The Cheesecake Factory — Restaurant in Irvine

This place seems like it's been on its 5th divorce, and it's given up on life. First off, we waited about 15 mins not too bad, because most of the time it's 30 plus minutes. I should have gotten the clue why people weren't there. The waiter seemed like a nice guy. However, it seemed like they didn't care either. I asked for water about 5x, and after the 5th, some lady brought it. We got our appetizers before our drinks. Keep in mind that we were literally by the bar. Like 5 to 10 steps away from drinks. Our waiter was no nice way to say it, but it wasn't good. We had 2 somehow, and crazy they're both weren't good. You would imagine 2 waiters, double the service. Actually, it is less than half the service. They seem like they don't care, and it's obvious management don't either. I would honestly clean house if I was management. They're driving a lot of business away. Sorry, I'm not sorry for the pc folk it's the truth, though. The food, it was bad. When they are specialized in Italian food. You would imagine the cooks would know how to make pasta. They couldn't, raw noodles. The Alfredo sauce was like they ran out and put water in it to make more because they didn't want to make new sauce. Watered and flavorless, raw noodles, unseasoned dry chicken. Calamari sauce was ketchup, and apparently, that was their cocktail sauce. Also, it was cooked well but edible painfully. In conclusion, if you want to be disappointed and have terrible customer service. Seriously, I was afraid to finish my drink because I knew my waiter wouldn't be back to refill it. I kinda gave up halfway. We were going to order a salmon to go it was for my dog. Yeah, I'm that guy. However, because they couldn't do noodles, I wouldn't want to put my dog in harm of terrible cooks. I wouldn't send my worst enemy to this place. It was one of the worst experiences I had. The place feels like they gave up, and my blame is on management for not putting their employees on check or checking the terrible things released from that kitchen. It wasn't one bad. It was multiple items. Disappointed is an understatement. I would recommend the mcdonalds across the street. Sure, it's fake food, but at least they'll cook it right, and you won't be ignored or upset. You paid 100 dollars for...

The family and I decided to dine in at the Cheesecake Factory at the Irvine Spectrum. We arrived during the lunch hour so it was super crowded, the wait ended up being an hour wait after being told it would be 20mins (hence the 4 star rating). After being seated, we checked out the menu and noticed a few of their popular items were removed from the menu (which was a bummer) but that didn't stop the show.

I ordered the impossible burger with seasoned crispy fries and let me tell you it was juicy and delicious!! It wasn't overcooked at all, it was perfect. Now, the fries were super salty (oh my goodness) can we say, check your blood pressure afterwards salty!! But hey if you love it like this, these fries won't let you down lol. I also got to sample everything everyone else got so I'll be able to let you guys know what's up.

Shrimp Scampi w/ Red Sauce, I was a bit skeptical the red sauce had me thrown off a bit but it was really delicious surprisingly. The Shrimp were huge and succulent and not overcooked (which I appreciate) because I truly didn't want to sample baby scampi with the baby shrimp that was once medium shrimp. Overall it was very good and filling, no complaints at all. Next up, The Miso Glazed Salmon w/ Mashed Potatoes. This dish doesn't come with mashed potatoes it originally comes with rice but it was subbed out w/ mashed potatoes and that decision was the best (in my opinion) it took it to the next level. The salmon was cooked to perfection, the salmon was a 6 ounces but it truly looked bigger. This was the lunch portion and it was a hefty plate so if your super hungry opt out for the dinner portion which comes with a 9 ounce (bon appetit, knock you off your feet). The potatoes were very good and they were not completely mashed, they left some larger pieces of potato in as well which wasn't bad. It wasn't golf ball size pieces, maybe like nickel and quarter size, if that makes sense.

Everything was very good and customer service was great. Our waiter did a very good job with staying up with refills and check ins without being overwhelming. Nonetheless, our experience today was good, everyone enjoyed their food and I enjoyed the samples. Lastly, don't forget to tip your waiter/waitress :) Thumbs up...

I still carry with me the memory of my very first meal at The Cheesecake Factory, like a snapshot frozen in time. It was my first week in the U.S.—fresh off the boat, as they say, filled with a strange mix of excitement and uncertainty. I was navigating a sea of unfamiliar faces, new customs, and a language that, while not entirely foreign, still felt like it held secrets just beyond my grasp. Then, in the midst of that whirlwind, I found myself at The Cheesecake Factory.

The moment I stepped inside, I was struck by the sheer scale of everything—the soaring ceilings, the endless clatter of plates and laughter, the impossibly vast menu. I remember holding it in my hands, flipping through page after page of dishes I had never heard of, overwhelmed by choice. It felt like a metaphor for my new life—so many possibilities, so much unknown.

But then the food arrived. I’ll never forget that first bite. It wasn’t just the flavors—rich and decadent as they were—it was the feeling that, in this small corner of an unfamiliar world, I had found something comforting. The portions were enormous, almost comically so, but in that moment, they seemed like a generous welcome from this new country. And the cheesecake—oh, the cheesecake—was like a revelation. Silky, smooth, and impossibly indulgent, it was more than dessert; it was a quiet reminder that sometimes, amidst all the chaos of change, there are simple pleasures that make everything feel okay.

That meal, in many ways, marked the beginning of my journey here. I was still finding my footing, but for that brief moment, in the warmth of that restaurant, I felt like I belonged. The Cheesecake Factory didn’t just offer me food; it offered me a sense of grounding, of being cared for, when I needed it most.

Years have passed since that meal, but I think of it often. It’s funny how something as simple as a restaurant can become so entwined with personal milestones. For me, The Cheesecake Factory is not just a place to eat—it’s a symbol of transition, of discovery, and of finding comfort in the unfamiliar. And for that, it will always hold a special place...