Cheesecake factory-or, even dessert is reason to fight~- Page 5

[Luscious]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:42pm

[Luscious]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:52pm

Updated On: 4/22/06 at 02:52 PM

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 2:58pm

Wow, I really didn't want my simple question to turn into a big debate ! All I was wondering is, since CF seems so popular from a commercial point of view, how come it doesn't exist in the most touristy city in USA ? The city is full of McDonald's, Starbucks, etc, it just seems strange to me (but I am a foreigner so what do I know )

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:04pm

As I said, devoid of ideas.

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:04pm

Well I'll admit to being hypocritical because I have eaten at two different Cheesecake Factory's in two different cities, enjoyed the meals, and at least the second time brought home leftovers.

BUT I also get Namo's point.

Years ago on a trip to NYC, I went out with a group to eat. They chose Friday's. It was okay, but I couldn't help but think: "Geez, I can eat at a Friday's back home ... when I'm in New York City, I'd rather dine at a genuine New York place!"

Years before that, when my husband and I honeymooned in NYC, we liked to just wander around and randomly choose places at which to eat. Some places turned out to be better than others, but it was fun. We never, to our knowledge, chose to eat at any chain ... not even sure there were any ... that was May 1980.

Where I live it seems Walgreen's has popped up on just about every major street corner. I can't help but think, do we really need this many Walgreens all over town? (With one not being all that far from the next.) Do I GO there anyway? Sure, I do.
[edit: Walgreen's = drugstore, for those who might not know]

Not sure what my point is, other than I'm a hypocrite who, yes, eats at chain restaurants and shops chain stores, but who also doesn't see Namo's (or Jose's) comments as negative ... I'd say more like a concern.


Updated On: 4/22/06 at 03:04 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:09pm

I don't particularly think it's hypocrisy, JF1. It's not, as I said, as if I have never eaten at one of the Factories. It's totally fine for what it is. But I can't imagine why any sentient person wouldn't at least have second thoughts about wishing for more of anything of which there are already PLENTY to go around, especially when it usually means giving up something else.

All of these giant chains destroy that culture you talked about, of walking around and discovering the untried and the unique. Just wipe it out.

There are plenty of megachains in the world already.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:12pm

Ibid re: Luscious.

[etoile]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:15pm

I want to know if it's still okay to hate WalMart & Disney, because so many here seem to, and because we know they're in league with the devil. Those are okay to hate, right? Just don't start on food places like Hooters and Bubba Gumps.

[Luscious]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:22pm

I say yes. You can still hate Disney and Walmart. Just don't be hatin' the cheesecake.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:23pm

Yes, Luscious, I see that you are very much invested in photos. But, if I am such a bore and removing so much joy, please, tell me in your own words, without a photo, why the expansion of chains and the elimination of local businesses is joyful. I mean, maybe you have some unique perspective that I've never thought to consider.

Please. If you actually have thoughts, what are they?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:28pm

I agree, Namo. I avoid chain restaurants like the plague - they have no comfort, sense of home, or sense of history. I'd rather eat at a hole in the wall pub than at TGI FRIDAY's.

[Luscious]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:31pm

Well Namo... if you're really that interested in what I think... then yes, I'm actually in complete agreement with you. I despise the gentrification and Disney-fication of NYC. I agree with you that the last thing that NYC needs is a Cheesecake Factory. I never said it did. But there's a time and a place for everything. Why do you insist on crashing every thread and being such a downer? I hardly think it's called for on a thread extolling the delectable wonders of the cheesecake.

Edited to substitute "crashing" for "ambushing". I agree. Poor choice of words.

Updated On: 4/22/06 at 03:31 PM

[RobbO]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:32pm

i guess that means we won't see a "munk's review of chuck-E-cheese" anytime soon?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:35pm

I think the notion of "comfort" is a very important one in this sort of discussion. Because, obviously, the reason people would go to NYC and eat at the same exact chain they eat at down at their local mall, is the comfort provided by the familiar brand names.

I had a friend who, when travelling, made it a point to eat at the Hard Rock in any city that had one. At first I thought, well, maybe they all had different menus. Then I found out they didn't. Then I thought, well, maybe he likes looking at the unique memorablia that they have in each location. But he never mentioned it. Eventually I gleaned that it was because it took the stress, minor though it would be for somebody like me or those of us who enjoy discovering something that isn't just like everything else, of making a decision and having it be the "wrong" one.

The new and the unfamiliar does cause anxiety for a great number of people, and I think that's particularly true in the US at this point in its history. It's a pretty large cultural context, and I guess somehow I was mistaken when I thought that people on this board, whom I would assume to be largely people who engage in culture would be among the last to pine away in favor of the erosion of the creative, unique and not usual.

ETA Luscious, I am not really sure why I tried. If you can actually type out something like "Why do you insist on ambushing every thread..." then I realize you're just taking a stance and not dealing with reality. Good luck to you in the future.

Updated On: 4/22/06 at 03:35 PM

[Luscious]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 3:52pm

Can't we be friends?

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 4:11pm

A good slice of cheesecake is pretty much a little slice of heaven.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 4:12pm

Hey, I'm interested in looking at the advancement of chain businesses in the larger cultural context. You're interested in pictures of desserts.

Astute readers can do the math, even if you're incapable.

[sanda]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 4:15pm

I find one close to my place and I am interested.

How is the price range?

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 4:23pm

Sanda, when we went recently, it was four of us - my husband, me, college and high-school aged sons ... I think it was something like $87 and change, including the tip (20%). I brought about half of my meal home with me; Brian (the college kid) took some of his back to his dorm. I admit, it was about at the max. of our "dining out as a family" budget, but can't say it wasn't worth it. Food's great.

[sanda]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 4:28pm

Thank you, JabraFan1.

I may have a try, especially the cheesecakes Luscious posted. They look awsome.

Are their deserts very sweet? I don't have sweet teeth and prefer desert not that sweet.
Updated On: 4/22/06 at 04:28 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 4:56pm

Why, then, does everything become a debate?

[DancNdaMoonlite]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 5:03pm

I've never actually had cheesecake because it always seemed wierd to me, but I go to the Cheesecake Factory about once a week with my friends. I'm going tonight, so maybe I'll try some.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 5:45pm

I ate once at the one in San Francisco (last year). It was my first time there. Good, fun, but I didn't see what the big deal was.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 5:47pm

Bso, did you double dose your obtuse pills today? It's not a debate, it's a discussion.

I guess I'm not surprised that Critical Thinking is just so shocking and difficult that many people seem to have brains that process that as oh so, ever-so negative.

I guess the majority of people really are happy to be sheep.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/22/06 at 6:08pm

more sheep = more lamb chops and that's always a good thing.