Los Angeles / Cheesecake Factory
May 28th, 2004, 09:32 AM
#2
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I am thinking that would the one at the marina. This probablr he coolest Cheesecake Factory at which I have ever eaten, with a great waterfront location. Marina del Rey would be about 15 minutes from the airport in average traffic, longer in heavy traffic, but I'm not sure what that translates to in taxi dollars.
May 28th, 2004, 01:17 PM
#6
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I know it is a chain restaurant, but how can you call it tasteless? Their food is quite good, IMO.
That being said I live within 10 minutes of one, hardly go to it, and wouldn't go to one on vacation.
That being said I live within 10 minutes of one, hardly go to it, and wouldn't go to one on vacation.
May 28th, 2004, 06:06 PM
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While I like the Cheesecake Factory, I certainly would not spend $20 (each way or both ways) to eat at one. The food is decent, the deserts are wonderful, but the overall experience is not extraodinary (IMHO).
May 29th, 2004, 07:54 AM
#9
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OH, I get it now. You are from the UK. That is a good question about LAX. Maybe start another post and ask about a place for lunch near the airport. Or you could call or email the Westin and talk to the Concierge. Really any place out of the immediate LAX area is going to be a cab ride. But there might be some good restaurants in the hotels near the airport. Sorry about the Cheesecake dis, I just have never been impressed with their food. They have a huge menu, HUGE portions, but nothing, IMO, is wonderful and certainly not worth a $20 cab ride.
May 29th, 2004, 10:37 AM
#10
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The Encounters restaurant, in the middle of LAX (that spaceship-looking place) actually gets pretty good reviews.
I love the Cheesecake Factory and think it would be a great U.S. experience for you, crowded with a great mix of people. You can actually take the citibus up there, just map out the route at MTA.net or ask at the Westin.
I love the Cheesecake Factory and think it would be a great U.S. experience for you, crowded with a great mix of people. You can actually take the citibus up there, just map out the route at MTA.net or ask at the Westin.
May 29th, 2004, 01:47 PM
#12
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Thanks for all your advice - I looked at the mta.net - looks good - but could someone tell me where I want to go....
My wife has heard so much about the cheesecake factory she has set her heart on it - but I could talk her into something more realistic I think....
My wife has heard so much about the cheesecake factory she has set her heart on it - but I could talk her into something more realistic I think....
May 29th, 2004, 02:21 PM
#13
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Go to the Cheesecake Factory! The food is certainly good and they menu offers a wide variety from which to choose. I can think of 40 worse places you could end up at between LAX and the Marina. And the CF in Marina del Rey is waterfront. I have had many client lunches and late night dinners at this location.
May 29th, 2004, 02:27 PM
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Andy...for the trip, you want to use starting point of 5400 W. Century Bl and ending point of 4142 Via Marina. That's all you need.
The Marina Factory is right by the ocean, if you'd rather visit the Beverly Hills Factory it's a longer bus trip but gives you a nice little "bus tour" of the area. That location is 340 N Beverly Dr I think.
Both restaurants usually have an hour wait time, but you can walk around the neighborhoods. while you wait. Enjoy! And the portions are HUGE, so share something and save room for CHEESECAKE!
The Marina Factory is right by the ocean, if you'd rather visit the Beverly Hills Factory it's a longer bus trip but gives you a nice little "bus tour" of the area. That location is 340 N Beverly Dr I think.
Both restaurants usually have an hour wait time, but you can walk around the neighborhoods. while you wait. Enjoy! And the portions are HUGE, so share something and save room for CHEESECAKE!
May 29th, 2004, 05:04 PM
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IMHO the Cheesecake Factory is no better or worse than any of the other chain type restaurants. Their main benefits are that they are cheap, fast and there (on the side of the highway or in the local mall).
Just be aware that none of these places have a chef and none of the food is actually made on the premises - it all arrives prepackaged frozen from central warehouses and is just mircowaved on the spot - that's how they keep the "quality" - such as it is - identical from place to place.
I'm sure there are dozens of places in or near the airport where you could get fresh, delicious food prepared by an actual chef.
Just be aware that none of these places have a chef and none of the food is actually made on the premises - it all arrives prepackaged frozen from central warehouses and is just mircowaved on the spot - that's how they keep the "quality" - such as it is - identical from place to place.
I'm sure there are dozens of places in or near the airport where you could get fresh, delicious food prepared by an actual chef.
May 29th, 2004, 05:40 PM
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I agree with many of the posters... The Cheesecake Factory has some great meals and they are incredibly consistant. Gourmet? Well I suppose that depends on what you eat normally. For me TCF is simply a fun, decent, loud place to grab something to eat.
It may even be better than some of the foofoo places a gourmand may send you. I have had some terribly expensive meals that were not nearly as good as TCF.
Have a blast in LA, it is a great city...one of my favorites!
PS... I have been to TCF in Bev Hills and it was great!
It may even be better than some of the foofoo places a gourmand may send you. I have had some terribly expensive meals that were not nearly as good as TCF.
Have a blast in LA, it is a great city...one of my favorites!
PS... I have been to TCF in Bev Hills and it was great!
May 29th, 2004, 05:42 PM
#19
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from the Cheesecake Factory website (www.thecheesecakefactory.com)
"At this point, we do not provide nutritional information for our menu selections. We pride ourselves on using only the freshest and finest ingredients available. Everything on our menu is made in-house on a daily basis so that we can maintain the highest food quality standards."
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"At this point, we do not provide nutritional information for our menu selections. We pride ourselves on using only the freshest and finest ingredients available. Everything on our menu is made in-house on a daily basis so that we can maintain the highest food quality standards."
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May 29th, 2004, 06:15 PM
#20
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To andyc:
You should ignore the detractors above and take your wife to the Cheesecake Factory.
I say this because the main reason people malign CF isn't applicable to your situation. While CF is not gourmet food, it gets slammed here primarily because it's become 'common'. People who like to obsess about travel (myself included) often like to try new things to punctuate their travel experiences. (And in general I suspect many such people are somewhat less inclined to follow the masses when dining in their home towns). So chain restaurants have two strikes against them from the start. CF is 'everywhere' so it's not a fashion statement.
As for the food, it's a relatively good value for the typical $10-16 entrees served there. The menu has over 200 different items, so there's something for everyone. CF has been so successful they've sprung up all across the USA, now with over 70 locations. They sold almost $1 billion worth of food last year. Obviously some people still like their food.
I'm not suggesting that CF is ever going to be considered for a list of top 75 restaurants in Los Angeles.
But if you seldom travel to the USA, you won't care if it's a chain, and assuming you have a desire to go to a CF, I suspect you'll be pleased with the experience.
