Cheesecake Factory - Westroads

Kris · Post by **Kris** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 4:16 pm

Has anyone heard anything about the Cheesecake Factory coming to the Westroads Mall? I had heard this a while back, but have not seen anything to confirm it. Just curious...

omahaopinions.com · Post by **omahaopinions.com** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 10:21 pm

No, from what I've heard in earlier threads is that they currently have no plans of opening a restaurant in Omaha. But someone mentioned that they were opening one in Des Moines.....

DMRyan · Post by **DMRyan** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 10:38 pm

It's been open since August.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 10:59 pm

I never heard anyone on the Des Moines forum say whether they ate there or not. Is it everything everyone had hoped for?

DMRyan · Post by **DMRyan** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 11:56 pm

As with any Cheesecake Factory, the interior is gilded to the extreme. I don't know what to say about the food. If you've eaten at one Cheesecake Factory, you've eaten at them all. $4 for a slice of cheesecake, meals are decently priced with large portions. It's defintely always busy, but the restaurant isn't near the size of the one in CC Plaza in KC.

The Jordan Creek restaurant is located next to the mall's main entrance and overlooks the "lakefront" and fountains.

In this photo, you can see it at the far left, beyond the orange-colored PF Changs.

Ingersoll1978 · Post by **Ingersoll1978** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 12:24 am

When we went @ JCTC, there was a line for 2 hours. We instead waited 25 mins to get a piece of cheesecake. My mom didn't get why people wait that long for cheesecake (she's never had it). But when she was done, she knew why. Here is a map of their current locations. I didn't see Omaha under coming soon. It'll happen in due time.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 1:31 am

I don't feel as left out now knowing that places such as SLC, Portland, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Albuquerque dont' have one....places of comparable size to Omaha. Actually, I wonder if DM is the smallest metro to get one. Does anyone have any info to answer that?

omahaopinions.com · Post by **omahaopinions.com** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:55 am

DMRyan wrote:The Jordan Creek restaurant is located next to the mall's main entrance and overlooks the "lakefront" and fountains.

Wow, that is a nice looking mall, especially with the lakefront. I've eaten at a Cheesecake factory in Chicago. I didn't have their cheesecake, but you definitely get your moneys worth on the food. I'm still surprised that there is one in Des Moines but not Omaha???

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 9:55 am

I can't recall what I had... but I actually found one in Scottsdale to be much better than the one at the base of the Hancock Center (which I didn't care for at all).

And yes... it's all about the interior decor. Does anyone have any photos from Des Moines? They each have their own unique 'theme' (themes generally left entirely up to your imagination in interpreting).

DMRyan · Post by **DMRyan** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 10:19 am

It looks as if Des Moines is the smallest market the Cheesecake Factory is in currently. The clout that General Growth has in the industry is evident right here.

May Cheesecake Factory mania keep sweeping the nation...

AZCorey · Post by **AZCorey** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 1:35 pm

There are a few Cheesecake Factory's in Phoenix/Chandler, and they are good, definitely....their cheesecakes are very rich and tasty, and they have a wide selection of food. Their service though can be very frustrating....usually they are so busy (even after being here for 4 years) that you have to wait, and then the service is so-so. I have actually experienced that at the CF's in San Diego, also. I'm sure Omaha will have one, soon. How on earth did Des Moines get one before y'all did????

Ingersoll1978 · Post by **Ingersoll1978** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 1:02 am

I'm surprised the suburbs of Detroit don't have one actually. From how busy the one is downstairs, they haven't reach saturation by no means. The Des Moines location reminded me of the Grand Lux Cafe (which is owned by Cheesecake Factory, same menu and all, but different name). I've never been to any other CF's other than those three.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 1:07 am

I went to Cheesecake Factory in Baltimore last May with Rob, and I catually really liked the food and the atmosphere. Go figure.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 9:17 am

Okay... I'm really surprised that either of you guys would have even thought to GO to Cheesecake Factory.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 2:23 pm

Well, we were in the Baltimire Harbor area, and it was just right there. Practically everything in that very touristy area was a chain. I'm glad we went to Cheesecake Factory, it was good and I had been meaning to see what all the fuss was about.

Zephyr · Post by **Zephyr** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 5:26 pm

I've been to the Cheesecake Factory in downtown Denver a couple times now - once to get cheesecake and another to eat lunch there. I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere, although it was a tad darker inside than I would've liked. And very good value with all the food you get!

Bostonian · Post by **Bostonian** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:32 pm

I remember when ('96,97?)they built a CF in Boston (Cambridge across the river actually) and everyone was like oh wow cool. So we went a number of times. At first it was great although I was not wild about their cheesecake. Then after a number of visits over a period of time I would
look at the menu when I wanted something good but light or low carb and
it wasnt there. It seemed a lot of heavy food (the fried chicken and mashed potatoes is great!) and I got tired of their salad stuff. We don't go there anymore and I cant even remember the last time we went. But what do I know. Everyone's a critic, right?!

Now we go to Baja Fresh. Omaha should get one of those.

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:13 pm

Omaha is usually the last to get everything.

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:30 pm

By the time we get a Cheesecake factory, and all excited about it, people from other cities visiting Omaha will be saying "SO".

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:42 pm

I hate to be the bearer of bad news... but that is going to be the case with everything... whether it be retail, restaurants, whatever. It's a linear relationship between the size of your market and the 'name brand' amenities. Some of us find other attributes that negate the disadvantage of being on the lower end of the 'name brand' line. That is why I am here. A Cheesecake Factory would be fun... but I'm not losing any sleep over it. Let's face it... it's a status thing. Some people place great emphasis on icons like this. When it comes time to go out to eat... I'm going to enjoy the local offerings which I've come to like so much. That's usually where I take my visiting friend/relatives too.

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:53 pm

I agree 100%. Some of our locally based dining establishments are much more impressive than the national chains.

OmahaMan25 · Post by **OmahaMan25** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 1:35 pm

The thing about having a Cheesecake Factory is if we get one here, its not like I'm going to eat there more than once a year. So the way I see it, I'm perfectly fine with eating at one once a year in another city.

Bostonian · Post by **Bostonian** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 2:45 pm

projectman wrote:I agree 100%. Some of our locally based dining establishments are much more impressive than the national chains.

EGGZACTLY!!!!

Enjoy your regional culture and traditions!

Before the franchise invasions are complete and its all gone! ! !
Remember that according to the future historical "documentary", Demolition Man
Taco Bell wins the Franchise Wars and then they are the only local
or national food chain around!

[/url]

PistolPete · Post by **PistolPete** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 8:19 pm

projectman wrote:By the time we get a Cheesecake factory, and all excited about it, people from other cities visiting Omaha will be saying "SO".

It's already past that point. CF is indeed yesterday's news big time...

omahaopinions.com · Post by **omahaopinions.com** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:00 pm

I'm all for the big name chain restaurants.... I have yet to dine at a locally owned establishment that I "really enjoyed".

OmahaMan25 · Post by **OmahaMan25** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 3:11 pm

omahaopinions.com wrote:I'm all for the big name chain restaurants.... I have yet to dine at a locally owned establishment that I "really enjoyed".

WOW, if you really mean that you're not looking hard enough or your just too difficult to please.

OhioStreetKid · Post by **OhioStreetKid** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 5:06 pm

Personally, I can't wait till we get CF, so we can put to rest these threads of when will we get our CF

. I guess I feel it is just one chain restaurant, we already have a plethora of chain restaurants. I also agree that when we finally recieve our beloved, the response will be "Yeah, so." To sum up my thoughts, there are a lot of exciting develops in our metro (i.e. Omaha by Design, Aksarben, Downtown, Midtown, West O), why spend so much energy on a chain restaurant?

OmahaMan25 · Post by **OmahaMan25** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 5:52 pm

How about...anything in the old market (i truely like all of them).

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:45 pm

I know personally I couldn't care less if we get a CF. There are alot of great restaurants in this town and more coming. Hopefully no more threads on CF.

Kristi · Post by **Kristi** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 6:49 pm

I agree about the CF being a status thing. I do like their food, but I would say it is my favorite place to eat. I also like the Rainforest Cafe. The food is OK, but the atmosphere is awesome. If CF does go into the Westroads, it will be good for that mall. I liked the rumor about Legacy... but I have alterior motives.

I am excited about Roja opening soon. Not just because of where they are located, but because I have heard Blue is awesome. And I do like Margaritas. That could be dangerous for me... I wonder if they would deliver?

I don't know if anyone has eaten at Buffalo Company, but it is one of my favorite places to get a sandwhich. I wish they would open one out West. Mmmm chickenfinger subs! Awesome!

Ingersoll1978 · Post by **Ingersoll1978** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 9:33 pm

When I found out Des Moines was getting a CF...I about peed my pants. I called my best friend in Florida at 2 am...he about killed me. It is a status thing...and I'm sure Omaha will get a surprise in the near future of its arrival. Des Moines had a great project with a great developer(General Growth, which was based in DM until it's move to Chicago in 1998). Cheesecake Factory has quite a few of them in their malls. Omaha has three malls owned by GG(Westroads, Oak View, and Mall of the Bluffs). I would think GG would want to include them when they build a streetscape restaurant district onto one of their malls. I think Oak View needs something like this to stay competitive. I went out there last May as was not impressed with Oak View at all. This mall is really starting to look its age, especially the lower main entrance. That's where I think that type of addition/renovation would be great for Oak View. For the upscale demographics that Oak View serves, it surely doesn't feel upscale. They should get rid of Sears and put in Nordstrom while they're at it. Westroads is a classic and seems to keep with trends very well. Wouldn't that be something if Cheesecake Factory went to Mall of the Bluffs?

CountOfMC · Post by **CountOfMC** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:29 pm

Ok, word has it over on the DM website that the Quad Cities are in line for a Cheesecake Factory. Now.. this may be just a rumor but there is a lot of speculation about this.. it may have been posted on the CF website - I forgot. Anyways.. can you say "SLAP IN THE FACE." Maybe they just figured there's not enough cheesecake lovers in Omaha.

DMRyan · Post by **DMRyan** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:10 pm

I'd still bet Omaha sees one over the poor, blue collar Quad Cities. This speculation is from a local newspaper gossip columnist that has people write in questions while he does the sleuthing to find out if there's any merit behind it.

Ingersoll1978 · Post by **Ingersoll1978** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:20 pm

This is the bit I posted over there from http://www.qconline.com:

December 9, 2004

Q: I've heard there is a Cheesecake Factory coming to this area. True?

A: A spokeswoman at The Cheesecake Factory's corporate headquarters in California confirmed the company plans to open a new restaurant next year in the Quad-Cities area, but she declined to say where. She advised watching the company's website at http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com for an announcement.
Meanwhile, economic development officials in Davenport, Bettendorf and Moline said they have not heard of the restaurant planning to open in their cities, but that does not mean it will not. Many businesses make arrangements without contacting city hall, they said.

The Cheesecake Factory offers upscale, casual dining with more than 200 menu items. Its website lists Illinois restaurants in Chicago, Oak Brook, Skokie and Schaumburg. Iowa's new Jordan Creek mall in Des Moines is the only site listed in that state.

If you can't wait for the restaurant to open here, you can sample its cheesecake at Barnes & Noble Bookstore at NorthPark Mall, Davenport, order one online or call 1- 800-330-CAKE.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 2:40 pm

The Quad Cities? I'm sorry but this blue collar, no growing, no name, half-the-size-of-Omaha metro area deserves a Cheescake Factory as much as Fremont, Nebraska. Ever getting a Cheesecake Factory in Omaha after one is established in QC will have absolutely no appeal to me at all. If the Quad City area is a part of their expansion strategy, then they can take their Omaha location and shove it.

There has to have been some sort of communication error and the person on the phone thought the location in question was somewhere else, like the Twin Cities or something.

AZCorey · Post by **AZCorey** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 3:36 pm

[quote="DMRyan"]$4 for a slice of cheesecake, meals are decently priced with large portions.

Wow! You're getting a bargain....I just ate at Cheesecake Factory at the Biltmore in Phoenix, and Cheesecake was $6.95/slice!! Our meals were only $10.95....add that, soup and two glasses of wine and our little dinner for two was $67.00!!!

Again, I know it's a popular place, but usually only tourists eat there (don't know what possessed us to go there), but it is very hyped up and very over priced....and I agree, if you've eaten at one, you've eaten at them all...not sure why there is such a price difference in the Cheesecake from the one in Des Moines....

Ingersoll1978 · Post by **Ingersoll1978** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 3:58 pm

My cheesecake in Des Moines was $6.95, the same as in Chicago. The only difference was the sales tax being lower in Des Moines.

OmahaRules · Post by **OmahaRules** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 5:21 pm

Since everyone here is obessesed with the Cheesecake Factory why don't you guys invest in it? Its a publically traded company and the ticker is CAKE. If its everything that you guys say it is and everyone likes it so much it just might be a good investment. I don't remember many other stores with such a following.

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 9:25 pm

Who Cares?

OmahaRules · Post by **OmahaRules** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:35 pm

I was just saying that since everyone is obsessed and I haven't seen to many restraunts come around and have such a following.

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