What's wrong with the Cheesecake Factory?

Dating and dining at "The Chain" restaurant

So, here's the deal: Over the past two and a half weeks, a viral TikTok video has been circling the internet. It's all about a woman who's on a date, and her date unexpectedly pulls up to a place that's caused quite a stir – the Cheesecake Factory. 

Now, we know what you're thinking – what's wrong with the Cheesecake Factory? Well, it turns out a lot of folks have had some strong feelings about this, and the debate has even made its way to the set of ABC's 'The View'. 

But, wait, this isn't a dating blog, is it? We couldn't agree more! Our blog and podcast are all about one thing and one thing only – celebrating the glorious food adventures that Philadelphia has to offer. However, this little dating debacle did get us thinking about something pretty important – the ongoing battle between chain restaurants and those delightful local gems.

If you wanna see some hilarious commentary about this date/situation check out Abba & Preach YouTube channel reaction. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jhSElfRuE8

Now, don't get us wrong. We're all about supporting the mom-and-pop places, the hidden gems, and the local legends that make our taste buds do the happy dance. But we can't help but feel like we need to say a word or two in defense of some chain restaurants.

The Cheesecake Factory TikTOK wasn't exactly a success story by any means. This woman couldn't even bring herself to get out of the car because she felt embarrassed about being there. Meanwhile, I am quick to jump to the defense of this iconic chain, considering it's not all that bad for what it is – a chain restaurant. But let's be honest, if we're going to unleash our culinary gripes, we should probably direct our hangry vibes toward places like Applebee's. And I'm speaking from experience here, folks. Steffi personally and passionately HATES Applebee's.

Steffi: You see, my job as a Flight Attendant has me crisscrossing the United States, from the Northeast to the Southeast, and all the way to the Midwest. Occasionally, I'll hop across the border to Canada (Ontario & Quebec) and sample their eats too. That's a lot of miles and many, many pit stops. And guess what? The majority of those pit stops tend to be at chain restaurants. 

Now, I don't want to sound like a food snob, but I've had my fair share of chain restaurant meals, and, well, they can be a bit... bland and monotonous. Most of the time, they're just plain mediocre. But, hey, I'm not throwing shade at all chain restaurants. Some are surprisingly decent.

Check out the original video for yourself

The thing is, I'd rather give a local spot a whirl any day. Why? Because it's all about supporting the little guys – the ones that are rooted in the community, unique to their city or state. You know, those places that add a dash of local flavor to your dining experience.

Now, there's a big difference between those small local chains and the colossal, corporate local chains that you find scattered all over the country. It's the latter that often leaves me disappointed and yearning for something with a bit more character.

So, next time you find yourself torn between a shiny chain restaurant and a cozy local joint, go ahead and give that local spot a shot. You might just stumble upon a hidden foodie gem that'll make you forget all about the nationwide chains.

And hey, don't stress too much about the Cheesecake Factory – it's got its own legion of cheesecake-loving fans, despite what the TikTok drama might suggest. We'll be right here, uncovering the delectable eats in and around Philly, so stay tuned for more Philly food adventures.

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