The Cheesecake Factory — Restaurant in Lexington

I’ve never written a complaint about a business before. Not once. Not for a late package, not for cold fries, nothing. But tonight’s experience at this restaurant was so profoundly bad that I feel almost morally obligated to bring it to your attention.

I don’t write this out of stinginess, nor do I expect free meals or restitution. I tip well. I believe in rewarding good service generously and without hesitation. But if someone offered me an all-expense-paid dinner here tomorrow, I’d politely decline and offer to pay for their meal—as long as we could eat literally anywhere else.

I know what good service looks like. I spent years working at Rafferty’s. I know the rhythm and pace of a busy Saturday night. I know how chaotic the back-of-house can get and how quickly a section can spiral if a server isn’t trained or supported. I also know what great servers and managers do in those moments. I’ve worked with them. I’ve seen them. The standards I hold are not unreasonable—they are the bare minimum that good establishments meet even on their worst nights.

We were quoted a 35-40 minute wait. We were seated after 50. Honestly, no big deal. We were unbothered.

We sat at 7:34 PM. And then we waited. And waited. We watched a girl—our server, though we didn’t know it at the time—walk past our table several times. Surely this wasn’t our server. Nope, it was. Cora (*name changed) finally approached—11 minutes after seating—with no apology, no acknowledgment of the delay. Not even a “Hi, I’ll be right with you.” She took our drink and appetizer orders.

Then began the Water Watch of 2025. It took another 13 minutes for our water to arrive—7:53 PM, 19 minutes after we were seated. The glass of Chardonnay I ordered took another five minutes beyond that.

Our entrees took over 30 minutes to arrive. By the time our food landed at 8:20 PM, we’d spent nearly an hour SEATED and had been served exactly one glass of water, one glass of wine, and one appetizer.

The food was fine, which is almost worse. It wasn’t spectacular enough to justify the wait, nor bad enough to add comedic value. It was just… fine. I’ve had better, faster meals from the Whole Foods hot bar. When the entrees came, I ordered a second glass of wine.

My boyfriend finished his meal. I only ate half of mine. The wine was nowhere to be found. Minutes passed. I saw Cora making her rounds to adjacent tables. I tried to flag her down. I waved. I gestured. Nothing.

By now, we’d been in the restaurant for two hours.

Fifteen more minutes passed. Cora reappeared, asked if I needed a box. I said yes and asked to cancel the second glass of wine since the meal was clearly over. She hesitated, clearly unsure if this was allowed, and said she’d check. She bagged the food herself—much appreciated—but did not bring the check (why not?) or address the wine.

When she returned, she asked if we wanted cheesecake. I appreciated the upsell, but unless it came with a cot and pillow, I wasn’t staying any longer. We declined and asked for the check. She eventually brought it, and we walked out at 9:00 PM.

Hand to Bible, I have had better service every single time I’ve gone to Waffle House. I’ve had better service during outright disasters at other restaurants, where managers worked their asses off to acknowledge missteps, apologize, and comp meals when appropriate. Even on the worst night, a great manager and a proactive server can mitigate the damage.

Cora was perfectly nice. But she was either overwhelmed, poorly trained, or simply not equipped for a busy night. Even if she was new, the basics—greet your tables quickly, prioritize open tickets, know when to ask for help—should have been trained and enforced.

And when the wheels fall off the service bus, someone—anyone—should step in to make it right. Have a manager visit the table. Offer a discount. Offer an apology. Something. Anything.

Dining out is supposed to be a treat—a luxury, not a...

Nestled in the heart of culinary bliss, The Cheesecake Factory stands as a beacon of gastronomic delight. With its expansive menu and legendary cheesecakes, this establishment has garnered a reputation as a haven for food enthusiasts. Last night I had the pleasure of savoring two of their offerings - the Factory Chopped Salad and the Key Lime Cheesecake.

The chopped salad was a refreshing departure from the ordinary. Packed with vibrant greens, juicy tomatoes, avocado, corn, bacon, and tangy blue cheese, every bite was a burst of freshness. The addition of grilled chicken brought a savory element that elevated the salad to new heights. The homemade vinaigrette drizzled generously over the medley of ingredients tied everything together, creating a symphony of flavors that left me craving another bowl.

Indulge your taste buds in the ethereal experience that is the Key Lime Cheesecake. As I took my first bite, the velvety smoothness of the cheesecake merged flawlessly with the tangy citrus notes of the key lime. Each forkful transported me to a tropical paradise, where the sweet and tart flavors danced harmoniously on my palate. The graham cracker crust added a delightful crunch, perfectly balancing the creamy filling. It was a symphony of flavors that left me yearning for more.

Beyond the delectable dishes, the ambiance of The Cheesecake Factory is a testament to their commitment to excellence. The warm and inviting atmosphere, coupled with attentive and friendly staff, creates an environment where every customer feels like a cherished guest. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the dining experience, from the meticulously arranged tables to the prompt and efficient service.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking a culinary adventure, The Cheesecake Factory is the place to be. With an extensive menu that caters to diverse palates and their legendary cheesecakes that redefine indulgence, this establishment encapsulates the epitome of a dining experience that is nothing short of extraordinary.

In conclusion, The Cheesecake Factory is a culinary treasure that surpasses expectations on every front. The Key Lime Cheesecake and chopped salad are just a glimpse into the vast array of delights waiting to be savored. With their commitment to quality, impeccable service, and an ambiance that exudes warmth, The Cheesecake Factory is a true haven for food connoisseurs. A visit to this esteemed establishment promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you coming...

Went to the Cheesecake Factory with friends. We had heard about the large menu and many options. Walking in, the desserts looked awesome and we put our name on the list. Were told it would take 30 minutes. We waited for about 10 minutes and then a couple walked in and went right to a table. Only after asking were we told that the high top tables were available for anyone, anytime. Would have been nice for them to offer that as an option.

Anyway, we got seated. Super nice waitress introduced herself and brought us waters. She came back sometime later to take our order and bring some bread. So far so good. While she did bring our drinks and refill our waters, the food took an hour to come out. I get that this was a big place and there were a lot of people but by no means was it overcrowded. After asking her to check on our food, it did eventually arrive.

I ordered the Bacon and Avocado Eggs Benedict. Couldn't wait!! WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT! The avocado was fresh. The bacon was thick and well cooked. The potato side was crispy. But slathered on the top was this orangey cheese sauce. It had the consistency and color of nacho cheese sauce. Okay, I thought, maybe that is just the color. But then I took a bite of everything together and YUCK! Whatever sauce that was, it was most certainly not any variety of a hollandaise sauce. It had no discernable lemon flavor at all and was super thick. It totally detracted from everything else on the place. I flagged down the waitress and asked if they had mistakenly put on the wrong sauce. She said that was the correct sauce, which surprised me greatly. Completely ruined the dish. Really terrible. I asked for it to be remade just without the sauce because everything else looked pretty good. The waitress said it would take another hour although she would try to fast track it. Everyone else was almost finished so I declined. We finished up and drove through Chick-fil-A on the way home.

Would not return....