I first experienced the Cheesecake Factory during a visit to my friend Matty's a few months before moving to Boston. Needless to say, I was very impressed by the place, especially since it went against the shortage of quality restaurants in Boston. I eventually discovered that there was more to this place...

The food and menu
If it's one thing that will get you to return to this place, it's the food. One look at the menu and you are overwhelmed by the extensive list. I have eaten many different selections of food and all have been very good. I'm sure most of the menu items are worth ordering and I wouldn't hesitate to try something new each time. I love the food at this place.

The thing about the menu (and there's always a thing, isn't there?) is that it's full of ads for local businesses. While the idea is unique, this place is making so much money that it doesn't need to bombard us with more of the corporate world. I'm disturbed by the capitalism of the menu.

The prices
If one were to make a chart of food quality versus price, this place would be right on top. The prices are very reasonable. I can't speak for other states but given that Boston needlessly charges ridiculously high prices for everything, this place is a steal. I like the prices.

No respect for customers: The reservation issue
Aside from food and price issues which are the most important parts to cover, there's a big problem with this place. The reality is, the owners of the Cheesecake Factory have no respect for the clients that have made them very rich. The reason is simple: The restaurant is always full yet they do not take reservations. 

To some, this is merely a supply versus demand issue. But the lack of respect is clearly shown in the fact of not taking reservations. What kind of busy restaurant doesn't take reservations?! 

I recently called the Cheesecake Factory at the Atrium mall in Newton (Boston) at 9pm on a Friday. I was told that not only could I not make a reservation, even at that 'late-for-eating-dinner' hour, but that I should drive over to the mall, come in, put my name on a list, and come back at midnight which is when she expected a table to be available. MIDNIGHT!!! I was DISGUSTED. Why make customers go through all of this?! I hate this place. 

On a recent visit to the location in the Cambridgeside Galleria in Boston, there were so many people waiting to be seated that there weren't enough seats for anyone and so people began to sit in the halls of the mall for hours, waiting to be seated. 

This all just causes needless frustration among customers. Really, you can do a study on the number of people who wait outside, become bored as hell, and then give up and leave. It becomes an issue of your hunger versus a corporation's rich pockets and bad attitude.

The ambiance
The two locations I've been to haven't exactly been designed by sound engineers. These restaurants are loud - between the people in the restaurant and those waiting at the entrance or for take-out, there is a lot of noise goin' on here. There is no carpet or anything else that might make the place a little quieter.

The service
From what I've experienced in about 10 visits, the service tends to be decent. BUT! They could stand to hire a few more waiters/waitresses. I find that whoever is serving our table tends to be on the run and rushing around so much that the service can be slow at times. Overall, it's pretty good though. 

The bottom line
In sum, I love the food, hate the corporate attitude. Boston food tends to be crappy so this place may be one of your only hopes!