Welcome Madison and glad you like it here!

Well I know most of us here on this site have probably eaten at C.F. at least once in our lives and a lot of us are not big on chains including myself, but anyways, I had the priveledge of eating at Cheesecake Factory's newest location at Penn Square mall today. Today is their first day of "mock runs" (which ironically happens to be my birthday). I had an invitation to eat lunch their today. After checking in at the door we had to wait about 10 minutes. The host staff (which included managers from out of state locations) seemed very loopy and out of it. They weren't even looking directly at me or my party when they were talking to us. Before we were seated they gave us the "mock menu" of the day. Basically everyone's menu was different and had two dishes on it. The menu was to be shared with every two people in your party. One person was supposed to order one dish and the other person the other dish. You could also have two alcholic drinks per person, unlimited tea, coffee or soft drinks. We also had a complimentary appetizer which ours happened to be spinach dip, chips & salsa. The spinach dip was excellent. Our server was friendly and greeted us fairly timely. Our drinks however didn't come out for abuot 15 or 20 minutes. Our appetizer came out promptly. Our food did not arrive for 45+ minutes however. The service became slower as time went on. I realize this is their first run and they are still getting the kinks out before they open but this was not excusable when you have your entire staff their with plenty of extra bodies just standing around, especially when many of them are managers or people from corporate. A busboy accidentally dropped something on the floor as he walked by and three managers were standing right there just pointing at it instead of taking the decency to pick up the trash.

My main dish was the Mozzerella Pizza (which is basically a margarita pizza) and my other guest had the Boom Boom Chicken and Shrimp (which is like a Thai type chicken and shrimp). As always the food was excellent. By luck we got a piece of dessert each (which was supposed to be one piece per two people). I had the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake and my guest had the Oreo Mudslide Cheesecake.

All in all I give the food a 9 out of 10 but the service is still highly lacking. About a 3 or 4 out of ten. I know kinks will be worked out and either way the restaurant will consistently stay packed out for those "chain restaurant freaks". I guess you can't complain to much for a free lunch that is worth around $60 bucks. They open on next Tuesday the 19th!

now now now... isn't there already a thread about cheesecake factory? ha ha... couldn't resist, metro.

i'll bet the service will be much better by the time the place actually opens... can't wait! -M

How did the dining room compare with other Cheesecake Factories?

now now now... isn't there already a thread about cheesecake factory? ha ha... couldn't resist, metro.

i'll bet the service will be much better by the time the place actually opens... can't wait! -M

Technically mmm there is not another thread about Cheesecake Factory, at least not in the correct forum, the Food Court. There is one however in the OKC Metro Talk forum where food reviews are not posted. No hard feelings though, you just wanted to catch me at my own game.....:fighting3

And to answer the question as to whether the decorating is up to par with other locations, yes it is although I wish it had more greenery like some other locations. I just wish they would have gone two story with this one. It's going to stay booked up constantly offering the limited space it has. A two story building still would have stayed packed year long, however it would have provided more flexibility on actually getting in and not waiting 3 hours. Oh well, perhaps the high demand will warrant a second OKC location, perhaps "chain city " aka Bricktown.

How did you get an invitation to the "mock run?" I would've loved to have done that

Oh well, perhaps the high demand will warrant a second OKC location, perhaps "chain city " aka Bricktown.

Don't email Randy Hogan with your suggestion! LOL!

How did you get an invitation to the "mock run?" I would've loved to have done that

Restaurants typically invite families of workers as well as movers and shakers in the community to trial runs so they can work out the kinks. I happen to fall into the latter category.:tiphat:

Last night was their grand opening.

I went with two friends of mine for a congratulatory dinner. One of them got a new job and the other got his driver's license (he moved here from Wales).

When we arrived, we were held in the foyer for about 5 minutes to "let the crowd inside die down". However, once allowed in, we were immediately seated. We ordered a bottle of wine and it was eventually brought to our table (15 minutes). The waitress did not know how to open it but there was a guy shadowing her. He didn't sound like he was from this part of the country and there were lots of people like him helping out the actual servers.

Anyway, we ordered the food while waiting for the wine. I got the Chicken Costoletta (very yummy) while my friends ordered the Orange Chicken (he said it as good) and the Chicken Jumbalaya. She said it was good, although it defaults with pasta and she ordered it with rice. However, it came with pasta... one of the servers immediately noticed and offered to fix the problem but she declined fearing a long wait for the correct plate.

We also ordered desserts... We ordered the Toblerone Swiss Almond Cheesecake, Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake and the Apple Crumb with ice cream. I had the Toblerone and it was very good, although there was some sort of icing or ganache on the top that was way to rich to eat in one sitting. The apple crisp looked and tasted delicious. My friend that ordered the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake loved it and this is coming from a guy that had a really really bad experience with a cheesecake about 10 years ago. So much that the smell of cheesecake made him sick.

So, a bottle of wine, three entrees and three deserts came out a little over $100. We made it out in about 1 hour 40 minutes and had a good time. All in all, the service was good although slow at times and the food was great. The true test will be in about 3-6 months when all the "helpers" are gone and they have settled in.

Keving, for future reference, don't hesitate to send back an item you order at CF. My experience has always been that the kitchen puts those orders at the top of the stack and the turnaround usually isn't long at all. You also usually wind up with a fresh order and a visit from the manager to make sure everything is okay. I would think that would especially be the case with a new location. I recently ate at the recently opened second St. Louis location of CF and my wife had to send her dish back - it came back out within 5 minutes and was comped by the manager without our even requesting a visit from him.

Here's a couple of notes about CF for those who may have never been to one:

1. The "small salads" aren't small. If you want to start your meal with a salad, consider splitting a small with a dining companion.

2. Try the Buffalo Blasts appetizers if your arteries can stand it. Shredded chicken soaked in wing sauce, stuffed into a wonton wrapper, dipped in a spicy chicken fry batter and deep fried. Delicious if you're not a high risk heart patient.

We tried talking her into sending back a dish. I told her they would have probably comp'd her for it since it is their opening and that it would also be at the top of the list. However, she declined.

The table next to us ordered some regular salads. They were HUGE!

The table next to us ordered some regular salads. They were HUGE!

I've never finished a lunch portion of a salad at CF.

You can never go wrong with any of their salads. Talk about a LOT of food!

Having been to several Cheesecake Factories, I looked forward to one being built just down the road from me. Tonight I decided to take my wife on a date. We got there at about 6:30, got seated a little after 7:00 (they were VERY busy) and enjoyed a great meal. The service was decent (they're still learning) and the food was excellent. Knowing the portions are so big, my wife and I split the Chicken Tostada Salad and a Carrot Cake Cheesecake. It was plenty to eat and it was dee-lish! I'm glad they're here.

Its nice our our Cheesecake Factory is now open but not listed on their website as one that is open or even in Oklahoma.

nice website just got changed...

I guess I'm glad it's here, but living in very close proximity, it will impair traffic flow, and I feel the landcaping is far from adequate. There were a number of trees lining the entry of Penn Square - now only a monolithic homage to cheese. We need to enhance our greenbelt requirements (like Edmond) to ensure new construction aesthetically enhances - not detracts - from the environment it is impacting.

I was completely pissed and surprised that they ripped all the trees out like that. I was up there the day they did it and was just horrified. Why an upscale restaurant like that doesn't want mature trees in front of it is beyond me. They even ripped out the trees on the opposite side of the road.

I was completely pissed and surprised that they ripped all the trees out like that. I was up there the day they did it and was just horrified. Why an upscale restaurant like that doesn't want mature trees in front of it is beyond me. They even ripped out the trees on the opposite side of the road.

On the bright side, weren't those just pesky bradford pears? A garbage tree in the landscape world.

True, but they look good when they're in bloom.

On the bright side, weren't those just pesky bradford pears? A garbage tree in the landscape world.

Most restaurants desire good views from the road. The trees were simply in the way. Penn Square mall management is going to start a multimillion dollar outside campus renovation next year, so don't worry about the landscaping.

The food, service, and building is nicer in Dallas but then again its Dallas.
I think its pretty cool that we have a CF here. The service was very slow but they did just open recently so I'll give it some time before judging. Seemed like the staff was excited to get started, no?

oh yea. The salad didn't come out as ordered but they corrected it almost immediately.

True, but they look good when they're in bloom.

They also smell hideous when in bloom, too! :spin:

^^ I had been thinking the same thing. There are prettier trees that have nice flowers AND can stand up to a windstorm. Bradford pears are just SO Edmond, maybe they could do something different?

***The above remark is not meant to be inflammatory or derogatory to Edmondites in any way; but you have to admit, the Bradford pear tree is EVERYWHERE in that town. I speak from personal knowledge as I lived there for 5 years.

I ate their again late on Saturday night. The food was as always excellent. I had the fried macaroni and then a piece of Kahlua Coffee Cheesecake. I was a little hesitant about the macaroni but it was amazing and would definitely order it again. Service was extremely slow again however.

Went to CF tonite with some friends. Food was excellent (Steak Diane and Caramel Heath Cheesecake - OMG!), but our service was horrendous. Our waiter flat stunk. I watched other tables being served quickly and their wait staff was extremely attentive, but our guy just didn't seem all that interested in being a good waiter to our table. By the time we received our $150 check, his tip had dwindled to the size of the tax, which I thought was too much.

Will definately be back, but will make sure he is never my waiter ever again.

Unfortunately, there is a bad waiter or waitress anywhere you go.

I just wish they would have gone two story with this one. It's going to stay booked up constantly offering the limited space it has.

Yeah, that place is a zoo. I bet they feel stoopid for not entering this market earlier. For better or worse, it's a chain food gold mine.

I'd like to see them and other heavy hitters on the canal in bricktown proper. They would do a nice job with one of the larger rooms and could do it two story. I'm not a fan, but it seems like this is what the canal property owners want. If that's the case, then they need to get some people like CF that know how to do touristy restaurants well.

I'd like to see them and other heavy hitters on the canal in bricktown proper. They would do a nice job with one of the larger rooms and could do it two story.

I can't imagine Bricktown not getting a Cheesecake Factory. Assuming that they maintain a good business at Penn Square they'll almost certainly snag a spot in Bricktown somewhere on the canal. They'd be fools not to.

Them limiting the size of the Penn Square location could show promise for eventually adding another store in the city.

Bricktown and Cheesecake factory would go great together.

i have yet to actually eat at CF. Everytime I try to eat there, there's at least a 30 minute wait. I'd rather go somewhere else than wait 30 minutes. That really sucks too 'cuz I was so excited for months after I heard about CF coming here, and I still haven't gotten to eat there yet. I wish there was a good time to go that isn't so busy.

I intended to take the other half to Cheesecake Factory for our anniversary the day my dad died. However, his death took precidence.

As soon as people I know stop dying for awhile, I will go. I hear good things about the place.

I've been a couple times for lunch with no wait whatsoever

I've been a couple times for lunch with no wait whatsoever

What day/time did you go? I should go about the time you went

i went once at about 2:30 & the other right at the opening

beatlebutt, you may want to wait until after Christmas to go, b/c Penn Square mall is now constantly packed. And, many of those shoppers will likely dine at CF since it's right there.

Incidentally, when I went there with my friends, it was 6pm on a Wednesday night...by the time we left (around 8pm), there was a bit of a wait, but it wasn't too bad.

I wonder how parking is holding up at the mall.

parking is pretty crazy. i always wind up in the parking garage 'cuz i can't find a spot where i used to always park. i loved parking over by the pottery barn entrance 'cuz all my favorite stores are on that side, but with CF moving in over there, the spots are normally all taken right there. i'm at penn square almost every other day anymore. the parking is getting on my nerves

My fiance' and I ate there again last week for a friends birthday. We ordered the Steak Diane and loved it. It was a steak covered in black peppercorns and complimented with a mushroom wine sauce and grlled onions. It came with a side of mashed potatoes and we added a side of green beans. The mashed potatoes were good but I thought the green beans were way undercooked (perhaps so since they forgot to bring them out and I had to remind the waiter). For dessert we ordered the Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake (amazing! and highly recommend).

I wish there was a good time to go that isn't so busy.

We went on a Tuesday night the second week it was open and only waited 15 minutes.

My wife and I went to CF during the holidays....we didn't have a wait, but it was in the afternoon.

Service was outstanding. And food was great. She ordered the Cheesecake Factory Burger, and I ordered the Cheesecake Factory Burrito. Both were really good.

And we finished it off with a slice of White Chocolate Raspberry cheesecake. It was absolutely perfect.

The Pumpkin Cheesecake is fantastic.

Had the Pineapple Upside-down Cheesecake the other day....amazing

Grilled Salmon...mmmmmmmmmmmm Let me say again mmmmmmmmmm. It did suck to have to park over in the mall lot and walk over. This all before 6:00 and I got right to a table without a wait. So, if it's that bad for parking that early, I can't image what it's like at a busy time. How did I live without their yummy food?

Just got back from a visit there tonight. Please excuse any glaring typing errors because I'm so stuffed I feel like I can barely reach the keyboard. :)

We arrived right at 5:00 and were told the wait was 15-30 minutes. We were paged about 40 minutes later. As we were sitting there many people started coming in and just before we were seated a couple walked out exasperated over being told of a 1-1/2 to 2 hour wait! I'm so glad we got there relatively early.

I was with my wife and my two kids. We all split an order of fried macaroni and cheese and it was as good as I was told it would be. My wife had the jambalaya chicken pasta and I had the meatloaf.

The meatloaf was excellent! I had a bite of my wife's dish and it was very good as well - nice and spicy. Both kids has the cheese pizza and it was also excellent. The portions were enormous and none of us were able to finish more than half of our dinner. We had everything boxed up to take home and ordered cheesecake for home as well.

The service was good, our waitress was attentive, but not overly so. She recieved a good tip.

We made it home and of course we just had to at least take a bite of each cheesecake version we brought home. I chose the Toblerone Swiss Almond, my wife the Tiramisu, and my kids split the Godiva chocolate. All were excellent and my favorite is the Godiva.

All together we spent just over $100 for the dinner, (includes one beer and one glass of wine not previously mentioned). Using a gift card we received for Christmas brought it down to $76. All in all a great dinner and considering we will likely be eating our considerable amount of leftovers tomorrow, not a bad deal really.

:biggrin:
my kids split the Godiva chocolate

Okay, MadMonk, you've gone and done it. You just HAD to mention the blasted Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake at CF.

I thought I'd finally gotten over that exquisite, marvelous, additictive misery..but NOOO...you had to bring it up again. All that therapy. All that counseling. Poof.

I'm gonna start having Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake dreams until I get over there. And BLAST it, I'll have to have a cup of their STINKING WONDERFUL COFFEE to go with it, and for that matter, my WIFE will probably want to go, too!

GEEZ!!

Have some consideration, will ya? :biggrin: :lol2:

-GodivaAddictDave

My apologies. I've been itching to go back too. It's only been five days now! When do the cravings stop?!?

I don't think the cravings ever stop. It's not so bad until you wake up in the middle of the night, rummaging through the refrigerator looking for graham cracker crust crumbs while shaking from the addictive craving......and CF is SO unreasonable about people who come banging on the door begging for cheesecake at 3AM!!!

Those blasted cheesecake patches just aren't the same.... :)

-sd

And a couple months ago we were all decrying the glut of chain restaurants...

;)

I've stumbled into some cheesecake madness... *steps out of the room scared*



:beaten_fi

No no no, not cheesecake madness..

It's "Mad CheeseCake Disease"

or, howabout

Bovine Spongiform Cheesecakelopathy.

-SoonerDave

SoonerDave, that's another thing I can agree on with you. The Godiva Cheesecake. If you like pineapple upside down cake though, you've got to try the cheesecake too.

Every time my wife and I go we commit ourselves to trying a different one...

The Godiva was definitely memorable. The dulce de leche cheesecake was great. The carrot cake cheesecake was delicious as well! Too many choices!

Went there the other night and was seated immediatly(we were only one of few daring enough to brave the icy roads). Ordered some coffee to start, and then some sort of chocolate raspberry latte to go along with the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cheesecake. Bill was about $22. Not bad for a quiet evening of coffee, cheesecake, and almost dying on the icy roads haha. Also our waitress was exceptional. Both of us were driving by when we decided we wanted cheesecake so we were dressed down quite a bit, I was in a beanie and T-shirt. The waitress treated us as if we had a million bucks, I left her a $10 dollar tip. This place has never failed me, I recommend it to anyone.

Okay, so I finally went to Cheesecake Factory on Sunday during brunch hours. It was one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had.

First thing I noticed is how incredibly tight the space is. We got seated at a small table near the restrooms. There was no room between the tables. I felt like the people next to us were in our laps. We had no elbow room to eat. Plus the server kept hitting us with the napkin that was hanging from his apron, and he kept knocking my husband's fork off our table.

Next we got the fried mac & cheese as an appetizer. Two out of the four mac & cheese balls were so dark that they were almost black, making them so overcooked that they tasted absolutely horrible.

The free bread was harder than a rock, and we couldn't even get our teeth through it. That's the same problem I had with the sandwich I got. I couldn't get my teeth through the bread.

My husband got the beef ribs, and they were about 90% fat, so it wasn't at all edible.

The server offered to get us something else, but by then we just wanted to leave.

CF-- Over rated...

You can even buy there Cheesecake in Sams... Taste the same... The design of the buildings is cool but that's it... Nothing over the top...

Maybe you're just jealous we got one before Tulsa did. ;)

Trust me-- Im Not... I just go to school in Tulsa that's all... I happen to know a lot about the city but I really don't care...

Just teasin... :D