Cheesecake Factory in Center City?
CCRA hears plans for 15th and Walnut.
Cheesecake Factory in Center City?
Michael Klein, Philly.com
Center City could be a step closer to getting a Cheesecake Factory.
That decision is now in the hands of the Center City Residents' Association's zoning committee, which Tuesday night heard a redevelopment plan for the southeast corner of 15th and Walnut Streets.
The plan calls for the demolition of the strip of retail businesses along the east side of 15th Street from Walnut Street to Chancellor Street - previously a bank, hair salon, coffee shop, and restaurant - as well as two adjacent properties on Walnut Street. A new building, to have a green roof, would house the popular restaurant as well as retail.
Cheesecake's n
ame came up in testimony, the first time its plans have been aired in public. It's been rumored for nearly a year.
The zoning committee's decision, due shortly, carries great impact with the city's Zoning Hearing Board, which would have to approve the plan before the wrecking ball arrives.
Comments (85)
Bradley 85- as i mentioned, this is not about the food being good/not good. The truth is it draws people into an area that would otherwise be empty. And that is good for the shops/sight in and around that area.
And although totally not my point, but i was down at the TGI Fridays before a wedding rehearsal on an Friday night at about 6 and it was empty...that wouldn't be the case at CF.— smarterthanyou- Ignorance is bliss.......
Cheesecake Factory is not the healthiest option out there but their food is good (although I agree that actually their cheesecake leaves a lot to be desired. Everything is fresh from their kitchen unlike their competition. It would be a nice addition to Walnut Street. I think some of the posters here either need to actually try CF before they post or at least pay a bit more attention to the details before falling into the ignorant, childish, thread posting which has become a hallmark of this thread and the city as a whole.— wallabyguy - I have escorted several groups of visiting business people around Philadelphia and they refuse to go to independent restaurants. They want the chains they are familiar with.— PHILEXILE
- And although totally not my point, but i was down at the TGI Fridays before a wedding rehearsal on an Friday night at about 6 and it was empty...that wouldn't be the case at CF.
---
My girlfriend lives in Yardley and we met her sister at an Applebee's up that way a few weeks ago, on a Saturday night. There was an hour plus wait. And several months ago I went into a TGI Friday's on a Saturday night because that was my only option, and it was nearly a two hour wait.
Not to mention, the Golden Corrals and Olive Gardens ... come on, those places draw as much people as the Cheesecake Factory.
Popularity (or long wait times on a weekend night) is by no means indicative of good food, but I know that wasn't your original point.— Bradley85 - I look forward to seeing Sheldon, Raj, Howard, Leonard and of course Penny doing the waitressing if it gets built.— The_Unknown-Poster
Comment removed.- Cheesecake Factory is not the healthiest option out there but their food is good (although I agree that actually their cheesecake leaves a lot to be desired. Everything is fresh from their kitchen unlike their competition. It would be a nice addition to Walnut Street. I think some of the posters here either need to actually try CF before they post or at least pay a bit more attention to the details before falling into the ignorant, childish, thread posting which has become a hallmark of this thread and the city as a whole. —wallabyguy
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Right, because when someone who has been to a CF three times like myself has the opinion that it's like a glorified Applebees and pales in comparison to the fantastic restaurants Philly has to offer, it must be 'ignorant and childish.'
Makes so much sense!— Bradley85 - EXACTICALLY, Bradley and wallabyguy!
BUT, it's not very good at all, but it's consistently not very good at all anywhere in the world you go to one of them!
LOCAL IS BETTER!— BEMiller - Because Philly people aren't fat enough? How about putting a Jenny Craig there instead?— EmanuelP
- you gotta be kiddin me.....i agree, this upscale corner should have a NOBU or something equally as upscale.....i can get Cheesecake Factory at the mall...and it sucks there as well...— binx
- no chains in center city. save that bland boring crap for the suburbs.— Ryan
- the food is so good? maybe if you burned your tongue. it's typical chain crap. if they want to build it and people want to frequent it, it's not like they're forcing out all their competitors. good place for the kimmel goers i guess— dreinterests
- "honey, let's take the train downtown and visit this exciting new restaurant. It's called the cheesecake factory!" - said no one ever— Ryan
- Gross, overpriced and unhealthy food.— 1972bline
- This is a done deal; the prior retail tenants at the location ( except for the wig shop) are gone!— g-bman
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Michael Klein, the editor/producer of philly.com/Food, writes about the local restaurant scene in his Inquirer column "Table Talk." Have a question? Email it! See his Inquirer work here.
Reach Michael at mklein@philly.com.
Michael Klein
Philly.com
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