Shortly after our brunch, we went back to the hotel to pick up our luggage and headed to the airport. We drove over the border and flew out from Buffalo, so we had left our car in long-term parking at the Buffalo airport. Since we were there, anyway, we figured we'd have dinner in Buffalo before heading back over the border so, obviously, I dragged my parents to The Cheesecake Factory. We decided to get two entrées and a dessert to share:
Salisbury Chopped Steak
A classic — I've ordered this a few times at The Cheesecake Factory, because I know it's tasty. (When sharing, I like to have a good standby dish in case any other dishes we order suck.) As the name implies, it's Certified Angus Beef chopped steak (kind of like a hybrid between a regular steak and a hamburger patty) combined with onions, mushrooms, and garlic in the most addictive mushroom gravy, and served with mashed potatoes and green beans. Good, solid, classic American dish. You can't really go wrong with this one.
Factory Burrito Grande
Factory Burrito Grande (innards)
Introducing the biggest burrito I have ever seen in my life. Seriously, I don't know how anyone could possibly eat this on their own. They describe this as a "monster burrito," but it's like Godzilla. Stuffed with chicken, cheese, cilantro rice, onions, corn, and peppers, topped with cheese and tomatoes. It also comes with sides of black beans, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. Every time I'm at The Cheesecake Factory, I see at least every other table order this, so I had to try it for myself. It's really good, of course (what obese American dreams are made of, really), but the ratio of rice to everything else was a little too high for me. I wouldn't order this for myself because it's basically the size of a child, but if, say, a dining companion wanted to share this, I wouldn't refuse.
Fresh Banana Cream Cheesecake
You cannot leave The Cheesecake Factory without getting cheesecake — it's pretty much against the law. (Well... my law.) We ended the night with one of my favourite desserts from The Cheesecake Factory: the banana cream cheesecake topped with Bavarian whipped cream and fresh banana slices. I like that this cheesecake is lighter and more airy than the typical rich, heavy, dense cheesecake. It's on the sweeter side because bananas are sweet on their own, but let it be noted that this cheesecake is all real banana, none of that artificial banana flavour. You like bananas and cheesecake, you'll love this.
The Cheesecake Factory
One Walden Galleria
Cheektowaga, New York 14225
(716) 685-2600
I love their cheesecakes! So much that whenever Rich goes over the boarder, he gets me a couple slices and brings it across the boarder for me. Believe it or not, the last time he went...I told him to not bring me ANY back!
ReplyDeleteI probably had a fever and wasn't thinking straight. lol
That's SO NICE of him, for serious. And yes, you're totally nuts for telling him not to bring any back, that doesn't even make sense in my head. Like, why would you willingly say NO to cheesecake? NOT COMPUTING IN MY HEAD.
DeleteNext time, you should get him to bring a whole cake back... You know, to make up for the time you went temporarily insane and said no.
Their food is so fatty and rich... I LOVE IT.
ReplyDeleteBet I can eat that Factory Burrito. That banana cream cheese cake looks so good!
Haha, I KNOW, RIGHT? It's seriously everything that is wrong with America. I LOVE IT.
DeleteAnd, I don't know, that burrito is a beast. It's like, the size of my arm. Seriously. If you can finish it in one go, I would totally pay for your dinner. ;)
I hope they come to Canada one day. :(
Hahaha "it's basically the size of a child". You crack me up Denise.
ReplyDeleteI have only eaten at Cheesecake Factory once and that was in Bellevue, WA. I was so full from my Baja Chicken Tacos but I still had to have a Cheesecake so I got the classic. I think I was close to rolling myself out of the restaurant. The food is definitely good. I dream of eating every single flavor of their cheesecakes one day :)
That is my Cheesecake Factory goal as well! I WILL EAT ALL THE CHEESECAKES, YES I WILL!
DeleteMmmmm, Baja Chicken Tacos!!! That's what I'm gonna get next time. :D
Love the Cheesecake Factory! Don't love the crazy wait on the weekends (damn us Canadians... )
ReplyDeleteBurrito the size of a child - I LOL-ed.
If you ever go to Emeril's in Las Vegas, you must must MUST get the Banana Cream Pie. It will be the best Banana Cream anything you have ever had. Even Wolfgang Puck named it his favourite dessert on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate."
Friday and Saturday nights are the worst for the wait, but we got seated right away when we went on Sunday (it was around 8:30). I heard a rumour that The Cheesecake Factory will be coming to Canada, but I don't know when. :( If/When it does, though, it will be BUSY AS FUCK.
DeleteOH GOD I AM DROOLING. You know, I've never had banana cream pie, so it's up there on my to-eat list. I don't know if I'll be going to Vegas any time soon, but I will be sure to go to Emeril's if I ever go. :D