9 Cheesecake Factory Menu Items to Avoid, and 3 to Pick Instead

The Cheesecake Factory is a nationwide restaurant chain that's beloved by many. When you walk in, you're greeted by a polite waitstaff and a huge menu. There are countless items to choose from. You could go to The Cheesecake Factory every weekend and always have something different. However, not all dishes on that menu are created equal. There are many tasty dishes, but there are many other Cheesecake Factory menu items to avoid.

Many of the avoidable dishes on this list are here because they're packed with fat, sugar, and calories. We're talking about dishes like the barbecue ranch chicken salad, the bacon-bacon cheeseburger, and the macaroni and cheese. With that said, there are also many tasty meals and desserts to try, like the spicy chicken sandwich and fresh strawberry cheesecake. Use this list next time you're not sure what to order at The Cheesecake Factory.

This post was updated in March 2026 to include updated information about menu items at The Cheesecake Factory.

The first of the Cheesecake Factory menu items to avoid is the Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad. No, just because the meal has the word "salad" in the title doesn't mean it's healthy. In fact, this is quite the opposite.

While there are some healthy components, like cucumber, lettuce, and avocado, there's more bad than good. With the ranch and the meat, you'll be consuming between 1,210 and 1,950 calories, 66–76 grams of fat, and up to 2,080 milligrams of sodium. If you do get it, at least try to share it with friends.

Someone with good intentions may order the fried shrimp platter, thinking that they're getting a healthy meal. They may be half right. Fresh shrimp are low in calories and rich in antioxidants. However, once you drop the shrimp in the batter, all bets are off.

This particular fried shrimp platter contains 104 grams of fat and 1,920 calories. That's a lot for a relatively small dish, so try to avoid it.

Another one of The Cheesecake Factory's menu items to avoid is the Bacon-Bacon Cheeseburger. Unlike some of the other deceptive menu items on this list, you know what you're getting with this burger, and you likely know it's not healthy.

You need to be careful when eating bacon, and this sandwich has it twofold. Add the bacon, the cheese, and all the fixings, and you're looking at 1,460–1,610 calories, 96–108 grams of fat, and 37–45 grams of saturated fat, which is much more than the Big Mac at McDonald's.

Yes, it's hard to resist going to The Cheesecake Factory without trying a piece of cheesecake, but be careful about what you try. At least be careful of anything with the word "Ultimate" in the title. This piece of cheesecake is actually a combination of cheesecake and red velvet cake.

Add it all together, and you get 1,580 calories, 125 grams of sugar, and 350 mg of cholesterol in a single slice. It looks appetizing, but don't fall into the trap.

This is yet another dish where the name is a bit deceiving. Yes, it contains the word "broccoli," but that doesn't make it healthy. That part may be okay, but you have to be careful with pasta dishes.

In this case, the dish has 1,360 calories; sodium and saturated fat content are not officially listed, but similar pasta dishes at The Cheesecake Factory can contain sodium amounts approaching or exceeding the recommended daily limit of 2,300 mg. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day for adults, with an ideal limit of 1,500 mg for most adults according to the American Heart Association.

At first glance, Sheila's Chicken and Avocado Salad may have all the aspects of a healthy meal. However, it's one of The Cheesecake Factory's menu items to avoid. On the one hand, the grilled chicken and avocado are healthy.

So is the tower of mixed greens. However, the issue here is the honey-peanut vinaigrette that covers the dish. It contains about 1,820 calories and between 58 and 129 grams of fat, depending on preparation; sugar content is not officially listed, but is likely high due to the vinaigrette.

Technically, this macaroni and cheese is on the kids' menu, but avoid ordering it for them or yourself. Mac and cheese has always seemed harmless, but it can be very unhealthy, especially in large servings. This offering from the Cheesecake Factory is covered with Alfredo sauce.

When all is said and done, you'll be eating 1,160 calories, which is roughly equivalent to eating 27 Chicken McNuggets from McDonald's. Just think, you're giving your kids that meal, so you may want to reconsider.

Chicken and biscuits seem like a nice, calming, and delicious down-home meal, but it's best to avoid them at the Cheesecake Factory. There's a lot to digest in this meal. It's loaded with chicken, thick biscuits, and very heavy gravy.

If you end up eating this meal, you'll be consuming between 1,240 and 1,610 calories and about 88–89 grams of fat; sodium content is not officially listed but is likely high. There's just too much food here. It may taste good then, but you'll be regretting it later.

Finally, one of the Cheesecake Factory's menu items to avoid is the orange chicken. What makes this recipe extra special is the deep-fried chicken, and that's what leads to your health issues.

In addition to the fat, there's also a lot of sugar in the dish. 69 grams of fat; sugar content is not officially listed, but is likely high due to the sauce. You'll probably be sick of this dish before you finish.

You should not visit the Cheesecake Factory without at least sampling a piece of cheesecake. No, it's not the healthiest thing in the world, but you can treat yourself once in a while. The strawberry cheesecake is very fresh.

The crust has the perfect mix of cinnamon and nutmeg. The cheesecake itself is very rich and velvety. It's all topped with glazed strawberries that add a nice level of brightness.

Steak Diane is famous for its sauce. The sauce is made from over 10 different ingredients, including molasses, mushrooms, and anchovies. The steak Diane at Cheesecake Factory is incredible.

It has that awesome sauce, plus the steak itself is seasoned perfectly. The dish comes with a side of mashed potatoes that are also unbelievable. They are incredibly creamy, and they melt in your mouth.

You can get a spicy chicken sandwich at many restaurants, but many don't compare to this tasty dish at the Cheesecake Factory. When you order, you get the choice of either chipotle mayo or spicy buffalo sauce, and if you want a real treat, order twice and try them both.

The chicken itself is incredibly tender and juicy while providing an incredible crunch. The melted Jack cheese on top is the perfect crown for this dish.