The Cheesecake Factory has been a favorite go-to restaurant of mine for quite some time. They have always had a robust menu with tons of options and quality food. So when I went gluten free, I was really hoping for a Cheesecake Factory gluten free menu.

As you may know, from one of my previous posts of top 5 restaurants with gluten free menus, I’m a fan and luckily we get to continue to go here!

Is the Cheesecake Factory Gluten Free?

The Cheesecake Factory is not a dedicated gluten free facility by any means, but the gluten free options on their menu are substantial. In the restaurant their menu is clearly marked and easily identifiable.

The image below is directly off their menu. Keep this in mind when making your decision. Their little “GF upon request” is all over their menu. The other key note is their fryer comment. They share their fryers, so I would steer clear of fried foods such as the french fries.

What is Gluten Free at the Cheesecake Factory?

Besides steering clear of the fryer, there are still many great food options. Just talk to you server and express to them the level of your sensitivity. The entire list can be found on the menu here, but I’ll list a few of the gluten free options I’ve found at the Cheesecake Factory:

• Beets with goat cheese
• Endive salad
• Fresh kale salad
• Edamame
• Sweet cord tamale cakes
• Guacamole
• All appetizer salads
• Bacon-Bacon Burger *one of my favorites!*
• Turkey Burger
• Shepherd’s pie
• Lemon-herb roasted chicken
• Several pasta options
• Fresh grilled salmon
• Steaks
• Numerous sides
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Green beans
  • Corn succotash
  • Sauteed Spinach
• Godiva chocolate cheesecake

A Couple Things to Remember and Take Note

The Cheesecake Factory menu does indicate they have gluten free fries which is deceiving, but note the fryer comment. Their fries do not contain gluten ingredients, but they will be cross contaminated which is a concern for anyone with celiac disease.

That’s definitely a frustrating aspect of the menu, but it’s fairly minor and they have delicious food that does not require time in a fryer.

Talk To Your Waiter

As with anytime you go out to a restaurant, communicate! Let your waiter know what you need. Ask questions and help the staff ensure you get to enjoy your dining experience.

If your waiter does not seem to be aware, use this as an opportunity to educate them. You won’t be the only gluten free patron they have, so it may be a little more work for you, but teach them. At the end of the day its all we can do to keep the community informed and increase our chances for having a successful night out!

Gluten Free Dad’s Recommendation

I support gluten free dining at the Cheesecake Factory. In fact, it’s in my top 5! It will take communication and understanding their menu (shared fryer), but it is absolutely possible to have a great meal there. The food is fresh and the staff is always friendly. No I was not paid to say any of this!

My Two Favorite Cheesecake Factory Choices

There are two go to choices for me at the Cheesecake Factory. The first is the Bacon Bacon Burger. It’s stacked high with cheese and bacon of course. The patties are always juicy and they use Udis gluten free burger buns which is nice.

The second go to item is their Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. It is hands down the best cheesecake I’ve ever had. Be mindful with how rich it is. It is a good sized piece of cake, but very sharable. It’s so sweet and filling, Aimee and I always share a piece. The only question is who gets to eat the chocolate bar on top? It’s usually Aimee because I get the whipped cream! That’s a pretty fair trade to me!

Not in the mood for The Cheesecake Factory? Then checkout these other restaurant options I’ve taken a deeper look at. Maybe you will find what you are looking for there!

• The Melting Pot
• Carrabba’s
• Olive Garden
• Red Robin

Let me know what you think in the comments below or on Instagram! I would love to hear from you!