I Tried The Cheesecake Factory's New Menu — Here Are The 5 Best Items

As the last days of summer turn to fall, it's easy to feel like you're already missing the best part of the year. But don't fear: There's definitely more to look forward to, especially inside your favorite restaurants. With the new season comes new menus and seasonal dishes, particularly from The Cheesecake Factory. The chain launched 15 new menu items to greet us in autumn, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to taste them and recommend my favorites.

There are a variety of brand new additions to the already overflowing selections from The Cheesecake Factory (the majority of which are surprisingly made from scratch), with everything from appetizers to sandwiches to cocktails, and yes, a new cheesecake, making an appearance. It was hard to compare many of these dishes and drinks against each other, as they were quite different; however, some quickly rose to the top of my list for future orders. Take a look at what's on offer, and make a note of what to look forward to in the coming months.

Some recommendations are based on firsthand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer. Prices are as of the date of publication and may vary based on region.

I tasted 10 total items; four appetizers (Chicken and Waffle Skewers, Double Smash Cheeseburger Bites, Pigs in a Blanket, and Sweet-Soy Glazed Ribs); three sandwiches (Crispy Factory Fish Sandwich, Blackened Factory Fish Sandwich, and Modern Cheesesteak); two main dishes (Mediterranean Bowl and Shakshuka Omelette); and one dessert (Brownie Crunch Choc-a-Lot Cheesecake). There were also five cocktails: Pineapple Coconut Dream (non-alcoholic), Peach Bellini Spritz, White Sangria, Lava Flow Punch, and Raspberry Sour.

Of course, it's hard to evaluate a Bellini against a fish sandwich, however, I certainly tried my best. I asked the kitchen to course out the food, so that I was able to taste everything relatively close to its intended temperature and composition. First, the appetizers, then the drinks, followed by the sandwiches, then main courses, and finally the cheesecake. I was looking primarily for the best-tasting food and drinks, best presentation, and ultimately what I wanted more of (and what I wanted to take home for later). I also considered the overall value of the meal as well. 

This drink was not just the best of the four I tried; it was also something I'd order over some of the food dishes. This Peach Bellini Spritz was light, refreshing, and the perfect drink for brunch with friends on the weekend — I imagined sipping on it outside on a sunny patio. The Cheesecake Factory twist on a traditional Bellini swaps Giffard Peach Liqueur for actual peach juice (a must for the classic Bellini), and includes Prosecco, ice, and a fresh, full strawberry garnish. 

While I do appreciate fresh juice, the Peach Liqueur is a smoother option that gives the cocktail just a hint of peach flavor. The Prosecco has small, effervescent bubbles, and the wine glass it was served in was filled to the brim. At 280 calories and ringing up around $16, the drink overall satisfies my budget as well.

I'd like to note that the other drinks — Pineapple Coconut Dream, White Sangria, Lava Flow Punch, and Raspberry Sour — were fine to sip on, but they weren't my favorites. The Pineapple Coconut Dream, which is The Cheesecake Factory's take on a dirty soda, was just too sweet and heavy. The White Sangria was also a bit too sweet, and didn't have any real fruit included, which I prefer. The Lava Flow Punch was certainly alcohol-forward, with the alcohol being rum, but felt a little overwhelming for a daytime experience. Finally, while I am a bourbon drinker, I have never personally liked whiskey sours, and the Raspberry Sour was just not fruity enough to overcome that tart taste.

The Cheesecake Factory's Pigs in a Blanket are, in a word, excellent. What really elevates them are the size of the bites themselves. Instead of individual small cocktail wieners, these little piggies are slices of a full-sized all-beef hot dog. I'm accustomed to store-bought pastry from previous versions I've tried, but the croissant-like pastry dough wrapped around these dogs was sweet, flaky, and buttery. The Pigs in a Blanket are also served with a side of tangy honey mustard, which perfectly complements the salty and sweet flavors in the bite. A tray of this classic party appetizer is 730 calories and costs around $11. I would absolutely order them as a starter for a meal and still have a few bites left over for the next day.

I do want to shout out the Chicken and Waffle Skewers and the Sweet-Soy Glazed Ribs, as well. While ribs generally are not my favorite snack or main, the bite-size version was tender and savory — although they were extremely messy; you'll probably need a wet wipe accompaniment. I did enjoy the skewers; the fried chicken bites were deliciously crispy, and the cheddar cheese and green chile baked into the waffle pieces were genuinely innovative and surprising. However, the maple-butter syrup drizzle made them sticky, so I had to give the nod to the Pigs in a Blanket, which didn't require me to wash my hands (immediately) after.

I don't think you can go to The Cheesecake Factory and not try a cheesecake (the original still seems to be a fan favorite). With over 30 varieties, many of which our taster ranked from worst to best, you're very likely to find something that sends you home with a smile on your face, and closing out my meal experience with the Brownie Crunch Choc-a-Lot Cheesecake did just that. While technically this cheesecake is not part of the "new" fall menu, it is the newest addition, having launched on July 30 in honor of National Cheesecake Day.

I generally prefer fruit desserts, like pies or crumbles; I'm really not used to leaning so heavily on chocolate. But I can't deny that this dessert is simply delicious. It starts with a bottom brownie layer, loaded with Heath Bar pieces and semi-sweet chocolate chips, and topped with more Heath Bar streusel. Then there is a layer of salted Hershey's chocolate ganache, followed by a layer of Hershey's milk chocolate cheesecake and Hershey's white crème cheesecake swirled with salted caramel and chocolate chips. The dessert is finished with a marbled chocolate and white crème mousse with chopped Heath Bar on top (and whipped cream on the side).

The entire concoction is salty, sweet, and decadent. I certainly did not come close to finishing it, but I sure did enjoy the several bites I consumed and would be thrilled to try again in the future. It has 1,500 calories and costs around $12.

The absolute winner in the new appetizer category is the Double Smash Cheeseburger Bites. Just looking at these small burgers made me hungry. They're each loaded up with two layers of burger patties, two more layers of cheese, grilled onions, and a special sauce and come with a two-pickle spear. They smelled amazing and its taste did not disappoint. While I'm not typically an American cheese fan, this melty cheese didn't have a processed flavor, and the patties were well-seasoned and juicy. The sauce was tangy, and the pickles gave a nice crunchy texture. This was a nice, filling appetizer (one order comes with two burgers, so it's good for sharing), and it would be a great way to start a meal. The Double Smash Cheeseburger Bites have 610 calories and cost around $11.

While we're talking meat and buns, I'd also like to mention the Blackened Factory Fish Sandwich. It didn't make it onto this list because it failed in some of the areas where the Cheeseburger Bites succeeded. It also has melted cheese and tartar sauce, but overall, it was just wet and drippy. The taste of the swordfish was just hard to discern among the coleslaw, large slice of cheese, and accompanying sauces.

My favorite item that I tried during this taste test was the outstanding Mediterranean Bowl. This main dish was so flavorful and delectable that I found myself eating more of it than I intended to. It's filled to the brim with grilled chicken skewers, yellow rice, a tomato and cucumber salad, and feta cheese. It came with pillowy pita bread and a yogurt dipping sauce on the side. The dish has 1,430 calories and costs around $17.

The cold tomato and cucumbers were crisp and crunchy, which paired nicely with the fresh-off-the-grill chicken, which was seasoned just right and perfectly tender. There was also plenty of rice, which was filling, well-salted, and the appropriate side dish for the chicken and vegetables. This dish offers a variety of flavors and textures in one dish. I took half of it home to have for lunch the next day, and I appreciate that it held up. I look forward to ordering it the next time I'm at The Cheesecake Factory.

None of the new menu selections I sampled were unappealing. I appreciate that everything at The Cheesecake Factory always tastes fresh and homemade, even though I may not want to order certain dishes again. It's clear that the chain's success can be attributed to offering something for everyone, which explains why its menu is expansive and covers many categories. 

While a perfect meal for me would include the five items listed above, I also would not be upset if any of the other items ended up in the mix. In fact, I do want to mention three additional dishes below that didn't make it into the top five but were very close, and I could see myself ordering in the future.

The first honorable mention goes to the Crispy Factory Fish Sandwich, which held up much better than its Blackened Factory Fish counterpart. The Crispy Fish has a breaded and fried swordfish patty, melted cheese, coleslaw, and tartar sauce on a sesame seed bun. I often prefer grilled fish, but this sandwich needed the crispy fish to hold up to wetter elements like the tartar sauce and coleslaw. It contrasted with the colder components, and the patty itself was well-seasoned and pleasantly crunchy. The Crispy Factory Fish Sandwich has 1,460 calories and costs around $20.

The Modern Cheesesteak, which has 1,490 calories and costs around $27, was a pleasant surprise, too. The mix of melted cheese and onions with the thinly cut and browned beef was a winner. The reason this sandwich didn't make it into the top category was that the green peppers were a bit mushy and overcooked, but I'd be willing to give it another try. Like the Factory Fish Sandwiches, the Modern Cheesesteak comes with a crispy side of fries.

A final honorable mention goes to the Shakshuka Omelette, which, like the Mediterranean Bowl, has a lot going on. It's filled with roasted red peppers, onions, spinach, and feta cheese, topped with a spicy tomato sauce, and served with a side of pita bread and crispy potatoes. While this dish would be a pleasant brunch option — the eggs were fluffy and the omelette itself was well-made — one of its fillings was slightly over-salted (I suspect it was the red pepper). However, it was likely a one-off issue, and I'd certainly be willing to try it again. The Shakshuka Omelette has 1,020 calories and rings up around $18.