Ian A.
Yelp
Cheesecake Factory (Arcadia) is a mixed experience. The Fettuccini Alfredo (Lunch Special - $18.50) tastes awful. Its taste and appearance resembled a reheated microwavable dinner. However, the Fried Calamari ($18.95) and Italian Tiramisu Cheesecake (slice - $11.95) is phenomenal. Cheesecake Factory (Arcadia) serves large portions, but its food is hit-or-miss.
I do not recommend the Fettuccini Alfredo. The Alfredo cheese sauce is watery and runny. Its noodles are squishy like old, reheated pasta. The plating is also ugly and messy (photo attached); the chef just splatters this microwaved-flavored sauce all over the plate.
The Cheesecake Factory (Arcadia) also served crunchy, dry, lukewarm bread. It had a faint soapy aftertaste. Slathering butter onto its crusty body salvaged it. Unfortunately, the accompanying served sourdough bread was even harder and less pleasant. It tastes like penny pinching.
Thankfully, the Cheesecake Factory (Arcadia) served flaky, lightly crisp, slightly oily, juicy, thick Calamari. The Calamari is sincerely delicious and generous. In addition, the thick, creamy, flavorful Italian Tiramisu Cheesecake saved the day. It's extremely satisfying. These two beautifully crafted dishes kept this rating afloat.
(Quick Note: I noticed this Cheesecake Factory became extremely crowded at 1PM.)
I arrived on Sunday (around 11:50AM). I was immediately sat down. I ordered the Fried Calamari, Lunch Fettuccini Alfredo, and slice of Italian Tiramisu Cheesecake. The Calamari arrived in 15 minutes. The Lunch Fettuccini Alfredo arrived shortly after. And the Italian Tiramisu Cheesecake arrived timely as well.
Service was satisfactory. Staff appeared businesslike and cordial. It's not the most welcoming, but they appeared preoccupied with thinking about other tables. Most impressively, the Cheesecake Factory (Arcadia) is well-staffed. There were many staff members moving around within this large location.
Concerning ambiance, the Cheesecake Factory (Arcadia) is a lovely, beautiful location. The structure, artwork, and design is very attractive. The Cheesecake Factory (Arcadia) is humongous, clean, and well-ventilated. This location is also loud like a busy Las Vegas casino lobby. It's not uncommon to hear the constant clattering of utensils, clanking plates, loud music, and fluctuating chattering.
Overall, the Cheesecake Factory (Arcadia) offered a mixed experience. Its Fettuccini Alfredo tastes cheap and low quality, yet its Cheesecake and Calamari tastes exceptional and phenomenal. It's a hit or miss location that can easily transform into a tourist trap. If visiting the Cheesecake Factory (Arcadia), enter with low expectations.
3.5 / 5