The Cheesecake Factory — Restaurant in Tulsa

June 1, 2024 at 5pm I was in a group of 12 with four kids birthdays. We are from Arkansas and travel to Tulsa Oklahoma to celebrate at the cheesecake factory. By reading reviews and listening to others it was a very popular place. We sat down and our waiter served us. His name is Brian. He asked if it was a family reunion or what we were celebrating today? We told him it was for the kids birthdays this month and we got together today to celebrate it. We asked is there anything special you do for birthday events? He said yes we offer a birthday plate with a candle on it. It’s just a scoop of ice cream. We said that is so great!. Brian, so we don’t sing or gather around and say happy birthday unfortunately but that is what we give out. we were very understanding and we’re fine with singing happy birthday ourselves. The kids did get a birthday plate with ice cream and a candle on it. Whenever we get our bill at the end of The dinner. We noticed every single one of us are charged five dollars for the birthday plate. Whenever it’s brought up to their server, he said that that’s what we order so that’s what he charges. We were asking for the complementary that was given out and the cheesecake factory does for birthdays? He said oh that’s actually a Sunday and we don’t charge for that. But we do charge for ice cream. Which is what you got today.. we were very confused on why you did not tell us about the complementary Sunday and instead you want to charge us for the birthday plate. His only response was he’s just doing his job. I went to talk to the manager about it (Alex)and the manager had a difficult time wanting to refund us because we already ate ice cream. after five minute conversation with him trying to understand where the Sundays are that are given out complementary because we were given ice cream and a birthday plate instead. The manager Alex I think is his name finally decided to go ahead and refund the cream plates… in the meantime of doing so the server Brian mouthing negatively about us getting a refund. I talk to the server - I said can I have a conversation with you just you and I? He said of course. I asked him in the future reference of somebody coming to visit the cheesecake factory on the first time and it’s for a celebration to please inform us that the cheesecake, factory celebrates birthdays with us, but they charge us for it.. he said so you didn’t want the ice cream then today (sarcastic)? I said of course we would did when you mentioned that’s what the cheese cake factory gives out for birthdays- but then I’m told the manager said there are complementary Sundays? Where are the Sundays at? We would of been grateful for whatever was given out complementary. I already spent $75.00 on our meal today, my other family members spend $65.00 and $80.00. He said good to know and said he was just doing his job. I said I’m just here to help you be corrected you at your job then and that’s why I got your manager (the waiter was so rude) so I gave a rude response back. The way it went to the kitchen very upset.

The whole moral of the story is he still kept his gratuities of 18% from 3 people - and tried to up charge us for the birthday celebration.. so check your tickets before you leave and ensure your waiter doesn’t up charge you for something more than way his gratitude is more $$...

August 23, 2007. Where does time go? I remember watching this restaurant being built, and I knew—without a shred of doubt—that it was going to be a Cheesecake Factory. Why would I think otherwise? If I see a Jiffy Lube, should I assume they’re also plating up gourmet pasta? Let’s not kid ourselves.

It wasn’t until recently that I realized I’d never actually explored their menu. So, I asked my wife and kids to join me in finally seeing what this place had to offer.

First things first: The interior is genuinely beautiful. It’s been 17 years, yet the space still feels polished and impressive—like time decided to skip over it.

Once seated, I opened the menu and was immediately struck by how much I’d been missing out on. The selection is extensive but not chaotic, with a simplified version available for those less inclined to culinary overthinking. It took us a while to decide; we wanted variety, and variety takes time.

Now, here’s where I’ll admit to a small social experiment. I suggested we all order water. It’s often said that waitstaff can size up a customer’s spending habits based on drink choices. Would our server’s demeanor shift? Would the water glasses grow mysteriously dry?

To his credit, professionalism held firm. He was patient, attentive, and our waters never sat empty.

While waiting for our food, I decided to inspect the restrooms. Much like the dining area, they’re well-designed and visually appealing. However, they were in need of a thorough cleaning. Let’s just say the area around the urinals could’ve been less… hydrated, and the sinks, though stylish, deserved a bit more elbow grease.

Back at the table, our server remained consistent—water refills steady, demeanor unbothered.

Then the food arrived. And it looked great. My Four Cheese Pasta with Shrimp was inviting, and every dish at our table carried that same visual appeal. But here’s where things took an unexpected turn: why did I just have some of the best Korean Fried Chicken at a Cheesecake Factory? My wife’s plate became an impromptu sampling platter, and every bite confirmed it—we know Korean food, and this was good.

My oldest son declared his burger the 8th best burger he’s ever had—a very specific ranking, but he stands by it. My younger son, meanwhile, was happily occupied with his fried shrimp.

Overall, the experience surpassed our expectations. The food was excellent, but it was the service that truly stood out. Despite our water-only table, our server never faltered in his professionalism or care.

I hope the tip we left sent a clear message—one louder than our drink order—and reminded him that good service is always appreciated, regardless of what’s in the...

my husband is a police officer and is not a “get me your manager” type of guy, but tonight he had to be.. we had a group of 7 adults, 3 kids, and 3 babies which is a large group no doubt. there was an 18% gratuity on groups 8 and larger which was not a problem at all. we get there, 30 minutes in we get our drinks. an hour in we finally got to order our food, we wait 45 minutes for our food and finally got it. we got ONE refill, AFTER we were practically done with our food. we got one serving of bread an hour after being there and our second when our food came out. the blonde middle aged waitress was bouncing around and even apologized to us once for “her head being in the weeds tonight”. mind you, it wasn’t very busy for a saturday night. we wait another 15 minutes just for our to go boxes and tickets. when we finally get our 3 separate tickets they charged us 18% gratuity on EACH ticket. our waitress was at our table a total of 3 times, drink orders, food orders, and the refills we got when we were done with our food. we had already put cash on the table for a tip at this point also because we were going to tip her just not 18% of each bill. they were getting $15 out of each of our tickets and 1 for $40+ just for gratuity. as we discussed our tickets around the table we each noticed the 18% and my husband asked our waitress for her manager. she then asks what the problem is and that was when i told her it was an issue with the gratuity. she was flat hateful at this point and asks what about the gratuity. i politely told her we weren’t paying 18% gratuity on each ticket, for service that we didn’t receive. she then gets very defensive and tried to argue with me. ”i was here filling your drinks, i was here bringing you bread, blah blah” i told her i didn’t want to argue with her we just wanted to speak to her manager. she then proceeds to tell me “if you can’t afford it, then just say that”…. the manager adjusted the gratuity but man it was just a terrible experience, and after thinking on it i shouldn’t have paid the ticket at all. they should’ve eaten it for how unacceptably disrespectful their waitress was to us. how humiliating to have her speak to us like that in a restaurant full of people with no repercussions. this was our first and last visit at this...