Always a doggie bag at the Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory

201 E. Pratt St.

Phone: 410-234-3990

Price: $11-$19

Location: Inner Harbor

Hours: Mon.-Thur.: 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sat.: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Sun.: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

The Cheesecake Factory in Baltimore is conveniently located at the heart of the Inner Harbor. It is in the Pratt Street Pavilion, which contains many stores as well as other restaurants and is connected, via a pedestrian bridge, to the multi-level mall known as the Gallery. It is within quick walking distance to Barnes and Noble, the Baltimore National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center and the water taxi.

For those less familiar with the Cheesecake Factory, it is a chain restaurant with 57 locations nationwide. It is one of the many new corporate restaurants that have been gaining popularity in the United States for the past decade. Like many new buildings that house places such as Starbucks coffee shops and the new Loews theatres, the interior decoration of the Cheesecake Factory is designed to be chic, modern and freshly artistic. Unfortunately, the design has become quite clichZ and will no doubt become an identifying characteristic of this decade.

The best part about the restaurant is that you really cannot go wrong with the food. While it is certainly not original, you're bound to find something that you like. There is something for everyone.

The Cheesecake Factory menu dishes range from $11 to $16 and come in lunch and dinner portions. Seafood plates range from $14 to $19. Sandwiches and hamburgers range from $7 to $11 and are often available in combinations. Steak and Chop plates range from $16 to $25. Finally, large dinner salads average $12. There is also a selection of side dishes that are each under $5. In addition, there is a series of brunch meals, including a children's brunch, that range from $6 to $12.

Finally, the menu contains an extensive dessert section. This includes a list of espresso drinks and chilled coffee drinks as well as several coffees and teas. Naturally, the Cheesecake Factory is most renowned for their cheesecakes, of which they offer 36 varieties. They are all very good and you really cannot go wrong with any choice that you make. The cheesecake is about $7 and I would highly recommend taking a slice home for you or a friend.

The food is what one would expect from an established chain. It is not particularly unique or original and it does not offer sophisticated or subtle tastes. However, it is not bad at all. You will not be disappointed. In addition, the food comes in very large portions. Plan to take a lot of food home. Fortunately, the food reheats well so that a leftover pasta dish from lunch will make a good snack for a late night study session.

The biggest downfall to the Cheesecake Factory, unfortunately, is the wait. They do not accept reservations and so you can expect to wait on average an hour and a half during peak times. Furthermore, the bar and the waiting area are not sufficient to accommodate the number of people who inevitably end up waiting to be seated. It is nice that the restaurant is located so close to a shopping center, but one person in your party will still have to wait in the restaurant for the beeper that they give you to go off. Generally, the service is prompt; however, this varies depending on how busy they are. Also, for large groups, the kitchen often is not able to prepare all of the food in a timely fashion, so some people's orders might not be hot when they receive it.

The Cheesecake Factory is an ideal choice when you are with a group of friends or with your family. Everyone will certainly eat well. Just be prepared to wait. Do not go there if you are on a tight schedule. If you do not like to wait, try going during non-peak hours. I went there at noon on Sunday and waited for 20 to 30 minutes. Another thing to keep in mind is that it is definitely not an ideal venue for a quiet dinner. Also, when you order your appetizers, keep in mind how large the entrZes will be. As you enjoy your main dish, do not forget to leave room for dessert. If you plan to do some shopping while you're at the Inner Harbor, note that you will probably be carrying an extra bag with unfinished food from the Cheesecake Factory.