The Cheesecake Factory — Restaurant in Sarasota

Sep ’24: Most of us remember “Cheers!” And the warm, welcome Norm would receive when entering the bar. The UTC Cheesecake Factory gives us that same feeling. It is our “go to” for comfort food and to appreciate not only the lively atmosphere of other families out living their lives, but to also enjoy our dinners with friends. Part of our enjoyment of the evening is watching the CCF team (from hosts & bartenders to servers, as well as those who bring out meals and clear the tables). They are a well-oiled machine - and it’s a pleasure seeing them work together. Elliott is the “leader of the pack” - and his attention to each detail of our meal mirrors his own understanding of what service means. (As for a menu suggestion: you REALLY should try the “better-than-cheesecake” hot fudge sundae! It pairs really well with red wine!)

March '24: Every year or so I just feel the need to update my review of our local CCF! The Cheesecake Factory at University Town Center exceeds any of the other locations we've frequented - and we LOVE the CCF!! (Having one nearby was in fact one of the reasons we relocated to Sarasota!) That said - the food served at the UTC location is consistently perfect! Colorful, flavorful, satisfying! We typically purchase from the Skinnylicious menu, and the portions are also perfect! Our only "complaint" is the size of the facility. The UTC CCF is so very popular - even when it's not "Season." The property could use a bit of a refresh after all the customers it has seen - even in the 5 years we've been here.

We LOVE the servers we've had at the University Town Center Cheesecake Factory - but most especially we love Josh, Elliot, and Anna! Each in their own way goes above and beyond our expectations at every single visit!! Unbelievable with all the guests they serve that they actually remember JUST what wine we drink, just what foods we want - and they truly care for us as members of their CCF family! Thanks to the reservation system for Rewards members, our wine is all but ready to be opened and poured, and fresh, hot bread is brought to the table as soon as we're seated. The pace of our meal is spot on, they seem to know when we're in a rush and when we're relaxed and able to enjoy our meal. Recommendations on either specials or new items are always spot on - and they never ever rush us out the door. We comment that "Life is good" every time we visit the CCF and LOVE having Josh and Elliot!

April '23 review: Yes, yes, yes! We returned to our local Sarasota Cheesecake Factory after more than a month of avoiding it due to a past experience. TOTALLY CHANGED! Walking into the restaurant everything felt clean and fresh (even the bathrooms were clean) - and there were plenty of servers working with guests. We had made reservations, and were seated as soon as we approached the desk. We’ve had Jamison (our server) several times in the past - and he does an excellent job. No time was wasted as he brought hot bread and butter right after we sat down, told us about non-menu specials, and took our wine order. He obviously kept an eye out to ask if we needed anything - and even remembered our “unusual” dessert order. (We love, love, love the CCF Hot Fudge Sundae - try it, you’ll like it - and you can even order a container of hot fudge to take home with you!) Dennis, the manager, stopped at our table and we told him how much we appreciated the improvements we’d noticed - and what a good job Jamison always does. He was so happy to hear our comments and compliments that he even bought dinner for Jamison! BRAVO SRQ...

We went here on my birthday and they told us there would be a 45 wait. After an hour of waiting we ended up going somewhere else. They finally called us 90 minutes later to tell us that they had a free appetizer and it was too late for that at that point. My friend had purchased us gift cards in anticipation of the dinner and it was unfortunate that we couldn't make it but I understood it was busy so we made reservations this time for new years day. We got there early and they were Abel to sit us within 20 minutes which was great. Everyone else had a good time but my meal didn't come with everyone else's. I kind of understood because I had modified an item because I don't eat beef. It's never really an issue - I order this all the time. I was super clear with the server what I wanted and they repeated my order and even said it sounded really good. I was just subbing a grilled chicken breast for the burger on the fried Mac and cheese burger. The manager had stopped by the table about 10 minutes before everyone else's food came to acknowledge that the food was taking extra long and that he apologized. Everyone else got there food and abut 5-10 minutes later my food came and it was wrong. I had to wait to catch the server and when I did she apologized and toon it back. She then proceeded to ignore us except to drop of a refill of my MIL'S lemonade she had asked for earlier. About 10 minutes later she sped past the table and kind of pointed and said "the kitchen is working on yours" but didn't stop to ask anyone of they needed anything even though I needed a refill the whole time. By the time she had said that everyone else had pretty much finished their food. 10 more minutes went by before I finally was able to flag her down because I wasn't going to sit there and wait any longer for my food and I especially wasn't going to sit there and make everyone wait and watch me eat my meal after we had already been there an hour and a half. I just told her to cancel and take it off the bill. They still cake 5 minutes later with the food even though I told them not to bring it and tried to convince me to take it to go. The did take it off my bill but the server was basically MIA after they screwed up my food. I tried to be cool about it because mistakes happen but the manager never even apologized for it. I kind of regret buying all of the gift cards we bought after the last two experiences there. They did comp the email I never got and we made sure to tip the server based on the full amount but it definitely ruined my night.

Update: Went back since we still had oir gift cards and there was a "45 minute wait" which turned out to only be 10 minutes. Took 15 minutes to get the drinks (not mixed drinks just a lemonade and diet coke) and then 10 or 15 minutes before they took our order. Then probably 40 minutes more for food. They supposedly took the appetizer to the wrong table so it didn't come until after the meal but still charged the full price for it. Just save your money and go somewhere else. It's...

Let's just say, I had to eat STANDING UP because they put 8 people, one in a wheelchair, at a booth meant for 6. This is not the way I wanted to spend with my family for my autistic son's graduation dinner.

Since the "owner" wanted to reply, I figured I could reply as well. YOUR host sat us there even when it was mentioned it would be an issue. YOUR host didn't tell ANYONE that over half the menu wasn't available until AFTER drinks and apps were ordered. YOUR manager on duty didn't come by one to check on us, and NO ONE bothered to ask why I was standing for over am hour and a half, and when it was brought up to the manager, his only response was "I thought you were just stretching your legs." You call that acceptable? Please. Even at Chick-fil-A they come by the table to check on you. Every sit down restaurant I have ever been to has someone come by and see how the evening is going. And then, when talking to the "manager", someone in the kitchen threw something and cursed at the top pf his lungs. I wasn't about to ruin my AUTISTIC son's graduation, something we were never sure we would ever see due to all his personal and medical issues he has had to deal with in his short 17 years. That's why I talked to the manager AFTER my family had left the table, as to not upset my son. Then, the manager said "I took off the automatic gratuity, that alone was almost a hundred dollars." So he thinks I'm going to not tip the poor server that was dealing with all the issues that plagued this restaurant? He literally wanted the server to go away with nothing. He refused to acknowledge his establishments mistakes and tried to pin them on me. That doesn't fly with me. To call himself a manager is a joke. Let's hope that I get a call back from corporate, cause this isn't...