[jp03]

Originally Posted by Raider111

We went a couple of times to the Danbury Mall and Bridgeport Mall ones. Food is total garbage but the cheesecakes were pretty good. I think they may have originated in CA. I remember going to one in Marina Del Ray in LA about 20 something years ago.

Food is total garbage..elaborate please..that makes no sense. Compared to what?

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by jp03

Food is total garbage..elaborate please..that makes no sense. Compared to what?

Any halfway decent independent restaurant in CT?

[MrGompers]

I've never been to the cheesecake factory and don't plan on ever visiting one.

I read some time ago, although I don't know if it's part of company policy and strategy, that the long wait times are by design. They want people to sit at the bar buying drinks while waiting for a table. And they want to create an atmosphere where people think they are visiting a special place which is hard to get in.

The only comparison I can think of, and it's probably a poor one, is the old studio 54 night club (without the rejection.)

The company is also known for treating their employees poorly and have lost a lawsuit in California regarding wages. They are also currently in a similar lawsuit in Tennessee.

[Neil Watkins]

Originally Posted by WouldLoveTo

There is NO food worth waiting in line for. Anywhere. Even if it's free

Yep. And only if you're homeless or poor.

[MiaMia411]

Originally Posted by jp03

Food is total garbage..elaborate please..that makes no sense. Compared to what?

Compared to places that are owned independently. I think America as a whole loves these big corporate chains and nasty fast food places. As a previous business owner i ALWAYS support small mom and pop shops over any big chain.

[Lalalally]

Originally Posted by MiaMia411

Compared to places that are owned independently. I think America as a whole loves these big corporate chains and nasty fast food places. As a previous business owner i ALWAYS support small mom and pop shops over any big chain.

^ true. but thankfully for the most part fans of these higher-end fast food type restaurants in this area still tend to be late-teens to early 20-something's, and us older folk would prefer a casual independent restaurant any day of the week over them. My 20 year old nephew's favorite gift is a gift card to Buffalo Wild Wings, panera, chipotle, brio, Cheesecake Factory and the like. I think once you hit a certain age, you realize these are good places to stop in only if you happen to be in the area (as in at the mall) and for convenience's sake alone. But the long lines kind of defeat this one redeeming quality for me, and so I tend to just avoid them altogether. Works for me just fine, because I'd rather support independent anyway...

[contador]

Originally Posted by MrGompers

I've never been to the cheesecake factory and don't plan on ever visiting one.

That makes two of us. I think Bonefish Grill is pretty good for chain restaurant dining. But I've only eaten there because I was out of state and stuck in Strip Mall Land.

[trishguard]

I thought their mini crab cakes were delicious.

[jdhall1]

I had take out from a few years ago when I was in Phoenix for vacation/wedding. It was very good. I went to the Danbury one for lunch and a couple of years ago. Only had a 10 minute wait. Never thought about going back though.

[Rukh]

I've never been a fan. My brother insisted on driving out to one somewhere in NY I think a few times for it. Then it moved into the Danbury mall and I don't think he's really stopped for it.

I'm not sure why it's so crowded. Maybe inefficient cooks and serving staff? The out of state ones took forever and the Danbury one had us in there for like 2 hours (although that was closer to when it first opened).