I had never been to the Cheesecake Factory although it has been here for quite some time. I am not one to dismiss "chain" restaurants just because they are a chain. I have had some pretty decent dinners or breakfasts in "chain restaurants. My husband and I went last Saturday around 3:00 p.m. We hadn't eaten all day and wanted something filling. The wait was only 10 minutes. We ordered the Tex-Mex Egg Rolls appetizer which came with 2 dipping sauces. One salsa and one avacado. There was barely a tablespoon of the avacado dip but the salsa dip was plentiful. The avacado dip was delicious but not nearly enough for even one..forget about 2 people. I ordered Salisbury steak with green beans and mashed potatoes. My husband ordered the Chicken Enchiladas with rice and black beans. I like my steaks medium but I want my chopped meat to be done. It wasn't. There were several pretty pink spots. Maybe that is my problem however. The very first bite consisted of a very small piece of bone. I didn't blame the restaurant, I blamed the vendor of the meat. The bright spot of the meal was the mashed potatoes. I did like them with the peel mashed up in them. Several of the green beans, while I know they grow above ground, tasted dirty or musty and while I don't want my vegetable mushy and soggy, these bordered on almost raw. I thought my husband's chicken enchiladas came with rice casserole because it was so green. It was all cilantro and rice. While cilantro is good combined with garlic, onion, peppers etc., it was awful with just bland white rice. They could have just boiled some cilantro and thrown it in a bowl and it would have had the same effect and taste. Not good. The echiladas were good, but I have had better elsewhere. We did order cheesecake and while I have heard from others that they are frozen and shipped in, I thought they were pretty good. I had the pineapple upside down cheese cake and my husband had the red velvet cheesecake. The flavors were unique and unusual and actually I thought, rather good although half of both of them came home with us. The service was very, very good. We had a young man who never let our tea or water glasses get empty and stopped by several times to see if we needed anything. I would give him alone 5 stars. I think the Cheesecake Factory should concentrate on a smaller menu that is done very well as opposed to the huge menu which is done "just ok".
(2)
Kenna B.
I love the cheesecake! Love it! Some of my past experiences have been less than stellar. The wait staff disappears, the food takes forever, there is a 2 hour wait, and the worst strike: I'm not in love with any of their menu items (but the mandarine orange chicken dish is YUM). However, my last visit was for dessert only, and I was extremely pleased. It was about 10:40 pm when my friend and I wandered in for dessert (and to kill some time before the midnight premiere of the Sherlock Holmes movie). A long island was ordered (perfectly mixed and in a large glass!), along with a Carmel Macadamia Cheesecake (our waitress' favorite) and their Chocolate Tower Truffle Cake (death by chocolate, anyone?). The desserts were amazing, the drinks wonderful, and the service excellent. Even though it was just a few minutes before closing, the waitress didn't rush us at all. At 11:15 (15 minutes after closing time), she told us to take our time and enjoy ourselves. I noticed that they had several new low calorie options on their menu, and had changed some of their entrees. I'm hopeful that I can find some "real food" that will steal my heart in future visits.
(4)
Christyn K.
So the wait for a table can be a little long, the parking can be a bit down the street, and the menu can be overwhelming, but I must say that these are all things I LOVE about this Cheesecake Factory - I feel like I am at an event of sorts in a downtown escapade of class and super indulgent food. Even if I am in Kansas City : ) I don't know why people have to hate on "chain" places - in the past month, I have gone out of my way to try local favorites, mostly out of an obligatory feel that I should support, ya know, "local." After each disappointing experience (and they have ALL been disappointing, I hate to say), I say to my pals: "You know, for that much money, I could have eaten twice as much at CKF and been four times as satisfied with the food!" That said, this place is an anchor in the Plaza as it welcomes you while you drive down Emmanuel Clever and past that beautiful KC fountain. It is especially beautiful around Christmas-time when the whole Plaza is lit up, ready to entertain you (and your money!). The facility is quite unique in its two-story layout (bathrooms are upstairs - there is also an elevator), always very clean, and of course boasts a little cheesecake display at the entrance where all your sweet tooth needs are indulged. Who cares if the cheesecakes aren't made there - they are heavenly!
(4)
Tina M.
I love this place! My fav is the turkey burger w/black beans. I can somewhat stay on my diet and still get a slice of cheesecake low carb with splenda! Who wouldn't love that! The atmosphere is awesome on the Plaza, def. a must see! Not so great is the beggers that stand right outside waiting to ask you for change as you come out of the restaurant.:(
(4)
Liz L.
This location was close to the Embassy Suites where we stayed, so every time we drove by it on our way to somewhere else my mouth watered. They have a free parking garage and there is some street parking. It's close to lots of shops and other restaurants (including Jack Stack Barbecue where we also ate). We went on a Thursday night around 6:30 and there was no wait. The staff was friendly and the service was good. It was a little loud (echo and the music was too loud). I really liked my food. I had the Carlton Salad, which I thought was divine, and the Tiramisu Cheesecake; which I wanted to marry because it was that good. My husband had the cheese steak sandwich and the strawberry cheesecake. He didn't care for the bread on the sandwich, but thought his cheesecake was very good. The menu is huge and the cheesecake selection is so fun. I would recommend eating here.
(4)
Chase G.
If you are going to the Cheesecake Factory, just get the cheese cake. The food was ok but not worth the money. However, the cheesecake was awesome! So I would recommend going to diner somewhere else and then going to The Cheesecake Factory for dessert!
(3)
Kelsey C.
This place is okay, the last few times that i have been here, I haven't really liked it. The food is kind of over-priced for the quality of it (but the portions are HUGE). I haven't tried anything that I have especially liked. I think at first, I came here (and most other people did) was because well, it's the Cheesecake Factory! You have to go! Everyone's gone! But really, I think that The Cheesecake Factory is over-rated in all areas except for their namesake- the cheesecake. But then again, how can you go wrong with cheesecake? I've never really had a 'bad' tasting piece of cheesecake. Sure, the inside and outside, but usually the wait staff is lousy and the food is sub-par.
(3)
Kyle F.
This place is always packed so show up early or be prepared to wait. When you are finally seated, the service is quick and the food is excellent. It can be a bit pricey but well worth the money. Make sure you save room for desert, they have a separate menu dedicated to cheese cakes. Or do what I do, order the cheese cake first :) Highly recommended if you're downtown and want a decent meal and desert (or in my case, desert then meal).
(4)
Geo P.
Sat right down.
(5)
Pepper W.
Chain restaurant with a huge menu.
(5)
Hunter R.
I've long been a fan of cheese cake, though have always suspected that you could not expect to get good cheese cake from any place calling itself the cheesecake factory. The name alone implies what I've come to unfortunately learn is true, the food is as bland as if processed in a factory line. Incredibly overpriced for the quality and level of hospitable service, I was unimpressed and will never return to one of my own free will. Cheesecake factory seems very much like the McDonalds of deserts. Their presentation and taste are lacking in inspiration.
(1)
Sophia S.
I so love there entrees, The atmosphere is great and the wait staff are wonderful. I especially like the deserts.... yum
(4)
Brian H.
slurp! i just wish there was more parking and more tables to fit more people so i could come here more often.
(4)
Leeann T.
oh man i remember going to cheesecake factory once because i got a cheesecake factory gift card. the second time i went with my bf and some friends because they wanted cheesecake factory. i didn't know what to order since they had so many variety of food. the vietnamese tacos caught my eyes and gave it a try. wow it was really freaking good and love eating it. i wish they deliver i live so dam far from one. vietnamese tacos is like peking duck but a lil different. yummy i want some more now dam it.
(5)
Rasheda H.
I come here for cheesecake and their strawberry leomande. The food here is bleh. The ONLY dish I like is the jambalaya pasta. Other than that, skip this place. My grandma makes better cheesecake!
(3)
Heather Anne B.
I've been here for dinner dozens of times, but I finally got to visit for brunch and I wasn't disappointed. The wait was long, as usual, but once we were seated we got the same awesome service and tasty food Cheesecake Factory is known for. There were four people in my group and I can't remember what everyone ordered, but I got the crab hash. There were too many onions or something I wasn't crazy about, but the combination of the hollandaise and crab and hash brown was so good! My husband and I also each ordered a cheesecake to take home and both were delicious. I have probably only tried three or four of their cheesecakes ever, but they are consistently very good, probably even better than the food. Caramel is my weakness so I ordered the dulce de leche cheesecake and it was freaking amazing. Even my husband, who doesn't care for caramel, ended up eating half of it. Of course this is always more of a special occasion kind of place, because there's no way I could afford a trip here just on a whim, but every time I visit I thoroughly enjoy my meal start to finish.
(4)
Jessica F.
This place is way over-hyped. And over-priced. The wait staff is OK... just like anywhere depends on who you get! I remember back when they first came to KC, it was almost difficult to get a job there, they were so hard core about experience and training. I hate to burst anyones bubble about the cheesecake itself.. IT COMES TO THEM FROZEN!!!!!!!! It is made in a factory, yes, but it is trucked. Dont dare say the word frozen there, though! They call it "deeply chilled". If Im lyin Im dyin.. ask anyone that works there and they will probably tell you the truth! There are MANY MANY better places to spend your money- and get home made desserts!
(2)
Mykie D.
lemon-raspberry cheesecake is really all i need to say about it.... wash it down with either a hot chocolate or a glass of champagne. you're all set. great location too. there are cheesecake factorys all over the U.S. so whichever you go to probably has the same menu
(5)
Anne W.
Boooo. I found the Overland Park store to be far better run and operationally efficient. The servers here are unsophisticated and sloppy looking. What a shame.
(2)
Theresa L.
Ashlee was super quick and efficient when we were in a rush! Fab!!
(5)
Ravena F.
It was a sunny afternoon, we were stuck in that in between time post-wedding & pre-reception. We had hours & I was hungry. I was also obsessed with sitting outside since it was much nicer weather than the foggy San Francisco I'm used to. I spotted their expansive outdoor seating complete with fountain from across the street and made a dash. Unfortunately, they were not serving outside until 5pm. (Huh? It was so perfectly gorgeous out! Why not take advantage?) Seeing my fallen expression, the host quickly suggested that I order take-out & sit outside. Perfect. We had drinks at the bar (nice Bloody Mary!) while we waited. Sitting outside, slurping up my Vietnamese spring rolls was mighty fine. Nothing outstanding, nothing horrid. Just even-keel, pleasant.
(3)
Michael P.
Lunch today was incredible. I don't know how they keep up with the extensive menu they have. Wow
(5)
Colleen O.
Look, everyone has got a story about Cheesecake, good and bad. Everyone has been waited on by that ass of a server, everyone loves the bread. Here's why I like it: 1. You don't ask yourself, "What am I in the mood for?" before coming here, because there is no speciality - it's the cuisine for all peoples. If you want pasta and your friend wants American, no problem. Cafeterias provide the same concept only the food is, well, cafeteria food. Cheesecake is not cafeteria food. It's food to fill you, it tastes good - I don't care abut the stigma that it's a chain. 2. You pay for the portions. Most of the dishes I've seen or eaten are fit for two. I've even noticed couples sharing a plate, which I would never do (I can eat my own well past a single portion to be too honest with you) but you get the point. CF isn't friendly for dieters - it's more like outright hostile. I've even heard from their own staff members that Cheesecake salads are as healthy their fried macaroni and cheese. It's pretty killer food and CF is notorious for sliding around any exact figures as to how high in calories their dishes actually are and although I think's that's pretty slimy of management - it's America! If the restaurant skimped rather than plate too much, the franchise wouldn't have made it past the first restaurant. 3. The bathrooms. I'll inevitably take the trip if I'm at CF and starving (but trying to keep a promise to myself not to eat the full loaf of molasses rye bread before my meal comes) and bored too. So, I'll excuse myself and walk around a bit, take the long way up the stairs twisting around the ridiculous crowds in the waiting area. I'll look at other people's food choices (the menu is so large, I've only tried a fraction of it so it's a smart idea to peak around). Finally, I'll get to the bathrooms. Great bathrooms, love the full-length mirror. And it's so important for a restaurant to have a nice bathroom. It's like the tell tale sign that the food will be good or something, I swear. It's like how a woman looks to see if her boyfriend treats his mother right (if he doesn't, he's supposedly going to be a cruel husband) - well, the same goes for bathrooms. 4. The cheesy male servers. This isn't what I consider the 'best' part about CF, more like the most entertaining to exhibit. Look, five of my friends have been picked up by these goons -FIVE - ew, I hate to admit that, but it's true. It's like they see a table of women and call dibs on it or something, very strange. And for the 5 that have been picked up, probably 50 more have been harmlessly hit on, myself included. CF must attract an oversexed staff - maybe it's in the water - who knows?! 5. The dessert. It's what everyone looks forward to, it's the reason why so many women throw caution to the wind and go off their crazy fad diets, it's the topic of conversation among a group of female girlfriends, just chatting: "Oh my GOD - we have to split it cheesecake," one says. "Um....I'm getting my own," the other replies. "LET'S BE BAD!" they both say. And then, kind of sadly, they'll eat it and talk about how BAD it is for them. 6. Their strawberry lemonade - served in a glass with the rim lined with a tablespoons' worth of sugar and a giant strawberry. I don't like to order fruity drinks, especially if it's nonalcoholic - but I always make an exception for this one drink - TRY IT. And honestly, the list goes on. Cheesecake attempts to make your meal as comfortable and appealing as you want it to be and few chains, be it Applebee's or McDonald's can state that in their restaurant manuals.
(4)
Scott D.
Nothing good, nothing bad = Mediocrity. Excellent restaurants close, while the Cheesecake Factory marches on. I guess it helps to have 500 menu options, even if none of them are particularly good, and Very Large Portions. Meh.
(2)
Adam V.
We'll be back! I took my wife to The Cheesecake Factory to celebrate our 12th year wedding anniversary. It was on a Saturday around 4pm so the lunch menu was still available. We started out with their lemonade which was very good and fresh tasting in a sugar-dipped rimmed glass. Nice presentation. I ordered their four cheese pasta. It was absolutely wonderfull and their mozzarella cheese that was heavily applied was fresh and decadently delicious. My wife had their chicken salad which was humongous and very delicious with a beautiful presentation. One very small complaint with the pasta was that I found it to be too al dente. It needed to be cooked just a speck longer, but it wasn't too bad. I prefer it that way much more so than the pasta being overcooked. We had their delicious fried avocado appetizer with the tamarind cashew dipping sauce. It was tangy and delicious. For dessert, we split the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. It was beautifully decorated with "Happy Anniversarry" written on the plate's border in chocolate syrup. The chocolate cheesecake was to die for. It was more than enough dessert split between the two of us. The service was very good but not quite excellent as I had to request more water and it would have been nice if the server would have wiped the dinner crumbs from the table (I had to do that myself) before serving dessert. But overall, the service was very good, the food fantastic and we'll be back for our date nights. Nice atomosphere too! Try to get a booth window so you can watch the passerby's shop in the plaza.
(5)
Skipper B.
The menu is huge, the wine list lengthy (the Coppola Cheescake Factory is excellent Cabernet) and of course the cheesecake is delicious!
(5)
Aimee G.
Cheesecake Factory is A-Ok. Our family consisting of husband, 7yo, 5yo and 3yo plus g'ma and three adult family friends dined there on Thursday evening. We arrived at 5:45 and the approximate wait time for an inside table was 25-30 minutes. The outdoor tables were available right away. We opted to wait for the indoor table. We were seated in about 20 minutes. The service was OUTSTANDING. She was very helpful, suggesting several items for the kiddos. We ended up splitting the slider app with broccoli and fries b/w the three kids. They loved it. I had the Santa Fe Chicken salad which I absolutely love. MrAimeeG had the jambalaya pasta & he literally wiped the plate clean. Our other guests had sandwiches and pasta which received good reviews as well. My dessert was a bowl of strawberries. The cheesecakes ordered were strawberry, chocolate Oreo, Butterfinger and a cake/cheesecake combo. It was perfect for a big crowd like ours. Service was excellent! Not outstanding food but absolutely o-kay.
(3)
Michelle G.
I love the Cheesecake factory, this location was one of the first places i ate at in KC, but i prefer the location at 119th and Metcalf to this one. my work friends and i always had good lunches here but the 119Th street location is the one closest to my apartment and has given me excellent meals since it opened along with my out of state guests that raved about it and the cheesecake. the menu is huge, my favorite is the tex mex eggrolls, i've tried other menu items but this is the one i go back to and will stop for after shopping in the afternoon. nice bartender and waitstaff huge portions and the handy takeout cheesecake counter.
(4)
Jonathan F.
The wait can be a little long, especially on the weekends. There is outside seating, which in good weather seems to fill up quickly. The food was good, as was the service. I've eaten here a couple of times and would go back again.
(4)
Jeff P.
As all cheesecake factorys.... Standard service and great huge protions! I dont even know what to recommend... My faves are the "bang bang chicken and shrimp" and the "Wasabi Crusted Ahi Tuna"... Both are sensational and the cheesecake is to die for. Great tasting food , huge selection and protions all for a great price. I love this place... unfortunately my diet doesnt though!
(5)
Lori H.
People rave about Cheesecake Factory. I have been there three times now, and everytime I leave, I leave happy, but am not overly blown away by the place. We ate here on Easter Sunday for our Easter dinner. Pretty short wait considering it was crazy busy. We were seated upstairs and service was PERFECT. Our waitress was incredible, especially considering how busy it was. You get an excessive amount of food here, even with the lunch portions. I had a 4 cheese pasta which was OK, and some crab rangoon with my husband for an appetizer, which was good, but a little too well done. Anyway, I leave again, thinking, good meal, but just "OK". Great location though.
(3)
Stephanie B.
I love the Cheesecake Factory but this location is not the best. We had to wait FOREVER for a table and they weren't even that busy. In fact the manager came over to apologize to us and actually sounded like a complete moron. They were out of some of the appetizers we ordered so another manager apologized and said she would take the other 2 off of our bill. Then we got our receipts to find that they added gratuity to our checks automatically. We only had a party of 6 and I've been there with a larger party and have not had that happen. My food wasn't that warm when it was served. I was really disappointed with the whole experience.
(2)
Jackie P.
I'm giving this place three stars because the cheesecake here is great...duh! it's called the Cheesecake Factory. However, the food here is not good...AT ALL! My friends and I ordered the nachos as an appetizer and they were okay. And then I split a steak with another friend and had a salad. The salad consisted of 4 or 5 wilted leaves of lettuce a bunch of salad dressing and a couple of tomatoes. Please! The steak was okay but had to be sent back once because it wasn't cooked right. The waitress literally looked like she wanted to kill me. We waited for almost an hour and a half. Our wait was suppose to be 45 minutes but when we finally asked they lost our name and weren't going to call us. They said it would be ANOTHER 30 minutes. Did I mention this was on top of the wait we already had. After having a talk with the manager we were seated immediately but the mood had already been set! There are much better places to eat in KC.
(3)
Nicole G.
The wait time was insane. I understand a wait but when you are told 15-20 minutes and wait for over an hour it gets ridiculous! The food is amazing because it's the Cheesecake Factory.
(2)
Nicole E.
Let me just start off by saying I love the Cheesecake Factory! Whether its been in L.A., Phoenix, Atlanta or Kansas City, I'm usually never disappointed. However, they have changed the menu and some items have been removed, like the Fried Chicken Salad. But anyhow. The location on the Plaza is everything that you expect. We went for lunch, about 1p on a Friday. We had to wait about 15 minutes. Not too bad. Our server was very nice, prompt and knowledgeable. And my Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake - to die for!
(4)
Jon S.
Thickest menu I've ever seen. They've got some of everything and it's all good. The atmosphere is dress/casual. And, of course, the cheesecake is out of this world. They have an outdoor patio for warmer weather, and the smoking area is upstairs, well away from non-smokers. These guys truly understand how to provide a great dining experience. A good place to take a date for dessert (especially since there's a Coldstone Creamery across the street) or for a formal dinner (like prom).
(5)
L L.
I LOVE the food, but it's very cost-prohibitive. Don't even bother to order alcohol at $10 a drink. The wide selection of food and every cheesecake I've ever tried are delicious. I like this location, because there are 2 floors, which makes the wait a little shorter.
(3)
Helen G.
People are being really hard on the Cheesecake Factory. I do admit there are some fantastic places in KC but I think it is convenient enough though it is very popular which makes it difficult to get a seat on the weekends and a little over price because it's a chain. The people are nice and the portions are good. And they cheesecakes are great. So here's a little internet hug for the Cheesecake Factory. We can be friends. Enjoy!
(4)
Noelle M.
...... yea.... I don't know, I use to LOVE going to the Cheesecake in SF like, allll the time when I went to go shopping for the day. But now, that I've gotten older and realize that quality should go over quantity...my thought on the place have changed. For one, if you need ads in your menu...it is too big. Anyway, I came here with my GM to check out their closing, just for kicks, we got a couple of apps---which were WAY too big and I got a vodka cran. which was alright. I've been told their strawberry shortcake was TO DIE FOR, so I got that and my GM got a something cheesecakeish, hers was okay but mine sucked, seriously-not impressed. If you're with like 50 people and everyone wants something else, come here, if not don't.
(2)
Sara D.
I have to admit that my guilty pleasure lies in a creamy, majestic piece of Cheesecake Factory cheesecake. I don't care if they're a chain or even if their cheesecake is frozen....I love it. One piece can make a meal and I write their 1/2 price Cheesecake Day on my calendar like it's a National Holiday. The White Chocolate Raspberry and Mango Key Lime are both top runners for favorite flavor. Now I'm hungry.
(4)
Saige A.
Delicious, reasonably priced, and always busy! We typically come here for cheesecake alone but we went for the full meal this time. Arriving at 9:00 on a Saturday night we were put on a thirty minute wait. Once sat we were promptly greeted by our server who was good, no real complaints with him. Food was okay, margaritas were okay and expensive for the quality we got. This review only get four starts because of one little issue that arised. I had ordered the pasta dish, meat on the side. Once our food arrived the chicken was in the dish and I had it sent back. By time it came back, my boyfriend was finished with his meal and it had already been boxed up. Although the manager did deliver my meal there was no further action taken. It kind of dampered the entire meal and we weren't compensated in any way. Finishing with the usual cheesecake we were out of there two hours later full and content. Next time were just going to do cheesecake and go elsewhere for dinner like normal.
(4)
Silver F.
Great restaurant. Bangbang chicken my favorite one. The bread was wonderful and I had the carbonara. Hubby had the pizza. Loved the cheesecake and our server was excellent! They know how to treat their customers!!
(4)
Brian E.
The service is impeccable, but you can comparable food at most other places cheaper. On my last visit, I had ordered a pizza. The crust on half of the pizza was as black as can be, but they still brought it out. Due to time constraints, I didn't send it back. The Peach Bellini here is very delicious.
(2)
Mike W.
Cheesecake Factory, a must visit if you're hungry. They have redefined portion size to the detriment of the American Waistline...but when the food is good, you might as well get a lot if it. The space is not overwhelming, but a theater type atmosphere with tons of booths and tables. There is a spiral staircase that takes you to extra seating, and a not so handy bathroom. The nicely dressed servers give a dressy appearance, but cheesecake is super casual, additionally reinforced once you open the novel length menu. Page after page of delicious entrees temp you on every level. Only the truly adventurous foodies would dare order an appetizer, as the mammoth main dishes are sized to feed two. We went for a lighter meal this evening, my son grabbed the omelet, and fixings. Nice size meal, good flavor, but it's hard to screw up breakfast, even in a factory of cheesecakes. I had the chicken pasta with asparagus. The pasta and chicken were perfect, adding a light pesto, did the trick on my taste buds...try the smaller portions if you want to enjoy one of their many cheesecake offerings...none for me...I have a dairy allergy that keeps me away from those sinful treats... Go to cheesecake, if you're hungry, otherwise, be prepared to eat the same dish a couple times...LO central...
(4)
Marissa W.
Not bad for a chain! I've always had good service. It's great to come here for a couple small plates. I love the (not so) little house salad! The crab cakes and crab bites are also very good. For dessert I ALWAYS get the Tiramisu cheesecake, is the absolute BOMB. Try it!
(4)
Tiffany T.
I enjoy the pasta dishes at Cheesecake Factory and of course, the cheesecakes, but waiting around for an hour was a cluster due to the absent mind individual that was the host. Our buzzer gave us the indication that they were ready for us after 20 minutes, we gave it to them, the host took it and looked lost as to why we were standing there. We were waiting for our ticket for proof that we are able to be sat soon. He accused us of not giving him the buzzer at all. So strange as we were standing in front of him the entire time. I understand that it was a hectic Saturday night, but he could at least apologize and let us know that he will do what he can instead of such accusations. The manager came and spoke with us and apologized. He stated that it'll be another 30 minutes. We waited around and after checking up on the host 2 more times, he finally said he got us a table after 40 minutes. Total wait time was about an hour and a half. It was a busy night with high school homecoming so we gave them some slack and was happy with the service that we received from the wait staff. Food is always consistent and delicious! Thanks to our waiter for bringing up the mood! He was great!
(3)
Jack B.
Came here on July 30th. Was seated immediately,however, our table had crumbs left on it, and pieces of salad. 15 minutes passed before a server came, asked what me and my girlfriend wanted to drink, then he (name was Mason) never came back. 10 more minutes passed and then we left, and will never return, unacceptable service.
(1)
Whitney J.
Great place... Extremely fattening, but great, hahaha! This is a once a month or every other month affair, because once you leave here, in between the bread basket (plus butta), excellent entrees and cheesecake and coffee, you will need to let your pants out by the end of the evening. They do have a lighter menu... but let's be real... AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FO DAT! IT'S THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY MAN!!! So eat your fill and enjoy yourself. The food will not disappoint and the decor is beautiful! Every time I go I have a great waiter or waitress and enjoy my experience through and through! And chocolate lovers, it is your duty to try the Chris's Outrageous Cheesecake... CHOCOLATE OVERLOAD!!!! YEEEESSSSS!!!!
(5)
Adam S.
Cheesecake Factory has good food, enormous portions, and a menu the size of a book. I've been to both KC locations numerous times, and my wife and I typically split an entree (usually the orange chicken). The portion sizes are such that you can get two full meals out of one entree. Maybe not the burgers, but most of the $16-20 items. The cheesecake is also delicious. I'm a big fan of the pineapple upside down cheesecake. The Plaza location is a little cramped and super busy. If you'd like a Friday/Saturday night cheesecake fix, I'd recommend the Overland Park location. It is laid out better, and you aren't packed in like sardines while waiting for a table. My favorite time to go to the Plaza location is on a nice warm day for Sunday brunch and get a table outside.
(4)
Kevin C.
The food was good and decently priced. The wait was non-existent. Our waiter was professional but needed to be a little louder than the environment. The cheesecake pieces are huge but exactly as described. The downside? The manager wearing grey on this date needs to learn to not hover over tables and be less loud communicating using his earpiece.
(4)
Katie I.
We had a wonderful experience here! There was a large party of us coming for dessert and drinks after my friend's wedding. Kyle, our server was amazing! He gave beautiful service and the cheesecake was to die for! Thank you Kyle with your awesome beard for making our night extra special with great service! He was on top of drinks and added in the perfect amount of humor to the night! Ask for Kyle! He's da shiiiiiiit!
(5)
Melanie G.
cheesecake is really the only thing I go there for anymore. Nothing really sounds appetizing on the menu for the price you are paying. The food is not as tasty as people make it out to be. I ordered the shrimp alfredo and there was NO taste in it. I ate two bites and was ready for the cake part of the dinner.
(3)
Scott G.
My wife and I typically steer clear of corporate chain restaurants whenever possible, but when mom sends us a gift card to Cheesecake Factory for Valentine's Day, all sense of discretion apparently goes out the window. Seriously! What kind of person in their right mind would choose to go here on a Saturday night? Well that, my friend, would be us - and about 5,000 other insane and hungry people. When you set foot inside this Cheesecake Factory, it's a wonder that this place could ever actually be filled to capacity. It's enormous... with 2 levels of dining space, 2 bars, and (I believe anyway) 2 separate kitchens. But no - when we arrived shortly after 7pm we were told that it would be 1.5 hours before we would be seated. They didn't even have any more pagers left it was so busy! Don't people know that there are a bunch of other great restaurants on the Plaza? Instead of waiting, we decided to wander upstairs to the bar area to see if we could snag an open high-top table (first-come, first-served). Getting upstairs proved to be an adventure as we had to climb over hordes of people who were seated on both sides of the stairway waiting for their name to be called. When we finally reached the top, we were in luck - there was a table just getting up from their meal, so we quickly grabbed it and took a seat. Now for the actual dining experience. Have I mentioned yet that I've never been a fan of Cheesecake Factory? They have one of the most overwhelming menus that I've ever seen in my life. I swear it's 20-something pages long, with every type of food imaginable represented. Personally, I'd prefer them to pick one or two types of cuisine, perfect those, and get rid of the rest. But nobody asked me, so I had a decision to make. Not really in the mood for anything in particular, I decided to order the Cajun Chicken Pasta. My wife ordered some type of salad. When the food arrived, I immediately thought to myself, "Wow... this is why the obesity rate in America continues to rise." My oversized plate was full of pasta, which was drenched in an oil (or butter)-based sauce and topped with 4 pieces of breaded chicken. The taste was fabulous, but I couldn't even finish half of it, and I wasn't about to try because I knew I had to save room for the best part of the meal - the CHEESECAKE, which as always was delicious. All-in-all, our visit really wasn't all that bad. We didn't end up having to wait for a table, our service was very good, and the food exceeded my expectations. I just wouldn't choose to come here on a regular basis and battle the crowds when there are all sorts of other great dining options available in the area.
(3)
Kim S.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Nothing. That's because that's really the impression that I get here. Everything that is here has been done before. There is nothing that just catches my eye and says pick me, Kim. That's sad to me. It was a 50 min wait on a Thursday which hey, I'm okay with as long as I will be dazzled. I'm easily dazzled. I've been dazzled by shiny buttons but back to the subject at hand. The seating is discouraging. We were a group of six adults and we were sat in a booth that would have been uncomfortable for me and my four teens. That's standard for them according to their manager though. He apologized profusely. So I picked the chicken Parmesan sandwich and can say, yep it's a sandwich. I wasn't wowed but I wasn't upset. I was overwhelmingly underwhelmed. I ended up bringing it home. I don't know what's the deal with the current trend of big bread on sandwiches but I don't like it. The flavors were meh. I will say I'm glad that I got the chicken parm since two people at the table opted to not even take their leftovers since they were disappointed. I will say that they are generous with their portions. Also, I truly did enjoy the raspberry lemonade. It was the shining star of my meal. I couldn't get enough of it. I hate that this restaurant makes me feel like a food snob because I've found joy in $1 tacos. This just doesn't do it for me.
(3)
Tonya M.
well whats not to love about the cheesecake factory. pretty good food at a decent price. My only complaint was the server completely forgot to put our kids order in. so we all got our food and then had to wait for our kids hot dog to come out.
(3)
Dale T.
The wait was over an hr, then they stuck 6 women with coats and purses in a tiny booth, then said we could wait another hr for a larger table, then manager was not helpful, kept giving excuses that did not make the experience any better. I told him to go away, he huffed off and said fine. Really, so much for our first annual Christmas Party! We decided to stay, hell been here all night anyway! Will see about the food. Our server Holly, very apologetic, better manners!
(1)
Stacey S.
I eat here all the time!! It has a great happy hour with happy hour drinks and apps! The waiters are always great and attentive. My favorite is Adam at the bar downstairs! He is great!! The managers are always nice as well. They help out their staff and everyone seems to enjoy their job! The menu is extensive. You will always find something you like here! And they have a great cocktail list!
(5)
Daniel M.
This place is going to overwhelm you with food. It's going to be pretty good, more than you wanted, better than you expected, and somehow still wanting some cheesecake afterward. God bless the heroes who can eat all their eyes desire at this place.
(4)
Melissa A.
I was here about a week ago and had a really tough time being satisfied when I finally walked out the door. I don't eat here often, but met some friends this week for a birthday dinner. The food was good, but the poor waiter was over-extended having several large tables at the same time. But, that wasn't why I was so disappointed. Mostly, I had a the toughest time with the host stand. I had arrived first because out of my friends that were coming, I live the closest. This normally isn't a problem because I am usually just sat at our table and allowed to wait. NOT THE CASE HERE!! When I got to the front of the mass of people in the restaurant, after mentioning that there would be six of us I was promptly told that I had to wait until at least three people from our party were present before I could be put at a table. I have never heard of this before... Really? Being willing to be patient I accept their answer and took my buzzer and sat down. Well, when it became clear that my friends were running late due to traffic and an accident on the highway, I thought maybe they would make an exception and let me sit at a table. I was wrong. Not only did I get the feeling that I didn't matter to them because I was just one person, but they continued to give tables to fit the size of our party to other people and when my friends finally arrived we still had to wait an additional half hour to be seated! So a customer that got to a "first come first serve type restaurant" got shoved to the side and made to wait over an hour and a half before getting a table. This "there must be half of your party present" idea does not make for a good customer experience. Whether you are super-busy or not, EVERY customer should be made to feel important. I'm pretty sure the next time someone asks me to come to the Cheesecake Factory on a weekend, I am going to politely decline!
(2)
Dean D.
I like this place and have been to many throughout the country. Their menu is always somewhat overwhelming but the food and service is generally pretty good. This Kansas City location in particular has been very good, always offering up friendly service and good quality food items. Today I tried the Gumbo which was nicely presented and had plenty of shrimp and meat but was slightly on the bland side. I also chose the Asian Shrimp Spring Rolls which were very good and came with two very nice dipping sauces. This is the Cheese Cake Factory and their specialty is cheese cake! Unfortunately, I had no room for desert today but I've had their cheese cake before and it's good! All their baked goods are excellent. I could eat their bread all day long! As chain restaurants go, this one is very good.
(4)
Ray C.
I used to really enjoy The Cheesecake Factory but they have become so focused on creating profit that they have taken away from a great experience. Tables are too close to each other to the point that it's awkward and uncomfortable. At the 2-top tables you might as well be sitting with the people to your left and right. Then there's the price. We ordered 2 sandwiches and shared a dessert and the bill was $40. The meal and the experience were certainly not worth that. The service was timely and friendly but the sandwiches were not hot. Perhaps they sat in the queue waiting to be served for a bit. It will probably be a long time before I'm back to give them another chance. There are just too many other places that are better across the board.
(3)
Zach A.
I've been here with family and friends and have yet to be disappointing. The other night, my friends and I went there for late night cheesecake, and even though it was getting late, the waiters were as friendly and accommodating as ever. The cheesecake was sublime and he even rounded down our checks! The reason for the 4 stars and not 5? The price. Delicious food, decadent cheesecake, but a little pricey. But great in every other aspect!
(4)
Michele N.
This is our "go to" dessert place on the Plaza and it has never disappointed. I can't imagine a cheesecake that isn't delicious. The fresh whipped cream on the side just adds bonus points. The coffee is good, not great, but that is ok since the dessert is soooo good. My review is strictly based on Cheesecake and I promise, it is all good!
(4)
Josh P.
I must say it was truly amazing! Of course The Cheesecake Factory is known for its deserts, but unfortunately we didn't get a desert. We still let ourselves go with a delicious appetizer as well as a Stake Diane and a Hibachi Steak! Despite the waiting time it was still worth it in the end! 5/5 would do again
(5)
Patrick Y.
Food is delicious. Service was prompt and very acoomodating. The lunch portion is very generous and I can only imagine how big the dinner portions are.... and of course there are plenty of cheesecakes to choose from. If you're a coffee lover. . I recommend the tiramisu. We had the Banana cream and oreo cheesecake tonight and it was exquisite. I think the crowds are usually a little slow on Sundays between 2-5 ( which I believe are the best times to visit if you want to avoid the standard 30-40 minute waits for a table). Will return.
(4)
Lacey J.
Not a fan. Generic American food. Too many things on the menu that I feel they don't specialize in anything. I never eat here.
(2)
Michael E.
The service was amazing from the start, the food was amazing, and we had the Oreo dream cheesecake a very good choice. Seating arrangements could be better, but overall for the stuff that mattered it was great! This thing at the bottom says "keep those thumbs rolling, you wizard of words." That's where I draw the line. Good job Cheesecake Factory.
(5)
Amy R.
I have no idea why I don't go here more often. The menu is HUGE, staff is friendly, food is good to great. They ALWAYS have tables because it is seriously huge inside. We went for brunch and I had the Monte Christo sandwich which was lovely. Everyone at the table enjoyed their food and the bonus was that we were sitting out by the fountain, it was gorgeous out and Plaza Art Fair weekend so the people watching couldn't be beat!
(4)
Victoria H.
Came here for dinner before my appointment at Apple Store. We sat at the bar and was greeted by the bartender. I could not understand a single thing he said to us. It's not a language barrier that we encountered, it was his mouth full of marbles that prevented us from understanding him. With that being said, every time he talked to us, we just agreed out of sheer embarrassment or just stupidity. Lol. Other than that the food was awesome and picked up the S'mores cheesecake, which is AAAMMMAAAZZINNNGG! It must be Gods food!
(4)
Crystal C.
This being our first visit here I'm almost opposed to give it 5 stars because I try & go at least twice before giving such an outstanding rating. We had such a good experience I could not resist!! Our waiter was very nice & warming as soon as we sat down.. we had our toddler with us and went from a booster to a high chair and he was more than willing to help us get comfortable. We started off with some cocktails, apple juice & cherry coke. Nothing fancy. Then came our appetizer which was ordered the spicy chicken nachos. Fresh guac, sour cream, pica de gallo atop the enormous tray of cheesy nachos. They were really good and almost filled us up. Not to mention they serve you warm french & this oat bran bread at the beginning with your drinks. Then came our appetizers... I went with the spicy Louisiana chicken pasta & my husband ordered the chicken & biscuits. OH MY GOSH! No words can describe my pasta, the sauce absolutely perfect & spicy, creamy! Went perfect with the honey glazed chicken, peas, asparagus, and penne pasta. Best pasta I've ever eaten!!! My husbands dish was equally simple yet divine in taste! The sauce they used on the chicken and biscuits was to die for! Our toddler LOVED both. He absolutely loves spicy so he favored my dish! :) We couldn't resist to try the mouth watering cheesecake that we had seen in a display case when awaiting our table. There's so many to choose from & it's hard to decipher which you want. So we went with the white chocolate macadamia nut cheesecake (at the table for dessert to share)................................ need I say more? The name explains it all and it was drizzled in caramel sauce with homemade whip topping! Best cheesecake ever! We ordered the carrot cheesecake to GO--- nothing short of amazing & indulging as well. Our first trip here was great! We many laughs, our serves were fabulous, the food was even better, drinks were the right price for consistency of the drink. We left VERY happy & very full. Our toddler didn't even make it out of the parking garage without falling asleep. Great evening. I must say the decor of the place is outstanding as well. We will be returning very shortly & recommending to all of our friends and family! Thank you Cheesecake Factory for an extradoniary evening!
(5)
Nikki H.
The service, Erica at the bar, the cheesecake(Dulce De Leche Caramel) and drinks were great!
(5)
Shawn B.
We hadn't been here in a while so decided to check it out again for lunch. I noticed they now have small plates, quite a variety too. We ordered the Vietnamese Tacos off of that menu and then our regular orders of Shrimp Bistro (my fave) and burgers for the boys. The tacos were very tasty, but could have had a higher quality of pork in them. There were so many other flavors going on with it that the stringy, overcooked pork really didn't detract from it too much. The Shrimp Bistro was excellent, as always. I don't know how, but they seem to have the freshest tasting shrimp in that dish. For the price, next time we are going to order several small plates and see how that goes. I do not eat the cheesecake here. I guess I'm a cheesecake snob, but for a place to have it in their name you'd think it would be better than it is. I have been spoiled by Eli's in Chicago, Claim Jumper's out west, and of course, my own.
(4)
Aimee M.
I am really sad that they no longer offer Thai chicken pasta. It was always my go to dish.
(3)
Chris G.
Sure it's a chain, but sometimes you just want some comfort food, and to know what you're going to get. Food was decent, service was good. Sitting next to the goalkeeper of the 2013 MLS Champions, Sporting KC, was pretty cool, too! I don't go here much, but I've spotted some sports 'stars' here on more than one occasion.
(3)
Mici B.
The male host as you walk in is funny and greets everyone as soon as you walk in. We ate at the bar and it was entertaining watching him make people laugh...he's a character. Everyone knows the portions are huge so we ordered appetizers for lunch. Had my favs: Thai Chicken Wrap, Spinach & Artichoke Dip and Strawberry Shortcake. Just the right amount for 2 hungry people without feeling overly stuffed. Whitney was the bartender as we sat at the bar. She is friendly, service-oriented and attentive. She took care of our needs before we even asked. We'll be back!!!
(4)
Bill N.
Went on Friday of last week again and enjoyed the service and the quality of food is just that quality!
(4)
Austin S.
We have always had good food and good service here , that said,sometimes you feel somewhat close to other tables and it is a little on the noisy side. The menu is comprehensive and if you can't find a cheesecake you like out of THAT selection there is no hope for you!
(4)
Jessica G.
First off, the food was great. I wish I could say the same for the service, but I can't. Our waiter was too "preoccupied" staring at the woman next to us. Im guessing that she was his friend, but I thought it was supposed to be customers first? Anyway, while he kept talking to her, we saw our cheese cakes sitting on the counter ready to be served, and which they sat there a little too long. To round it all up, in the end while he was still preoccupied, he messed up our bills and gave us the wrong change. I think all of this could've been avoided if our waiter would of just done his job right, and saved the friend visiting for after work.
(2)
Regina F.
Once upon a time there lived a girl who resided in Wichita, Kansas. From the time she was just a wee lil' sprout until those awkward teenage years, her parents would cart her to the shopping/food mecca 150 minutes away known as Kansas City - which she would later refer to as KCK thanks to high school debate. What started out as trips to Laura Ashley where she and her mother would walk out in floral jumpsuits, and that little German sweets shop, where she and her father would walk out with chocolate smears on their faces, evolved into more hip outings. She would drag her parents to Abercrombie and insist on eating at that looming restaurant on the corner. The Cheesecake Factory became her favorite restaurant - it's uniqueness unbeknownst to Wichita, and having only visited one other time in Chicago, the demanding 16 year old would insist on ordering multiple baskets of brown, gooey, oaty bread - warm and fresh from the oven. She would scarf down avocado egg rolls - damning the abmoniation that those surely are against her Asian background - sparing not the even the puffy rice noodles adorning the plate. Soft, warm and creamy avocado filling be-speckled with peppers wrapped in delicate, golden brown fried wonton wrappers - surely these were health food that would not disrupt her teenage diet. And to cap off a meal, she would indulge - depending on the season - in either a chocolate peanut butter cookie dough cheesecake (which she now bemoans the loss of and didn't/still doesn't give a hoot about the inevitable hives that would accompany that luscious histamine inducing dessert) or her favorite dessert of all time: the White Chocolate Peppermint Bark cheesecake that would debut only in the holiday season. Not much has changed: instead of engorging in all 8 half eggrolls solo, she now shares these with her kinfolk - ordering, instead, some raw tuna piled atop avocado and served with four delicately fried wonton chips (Ahi Tartare). But somehow she manages to lick clean the luscious mashed potatoes adorning her father's plate and the sweet potato fries served with her aunt's beautiful burger. These, she declares, are sweet potato fry perfection. Chain restaurants have the advantage of millions of tasters, and thanks to that, those fries rule...when dipped in honey mustard dressing. And once a year, she insists...ABSOLUTELY DEMANDS that she get her White Chocolate Peppermint Bark cheesecake, a red peppermint dotted cake with a white chocolate topping that sits upon a dense brownie bottom...and please, serve this with hot fudge.
(4)
Ted K.
Something for everyone on the menu. Cheesecake Factory has probably the largest menu of any restaurant I have ever been to. All the foods are prepared and presented professionally. All the foods taste fantastic. Highly recommend the BBQ Salmon, which is one of my favorites. And of course you can't go there without ordering dessert. Having over 30 different cheesecakes makes this the hardest choice of the night for you. Recommend the Oreo Extreme Dream Cheesecake. Oreos cooked into the cheesecake? Yes please.
(4)
Mari M.
We came here for a co-worker's birthday and told them that we needed to be timely with our return to the office. The server was good about being conscientious about the timing. Good job! Since the last time I have been here (who knows how many years??) they have added more items that are smaller sized or lower in calories. That's good but the sheer number of items on the menu is overwhelming. Typical, I chose poorly. I saw a chopped salad that was smaller and lower in calories and it had blue cheese. Sold. It was very flavor-less. Boo. The other people all seemed to really enjoy their choices. No cheesecake was consumed on this visit. Overall, our service was good and, for the most part, our group enjoyed their food. I would say this is a decent place to visit if you have a diverse group that cannot decide on one option. Just don't order the boring little chopped salad.
(3)
Lauryn D.
I've been to a bunch of Cheesecake Factories in various states: NY, NJ, GA... and then I come here and i'm like "Meh?" Arrival and Ambience: Like every other CF, this location is beautifully maintained. Impeccably clean, even on a rainy night. We went on a Friday evening and got immediate service. We sat at a booth by the window. Service: Waitress seemed really 'green'. Wasn't sure if she was new or having an off day. She didn't visit us regularly and forgot a few things. Cute, sweet lil girl though. Food: This is the stingiest portioned Cheesecake Factory in terms of bread. Every one that I usually visit gives you 3 loaves of bread, and this one only gives you 2 --- and they are so small in comparison to other locations. Were the grains on strike in the kitchen? I need answers. I ordered the pizza... and it was large, fresh and delicious. Crust was on point. The heartburn was worth it. Drank lemonade... tart and delicious as usual. Got the Reese's peanut butter cheesecake. Delicious but couldn't finish it all. I LOVED the atmosphere though. Cheesecake is always a place where you can go and kick back with your friends in an unrushed, unhurried manner and catch up. So I would go again, and just hope the service is a little better --- thassit!
(4)
Rainbow C.
Food (aka appetizers): 1) Avocado Egg Rolls: Generous amounts of avocado, tomato, onion, with a dash of cilantro in a fried crisp wrapper. Quite delicious and paired nicely with the tamarind-cashew dipping sauce. 2) Fried Avocado, Mushrooms, and Zucchini: paired with a ranch and another slightly spicy dipping sauce. Fried avocado was ok, but the fried zucchini was quite good 3) Tropical Fruit Smoothie: fresh mango, passion fruit, pineapple, and coconut blended and topped with a strawberry and pineapple slice. Refreshing, not too thick. Ambiance: Nice restaurant, great location near the plaza, but the service was incredibly slow. Maybe I'm comparing to quick LA style service, but it took FOREVER! Bottom Line: A-OK. Would probably dine elsewhere if I ever came back to KC. Good vegetarian options, though.
(3)
Molly K.
Cheesecake Factory I have gone to the Cheesecake Factory in the past and I have always had mixed feelings about the food. I often get the orange chicken lunch size, but once I got it dinner style. Well, I was astonished. They were both about the same size, yet you should be getting more for the dinner size. Second, I wish there had been less chicken and rice and more veggies. There were some veggies, but not as much as was needed to call it a side. The chicken was very high in calories and the chicken had too much batter on it. I was literally taking huge bites of batter when it should have been chicken. The Cheesecake Factory advertises it as Orange chicken, but when I was eating the chicken I could not taste the citrusy taste that comes with oranges. Their cheesecakes though are delicious and creamy. . The Cheesecake Factory has been criticized in the past by many people and even in books about the portion sizes and the portions are indeed huge. But, that shouldn't surprise anyone!
(3)
Alisa C.
CHEESECAKE!!! That's why I come here because the food is just ok. So I decided to get the Reese's cheesecake because I was in the mood for some peanut butter and it was just peanut butter overload! It was too heavy and rich for me and I should have just stuck to my fave, the Red Velvet cheesecake that is encrusted in white chocolate shavings. There cheesecakes are usually very light, but this Reese's one was just too much! We sat outside since it was a nice day out which I'm really glad we had this option in the Plaza. I wish more Cheesecake Factorys would do this! Pros: -CHEESECAKE=YUMMY!!! Cons: -none really....I just don't think the food is that spectacular here so oI only come for the cheesecake Why I gave it a 3...... Come for the cheesecake and leave the food behind! Seriously people, the food is something I could make but that cheesecake is like a little slice of heaven because it is very light and rich at the same time. Definitely will be back for the cheesecake!
(3)
Klent H.
When in Kansas City I always try to make a stop at the Cheese Cake Factory on the Plaza. This trip was no different with the exception that Sunday brunch was the only time I had available. Expectations were high but I must say I was let down. I arrived with my party at 11:00 and we ordered Bloody Mary's and examined the menu. There were only aout 8 other people in the restaurant but we noticed right away our server seemed distracted and was absent a great deal. She took our orders but the drinks too 15 minuets to arrive and later she brought water and some bread. We kept looking but it appeared she was busy elsewhere. Our orders took nearly 40 minuets to arrive and the Mexican egg dish I ordered was cold and did not have much flavor. Our server never asked if we wanted another round of drinks and finally brought out our checks. Since we were a group of 6 an 18% gratuity was automatically added which did not set well with our group based on the service we had received. Everyone in our group was disappointed. It could have just been an off day for the restaurant crew but overall this was not a very satisfactory brunch. We will be back the next time we are in KC but with some apprehension.
(2)
Charley B.
The Cheesecake Factory is open year around, but I want to begin my synopsis with a holiday time recommendation. During the holidays when the Plaza lights are on, ask for a seat on the second level by the windows. Your wait might be a little longer than if you regularly had to wait, but you will enjoy a fantastic view of the Plaza Lights while you enjoy your dinner or your dessert. Okay, now for main review. Most of the menu features sandwiches, burgers, small pizzas and comfort foods. None of the dishes are particularly mind blowing, but they are solid meals served in large portions. You might want to ask for a to-go box. I particularly like the artichoke and crab dip. After you've boxed up your leftovers please make sure to leave room for dessert. The cheesecake is amazing. It comes in plenty of flavors and my favorite is the pineapple upside down concoction. The service is pretty good, but I will say things will slow down during times when the restaurant is at its peak rush. The restaurant will become busy and there is usually a wait, but luckily there is a nice patio where you can wait until a table opens up. If you're out and about and looking for dinner or dessert on the Plaza, this is a good place to start.
(3)
J C.
Great cheese cake with huge variety. Menu still big but not as big as I remember cheesecake factories used to be , but have not been many years since I've been to one. We ended up here cause the kids always wanted to go and if they have been to one they didn't remember it and this one has a great patio and the weather was perfect for it.
(3)
Stephen H.
So, confession. In a past life, before I became absolutely obsessed with food, I went to chain restaurants like Red Lobster or Olive Garden and...Cheescake Factory. But I definitely considered Cheesecake the top of the heap. And here's why: 1. I've eaten at Cheesecake in 5 states and there was a consistent high standard of service and food at all five. 2. Great selection of dishes of all kinds of varieties. 3. Really reasonable prices. 4. Huge portions. Have been here with friends for drinks a couple times and had - of course - the amazing cheesecake. This location is scenic and always busy.
(4)
Ali C.
I prefer the Overland Park location. The plaza location is busy 24/7. Definitely not their fault, but with lots of customers comes not as great of service. I also have not been impressed with my food the past couple of times I have been here. It's just been mediocre overall.
(3)
Janet E.
The wait was 1.5 hours. We opted to take the food to go and eat it elsewhere. It took 15 minutes for my food to be ready as carry out. I definitely recommend taking this route if you are craving Cheesecake factory food! I ordered the Bistro Shrimp Pasta. Its my GO-TO dish for Cheesecake factory. I love this stuff! So what if it was voted the worst food in America 2010?!?! Cheesecake Factory's Bistro Shrimp Pasta 2,730 calories 78 g saturated fat 919 mg sodium 141 g carbohydrates health.yahoo.net/experts… Service was good and fast. Me likes!
(4)
Ashley N.
Had a drink which as great and crab dip. Me no likey. I tried my best to eat it. After hating Chicago's Cheesecake Factory and now this one I'm done with this place in any city.
(1)
Shelley Y.
Who hasn't been to the Cheesecake Factory by now? Until this afternoon it was ME, that's who! I know it's been there for what seems like forever but I've never been. I went this afternoon with the intention of coffee and conversation. I ended up ordering two small plates (which I couldn't finish), cheese cake, AND coffee. Honestly, when you compare my order to the vastness of the menu, it's measly. I didn't even read through it all it was so large! I did make a note that they offered lunch until 5pm. Who does that?! Some of the items are pricey, but the small plates were tempting and on the cheap. I got a Greek Salad. It wasn't very Greek in my opinion. There was so much chopped cucumber and tomatoes I didn't even notice the arugula. It was positively swimming in vinaigrette too. I don't like an over-dressed salad. The worst error of all was that it had goat cheese instead of feta. I adore feta. I detest goat cheese. I also ordered the Vietnamese Tacos. The order came with 3 and I had to pawn one off on my friend because the steamed bun was so filling I could not eat all 3 and also eat cheesecake. They were absolutely delicious!! I would order them again in a heartbeat. Finally the cheesecake: I ordered the Godiva chocolate which was a chocolate lovers dream. I ate half of it, which is a normal portion, I'm sure. The coffee was just as my friend expected. It was a little too strong with a bitter aftertaste. Loads of cream and two Splenda's made it drinkable to me. I had one and a half cups. Our waiter was friendly and appeared at just the right moments. The bathroom was clean, but lacked hooks to hang your purse in at least one stall. Boo to that! I have no idea if I will ever find myself back at The Cheesecake Factory, as my Hubby doesn't like cheesecake and for the price we would choose a different place. If invited by friends, I would happily return however poor the coffee.
(4)
Rhonda S.
Sara and I were down on the plaza, and contemplating dinner. I had never been to the Cheesecake Factory, (yes, me, I HAVE never been to the famous Cheesecake factory till now) so we decided cheesecake for dinner. There was no line, we walked in, and were waited on immediately. Fantastic service. The bathrooms are up a spiral staircase. There are gorgeous columns of stone in the dining area. The dining area has both tables, and also booth tables. There is a cake rack with most of the cheesecakes near the cash register. We were handed the menus,and the happy hour menu! My God, Kansas City, the happy hour drink prices were $5.00 for a mojihito, makes me think the actual drink prices are...what? Seems to be a pattern. We didn't order from the drink menu. On the cheesecake menu, it lists over 30 types of cheesecake. It is in the back of the menu, which is a spiral bound menu of many pages. I took a while to read them all, and settled on a yummy piece of pineapple upside down cheesecake. I wasn't sure of the price...uh, they could add the price to the menu, it'd be kind of kind. Some of the prices are $6.95, some are 7.95. Sometimes that might make a difference,and the individual prices aren't on the menu. My cheesecake rocked my world. It really was good. Other than the little things, I can think of 30 reasons to go back to the Cheesecake Factory. Is it worth a huge line? I'm not sure. I'd not go there when there's a huge line, but that's just me.I don't wait in line in Kansas City, I go to the next place. It is a beautiful place to eat, with outside eating, a bar with over priced beverages, and wonderful cheesecake.
(4)
Troy D.
Cheesecake Factory is a place I'll go to once or twice a year, more often than not, just for dessert. The food is pretty good -- the chain is famous for big portions, and that's what you get. But, unless you choose to eat your meal really early or really late.... you'll have to deal with the crowd. And there's always a crowd. The restaurant is big, but it still always seems like there's a ridiculously long wait. There's nothing that can really be done about it -- it's the nature of the beast -- but it's it's just obnoxious. As for the cheesecake, when it's good - it's great. When it's not... it's not. I've been blown away by the 30th anniversary cake and the Godiva cake -- yet extremely disappointed by the tiramisu cake and the chocolate chip cookie dough cake. There are plenty of dining options on the Plaza, and unless you're lucky enough to get in at a time when there's no wait, I just can't see the place as worth waiting for.
(3)
Angela K.
Depending on when you show up here, it could either be a nightmare to get in or a breeze. When they first opened...back in the roaring 90s...this was a frequent gathering spot after work. And it was ALWAYS packed. My last visit was this weekend and we were seated right away by an overly friendly host. Having not been here in a while, I was surprised at how empty the place was on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. But I'm not gonna complain about getting seated quickly. The menu, as always, was a novel. I had a hard time narrowing down my choices. They have a new "Skinnylicious" menu with low-cal options that looked delicious. Especially the Lettuce Mushroom Wraps. I was tempted to try the veggie burger, but opted for the comfort of the Four Cheese Pasta. I was happy that they offered most of their dishes in lunch portions, knowing the gargantuan size of their normal dinner dishes. The pasta was right on the money. Tender penne pasta with a creamy tomato sauce. Just what my belly was looking for. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. All in all it was an extremely nice lunch on the Plaza. And it reminded me how much I really like this place. My visit reminded me how much I love their brunches on Sunday, so I'm definitely going to remember to come here. The Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes look divine!
(4)
Sherri T.
We went to your restaurant on the Plaza, which is our annual tradition, and were told that there was an hour and a half wait. This was 4:15 pm. We put our name on the list. We sat and waited for our turn. We were a party of nine. We watched many small and large parties come and go while we waited. At 5:45 pm we were told that it would be another 30 minutes. We waited that 30 minutes and were told that it would be another 45 minutes. When we complained we were told that it was our fault because we asked to be taken off of the list. It was not true. They said that we would be added to the bottom of the list again. We were finally seated at 6:30 pm. after many words were exchanged with your rude manager, Ash. Finally at the end of the nightmare they admitted that they had given our table away and had placed us at the bottom of the list. For this they comped us an appetizer that had less chips than we get for free at any Mexican restaurant. This was for nine people. It was hot on one side and cool on the other. The whole experience was a nightmare. Many of us wanted to leave, but five of the members of our group are from out of state and wanted to continue our tradition. If it had been up to me, we would have left at 5:45 pm. There was hardly anyone on the wait list when we signed up at 4:15 pm. It shouldn't have been an hour and a half wait at that point. It never should have taken 2 hours and fifteen minutes. Ash represented himself as the manager. He was rude and very unprofessional. We will no longer continue this celebration. We will find a new place to celebrate the holidays. At the end of this nightmare we were presented with our individual checks with an 18% gratuity attached. I understand this is the practice, but, in this case, we would have never left such a tip. We were finally given our checks at 8 pm. This means this whole nightmare took close to four hours. I will be posting this on my social pages so that everyone will know what happened to us and what to expect at Cheesecake Factory.
(1)
Nathaniel H.
I was very happy with my experience. It was my second trip to this specific Cheesecake Factory and both times I was highly satisfied. I ate at the bar and the bartender was on top of things. Not once did I have to ask for a refill. The food was also great, as usual.
(5)
Mick B.
Mmmm, I'll have a plate of uninspired food with a side of annoying waiter who will be "taking care of me." High school prom photos out front, anyone?
(2)
Nicole B.
Yes, it's a chain, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I love Cheesecake Factory. It never disappoints! The portions are huge and it's reasonably priced. This location in particular has a great outdoor dining area. Cheesecake Factory also offers a great cocktail menu....martinis, mojitos, etc. My favorite things to eat at Cheesecake Factory: The Whole Grain Bread!! Luau Salad Thai Lettuce Wraps Crispy Chicken Costoletta Brownie Sundae Cheesecake (which I usually take home since I never have room)
(4)
Ginger A.
I know a lot of people love to hate big chains like The Cheesecake Factory. I'm not one of those people. I've been to this location a half-dozen times over the years and have never had a bad experience. It's usually very busy but the wait has never been as long (in my experience) as their estimate. On my most recent visit, I wasn't super hungry so I chose the Vietnamese tacos from their small plates menu; it was less than six dollars for one of the best meals I've had all YEAR, folks. Truly phenomenal. I split a piece of chocolate something-or-other cheesecake with two other ladies and we still did not finish it all. It was great, but a little too rich and the portion was ridiculously large.
(5)
Jen K.
Enjoy coming to the CF and have been many times. Decided to try brunch and was extremely disappointed. I ordered a basic omelette that came with three cheeses and lots of veggies. The omelette was thick, hockey-puck like and perfectly round, texture of a sponge. Avocados didn't make it on the plate, the three SLICES of cheese were still hard, unmelted and extremely oily. Mushrooms were burnt. Wastress spoke so fast that we had to have her repeat everything. Not a good visit this time.
(3)
Erica P.
I always enjoy Cheesecake Factory. The food is consistent, but that's to be expected from a major chain. Service is always good. Can't really complain about the Factory. Their happy hour is AWESOME!!
(4)
Sara B.
The food here is hit or miss. Stay away from the pizza and pasta. They overcook the pasta, and the pizza tastes like it came straight out of a tostino's box. There are much better places on the Plaza for Italian. The good food here is the bar-type food: burgers, chicken, fish, anything tex-mex. Never had a bad appetizer here, and the salads were actually fresh with an interesting combination of flavors (my favorites are the Santa Fe salad and the BBQ ranch chicken salad). The drinks at the bar are so tasty, I have come here just for cocktails. As for the cheesecake..I am not really a cheesecake person, but my daughter is crazy about the strawberry cheesecake. Service is consistently good. Try to eat on the patio if the weather's nice..the inside can get crowded and noisy.
Cheesecake is to die for! We only come here for the cheesecake and we drive 2.5 hours from our hometown to come here jus for it
(5)
Valetta M.
Looked great but unfortunately we were there about 8:00pm on a Sat night & the wait was 3.5 hrs. Didn't stay.
(4)
Ashley C.
First I will tell the reason it got three stars: The food quality and taste are phenomenal!! That alone got three stars. Unfortunately, there is one big reason I probably won't be going back of my own volition: Prices and portions. I had not been to the factory in many years remembering that the meal portions were gargantuan and the food often over-cooked (especially chicken). I went as part of a bachelorette party. First, they refused to take a reservation, even for a group as large as us, so we had to sit and wait for nearly two hours outside in the rain, because they do not have an indoor waiting area. Then, being on a bit of a budget and remembering those enormous portion sizes, I went for the small plates. The waitress confirmed that two small plates was perfect for a meal. Wrong! These were not small plates. They were baby plates! I had the ahi tare tare and the mushroom/zucchini/avocado fries. Those put together would equal a standard appetizer in your typical restaurant. No where near a full meal. Nonetheless, I had spent all I had allotted for my meal so I ordered cheesecake. I didn't have a menu in front of me to know that it was nearly $10 for one slice!!! I could understand that if they made it all fresh in house, but they don't! Then add to it the fact that my "skinny" margarita (150 calories or less) cost as much as the cheesecake! I could have bought two standard margaritas at the bar we would be heading two for the same price (still in down town KC). Then it came time for the bills. Several from our party asked to take pieces of the brides check. The waitress fumbled orally for a minute then just announced that she would figure it out and left, declaring she was smart enough. Well, that wasn't entirely true. I ended up with part of the bride's faire, and everyone else declared their checks correct and handed over their money before I even figured out why mine was so ding dong expensive. I ended up paying for a $12 dollar drink I didn't even get to taste (most expensive thing on my bill) and have gratuity included already. All in all, the food is fantastic, but you better be willing to empty your bank account if you do anything but nibble at this place. Thank God I got to bring my cheesecake home cuz with the amount of money I dropped there, I should have had a whole meal waiting for me in the fridge! Great food. Horribly overpriced for the portions I received.
(3)
Steven M.
We sat outside as it was one of the last nice nights of the year. The waiter was a little sporatic, but we only came here for dessert anyway. I had the original and it was not as good as I remember. I also tried some of the banana cheese cake and it was not as special as the price would dictate. I am quite sure that this place is not worth the coin they are charging. But it has a great building in an awsome location.
(3)
Graham S.
Pretty good stuff as far as uber-chains go. Huge portions and a menu the length of the Magna Carta, if you can't find something you like you may have a medical problem. Usually go here with the whole fam in tow, and they're always very accommodating.
(4)
Kyle M.
Best cheesecake anywhere. I have tried cheesecake all over the country and Cheesecake Factory consistently has amazing cheesecake.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Dinner Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Barbara W.
I had never been to the Cheesecake Factory although it has been here for quite some time. I am not one to dismiss "chain" restaurants just because they are a chain. I have had some pretty decent dinners or breakfasts in "chain restaurants. My husband and I went last Saturday around 3:00 p.m. We hadn't eaten all day and wanted something filling. The wait was only 10 minutes. We ordered the Tex-Mex Egg Rolls appetizer which came with 2 dipping sauces. One salsa and one avacado. There was barely a tablespoon of the avacado dip but the salsa dip was plentiful. The avacado dip was delicious but not nearly enough for even one..forget about 2 people. I ordered Salisbury steak with green beans and mashed potatoes. My husband ordered the Chicken Enchiladas with rice and black beans. I like my steaks medium but I want my chopped meat to be done. It wasn't. There were several pretty pink spots. Maybe that is my problem however. The very first bite consisted of a very small piece of bone. I didn't blame the restaurant, I blamed the vendor of the meat. The bright spot of the meal was the mashed potatoes. I did like them with the peel mashed up in them. Several of the green beans, while I know they grow above ground, tasted dirty or musty and while I don't want my vegetable mushy and soggy, these bordered on almost raw. I thought my husband's chicken enchiladas came with rice casserole because it was so green. It was all cilantro and rice. While cilantro is good combined with garlic, onion, peppers etc., it was awful with just bland white rice. They could have just boiled some cilantro and thrown it in a bowl and it would have had the same effect and taste. Not good. The echiladas were good, but I have had better elsewhere. We did order cheesecake and while I have heard from others that they are frozen and shipped in, I thought they were pretty good. I had the pineapple upside down cheese cake and my husband had the red velvet cheesecake. The flavors were unique and unusual and actually I thought, rather good although half of both of them came home with us. The service was very, very good. We had a young man who never let our tea or water glasses get empty and stopped by several times to see if we needed anything. I would give him alone 5 stars. I think the Cheesecake Factory should concentrate on a smaller menu that is done very well as opposed to the huge menu which is done "just ok".
(2)Kenna B.
I love the cheesecake! Love it! Some of my past experiences have been less than stellar. The wait staff disappears, the food takes forever, there is a 2 hour wait, and the worst strike: I'm not in love with any of their menu items (but the mandarine orange chicken dish is YUM). However, my last visit was for dessert only, and I was extremely pleased. It was about 10:40 pm when my friend and I wandered in for dessert (and to kill some time before the midnight premiere of the Sherlock Holmes movie). A long island was ordered (perfectly mixed and in a large glass!), along with a Carmel Macadamia Cheesecake (our waitress' favorite) and their Chocolate Tower Truffle Cake (death by chocolate, anyone?). The desserts were amazing, the drinks wonderful, and the service excellent. Even though it was just a few minutes before closing, the waitress didn't rush us at all. At 11:15 (15 minutes after closing time), she told us to take our time and enjoy ourselves. I noticed that they had several new low calorie options on their menu, and had changed some of their entrees. I'm hopeful that I can find some "real food" that will steal my heart in future visits.
(4)Christyn K.
So the wait for a table can be a little long, the parking can be a bit down the street, and the menu can be overwhelming, but I must say that these are all things I LOVE about this Cheesecake Factory - I feel like I am at an event of sorts in a downtown escapade of class and super indulgent food. Even if I am in Kansas City : ) I don't know why people have to hate on "chain" places - in the past month, I have gone out of my way to try local favorites, mostly out of an obligatory feel that I should support, ya know, "local." After each disappointing experience (and they have ALL been disappointing, I hate to say), I say to my pals: "You know, for that much money, I could have eaten twice as much at CKF and been four times as satisfied with the food!" That said, this place is an anchor in the Plaza as it welcomes you while you drive down Emmanuel Clever and past that beautiful KC fountain. It is especially beautiful around Christmas-time when the whole Plaza is lit up, ready to entertain you (and your money!). The facility is quite unique in its two-story layout (bathrooms are upstairs - there is also an elevator), always very clean, and of course boasts a little cheesecake display at the entrance where all your sweet tooth needs are indulged. Who cares if the cheesecakes aren't made there - they are heavenly!
(4)Tina M.
I love this place! My fav is the turkey burger w/black beans. I can somewhat stay on my diet and still get a slice of cheesecake low carb with splenda! Who wouldn't love that! The atmosphere is awesome on the Plaza, def. a must see! Not so great is the beggers that stand right outside waiting to ask you for change as you come out of the restaurant.:(
(4)Liz L.
This location was close to the Embassy Suites where we stayed, so every time we drove by it on our way to somewhere else my mouth watered. They have a free parking garage and there is some street parking. It's close to lots of shops and other restaurants (including Jack Stack Barbecue where we also ate). We went on a Thursday night around 6:30 and there was no wait. The staff was friendly and the service was good. It was a little loud (echo and the music was too loud). I really liked my food. I had the Carlton Salad, which I thought was divine, and the Tiramisu Cheesecake; which I wanted to marry because it was that good. My husband had the cheese steak sandwich and the strawberry cheesecake. He didn't care for the bread on the sandwich, but thought his cheesecake was very good. The menu is huge and the cheesecake selection is so fun. I would recommend eating here.
(4)Chase G.
If you are going to the Cheesecake Factory, just get the cheese cake. The food was ok but not worth the money. However, the cheesecake was awesome! So I would recommend going to diner somewhere else and then going to The Cheesecake Factory for dessert!
(3)Kelsey C.
This place is okay, the last few times that i have been here, I haven't really liked it. The food is kind of over-priced for the quality of it (but the portions are HUGE). I haven't tried anything that I have especially liked. I think at first, I came here (and most other people did) was because well, it's the Cheesecake Factory! You have to go! Everyone's gone! But really, I think that The Cheesecake Factory is over-rated in all areas except for their namesake- the cheesecake. But then again, how can you go wrong with cheesecake? I've never really had a 'bad' tasting piece of cheesecake. Sure, the inside and outside, but usually the wait staff is lousy and the food is sub-par.
(3)Kyle F.
This place is always packed so show up early or be prepared to wait. When you are finally seated, the service is quick and the food is excellent. It can be a bit pricey but well worth the money. Make sure you save room for desert, they have a separate menu dedicated to cheese cakes. Or do what I do, order the cheese cake first :) Highly recommended if you're downtown and want a decent meal and desert (or in my case, desert then meal).
(4)Geo P.
Sat right down.
(5)Pepper W.
Chain restaurant with a huge menu.
(5)Hunter R.
I've long been a fan of cheese cake, though have always suspected that you could not expect to get good cheese cake from any place calling itself the cheesecake factory. The name alone implies what I've come to unfortunately learn is true, the food is as bland as if processed in a factory line. Incredibly overpriced for the quality and level of hospitable service, I was unimpressed and will never return to one of my own free will. Cheesecake factory seems very much like the McDonalds of deserts. Their presentation and taste are lacking in inspiration.
(1)Sophia S.
I so love there entrees, The atmosphere is great and the wait staff are wonderful. I especially like the deserts.... yum
(4)Brian H.
slurp! i just wish there was more parking and more tables to fit more people so i could come here more often.
(4)Leeann T.
oh man i remember going to cheesecake factory once because i got a cheesecake factory gift card. the second time i went with my bf and some friends because they wanted cheesecake factory. i didn't know what to order since they had so many variety of food. the vietnamese tacos caught my eyes and gave it a try. wow it was really freaking good and love eating it. i wish they deliver i live so dam far from one. vietnamese tacos is like peking duck but a lil different. yummy i want some more now dam it.
(5)Rasheda H.
I come here for cheesecake and their strawberry leomande. The food here is bleh. The ONLY dish I like is the jambalaya pasta. Other than that, skip this place. My grandma makes better cheesecake!
(3)Heather Anne B.
I've been here for dinner dozens of times, but I finally got to visit for brunch and I wasn't disappointed. The wait was long, as usual, but once we were seated we got the same awesome service and tasty food Cheesecake Factory is known for. There were four people in my group and I can't remember what everyone ordered, but I got the crab hash. There were too many onions or something I wasn't crazy about, but the combination of the hollandaise and crab and hash brown was so good! My husband and I also each ordered a cheesecake to take home and both were delicious. I have probably only tried three or four of their cheesecakes ever, but they are consistently very good, probably even better than the food. Caramel is my weakness so I ordered the dulce de leche cheesecake and it was freaking amazing. Even my husband, who doesn't care for caramel, ended up eating half of it. Of course this is always more of a special occasion kind of place, because there's no way I could afford a trip here just on a whim, but every time I visit I thoroughly enjoy my meal start to finish.
(4)Jessica F.
This place is way over-hyped. And over-priced. The wait staff is OK... just like anywhere depends on who you get! I remember back when they first came to KC, it was almost difficult to get a job there, they were so hard core about experience and training. I hate to burst anyones bubble about the cheesecake itself.. IT COMES TO THEM FROZEN!!!!!!!! It is made in a factory, yes, but it is trucked. Dont dare say the word frozen there, though! They call it "deeply chilled". If Im lyin Im dyin.. ask anyone that works there and they will probably tell you the truth! There are MANY MANY better places to spend your money- and get home made desserts!
(2)Mykie D.
lemon-raspberry cheesecake is really all i need to say about it.... wash it down with either a hot chocolate or a glass of champagne. you're all set. great location too. there are cheesecake factorys all over the U.S. so whichever you go to probably has the same menu
(5)Anne W.
Boooo. I found the Overland Park store to be far better run and operationally efficient. The servers here are unsophisticated and sloppy looking. What a shame.
(2)Theresa L.
Ashlee was super quick and efficient when we were in a rush! Fab!!
(5)Ravena F.
It was a sunny afternoon, we were stuck in that in between time post-wedding & pre-reception. We had hours & I was hungry. I was also obsessed with sitting outside since it was much nicer weather than the foggy San Francisco I'm used to. I spotted their expansive outdoor seating complete with fountain from across the street and made a dash. Unfortunately, they were not serving outside until 5pm. (Huh? It was so perfectly gorgeous out! Why not take advantage?) Seeing my fallen expression, the host quickly suggested that I order take-out & sit outside. Perfect. We had drinks at the bar (nice Bloody Mary!) while we waited. Sitting outside, slurping up my Vietnamese spring rolls was mighty fine. Nothing outstanding, nothing horrid. Just even-keel, pleasant.
(3)Michael P.
Lunch today was incredible. I don't know how they keep up with the extensive menu they have. Wow
(5)Colleen O.
Look, everyone has got a story about Cheesecake, good and bad. Everyone has been waited on by that ass of a server, everyone loves the bread. Here's why I like it: 1. You don't ask yourself, "What am I in the mood for?" before coming here, because there is no speciality - it's the cuisine for all peoples. If you want pasta and your friend wants American, no problem. Cafeterias provide the same concept only the food is, well, cafeteria food. Cheesecake is not cafeteria food. It's food to fill you, it tastes good - I don't care abut the stigma that it's a chain. 2. You pay for the portions. Most of the dishes I've seen or eaten are fit for two. I've even noticed couples sharing a plate, which I would never do (I can eat my own well past a single portion to be too honest with you) but you get the point. CF isn't friendly for dieters - it's more like outright hostile. I've even heard from their own staff members that Cheesecake salads are as healthy their fried macaroni and cheese. It's pretty killer food and CF is notorious for sliding around any exact figures as to how high in calories their dishes actually are and although I think's that's pretty slimy of management - it's America! If the restaurant skimped rather than plate too much, the franchise wouldn't have made it past the first restaurant. 3. The bathrooms. I'll inevitably take the trip if I'm at CF and starving (but trying to keep a promise to myself not to eat the full loaf of molasses rye bread before my meal comes) and bored too. So, I'll excuse myself and walk around a bit, take the long way up the stairs twisting around the ridiculous crowds in the waiting area. I'll look at other people's food choices (the menu is so large, I've only tried a fraction of it so it's a smart idea to peak around). Finally, I'll get to the bathrooms. Great bathrooms, love the full-length mirror. And it's so important for a restaurant to have a nice bathroom. It's like the tell tale sign that the food will be good or something, I swear. It's like how a woman looks to see if her boyfriend treats his mother right (if he doesn't, he's supposedly going to be a cruel husband) - well, the same goes for bathrooms. 4. The cheesy male servers. This isn't what I consider the 'best' part about CF, more like the most entertaining to exhibit. Look, five of my friends have been picked up by these goons -FIVE - ew, I hate to admit that, but it's true. It's like they see a table of women and call dibs on it or something, very strange. And for the 5 that have been picked up, probably 50 more have been harmlessly hit on, myself included. CF must attract an oversexed staff - maybe it's in the water - who knows?! 5. The dessert. It's what everyone looks forward to, it's the reason why so many women throw caution to the wind and go off their crazy fad diets, it's the topic of conversation among a group of female girlfriends, just chatting: "Oh my GOD - we have to split it cheesecake," one says. "Um....I'm getting my own," the other replies. "LET'S BE BAD!" they both say. And then, kind of sadly, they'll eat it and talk about how BAD it is for them. 6. Their strawberry lemonade - served in a glass with the rim lined with a tablespoons' worth of sugar and a giant strawberry. I don't like to order fruity drinks, especially if it's nonalcoholic - but I always make an exception for this one drink - TRY IT. And honestly, the list goes on. Cheesecake attempts to make your meal as comfortable and appealing as you want it to be and few chains, be it Applebee's or McDonald's can state that in their restaurant manuals.
(4)Scott D.
Nothing good, nothing bad = Mediocrity. Excellent restaurants close, while the Cheesecake Factory marches on. I guess it helps to have 500 menu options, even if none of them are particularly good, and Very Large Portions. Meh.
(2)Adam V.
We'll be back! I took my wife to The Cheesecake Factory to celebrate our 12th year wedding anniversary. It was on a Saturday around 4pm so the lunch menu was still available. We started out with their lemonade which was very good and fresh tasting in a sugar-dipped rimmed glass. Nice presentation. I ordered their four cheese pasta. It was absolutely wonderfull and their mozzarella cheese that was heavily applied was fresh and decadently delicious. My wife had their chicken salad which was humongous and very delicious with a beautiful presentation. One very small complaint with the pasta was that I found it to be too al dente. It needed to be cooked just a speck longer, but it wasn't too bad. I prefer it that way much more so than the pasta being overcooked. We had their delicious fried avocado appetizer with the tamarind cashew dipping sauce. It was tangy and delicious. For dessert, we split the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. It was beautifully decorated with "Happy Anniversarry" written on the plate's border in chocolate syrup. The chocolate cheesecake was to die for. It was more than enough dessert split between the two of us. The service was very good but not quite excellent as I had to request more water and it would have been nice if the server would have wiped the dinner crumbs from the table (I had to do that myself) before serving dessert. But overall, the service was very good, the food fantastic and we'll be back for our date nights. Nice atomosphere too! Try to get a booth window so you can watch the passerby's shop in the plaza.
(5)Skipper B.
The menu is huge, the wine list lengthy (the Coppola Cheescake Factory is excellent Cabernet) and of course the cheesecake is delicious!
(5)Aimee G.
Cheesecake Factory is A-Ok. Our family consisting of husband, 7yo, 5yo and 3yo plus g'ma and three adult family friends dined there on Thursday evening. We arrived at 5:45 and the approximate wait time for an inside table was 25-30 minutes. The outdoor tables were available right away. We opted to wait for the indoor table. We were seated in about 20 minutes. The service was OUTSTANDING. She was very helpful, suggesting several items for the kiddos. We ended up splitting the slider app with broccoli and fries b/w the three kids. They loved it. I had the Santa Fe Chicken salad which I absolutely love. MrAimeeG had the jambalaya pasta & he literally wiped the plate clean. Our other guests had sandwiches and pasta which received good reviews as well. My dessert was a bowl of strawberries. The cheesecakes ordered were strawberry, chocolate Oreo, Butterfinger and a cake/cheesecake combo. It was perfect for a big crowd like ours. Service was excellent! Not outstanding food but absolutely o-kay.
(3)Michelle G.
I love the Cheesecake factory, this location was one of the first places i ate at in KC, but i prefer the location at 119th and Metcalf to this one. my work friends and i always had good lunches here but the 119Th street location is the one closest to my apartment and has given me excellent meals since it opened along with my out of state guests that raved about it and the cheesecake. the menu is huge, my favorite is the tex mex eggrolls, i've tried other menu items but this is the one i go back to and will stop for after shopping in the afternoon. nice bartender and waitstaff huge portions and the handy takeout cheesecake counter.
(4)Jonathan F.
The wait can be a little long, especially on the weekends. There is outside seating, which in good weather seems to fill up quickly. The food was good, as was the service. I've eaten here a couple of times and would go back again.
(4)Jeff P.
As all cheesecake factorys.... Standard service and great huge protions! I dont even know what to recommend... My faves are the "bang bang chicken and shrimp" and the "Wasabi Crusted Ahi Tuna"... Both are sensational and the cheesecake is to die for. Great tasting food , huge selection and protions all for a great price. I love this place... unfortunately my diet doesnt though!
(5)Lori H.
People rave about Cheesecake Factory. I have been there three times now, and everytime I leave, I leave happy, but am not overly blown away by the place. We ate here on Easter Sunday for our Easter dinner. Pretty short wait considering it was crazy busy. We were seated upstairs and service was PERFECT. Our waitress was incredible, especially considering how busy it was. You get an excessive amount of food here, even with the lunch portions. I had a 4 cheese pasta which was OK, and some crab rangoon with my husband for an appetizer, which was good, but a little too well done. Anyway, I leave again, thinking, good meal, but just "OK". Great location though.
(3)Stephanie B.
I love the Cheesecake Factory but this location is not the best. We had to wait FOREVER for a table and they weren't even that busy. In fact the manager came over to apologize to us and actually sounded like a complete moron. They were out of some of the appetizers we ordered so another manager apologized and said she would take the other 2 off of our bill. Then we got our receipts to find that they added gratuity to our checks automatically. We only had a party of 6 and I've been there with a larger party and have not had that happen. My food wasn't that warm when it was served. I was really disappointed with the whole experience.
(2)Jackie P.
I'm giving this place three stars because the cheesecake here is great...duh! it's called the Cheesecake Factory. However, the food here is not good...AT ALL! My friends and I ordered the nachos as an appetizer and they were okay. And then I split a steak with another friend and had a salad. The salad consisted of 4 or 5 wilted leaves of lettuce a bunch of salad dressing and a couple of tomatoes. Please! The steak was okay but had to be sent back once because it wasn't cooked right. The waitress literally looked like she wanted to kill me. We waited for almost an hour and a half. Our wait was suppose to be 45 minutes but when we finally asked they lost our name and weren't going to call us. They said it would be ANOTHER 30 minutes. Did I mention this was on top of the wait we already had. After having a talk with the manager we were seated immediately but the mood had already been set! There are much better places to eat in KC.
(3)Nicole G.
The wait time was insane. I understand a wait but when you are told 15-20 minutes and wait for over an hour it gets ridiculous! The food is amazing because it's the Cheesecake Factory.
(2)Nicole E.
Let me just start off by saying I love the Cheesecake Factory! Whether its been in L.A., Phoenix, Atlanta or Kansas City, I'm usually never disappointed. However, they have changed the menu and some items have been removed, like the Fried Chicken Salad. But anyhow. The location on the Plaza is everything that you expect. We went for lunch, about 1p on a Friday. We had to wait about 15 minutes. Not too bad. Our server was very nice, prompt and knowledgeable. And my Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake - to die for!
(4)Jon S.
Thickest menu I've ever seen. They've got some of everything and it's all good. The atmosphere is dress/casual. And, of course, the cheesecake is out of this world. They have an outdoor patio for warmer weather, and the smoking area is upstairs, well away from non-smokers. These guys truly understand how to provide a great dining experience. A good place to take a date for dessert (especially since there's a Coldstone Creamery across the street) or for a formal dinner (like prom).
(5)L L.
I LOVE the food, but it's very cost-prohibitive. Don't even bother to order alcohol at $10 a drink. The wide selection of food and every cheesecake I've ever tried are delicious. I like this location, because there are 2 floors, which makes the wait a little shorter.
(3)Helen G.
People are being really hard on the Cheesecake Factory. I do admit there are some fantastic places in KC but I think it is convenient enough though it is very popular which makes it difficult to get a seat on the weekends and a little over price because it's a chain. The people are nice and the portions are good. And they cheesecakes are great. So here's a little internet hug for the Cheesecake Factory. We can be friends. Enjoy!
(4)Noelle M.
...... yea.... I don't know, I use to LOVE going to the Cheesecake in SF like, allll the time when I went to go shopping for the day. But now, that I've gotten older and realize that quality should go over quantity...my thought on the place have changed. For one, if you need ads in your menu...it is too big. Anyway, I came here with my GM to check out their closing, just for kicks, we got a couple of apps---which were WAY too big and I got a vodka cran. which was alright. I've been told their strawberry shortcake was TO DIE FOR, so I got that and my GM got a something cheesecakeish, hers was okay but mine sucked, seriously-not impressed. If you're with like 50 people and everyone wants something else, come here, if not don't.
(2)Sara D.
I have to admit that my guilty pleasure lies in a creamy, majestic piece of Cheesecake Factory cheesecake. I don't care if they're a chain or even if their cheesecake is frozen....I love it. One piece can make a meal and I write their 1/2 price Cheesecake Day on my calendar like it's a National Holiday. The White Chocolate Raspberry and Mango Key Lime are both top runners for favorite flavor. Now I'm hungry.
(4)Saige A.
Delicious, reasonably priced, and always busy! We typically come here for cheesecake alone but we went for the full meal this time. Arriving at 9:00 on a Saturday night we were put on a thirty minute wait. Once sat we were promptly greeted by our server who was good, no real complaints with him. Food was okay, margaritas were okay and expensive for the quality we got. This review only get four starts because of one little issue that arised. I had ordered the pasta dish, meat on the side. Once our food arrived the chicken was in the dish and I had it sent back. By time it came back, my boyfriend was finished with his meal and it had already been boxed up. Although the manager did deliver my meal there was no further action taken. It kind of dampered the entire meal and we weren't compensated in any way. Finishing with the usual cheesecake we were out of there two hours later full and content. Next time were just going to do cheesecake and go elsewhere for dinner like normal.
(4)Silver F.
Great restaurant. Bangbang chicken my favorite one. The bread was wonderful and I had the carbonara. Hubby had the pizza. Loved the cheesecake and our server was excellent! They know how to treat their customers!!
(4)Brian E.
The service is impeccable, but you can comparable food at most other places cheaper. On my last visit, I had ordered a pizza. The crust on half of the pizza was as black as can be, but they still brought it out. Due to time constraints, I didn't send it back. The Peach Bellini here is very delicious.
(2)Mike W.
Cheesecake Factory, a must visit if you're hungry. They have redefined portion size to the detriment of the American Waistline...but when the food is good, you might as well get a lot if it. The space is not overwhelming, but a theater type atmosphere with tons of booths and tables. There is a spiral staircase that takes you to extra seating, and a not so handy bathroom. The nicely dressed servers give a dressy appearance, but cheesecake is super casual, additionally reinforced once you open the novel length menu. Page after page of delicious entrees temp you on every level. Only the truly adventurous foodies would dare order an appetizer, as the mammoth main dishes are sized to feed two. We went for a lighter meal this evening, my son grabbed the omelet, and fixings. Nice size meal, good flavor, but it's hard to screw up breakfast, even in a factory of cheesecakes. I had the chicken pasta with asparagus. The pasta and chicken were perfect, adding a light pesto, did the trick on my taste buds...try the smaller portions if you want to enjoy one of their many cheesecake offerings...none for me...I have a dairy allergy that keeps me away from those sinful treats... Go to cheesecake, if you're hungry, otherwise, be prepared to eat the same dish a couple times...LO central...
(4)Marissa W.
Not bad for a chain! I've always had good service. It's great to come here for a couple small plates. I love the (not so) little house salad! The crab cakes and crab bites are also very good. For dessert I ALWAYS get the Tiramisu cheesecake, is the absolute BOMB. Try it!
(4)Tiffany T.
I enjoy the pasta dishes at Cheesecake Factory and of course, the cheesecakes, but waiting around for an hour was a cluster due to the absent mind individual that was the host. Our buzzer gave us the indication that they were ready for us after 20 minutes, we gave it to them, the host took it and looked lost as to why we were standing there. We were waiting for our ticket for proof that we are able to be sat soon. He accused us of not giving him the buzzer at all. So strange as we were standing in front of him the entire time. I understand that it was a hectic Saturday night, but he could at least apologize and let us know that he will do what he can instead of such accusations. The manager came and spoke with us and apologized. He stated that it'll be another 30 minutes. We waited around and after checking up on the host 2 more times, he finally said he got us a table after 40 minutes. Total wait time was about an hour and a half. It was a busy night with high school homecoming so we gave them some slack and was happy with the service that we received from the wait staff. Food is always consistent and delicious! Thanks to our waiter for bringing up the mood! He was great!
(3)Jack B.
Came here on July 30th. Was seated immediately,however, our table had crumbs left on it, and pieces of salad. 15 minutes passed before a server came, asked what me and my girlfriend wanted to drink, then he (name was Mason) never came back. 10 more minutes passed and then we left, and will never return, unacceptable service.
(1)Whitney J.
Great place... Extremely fattening, but great, hahaha! This is a once a month or every other month affair, because once you leave here, in between the bread basket (plus butta), excellent entrees and cheesecake and coffee, you will need to let your pants out by the end of the evening. They do have a lighter menu... but let's be real... AIN'T NOBODY GOT TIME FO DAT! IT'S THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY MAN!!! So eat your fill and enjoy yourself. The food will not disappoint and the decor is beautiful! Every time I go I have a great waiter or waitress and enjoy my experience through and through! And chocolate lovers, it is your duty to try the Chris's Outrageous Cheesecake... CHOCOLATE OVERLOAD!!!! YEEEESSSSS!!!!
(5)Adam S.
Cheesecake Factory has good food, enormous portions, and a menu the size of a book. I've been to both KC locations numerous times, and my wife and I typically split an entree (usually the orange chicken). The portion sizes are such that you can get two full meals out of one entree. Maybe not the burgers, but most of the $16-20 items. The cheesecake is also delicious. I'm a big fan of the pineapple upside down cheesecake. The Plaza location is a little cramped and super busy. If you'd like a Friday/Saturday night cheesecake fix, I'd recommend the Overland Park location. It is laid out better, and you aren't packed in like sardines while waiting for a table. My favorite time to go to the Plaza location is on a nice warm day for Sunday brunch and get a table outside.
(4)Kevin C.
The food was good and decently priced. The wait was non-existent. Our waiter was professional but needed to be a little louder than the environment. The cheesecake pieces are huge but exactly as described. The downside? The manager wearing grey on this date needs to learn to not hover over tables and be less loud communicating using his earpiece.
(4)Katie I.
We had a wonderful experience here! There was a large party of us coming for dessert and drinks after my friend's wedding. Kyle, our server was amazing! He gave beautiful service and the cheesecake was to die for! Thank you Kyle with your awesome beard for making our night extra special with great service! He was on top of drinks and added in the perfect amount of humor to the night! Ask for Kyle! He's da shiiiiiiit!
(5)Melanie G.
cheesecake is really the only thing I go there for anymore. Nothing really sounds appetizing on the menu for the price you are paying. The food is not as tasty as people make it out to be. I ordered the shrimp alfredo and there was NO taste in it. I ate two bites and was ready for the cake part of the dinner.
(3)Scott G.
My wife and I typically steer clear of corporate chain restaurants whenever possible, but when mom sends us a gift card to Cheesecake Factory for Valentine's Day, all sense of discretion apparently goes out the window. Seriously! What kind of person in their right mind would choose to go here on a Saturday night? Well that, my friend, would be us - and about 5,000 other insane and hungry people. When you set foot inside this Cheesecake Factory, it's a wonder that this place could ever actually be filled to capacity. It's enormous... with 2 levels of dining space, 2 bars, and (I believe anyway) 2 separate kitchens. But no - when we arrived shortly after 7pm we were told that it would be 1.5 hours before we would be seated. They didn't even have any more pagers left it was so busy! Don't people know that there are a bunch of other great restaurants on the Plaza? Instead of waiting, we decided to wander upstairs to the bar area to see if we could snag an open high-top table (first-come, first-served). Getting upstairs proved to be an adventure as we had to climb over hordes of people who were seated on both sides of the stairway waiting for their name to be called. When we finally reached the top, we were in luck - there was a table just getting up from their meal, so we quickly grabbed it and took a seat. Now for the actual dining experience. Have I mentioned yet that I've never been a fan of Cheesecake Factory? They have one of the most overwhelming menus that I've ever seen in my life. I swear it's 20-something pages long, with every type of food imaginable represented. Personally, I'd prefer them to pick one or two types of cuisine, perfect those, and get rid of the rest. But nobody asked me, so I had a decision to make. Not really in the mood for anything in particular, I decided to order the Cajun Chicken Pasta. My wife ordered some type of salad. When the food arrived, I immediately thought to myself, "Wow... this is why the obesity rate in America continues to rise." My oversized plate was full of pasta, which was drenched in an oil (or butter)-based sauce and topped with 4 pieces of breaded chicken. The taste was fabulous, but I couldn't even finish half of it, and I wasn't about to try because I knew I had to save room for the best part of the meal - the CHEESECAKE, which as always was delicious. All-in-all, our visit really wasn't all that bad. We didn't end up having to wait for a table, our service was very good, and the food exceeded my expectations. I just wouldn't choose to come here on a regular basis and battle the crowds when there are all sorts of other great dining options available in the area.
(3)Kim S.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Nothing. That's because that's really the impression that I get here. Everything that is here has been done before. There is nothing that just catches my eye and says pick me, Kim. That's sad to me. It was a 50 min wait on a Thursday which hey, I'm okay with as long as I will be dazzled. I'm easily dazzled. I've been dazzled by shiny buttons but back to the subject at hand. The seating is discouraging. We were a group of six adults and we were sat in a booth that would have been uncomfortable for me and my four teens. That's standard for them according to their manager though. He apologized profusely. So I picked the chicken Parmesan sandwich and can say, yep it's a sandwich. I wasn't wowed but I wasn't upset. I was overwhelmingly underwhelmed. I ended up bringing it home. I don't know what's the deal with the current trend of big bread on sandwiches but I don't like it. The flavors were meh. I will say I'm glad that I got the chicken parm since two people at the table opted to not even take their leftovers since they were disappointed. I will say that they are generous with their portions. Also, I truly did enjoy the raspberry lemonade. It was the shining star of my meal. I couldn't get enough of it. I hate that this restaurant makes me feel like a food snob because I've found joy in $1 tacos. This just doesn't do it for me.
(3)Tonya M.
well whats not to love about the cheesecake factory. pretty good food at a decent price. My only complaint was the server completely forgot to put our kids order in. so we all got our food and then had to wait for our kids hot dog to come out.
(3)Dale T.
The wait was over an hr, then they stuck 6 women with coats and purses in a tiny booth, then said we could wait another hr for a larger table, then manager was not helpful, kept giving excuses that did not make the experience any better. I told him to go away, he huffed off and said fine. Really, so much for our first annual Christmas Party! We decided to stay, hell been here all night anyway! Will see about the food. Our server Holly, very apologetic, better manners!
(1)Stacey S.
I eat here all the time!! It has a great happy hour with happy hour drinks and apps! The waiters are always great and attentive. My favorite is Adam at the bar downstairs! He is great!! The managers are always nice as well. They help out their staff and everyone seems to enjoy their job! The menu is extensive. You will always find something you like here! And they have a great cocktail list!
(5)Daniel M.
This place is going to overwhelm you with food. It's going to be pretty good, more than you wanted, better than you expected, and somehow still wanting some cheesecake afterward. God bless the heroes who can eat all their eyes desire at this place.
(4)Melissa A.
I was here about a week ago and had a really tough time being satisfied when I finally walked out the door. I don't eat here often, but met some friends this week for a birthday dinner. The food was good, but the poor waiter was over-extended having several large tables at the same time. But, that wasn't why I was so disappointed. Mostly, I had a the toughest time with the host stand. I had arrived first because out of my friends that were coming, I live the closest. This normally isn't a problem because I am usually just sat at our table and allowed to wait. NOT THE CASE HERE!! When I got to the front of the mass of people in the restaurant, after mentioning that there would be six of us I was promptly told that I had to wait until at least three people from our party were present before I could be put at a table. I have never heard of this before... Really? Being willing to be patient I accept their answer and took my buzzer and sat down. Well, when it became clear that my friends were running late due to traffic and an accident on the highway, I thought maybe they would make an exception and let me sit at a table. I was wrong. Not only did I get the feeling that I didn't matter to them because I was just one person, but they continued to give tables to fit the size of our party to other people and when my friends finally arrived we still had to wait an additional half hour to be seated! So a customer that got to a "first come first serve type restaurant" got shoved to the side and made to wait over an hour and a half before getting a table. This "there must be half of your party present" idea does not make for a good customer experience. Whether you are super-busy or not, EVERY customer should be made to feel important. I'm pretty sure the next time someone asks me to come to the Cheesecake Factory on a weekend, I am going to politely decline!
(2)Dean D.
I like this place and have been to many throughout the country. Their menu is always somewhat overwhelming but the food and service is generally pretty good. This Kansas City location in particular has been very good, always offering up friendly service and good quality food items. Today I tried the Gumbo which was nicely presented and had plenty of shrimp and meat but was slightly on the bland side. I also chose the Asian Shrimp Spring Rolls which were very good and came with two very nice dipping sauces. This is the Cheese Cake Factory and their specialty is cheese cake! Unfortunately, I had no room for desert today but I've had their cheese cake before and it's good! All their baked goods are excellent. I could eat their bread all day long! As chain restaurants go, this one is very good.
(4)Ray C.
I used to really enjoy The Cheesecake Factory but they have become so focused on creating profit that they have taken away from a great experience. Tables are too close to each other to the point that it's awkward and uncomfortable. At the 2-top tables you might as well be sitting with the people to your left and right. Then there's the price. We ordered 2 sandwiches and shared a dessert and the bill was $40. The meal and the experience were certainly not worth that. The service was timely and friendly but the sandwiches were not hot. Perhaps they sat in the queue waiting to be served for a bit. It will probably be a long time before I'm back to give them another chance. There are just too many other places that are better across the board.
(3)Zach A.
I've been here with family and friends and have yet to be disappointing. The other night, my friends and I went there for late night cheesecake, and even though it was getting late, the waiters were as friendly and accommodating as ever. The cheesecake was sublime and he even rounded down our checks! The reason for the 4 stars and not 5? The price. Delicious food, decadent cheesecake, but a little pricey. But great in every other aspect!
(4)Michele N.
This is our "go to" dessert place on the Plaza and it has never disappointed. I can't imagine a cheesecake that isn't delicious. The fresh whipped cream on the side just adds bonus points. The coffee is good, not great, but that is ok since the dessert is soooo good. My review is strictly based on Cheesecake and I promise, it is all good!
(4)Josh P.
I must say it was truly amazing! Of course The Cheesecake Factory is known for its deserts, but unfortunately we didn't get a desert. We still let ourselves go with a delicious appetizer as well as a Stake Diane and a Hibachi Steak! Despite the waiting time it was still worth it in the end! 5/5 would do again
(5)Patrick Y.
Food is delicious. Service was prompt and very acoomodating. The lunch portion is very generous and I can only imagine how big the dinner portions are.... and of course there are plenty of cheesecakes to choose from. If you're a coffee lover. . I recommend the tiramisu. We had the Banana cream and oreo cheesecake tonight and it was exquisite. I think the crowds are usually a little slow on Sundays between 2-5 ( which I believe are the best times to visit if you want to avoid the standard 30-40 minute waits for a table). Will return.
(4)Lacey J.
Not a fan. Generic American food. Too many things on the menu that I feel they don't specialize in anything. I never eat here.
(2)Michael E.
The service was amazing from the start, the food was amazing, and we had the Oreo dream cheesecake a very good choice. Seating arrangements could be better, but overall for the stuff that mattered it was great! This thing at the bottom says "keep those thumbs rolling, you wizard of words." That's where I draw the line. Good job Cheesecake Factory.
(5)Amy R.
I have no idea why I don't go here more often. The menu is HUGE, staff is friendly, food is good to great. They ALWAYS have tables because it is seriously huge inside. We went for brunch and I had the Monte Christo sandwich which was lovely. Everyone at the table enjoyed their food and the bonus was that we were sitting out by the fountain, it was gorgeous out and Plaza Art Fair weekend so the people watching couldn't be beat!
(4)Victoria H.
Came here for dinner before my appointment at Apple Store. We sat at the bar and was greeted by the bartender. I could not understand a single thing he said to us. It's not a language barrier that we encountered, it was his mouth full of marbles that prevented us from understanding him. With that being said, every time he talked to us, we just agreed out of sheer embarrassment or just stupidity. Lol. Other than that the food was awesome and picked up the S'mores cheesecake, which is AAAMMMAAAZZINNNGG! It must be Gods food!
(4)Crystal C.
This being our first visit here I'm almost opposed to give it 5 stars because I try & go at least twice before giving such an outstanding rating. We had such a good experience I could not resist!! Our waiter was very nice & warming as soon as we sat down.. we had our toddler with us and went from a booster to a high chair and he was more than willing to help us get comfortable. We started off with some cocktails, apple juice & cherry coke. Nothing fancy. Then came our appetizer which was ordered the spicy chicken nachos. Fresh guac, sour cream, pica de gallo atop the enormous tray of cheesy nachos. They were really good and almost filled us up. Not to mention they serve you warm french & this oat bran bread at the beginning with your drinks. Then came our appetizers... I went with the spicy Louisiana chicken pasta & my husband ordered the chicken & biscuits. OH MY GOSH! No words can describe my pasta, the sauce absolutely perfect & spicy, creamy! Went perfect with the honey glazed chicken, peas, asparagus, and penne pasta. Best pasta I've ever eaten!!! My husbands dish was equally simple yet divine in taste! The sauce they used on the chicken and biscuits was to die for! Our toddler LOVED both. He absolutely loves spicy so he favored my dish! :) We couldn't resist to try the mouth watering cheesecake that we had seen in a display case when awaiting our table. There's so many to choose from & it's hard to decipher which you want. So we went with the white chocolate macadamia nut cheesecake (at the table for dessert to share)................................ need I say more? The name explains it all and it was drizzled in caramel sauce with homemade whip topping! Best cheesecake ever! We ordered the carrot cheesecake to GO--- nothing short of amazing & indulging as well. Our first trip here was great! We many laughs, our serves were fabulous, the food was even better, drinks were the right price for consistency of the drink. We left VERY happy & very full. Our toddler didn't even make it out of the parking garage without falling asleep. Great evening. I must say the decor of the place is outstanding as well. We will be returning very shortly & recommending to all of our friends and family! Thank you Cheesecake Factory for an extradoniary evening!
(5)Nikki H.
The service, Erica at the bar, the cheesecake(Dulce De Leche Caramel) and drinks were great!
(5)Shawn B.
We hadn't been here in a while so decided to check it out again for lunch. I noticed they now have small plates, quite a variety too. We ordered the Vietnamese Tacos off of that menu and then our regular orders of Shrimp Bistro (my fave) and burgers for the boys. The tacos were very tasty, but could have had a higher quality of pork in them. There were so many other flavors going on with it that the stringy, overcooked pork really didn't detract from it too much. The Shrimp Bistro was excellent, as always. I don't know how, but they seem to have the freshest tasting shrimp in that dish. For the price, next time we are going to order several small plates and see how that goes. I do not eat the cheesecake here. I guess I'm a cheesecake snob, but for a place to have it in their name you'd think it would be better than it is. I have been spoiled by Eli's in Chicago, Claim Jumper's out west, and of course, my own.
(4)Aimee M.
I am really sad that they no longer offer Thai chicken pasta. It was always my go to dish.
(3)Chris G.
Sure it's a chain, but sometimes you just want some comfort food, and to know what you're going to get. Food was decent, service was good. Sitting next to the goalkeeper of the 2013 MLS Champions, Sporting KC, was pretty cool, too! I don't go here much, but I've spotted some sports 'stars' here on more than one occasion.
(3)Mici B.
The male host as you walk in is funny and greets everyone as soon as you walk in. We ate at the bar and it was entertaining watching him make people laugh...he's a character. Everyone knows the portions are huge so we ordered appetizers for lunch. Had my favs: Thai Chicken Wrap, Spinach & Artichoke Dip and Strawberry Shortcake. Just the right amount for 2 hungry people without feeling overly stuffed. Whitney was the bartender as we sat at the bar. She is friendly, service-oriented and attentive. She took care of our needs before we even asked. We'll be back!!!
(4)Bill N.
Went on Friday of last week again and enjoyed the service and the quality of food is just that quality!
(4)Austin S.
We have always had good food and good service here , that said,sometimes you feel somewhat close to other tables and it is a little on the noisy side. The menu is comprehensive and if you can't find a cheesecake you like out of THAT selection there is no hope for you!
(4)Jessica G.
First off, the food was great. I wish I could say the same for the service, but I can't. Our waiter was too "preoccupied" staring at the woman next to us. Im guessing that she was his friend, but I thought it was supposed to be customers first? Anyway, while he kept talking to her, we saw our cheese cakes sitting on the counter ready to be served, and which they sat there a little too long. To round it all up, in the end while he was still preoccupied, he messed up our bills and gave us the wrong change. I think all of this could've been avoided if our waiter would of just done his job right, and saved the friend visiting for after work.
(2)Regina F.
Once upon a time there lived a girl who resided in Wichita, Kansas. From the time she was just a wee lil' sprout until those awkward teenage years, her parents would cart her to the shopping/food mecca 150 minutes away known as Kansas City - which she would later refer to as KCK thanks to high school debate. What started out as trips to Laura Ashley where she and her mother would walk out in floral jumpsuits, and that little German sweets shop, where she and her father would walk out with chocolate smears on their faces, evolved into more hip outings. She would drag her parents to Abercrombie and insist on eating at that looming restaurant on the corner. The Cheesecake Factory became her favorite restaurant - it's uniqueness unbeknownst to Wichita, and having only visited one other time in Chicago, the demanding 16 year old would insist on ordering multiple baskets of brown, gooey, oaty bread - warm and fresh from the oven. She would scarf down avocado egg rolls - damning the abmoniation that those surely are against her Asian background - sparing not the even the puffy rice noodles adorning the plate. Soft, warm and creamy avocado filling be-speckled with peppers wrapped in delicate, golden brown fried wonton wrappers - surely these were health food that would not disrupt her teenage diet. And to cap off a meal, she would indulge - depending on the season - in either a chocolate peanut butter cookie dough cheesecake (which she now bemoans the loss of and didn't/still doesn't give a hoot about the inevitable hives that would accompany that luscious histamine inducing dessert) or her favorite dessert of all time: the White Chocolate Peppermint Bark cheesecake that would debut only in the holiday season. Not much has changed: instead of engorging in all 8 half eggrolls solo, she now shares these with her kinfolk - ordering, instead, some raw tuna piled atop avocado and served with four delicately fried wonton chips (Ahi Tartare). But somehow she manages to lick clean the luscious mashed potatoes adorning her father's plate and the sweet potato fries served with her aunt's beautiful burger. These, she declares, are sweet potato fry perfection. Chain restaurants have the advantage of millions of tasters, and thanks to that, those fries rule...when dipped in honey mustard dressing. And once a year, she insists...ABSOLUTELY DEMANDS that she get her White Chocolate Peppermint Bark cheesecake, a red peppermint dotted cake with a white chocolate topping that sits upon a dense brownie bottom...and please, serve this with hot fudge.
(4)Ted K.
Something for everyone on the menu. Cheesecake Factory has probably the largest menu of any restaurant I have ever been to. All the foods are prepared and presented professionally. All the foods taste fantastic. Highly recommend the BBQ Salmon, which is one of my favorites. And of course you can't go there without ordering dessert. Having over 30 different cheesecakes makes this the hardest choice of the night for you. Recommend the Oreo Extreme Dream Cheesecake. Oreos cooked into the cheesecake? Yes please.
(4)Mari M.
We came here for a co-worker's birthday and told them that we needed to be timely with our return to the office. The server was good about being conscientious about the timing. Good job! Since the last time I have been here (who knows how many years??) they have added more items that are smaller sized or lower in calories. That's good but the sheer number of items on the menu is overwhelming. Typical, I chose poorly. I saw a chopped salad that was smaller and lower in calories and it had blue cheese. Sold. It was very flavor-less. Boo. The other people all seemed to really enjoy their choices. No cheesecake was consumed on this visit. Overall, our service was good and, for the most part, our group enjoyed their food. I would say this is a decent place to visit if you have a diverse group that cannot decide on one option. Just don't order the boring little chopped salad.
(3)Lauryn D.
I've been to a bunch of Cheesecake Factories in various states: NY, NJ, GA... and then I come here and i'm like "Meh?" Arrival and Ambience: Like every other CF, this location is beautifully maintained. Impeccably clean, even on a rainy night. We went on a Friday evening and got immediate service. We sat at a booth by the window. Service: Waitress seemed really 'green'. Wasn't sure if she was new or having an off day. She didn't visit us regularly and forgot a few things. Cute, sweet lil girl though. Food: This is the stingiest portioned Cheesecake Factory in terms of bread. Every one that I usually visit gives you 3 loaves of bread, and this one only gives you 2 --- and they are so small in comparison to other locations. Were the grains on strike in the kitchen? I need answers. I ordered the pizza... and it was large, fresh and delicious. Crust was on point. The heartburn was worth it. Drank lemonade... tart and delicious as usual. Got the Reese's peanut butter cheesecake. Delicious but couldn't finish it all. I LOVED the atmosphere though. Cheesecake is always a place where you can go and kick back with your friends in an unrushed, unhurried manner and catch up. So I would go again, and just hope the service is a little better --- thassit!
(4)Rainbow C.
Food (aka appetizers): 1) Avocado Egg Rolls: Generous amounts of avocado, tomato, onion, with a dash of cilantro in a fried crisp wrapper. Quite delicious and paired nicely with the tamarind-cashew dipping sauce. 2) Fried Avocado, Mushrooms, and Zucchini: paired with a ranch and another slightly spicy dipping sauce. Fried avocado was ok, but the fried zucchini was quite good 3) Tropical Fruit Smoothie: fresh mango, passion fruit, pineapple, and coconut blended and topped with a strawberry and pineapple slice. Refreshing, not too thick. Ambiance: Nice restaurant, great location near the plaza, but the service was incredibly slow. Maybe I'm comparing to quick LA style service, but it took FOREVER! Bottom Line: A-OK. Would probably dine elsewhere if I ever came back to KC. Good vegetarian options, though.
(3)Molly K.
Cheesecake Factory I have gone to the Cheesecake Factory in the past and I have always had mixed feelings about the food. I often get the orange chicken lunch size, but once I got it dinner style. Well, I was astonished. They were both about the same size, yet you should be getting more for the dinner size. Second, I wish there had been less chicken and rice and more veggies. There were some veggies, but not as much as was needed to call it a side. The chicken was very high in calories and the chicken had too much batter on it. I was literally taking huge bites of batter when it should have been chicken. The Cheesecake Factory advertises it as Orange chicken, but when I was eating the chicken I could not taste the citrusy taste that comes with oranges. Their cheesecakes though are delicious and creamy. . The Cheesecake Factory has been criticized in the past by many people and even in books about the portion sizes and the portions are indeed huge. But, that shouldn't surprise anyone!
(3)Alisa C.
CHEESECAKE!!! That's why I come here because the food is just ok. So I decided to get the Reese's cheesecake because I was in the mood for some peanut butter and it was just peanut butter overload! It was too heavy and rich for me and I should have just stuck to my fave, the Red Velvet cheesecake that is encrusted in white chocolate shavings. There cheesecakes are usually very light, but this Reese's one was just too much! We sat outside since it was a nice day out which I'm really glad we had this option in the Plaza. I wish more Cheesecake Factorys would do this! Pros: -CHEESECAKE=YUMMY!!! Cons: -none really....I just don't think the food is that spectacular here so oI only come for the cheesecake Why I gave it a 3...... Come for the cheesecake and leave the food behind! Seriously people, the food is something I could make but that cheesecake is like a little slice of heaven because it is very light and rich at the same time. Definitely will be back for the cheesecake!
(3)Klent H.
When in Kansas City I always try to make a stop at the Cheese Cake Factory on the Plaza. This trip was no different with the exception that Sunday brunch was the only time I had available. Expectations were high but I must say I was let down. I arrived with my party at 11:00 and we ordered Bloody Mary's and examined the menu. There were only aout 8 other people in the restaurant but we noticed right away our server seemed distracted and was absent a great deal. She took our orders but the drinks too 15 minuets to arrive and later she brought water and some bread. We kept looking but it appeared she was busy elsewhere. Our orders took nearly 40 minuets to arrive and the Mexican egg dish I ordered was cold and did not have much flavor. Our server never asked if we wanted another round of drinks and finally brought out our checks. Since we were a group of 6 an 18% gratuity was automatically added which did not set well with our group based on the service we had received. Everyone in our group was disappointed. It could have just been an off day for the restaurant crew but overall this was not a very satisfactory brunch. We will be back the next time we are in KC but with some apprehension.
(2)Charley B.
The Cheesecake Factory is open year around, but I want to begin my synopsis with a holiday time recommendation. During the holidays when the Plaza lights are on, ask for a seat on the second level by the windows. Your wait might be a little longer than if you regularly had to wait, but you will enjoy a fantastic view of the Plaza Lights while you enjoy your dinner or your dessert. Okay, now for main review. Most of the menu features sandwiches, burgers, small pizzas and comfort foods. None of the dishes are particularly mind blowing, but they are solid meals served in large portions. You might want to ask for a to-go box. I particularly like the artichoke and crab dip. After you've boxed up your leftovers please make sure to leave room for dessert. The cheesecake is amazing. It comes in plenty of flavors and my favorite is the pineapple upside down concoction. The service is pretty good, but I will say things will slow down during times when the restaurant is at its peak rush. The restaurant will become busy and there is usually a wait, but luckily there is a nice patio where you can wait until a table opens up. If you're out and about and looking for dinner or dessert on the Plaza, this is a good place to start.
(3)J C.
Great cheese cake with huge variety. Menu still big but not as big as I remember cheesecake factories used to be , but have not been many years since I've been to one. We ended up here cause the kids always wanted to go and if they have been to one they didn't remember it and this one has a great patio and the weather was perfect for it.
(3)Stephen H.
So, confession. In a past life, before I became absolutely obsessed with food, I went to chain restaurants like Red Lobster or Olive Garden and...Cheescake Factory. But I definitely considered Cheesecake the top of the heap. And here's why: 1. I've eaten at Cheesecake in 5 states and there was a consistent high standard of service and food at all five. 2. Great selection of dishes of all kinds of varieties. 3. Really reasonable prices. 4. Huge portions. Have been here with friends for drinks a couple times and had - of course - the amazing cheesecake. This location is scenic and always busy.
(4)Ali C.
I prefer the Overland Park location. The plaza location is busy 24/7. Definitely not their fault, but with lots of customers comes not as great of service. I also have not been impressed with my food the past couple of times I have been here. It's just been mediocre overall.
(3)Janet E.
The wait was 1.5 hours. We opted to take the food to go and eat it elsewhere. It took 15 minutes for my food to be ready as carry out. I definitely recommend taking this route if you are craving Cheesecake factory food! I ordered the Bistro Shrimp Pasta. Its my GO-TO dish for Cheesecake factory. I love this stuff! So what if it was voted the worst food in America 2010?!?! Cheesecake Factory's Bistro Shrimp Pasta 2,730 calories 78 g saturated fat 919 mg sodium 141 g carbohydrates health.yahoo.net/experts… Service was good and fast. Me likes!
(4)Ashley N.
Had a drink which as great and crab dip. Me no likey. I tried my best to eat it. After hating Chicago's Cheesecake Factory and now this one I'm done with this place in any city.
(1)Shelley Y.
Who hasn't been to the Cheesecake Factory by now? Until this afternoon it was ME, that's who! I know it's been there for what seems like forever but I've never been. I went this afternoon with the intention of coffee and conversation. I ended up ordering two small plates (which I couldn't finish), cheese cake, AND coffee. Honestly, when you compare my order to the vastness of the menu, it's measly. I didn't even read through it all it was so large! I did make a note that they offered lunch until 5pm. Who does that?! Some of the items are pricey, but the small plates were tempting and on the cheap. I got a Greek Salad. It wasn't very Greek in my opinion. There was so much chopped cucumber and tomatoes I didn't even notice the arugula. It was positively swimming in vinaigrette too. I don't like an over-dressed salad. The worst error of all was that it had goat cheese instead of feta. I adore feta. I detest goat cheese. I also ordered the Vietnamese Tacos. The order came with 3 and I had to pawn one off on my friend because the steamed bun was so filling I could not eat all 3 and also eat cheesecake. They were absolutely delicious!! I would order them again in a heartbeat. Finally the cheesecake: I ordered the Godiva chocolate which was a chocolate lovers dream. I ate half of it, which is a normal portion, I'm sure. The coffee was just as my friend expected. It was a little too strong with a bitter aftertaste. Loads of cream and two Splenda's made it drinkable to me. I had one and a half cups. Our waiter was friendly and appeared at just the right moments. The bathroom was clean, but lacked hooks to hang your purse in at least one stall. Boo to that! I have no idea if I will ever find myself back at The Cheesecake Factory, as my Hubby doesn't like cheesecake and for the price we would choose a different place. If invited by friends, I would happily return however poor the coffee.
(4)Rhonda S.
Sara and I were down on the plaza, and contemplating dinner. I had never been to the Cheesecake Factory, (yes, me, I HAVE never been to the famous Cheesecake factory till now) so we decided cheesecake for dinner. There was no line, we walked in, and were waited on immediately. Fantastic service. The bathrooms are up a spiral staircase. There are gorgeous columns of stone in the dining area. The dining area has both tables, and also booth tables. There is a cake rack with most of the cheesecakes near the cash register. We were handed the menus,and the happy hour menu! My God, Kansas City, the happy hour drink prices were $5.00 for a mojihito, makes me think the actual drink prices are...what? Seems to be a pattern. We didn't order from the drink menu. On the cheesecake menu, it lists over 30 types of cheesecake. It is in the back of the menu, which is a spiral bound menu of many pages. I took a while to read them all, and settled on a yummy piece of pineapple upside down cheesecake. I wasn't sure of the price...uh, they could add the price to the menu, it'd be kind of kind. Some of the prices are $6.95, some are 7.95. Sometimes that might make a difference,and the individual prices aren't on the menu. My cheesecake rocked my world. It really was good. Other than the little things, I can think of 30 reasons to go back to the Cheesecake Factory. Is it worth a huge line? I'm not sure. I'd not go there when there's a huge line, but that's just me.I don't wait in line in Kansas City, I go to the next place. It is a beautiful place to eat, with outside eating, a bar with over priced beverages, and wonderful cheesecake.
(4)Troy D.
Cheesecake Factory is a place I'll go to once or twice a year, more often than not, just for dessert. The food is pretty good -- the chain is famous for big portions, and that's what you get. But, unless you choose to eat your meal really early or really late.... you'll have to deal with the crowd. And there's always a crowd. The restaurant is big, but it still always seems like there's a ridiculously long wait. There's nothing that can really be done about it -- it's the nature of the beast -- but it's it's just obnoxious. As for the cheesecake, when it's good - it's great. When it's not... it's not. I've been blown away by the 30th anniversary cake and the Godiva cake -- yet extremely disappointed by the tiramisu cake and the chocolate chip cookie dough cake. There are plenty of dining options on the Plaza, and unless you're lucky enough to get in at a time when there's no wait, I just can't see the place as worth waiting for.
(3)Angela K.
Depending on when you show up here, it could either be a nightmare to get in or a breeze. When they first opened...back in the roaring 90s...this was a frequent gathering spot after work. And it was ALWAYS packed. My last visit was this weekend and we were seated right away by an overly friendly host. Having not been here in a while, I was surprised at how empty the place was on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. But I'm not gonna complain about getting seated quickly. The menu, as always, was a novel. I had a hard time narrowing down my choices. They have a new "Skinnylicious" menu with low-cal options that looked delicious. Especially the Lettuce Mushroom Wraps. I was tempted to try the veggie burger, but opted for the comfort of the Four Cheese Pasta. I was happy that they offered most of their dishes in lunch portions, knowing the gargantuan size of their normal dinner dishes. The pasta was right on the money. Tender penne pasta with a creamy tomato sauce. Just what my belly was looking for. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. All in all it was an extremely nice lunch on the Plaza. And it reminded me how much I really like this place. My visit reminded me how much I love their brunches on Sunday, so I'm definitely going to remember to come here. The Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes look divine!
(4)Sherri T.
We went to your restaurant on the Plaza, which is our annual tradition, and were told that there was an hour and a half wait. This was 4:15 pm. We put our name on the list. We sat and waited for our turn. We were a party of nine. We watched many small and large parties come and go while we waited. At 5:45 pm we were told that it would be another 30 minutes. We waited that 30 minutes and were told that it would be another 45 minutes. When we complained we were told that it was our fault because we asked to be taken off of the list. It was not true. They said that we would be added to the bottom of the list again. We were finally seated at 6:30 pm. after many words were exchanged with your rude manager, Ash. Finally at the end of the nightmare they admitted that they had given our table away and had placed us at the bottom of the list. For this they comped us an appetizer that had less chips than we get for free at any Mexican restaurant. This was for nine people. It was hot on one side and cool on the other. The whole experience was a nightmare. Many of us wanted to leave, but five of the members of our group are from out of state and wanted to continue our tradition. If it had been up to me, we would have left at 5:45 pm. There was hardly anyone on the wait list when we signed up at 4:15 pm. It shouldn't have been an hour and a half wait at that point. It never should have taken 2 hours and fifteen minutes. Ash represented himself as the manager. He was rude and very unprofessional. We will no longer continue this celebration. We will find a new place to celebrate the holidays. At the end of this nightmare we were presented with our individual checks with an 18% gratuity attached. I understand this is the practice, but, in this case, we would have never left such a tip. We were finally given our checks at 8 pm. This means this whole nightmare took close to four hours. I will be posting this on my social pages so that everyone will know what happened to us and what to expect at Cheesecake Factory.
(1)Nathaniel H.
I was very happy with my experience. It was my second trip to this specific Cheesecake Factory and both times I was highly satisfied. I ate at the bar and the bartender was on top of things. Not once did I have to ask for a refill. The food was also great, as usual.
(5)Mick B.
Mmmm, I'll have a plate of uninspired food with a side of annoying waiter who will be "taking care of me." High school prom photos out front, anyone?
(2)Nicole B.
Yes, it's a chain, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I love Cheesecake Factory. It never disappoints! The portions are huge and it's reasonably priced. This location in particular has a great outdoor dining area. Cheesecake Factory also offers a great cocktail menu....martinis, mojitos, etc. My favorite things to eat at Cheesecake Factory: The Whole Grain Bread!! Luau Salad Thai Lettuce Wraps Crispy Chicken Costoletta Brownie Sundae Cheesecake (which I usually take home since I never have room)
(4)Ginger A.
I know a lot of people love to hate big chains like The Cheesecake Factory. I'm not one of those people. I've been to this location a half-dozen times over the years and have never had a bad experience. It's usually very busy but the wait has never been as long (in my experience) as their estimate. On my most recent visit, I wasn't super hungry so I chose the Vietnamese tacos from their small plates menu; it was less than six dollars for one of the best meals I've had all YEAR, folks. Truly phenomenal. I split a piece of chocolate something-or-other cheesecake with two other ladies and we still did not finish it all. It was great, but a little too rich and the portion was ridiculously large.
(5)Jen K.
Enjoy coming to the CF and have been many times. Decided to try brunch and was extremely disappointed. I ordered a basic omelette that came with three cheeses and lots of veggies. The omelette was thick, hockey-puck like and perfectly round, texture of a sponge. Avocados didn't make it on the plate, the three SLICES of cheese were still hard, unmelted and extremely oily. Mushrooms were burnt. Wastress spoke so fast that we had to have her repeat everything. Not a good visit this time.
(3)Erica P.
I always enjoy Cheesecake Factory. The food is consistent, but that's to be expected from a major chain. Service is always good. Can't really complain about the Factory. Their happy hour is AWESOME!!
(4)Sara B.
The food here is hit or miss. Stay away from the pizza and pasta. They overcook the pasta, and the pizza tastes like it came straight out of a tostino's box. There are much better places on the Plaza for Italian. The good food here is the bar-type food: burgers, chicken, fish, anything tex-mex. Never had a bad appetizer here, and the salads were actually fresh with an interesting combination of flavors (my favorites are the Santa Fe salad and the BBQ ranch chicken salad). The drinks at the bar are so tasty, I have come here just for cocktails. As for the cheesecake..I am not really a cheesecake person, but my daughter is crazy about the strawberry cheesecake. Service is consistently good. Try to eat on the patio if the weather's nice..the inside can get crowded and noisy.
(4)Matt H.
I love this place. Portions are enough for 2
(5)Deborah G.
Cheesecake Factory restaurants are always impressive to me...maybe it the ambience or the over the top décor. Food is always good and the servers attentive. I've only been with large groups so I'm not sure if the attention is the same with only a few people. It can be loud and hard to hear conversations when the restaurant is packed (which is always). I've never ordered anything from the menu I didn't like nor has anyone I've been with; that says a lot.
(4)Zach J.
Cheesecake is to die for! We only come here for the cheesecake and we drive 2.5 hours from our hometown to come here jus for it
(5)Valetta M.
Looked great but unfortunately we were there about 8:00pm on a Sat night & the wait was 3.5 hrs. Didn't stay.
(4)Ashley C.
First I will tell the reason it got three stars: The food quality and taste are phenomenal!! That alone got three stars. Unfortunately, there is one big reason I probably won't be going back of my own volition: Prices and portions. I had not been to the factory in many years remembering that the meal portions were gargantuan and the food often over-cooked (especially chicken). I went as part of a bachelorette party. First, they refused to take a reservation, even for a group as large as us, so we had to sit and wait for nearly two hours outside in the rain, because they do not have an indoor waiting area. Then, being on a bit of a budget and remembering those enormous portion sizes, I went for the small plates. The waitress confirmed that two small plates was perfect for a meal. Wrong! These were not small plates. They were baby plates! I had the ahi tare tare and the mushroom/zucchini/avocado fries. Those put together would equal a standard appetizer in your typical restaurant. No where near a full meal. Nonetheless, I had spent all I had allotted for my meal so I ordered cheesecake. I didn't have a menu in front of me to know that it was nearly $10 for one slice!!! I could understand that if they made it all fresh in house, but they don't! Then add to it the fact that my "skinny" margarita (150 calories or less) cost as much as the cheesecake! I could have bought two standard margaritas at the bar we would be heading two for the same price (still in down town KC). Then it came time for the bills. Several from our party asked to take pieces of the brides check. The waitress fumbled orally for a minute then just announced that she would figure it out and left, declaring she was smart enough. Well, that wasn't entirely true. I ended up with part of the bride's faire, and everyone else declared their checks correct and handed over their money before I even figured out why mine was so ding dong expensive. I ended up paying for a $12 dollar drink I didn't even get to taste (most expensive thing on my bill) and have gratuity included already. All in all, the food is fantastic, but you better be willing to empty your bank account if you do anything but nibble at this place. Thank God I got to bring my cheesecake home cuz with the amount of money I dropped there, I should have had a whole meal waiting for me in the fridge! Great food. Horribly overpriced for the portions I received.
(3)Steven M.
We sat outside as it was one of the last nice nights of the year. The waiter was a little sporatic, but we only came here for dessert anyway. I had the original and it was not as good as I remember. I also tried some of the banana cheese cake and it was not as special as the price would dictate. I am quite sure that this place is not worth the coin they are charging. But it has a great building in an awsome location.
(3)Graham S.
Pretty good stuff as far as uber-chains go. Huge portions and a menu the length of the Magna Carta, if you can't find something you like you may have a medical problem. Usually go here with the whole fam in tow, and they're always very accommodating.
(4)Kyle M.
Best cheesecake anywhere. I have tried cheesecake all over the country and Cheesecake Factory consistently has amazing cheesecake.
(4)