Sometimes we can’t always have an uber-gastronomic meal. It’s just too damn expensive to live that kind of lifestyle and I don’t have the income to back it up. Not that I’m slumming it, but eating at a chain place can be a good experience as long as you shy from 2 for $20 deals and places that constantly advertise their fried junk.
So, yeah…occasionally we won’t feel like making dinner and we can’t come to a consensus on what to eat. Where else to go? The only place that has a menu the size of the yellow pages (along with the ads!). Yeah, it’s the Cheesecake Factory.
OK, so they completely demolish Asian cuisine. But, they’ve got a ton of stuff they make well. The way they set up their restaurants, the meals are consistent everywhere you go. So, if you need lots of choices, want food served in gigantic portions, and want to contribute further to your spiral into gluttony with dessert, you’ve come to the right place.
The Cheesecake Factory – Brea
Kentucky Tea. I felt like a little drinky-drinky. Their Long Island Iced Tea is served huge as well and start a good buzz on an empty stomach, but I wanted to try something different. The Kentucky Tea was a little bit weaker than I’m used to, but I did enjoy it’s lemony goodness.
Warm Asparagus Salad. Chopped up asparagus with roasted tomatoes, pine nuts, shavings of parmesan cheese, all topped with a fried egg. Dishes like this make food at the Cheesecake Factory feel a little bit more authentic.
Factory Chopped Salad. I don’t think there has been a recent visit where Jeannie hasn’t ordered this salad. I have to admit, it’s pretty damn good. And if you’re eating it as a meal, it’s more than enough for one person.
Grilled Turkey Burger with Sweet Potato Fries. I was really hoping to try the vegetarian burger, but we came to the restaurant late and they had sold out of the veggie patties. Instead, I got the turkey burger. It was a pretty good substitute.
Lemon Raspberry Cream Cheesecake. You don’t come to Cheesecake Factory without getting cheesecake. Otherwise, there is no point to coming here. Either you take it easy on your giant platter of food and take some home for tomorrow’s lunch, or you take some cheesecake to-go. Either way, don’t be a chump – eat some dessert!
Talk to me, Goose.