The Cheesecake Factory — Restaurant in San Mateo

I went to the Cheesecake Factory in the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo, Ca. It was myself, and two of my coworkers. We had to wait a couple of minutes when we got in, but it wasn’t a long wait at all. We got seated at our booth, given our menus, and then waited a few minutes. We then had our server come over, or what we thought was our server. He started to introduce himself, said he would be our server, then said you know what? I’m not your server, but your server I forgot his name, will be with you in just a moment. The first server continued to work around us, and then our server came, and I’m assuming he was new? He didn’t seem to know that much regarding the menu. We ordered our drinks, and he took off, and it seemed like he was never going to come back. We just looked at each other and laughed. My coworker asked “I mean is he going to come back with our drinks? Or did he forget us.” He finally came, but of course one of my coworkers drink he didn’t bring, and it took him a long time to come back. Now in my defense of what I’m saying, you have to picture is wasn’t that busy. This was Monday evening, and there were people but it wasn’t like Friday night busy. Anyway you get the picture, he moved extremely slow to the point we weren’t sure when and if he was coming back for anything. Now to the food. Let me just say this, who ever is cooking at this restaurant, they must be cooking with love. I truly hope the chef/chefs are getting their flowers now because they sure deserve it. I ordered cheesburger spring rolls, street corn, and the chicken Parmesan pizza style. Oh my goodness! When I tell you my soul was over joyed , everything was so good. I had never had corn with mayo on it, but it had lime and I can’t remember what else. The flavors were just wonderful! The Spring rolls were crispy and light filled with cheeseburger meat, and it comes with dipping sauces. Last but not least, the chicken Parmesan which a day later I am still eating because it’s so much, and it’s so good I don’t want to throw it away. I totally recommend this Cheesecake Factory, food is excellent, service could do better in some parts. You don’t just leave your table hanging and waiting, and if you have to explain your self. Sorry for the wait, but I didn’t forget you, your food should be coming in a moment. Not I just don’t show up for 10 mins or 15 mins. The food out weighs that, so they get a 4 from me. Your experience may be totally different, but I certainly do recommend. Shout out to the chef/ chefs who are in the back cooking with love. Thank you so much, Sincerely, Thanks...

On 4/28, we came here for dinner with my family of 5. Upon arrival, they gave us a 30min wait. 40mins later we were seated. Not bad and that was ok by us.

Our male server came over to us after about 10 to 15mins of us sitting and waiting to take our order and then he mentioned to us that he is filling in for our female services who should be back from break shortly (within 20mins). He didn’t bring bread and butter like they normally do. Within 5mins of us finish placing our orders, this male server brought drinks for only my kids and nothing else for the rest of us. NEVER DID HE BRING ANY BREAD, as all Cheesecake Factory normally do.

Our main female waitress returned from break and walked by us numerous times with no acknowledgment that we were there. We saw her server various tables around us. Including people who were out waiting to be seated got served but we didn’t. After about 45-60mjns of waiting for our food and drinks, nothing came and at this point my kids were already crying for food due to starvation. Bare in mind that during this period, our main waitress was acknowledging and serving tables around us but ignored our existence.

We got irritated and I went up to the host to inform them that we will be leaving and I will like to pay for the two (2) drink my kids received: orange juice and apple juice. Male host mentioned that he couldn’t take payment and would send our female waitress to us. At this point was when our female waitress acknowledged our presence and said “oh you are waiting for your food”. Over 60mins of sitting and waiting with ZERO acknowledgment our presence.

Then at that point the food started coming out and nothing for our kids. I informed them that we are not taking the food and will be leaving. I briefly spoke to a supervisor who was at the host table about everything that had occurred and she apologized and said she will talk to the waiter and waitress. About 10mins later, our female waitress still hadn’t rang my card and given me my receipt after I had already given it to her. Eventually she did and I paid for the drinks my kids had.

Even though this experience was unfortunate and not ideal, I’m grateful because we ended up going to the In n Out nearby for dinner and we only spend $50 for a lot of food for all of us. We would have likely spend like $150 to $200 plus tip at The Cheesecake Factory with such horrible service.

Due to this experience, I will NEVER go to this particular Cheesecake Factory. I will also think twice before going to another Cheesecake Factory.

BAD SERVICE AND HORRIBLE WAITER...

We don't usually eat out but decided it would take too long to take the food back home with us. It was busy that night and we had to wait for a table which was fine as I had some shopping to do in the mall, however they were supposed to text us when the table was ready. It was way past the time that they said it would be ready, so I went in to see if they had texted and we missed the text. They immediately grabbed the paper with our names and acted like I had just walked up at just the right time. Git the text after they seated me. Then, the service was awful. The waitress came around once. After we ordered. If I could give the service no stars, I would. The food was bland. I had a better time eating the appetizer bread then I did the overpriced, bland pasta meal that I got. Seriously, it had NO flavor. Chef boyardee does a better job woth their pasta then cheesecake factory. My fiance ordered a Thai salad, which was huge, but had literally seven bite sized pieces of chicken as the protein. Less than a half a breast. And they want over $20 for that??!! Nobody came by to ask about refills on drinks. There were kids shrieking throughout the time we were there, so loudly that we had to cover our ears and they were a few tables away. I get it, parenting fault, not the restaurant's. We asked for boxes to take food home, and I wanted to order cheesecake to take home, but waitress wouldn't stick around long enough for me to even ask, I had to stand up out of our booth and yell for her to come back so u could order it before she brought the check without the cheesecake on it. I wish the girl who seated me had served us because she was amazing and the sweetest. She saw that I had just bought a game system and was carrying the box without a bag. She asked if she could get me a bag to out it in because she said it was not safe to walk around with the box showing as I could be attacked so they could steal the Xbox from me. I thought that was so sweet of her and she did not have to do that. In the future, I will probably only go to cheesecake factory for the cheesecake as the other food just doesn't match up to...