A Craving and A Rant: The Cheesecake Factory
Before I started blogging about baseball, I spent a lot of time posting about my favorite thing in the word...FOOD!! But, alas, I've put on some pounds since my return from China, and I have had to curb my eating (and blogging about eating) habits. But I've had an opion brewing about a certain upscale chain restraunt that I just can't hold back any more, so I'm about to kick it Old School and give ya'll my opinion on THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY.
I really like the food at this place. First of all, the word "cheesecake" is in the name of the restraunt, which is awesome. This chain also offers a HUGE selection of dishes based on a wide variety of influences. Seriously, it usually takes me 10 minutes just to go through the menu for the first time. Portion sizes are also generous. Salads, appatizers, entrees, and of course desserts rarely leave wanting for anything. Bottom line, I like the food...I've had better, but I've had a lot worse too.
But I've got two problems with this place. First, take a look at this.
That's right, it's the atmosphere stupid. When I walk into a Cheesecake Factory, I can't tell if they want me to feel like I'm dining on the shores of the Mediterrainian, eating in an Egyptian Pyramid, or experienceing an elegant hotel restraunt. How does this atmosphere remind me of Cheesecake or a factory? I mean look at that ceiling pannel. What is that? What does it mean? How am I supposed to concentrate on my food with that thing over my head? I just don't get. Am I alone with this?
But there's something about the Cheesecake Factory that really burns my grits. THE PUT STINKIN ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE MENUS!!!!!!! Unbelievable, when I eat at one of these locations, I've usually spent two or three hours in the ajoing mall suffering through the pangs of shopping, unconsiously reading every advertisement I inadvertantly see, and getting frustrated with crowd. When I duck out of the mall to eat, all I want is a brief escape in which I can enjoy my meal. But I sure can't find that at the cheesecake factory. Instead, I'm forced to pay to look at commercials. UNBELIEVEABLE!!!