Indianapolis｜A Hidden Gem You’ve Been Overlooking 🍽️✨

This weekend, I discovered a surprisingly delicious restaurant that many might already know — The Cheesecake Factory (known as in China). The one I visited is right across from the Starbucks in Keystone. Funny enough, after hanging out at Keystone for five or six years, my friends and I never thought to step inside. We always assumed it was just a dessert spot 🍰, and given how sweet American desserts can be (Walmart cakes, anyone? 😅), we were hesitant. Plus, the building’s design gives off a subtle (Halal) vibe… All these reasons kept us away from a truly great dining experience — until now! Ambience The interior is gorgeous — think “glitzy but cozy” with comfortable chairs and a warm atmosphere. Our server was attentive and even made a point to greet and serve the ladies first — a classy touch! 👏 What We Tried 🥑 Appetizer: Avocado Eggrolls Highly recommended online — and it did NOT disappoint! The rolls have a subtle Southeast Asian flair, especially with the tangy-sweet dipping sauce that cuts through the richness. Crispy on the outside, creamy inside — surprisingly not oily at all. A must-try! $15.5 🍝 Main: Cajun Jambalaya Pasta Another popular pick! “Jambalaya” means mixed, and this pasta is loaded with goodies — shrimp, chicken, tomatoes, and bell peppers in a Cajun-seasoned sauce. The dish is served with a generous sprinkle of paprika and green onions on the side, so you can adjust the spice level yourself. The shrimp portion was huge, and the chicken was so tender we mistook it for fish at first! Fair warning: This isn’t your traditional Italian pasta — it oddly reminded me of Henan steamed noodles 😂. But if you go in with an open mind, it’s delicious! Perfect for sharing. $25.5 👀 I also spotted the Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp at the next table — looked and smelled amazing. Definitely trying that next time! 🍓 Dessert: Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake Their cheesecake is legendary — even at 9 PM, there was a line out the door for takeout! We accidentally ordered the “Original” (thinking it came with fruit), but it was just plain cheesecake. We politely asked if we could switch, and they kindly let us! 🎉 Pro tip: The one with strawberries is the second item on the menu — “Fresh Strawberry” 🍓! The cake was incredibly smooth, not too sweet, with fresh cream and strawberries. A rare balanced dessert in the US! We’ll definitely be grabbing slices to-go from now on. $11.5 Other flavors are highly rated too — can’t wait to try more. Final Thoughts Don’t sleep on this place! If you’re near Keystone, give it a try — you might be as pleasantly surprised as we were. #Indianapolis #PurdueEats #HiddenGem #FoodDiscovery