My intention & hope is that someone will read this, and thus can make an informed order when they visit The Factory, and hopefully make for a more enjoyable experience.
