My sister kept raving about their mac & cheese.
The Cheesecake Factory
875 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 337-1101
www.thecheesecakefactory.com
She is the macaroni & cheese connoisseur & cook of the family. The one who gets begged to make a pan, or two, at get-togethers & holiday dinners. I had to try her recommendation. Had to.
I thought I did on a previous trip to the cheesecake factory, in GA. But, it turned out that I’d ordered the wrong mac.
The fried mac & cheese, while good, was not the mac my sis was referring to.
So as not to get mixed up again, we went to the downtown Chicago location.
Together.
It was midday. A gorgeous & comfortable 80 degrees, on the weekend…so, we expected the place to be packed.
It was.
We waited for seating but, it wasn’t a long wait. Maybe 10 minutes.
Once seated, she ordered the mac & cheese, and then told me I would die.
I think I did.
At first bite, I died, a little.
It was SO good!
Mmm…
Great cheese sauce (creamy, flavorful & soup-like in consistency), al dente pasta, and a finely toasted layer of cheese on top. And, it was piping hot! I happily burned my mouth a couple of times, for more forkfuls. Yummy, yum yum!
If you go to the Cheesecake Factory, order a side.
And then, cool your tongue with some cake!
We split a slice of the Fresh Banana Cream Cheesecake. Fluffy, creamy & refreshing!
As far as entrees go, we ordered an Old-Fashioned Burger, with fries.
It was good.
The burger was char-broiled, tender (& juicy even, to be well-cooked).
The cabbage kinda surprised me though. They use a lettuce & cabbage mix, along with tomato, pickle, onion, & mayo; on a toasted brioche bun.
I would’ve been just fine with regular lettuce, and will ask for it next time.
The fries came fresh out the oil. Hot, crispy & flavorful!
We enjoyed our meal & had a great experience!
It was a good idea to split everything (except drinks), as the portions are humongous. And we didn’t want to take leftovers.
We also weren’t looking to have a couple of wheel-barrels haul us out of there, after payment. So we took our time when ordering, which lead to a welcomed spacing between appetizer, entree, and dessert.
It helped to have a fantastic waitress, who never once rushed us.
What I most enjoyed about this restaurant was that the hot foods, came to our table really hot. This may seem like a minute thing, but many chain restaurants get this wrong. Temperature is so major! Especially where there are french fries involved.
The only real minus…
The Cheesecake Factory has an overly extensive menu.I think the menu size is a disadvantage to the restaurant…and maybe the reason for their mostly mediocre online reviews. Since they serve virtually everything, they aren’t really KNOWN for anything, in particular (except cheesecake, of course).
Plus, first-timers may feel overwhelmed at the seemingly endless list of options.
I did, on my first visit.
Have you been to the cheesecake factory? What did you enjoy?
P.S.
I am officially on the hunt for a recipe for their delicious, dark brown bread. It was so warm & crusty, and the flavor!!! Rich & slightly sweetened…almost chocolate-like.
Bready goodness!
I love Cheesecake Factory…now you’re making me want to go. The only mac and cheese I’ve had is the fried one – I’ll try the one you had next time I go
Hi Jin, thanks for commenting!
The fried one is good too but, I think the regular is better.
The wheat bread they serve is the best, isn’t it. I love to get the buffalo blasts when I go. I never really venture out and try anything new.
Yes, it really is awesome! Putting buffalo blast on my list…
Hi Marie-
I’ve not tried their bread but I wonder if this recipe: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/dark-and-soft-chain-restaurant-dinner-rolls-recipe might be similar? It’s worth a try! Even if it’s not the same, it’s a really good recipe.
Oooh, thank you!!!
The recipe looks great.
That mac and cheese looks AMAZING!
It was amazing! LOL
I love The Cheesecake factory and the bread is so good. Whenever I go there I try to order something new (to at least say I tried it once)
That’s a good way to make it through the menu!
Interesting. I say that because the four times I have been there I have NOT enjoyed their food. I feel it is overpriced and not very well prepared. However, you never fail me with your recipes and suggestions, so I am willing to give them another chance. But know if they fail me again, I will save the food and mail it to your doorstep!! LOL. THanks for the review. I will honestly give it another go.
4 times…I wouldn’t go back then. LOL Sometimes it just isn’t meant to be.
Do you go to the same location?