Cheesecake Factory, Oak Brook

Sunday presented the archetype of the "family dining dilemma": (1) Octogenerian Parents visiting from Indianapolis who (2) are staying in Naperville with my brother and sister-in-law and their 14-month old baby and (3) the need to meet and eat on a Sunday night at a place reasonably in between Logan Square and Naperville. As it has in the past, Oak Brook was the place. A "Lettuce Entertain You Row" including Wildfire, Papagus, Maggiano's, Antico Posto, and Mon Ami Gabi plus a Houlihan's and Lord knows what else. Anyway, Sunday night we went to Cheesecake Factory. Last time I went to one of these was about 8 or 10 years ago, and it hasn't changed much. Yep, the Cheesecake Factory -- Decor by Trump, menu by Yellow Book. An immense number of choices (padded out by -- can you believe this -- advertisements for other businesses inside the menu). This appeal to absolutely ANY taste may explain why there was a 60-minute wait when we got there at 5:20 p.m. Shall I recount the bad? O.K. Our six-top was only set for five; I had to ask four times to get a knife and fork and a napkin (note, by the way, that by the time we were seated around 6:30, the place was only about 2/3 full -- we apparently walked in at precisely the WRONG time, right in the middle of the Sunday evening rush. So we got the worst of both worlds -- a 60-minute wait PLUS a waitstaff that just no longer cared). By coincidence, the hostess was a student in my sister-in-law's psychology class, so while she unsuccessfully but extensively schmoozed my sister-in-law and cooed over the baby, she still entirely missed the point by not giving us a table 30 seconds after she recognized her prof in our group. And the service was ridiculously slow; 35 minutes to get the entrees (none of which required more than maybe 5 to 10 minutes to prepare -- burgers, cobb salad, grilled chicken breast, etc.)

So, is this just one long gripe about Cheesecake Factory? No; I would not waste your time on that. From despair, hope. There was one saving grace in this meal. That was the fish tacos. Yup, fish tacos. Served with SOFT, CORN tortillas. Not fried, not wheat. And pretty good tortillas, too; although store-bought. And the fish (snapper, I think) was flavorful and nicely broiled. Too much cabbage was tossed in there, but I removed the excess, no harm no foul. Served with a perfectly servicible guac, plus black beans and rice mixed with a nice succotash, and a scoop of diced tomatoes that tasted pretty fresh. Sure, it cost more than you might expect to pay in a non-corporate location ($13.95), but like everything else at this place, the portions were more than generous (three well-stuffed tacos, plus sides, were more than I could finish even after skipping lunch). And no, we didn't have dessert; the niece was getting droopy and it was time to pack it in and head home.

I don't have any experience with the Oak Brook location but I've had various seating problems at the Old Orchard location in the past. I haven't gone there since the last visit we had where they 'forgot' about our reservation and then later 'forgot' we were still waiting to be seated. After about 30+ minutes we just told them that we were leaving.

I think that it's definately a place to take out of towers to. I get a lot of requests from people visiting from out of state to go there. I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe the novelty of the place?

Although Cheesecake Factory has pretty good and unique food, do NOT try to get a table during the weekend because it is HELL. I've went to CF many, many times, but it really sucks as you unfortunately experienced during the weekend as far as wait times. Soooo, mega-busy....anywho....hope this doesn't sour your views on CF, it is truly a good restaurant chain, just it seems to be so good that so many people gravitate to it on weekends.

They also rotate their menu and some items leave and new ones come in. So, it's not your typical chain restaurant. They are originally from California and I love their decor.

If you should want to dine there again, try dining during the weekdays...like Tuesday or Wednesday. It's pretty wide-open then. We go to the Woodfield Mall location.

I have spent a certain amount of time at CF (and now PF Chang's) with an after-work crowd or cooling my heels while waiting for friends to get done shopping at Woodfield. Both of these places always seem to have seating available in the bar, make pretty decent cocktails. They will also be happy to serve you an appetizer or a full meal at the bar. That might be the way to go if you want to eat without seating snafus.

bibi rose wrote:I have spent a certain amount of time at CF (and now PF Chang's) with an after-work crowd or cooling my heels while waiting for friends to get done shopping at Woodfield. Both of these places always seem to have seating available in the bar, make pretty decent cocktails. They will also be happy to serve you an appetizer or a full meal at the bar. That might be the way to go if you want to eat without seating snafus.

That would work well if it were just me and Mrs. JiLS. But not so much with my 81 year old father, 79 year old mother, plus brother and sister-in-law with a 14-month old baby. That group had to dither about in the lobby, waiting for enough people either to be seated in the restaurant or (perhaps) get so frustrated that they just left. Hell, two or three Manhattans and I'd be happy to wait TWO hours for that table; and the bar did look inviting. But not so great for our family group.

Oh, sure. I wasn't even contemplating that for your group-- just for future reference, like if someone wanted to try those fish tacos. (I'll keep them in mind for the next time I get stuck there.)

JiLS,

Never been to CF -- and based on your post do not feel compelled to do so, but how did the octogenarians like it (as they, after all, were the prime motivator for your going there)?

Hammond

I went to the one at the Hancock once. Ordinary, and lots of it!

My unfortunate first experience at The Cheesecake Factory occured 8 years ago, when I was in college. I was in Kansas City for a conference and asked several people where I could find great barbecue. I was unanimously directed to the Cheesecake Factory and at the time I thought that it was some sort of local treasure. I had the ribs, and was less than impressed with "Kansas City Barbecue."

This place really does attract out of towners! Even when they are visiting other towns. If I only knew then what other eating pleasures are to be had in Kansas City. Live and learn, I suppose. One of these days I hope to return and make amends for my mistake.

veeral wrote: I was in Kansas City for a conference and asked several people where I could find great barbecue. I was unanimously directed to the Cheesecake Factory and at the time I thought that it was some sort of local treasure. I had the ribs, and was less than impressed with "Kansas City Barbecue."

Veeral,

As someone who loves BBQ with a passion, that is one of the saddest stories I have ever read. I can't imagine being in a great BBQ city like KC and being directed to Cheesecake Factory for BBQ.

Enjoy,
Gary

I would hunt the people who did this to you down like dogs.



Either the burnt ends at Li'l Jake's, or the Yummalicious Kansas City Style Ends Justify The Meats Biggie Size Burnt Ends Platteraganza at Cheesecake Factory.

David Hammond wrote:JiLS,

Never been to CF -- and based on your post do not feel compelled to do so, but how did the octogenarians like it (as they, after all, were the prime motivator for your going there)?

Hammond

The spot was picked primarily because it was convenient, large (and therefore hopefully not crowded - HA!) and would have "something for everyone" on the menu. The menu certainly delivered on that promise, but I'd say the folks would've been happier with something more low-key (even TGI Friday's would probably have been better). Since nobody had dessert, I'd have to say the cheesecake certainly was not the draw!

JiLS,

For future reference, there are other, better choices in the Oak Brook area than the LEY places and the CF that would have been perfectly appropriate for your group. Braxton Seafood Grill, for example, has great food and probably would've had no problem efficiently serving your group at that time on a Sunday. There are other choices as well. Unfortunately, Oak Brook and Lombard have had an infusion of LEY and other chain places in the last several years (some of which, to be fair, actually are decent), but there still are a number of other options.

I frequently meet a friend "half way" in Oak Brook for a Sunday lunch (she lives in Bridgeport, me Batavia) and our choices are usually Stir Crazy or The Braxton, my next choice may be Reza's which now has an outpost a little further west on Butterfield.

My Hubs used to work at CF and the make you wait on purpose. They close off sections so that there is an approx. wait of 30-45 min. It is supposed to build the place up. "Wow that place must be sooo good because you always have to wait!"

The food is pretty decent. I like the chicken fingers and the santa fe chicken salad is good.

Definately get dessert there, that's what it's all about!

I have been to this Cheesecake Factory and a couple others and they are exactly what has been described. Big menu and portions, adequate food and over the top decor. Out of town people do seem to like them a lot. We were in Hawaii last fall and two different tour guides recommended it.

I have been known to get their cheesecake to take home more often than eating an entire meal there. The Godiva is my favorite.

I will have to remember the fish tacos the next time. It is hard to find fish tacos much less good ones!

I sort of liked the decor in the John Hancock location, all round and bubbly and sort of flowing. Reminded me of the space ship in Farscape, in a good way.

In my mind Cheesecake Factory and Rainforest Cafe are in the exactly the same category - concept restaurants that sell you a room as much as anything. Having said that, both places tend to offer better food for some reason than the "Neighborhood" chains, like Appleby's, Bennigan's, TGI Friday, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, etc. Not sure why that is, since the prices are not higher, and the focus should be less on the food and more on the ooh factor, but that has been my experience.

Anyway, none of my meals at these places (CF & Rainforest) have been bad, though none have been really good, either. Like it was for Jim, it is a place I would go to as a convenient compromise if I had to, but fortunately I rarely have to.

I almost get the lines at Cheesecake Factory or Rainforest Cafe for the Disneyfied dining experience ("Hey, Madge, let's go there, it will keep the kids entertained!"), but will someone tell me why Olive Gardens so often have lines?

dicksond wrote:will someone tell me why Olive Gardens so often have lines?

Safe, familiar food. Nice atmosphere for the price. Perceived value in the all-you-can-eat soup/salad/bread.

Cheesecake Factory's big benefit in my opinion is that they are open late. Certainly they're the best food you're going to find after 10 p.m. in Skokie. I also like the rococo decor. The menu offers something for everyone, and most of what I've ordered has been decent. It's a pity that the service so often sucks, but you can't have everything.