The phenomenon of chain places that really aren't that bad eh?

OK, I'll admit it. As I've traveled this summer I have actually sought Outback Steakhouse stores after I had my first experience with one back in April.

You know what you are going to get, the cost, the quality. And for the most part the quality of service is better than I would have expected.

if you will be in Roanoke tomorrow let me know and I'll meet you. I may even treat (no promises). ;)

I find that most of the chain restaurants maintain an extremely high standard of mediocrity.

Bim: Some higher than others.

But the truth to remember (and I've attempted to make this point here before) is that to be successful in the restaurant **business** is largely about being mediocre... in the sense that consistency is a real challenge to maintain the higher on the quality continuum you are.

As a business model the artsy fartsy fancy is a suckers bet.

I was told by a CF employee that they serve too much food on purpose. Their entire marketing plan is based on leftovers. They want you to walk around the harbor or wherever with a giant CF bag. She said that that's why they prefer urban areas to malls or suburban locations so that they can maximize the exposure of their leftover bag advertising to pedestrians.

Plus countless people, chicks mostly, play with their food knowing that taking it home is encouraged so that they can maximize their dessert experience.

The Cheesecake Factory – where wasting food is second only to promoting bulimia.

The Cheesecake Factory – for the passive aggressive dessert addict.

The Cheesecake Factory – Do I look fat in these jeans?

The Cheesecake Factory – A substitute for sex for the low self-esteem girl.

The Cheesecake Factory – Are you done with your bucket of salad?

The Cheesecake Factory – Filling the emptiness in your soul with cake.

The Cheesecake Factory – We hate you less than you hate yourself.

The Cheesecake Factory – Better than actual death by chocolate

The Cheesecake Factory – Suicide by the bite

The Cheesecake Factory – When mediocre is jut good enough

The Cheesecake Factory – You really don't deserve anything better

The Cheesecake Factory – Because no one loves

The Cheesecake Factory – Spackling the pain with guilt

The Cheesecake Factory – Because self-loathing doesn't taste like chocolate

The Cheesecake Factory – Because you never went to your high school prom.

The Cheesecake Factory – Because you went to your prom with your cousin.

The Cheesecake Factory – Because divorce takes too much effort.

The Cheesecake Factory – Because you settled.

The Cheesecake Factory – Hey, your ass is already huge.

The Cheesecake Factory – Because therapy is expensive

The Cheesecake Factory – Eat your pain

honestly, of all the sit-down restaurants that are in the inner harbor, Cheesecake is my favorite. I know it's not great, but it's pretty good for a tourist trap meal.
I'll usually stick with 5guys when i'm down there....but still.

Whoa! VDP is on fire. The rarely seen Pork rant. The best since your frenzied sandwich screed. Have another Red Bull

Who knew CF would hit such a Pork nerve!

Don't know where that came from. Thank god Amanda doesn't like the the CF or I'd be living in the garage from now on.

I love the Cheesecake Factory because I'm an elitist snob.

No, I've never been in one.

As you read through Mr. Klein's post don't forget the hyperlink to calorielab.com for the CF Nutritional Guide. Whod've thought that their Original Cheesecake is a relative lightweight at only 707 Calories, 29 Grams of Fat, and 62 Grams of Carbohydrates - compared to the Brownie Sundae Cheesecake with 1265 Calories, 43 Grams of Fat, and 137 Grams of Carbs. The only time we were able to consider a dessert, my DW and I shared one piece of cheesecake.

I know there is a lot of hate for the Cheesecake Factory; however, some of their items are pretty good, particulary the cheesecake. I also know that a lot of what they serve is prepared in the kitchen, and it doesn't come out of a bag. That being said, I don't understand the people who are willing to wait hours for a table.

RoCK, I've never eaten at a restaurants that was worth waiting hours for, and the ones that are take reservations so you don't have to.

I manage to time it so that I seldom wait for a table. I'm addicted to the dark wheat bread. When it is fresh and warm, it is so good.

There is not a place on earth worth waiting 2 hours for a table in. Sorry!

And, you can buy the cheesecake at a convienent Barnes and Noble location!

I am not fond of waiting for a table in restaurants either. Around 20 minutes is my limit. I have eaten dinner at CF only once but I enjoyed it.

The one time we ate at Cheesecake Factory, we thoroughly enjoyed our meals, split a piece of cheesecake for dessert, and took the second half of our entrees home for another meal. Pretty good value for the money, except wine by the glass is too expensive. I'd like to go again, but the wait is always soooooooooo long, and my "other half" is only good for about 10 minutes. Oh well.

I've been reading Mr. Klein for years now as his blog has hopped around the internet. In addition to writing about food he does the best analysis on health care policy anywhere.

He also writes for another of my favorite food blogs, The Internet Food Association.

http://internetfoodassociation.com/

I'm with you, RiE- that whole not taking reservations thing makes it not worth it. I like CF's food, but we never eat there because it is always horrifically crowded (the one nearest us is the one attached to Columbia Mall) and they don't take reservations. I'll never understand people who are willing to either wait two hours for a table, or show up well before they're hungry just so they won't have to wait.

If they allowed reservations, or even to call ahead and put our name on the list, if there is one, we'd probably go there a lot more often.

My son and his friends ate at the Cheesecake Factory and all came down with "severe intestional distress"; i.e., projectile out of both ends. Don't think they'll be going back..........

Big portions at a reasonable proce for a fresh mealk is a GOOD thing.

What I hate is goping to some wannabe fancy place, paying $25-$30 for an entree that's the size of a silver dollar served with 4 green beans and one new potato. The Cheesecake factory is clearly NOT that kind of place, and that's why I like to go there (when I can get a table without waiting 2 hours).

Big portions at a reasonable price for a fresh meal is a GOOD thing. You don't see Cheesecake Factory closing it's doors, do you? Hell no.

What I hate is goping to some wannabe fancy place, paying $25-$30 for an entree that's the size of a silver dollar served with 4 green beans and one new potato. Places where they serve you "art" instead of food. These places are closing down left and right. Gee I wonder why?? These places only wish they had 2-hour waits to get a table.

The Cheesecake factory is clearly NOT that kind of place, and that's why I like to go there (when I can get a table without waiting 2 hours).

But the reason why I DON'T like going there is best summed up by TwoToedSloth 's comment above.

Big portions at a reasonable price for a fresh meal s a GOOD thing. You don't see Cheesecake Factory closing it's doors, do you?

What I hate is goping to some wannabe fancy place, paying $25-$30 for an entree that's the size of a silver dollar served with 4 green beans and one new potato. Places where they serve you "art" instead of food.

The Cheesecake factory is clearly NOT that kind of place, and that's why I like to go there (when I can get a table without waiting 2 hours).

But the reason why I DON'T like going there is best summed up by TwoToedSloth 's comment above.

Donny B, you must have been so sad to see the closing of Horn & Horn!

Speaking of which, and seriously, if you are a big food lover, you must try Ryans in Hanover. No long waits, self serve buffet of really good food and pleasant wait staff bringing you drinks, rolls, and honey butter. I'm not personally big on big food or on buffets, but even I like it there.

Just imagine how affordable CF would be if they halved the size of the portions.

Our DIL is addicted. Our son and his family are currently living abroad and CF and Pot Belly are musts when she is in this country.

@ bra1nchild: Just imagine how affordable CF would be if they halved the size of the portions.

Their fixed costs would remain the same, their labor costs would remain the same, their advertising and promotion costs would remain the same, they would presumably want to make the same profit, so halving their portion sizes would reduce their prices by what? 15%-20%?

Such a deal---50% of the food for 80% of the price.

I think alot of what CF sells is high return. Lots of pastas and chicken, not as much steak and seafood. Cutting the portion size at the CF, therefore, wouldn't have the same impact as doing that at the Prime Rib or the Oceanaire.