The Cheesecake Factory
How to Order Lighter at The Cheesecake Factory
The standard advice — "just get a salad" — collapses immediately at most casual dining chains, because the salads are often the most calorie-dense items on the menu thanks to creamy dressings, candied nuts and fried protein. The Cheesecake Factory is no exception. Here is what actually works.
Five lighter picks
- Brown Bread Mini Loaf — 150 cal, 4g protein
- SkinnyLicious Grilled Salmon — 590 cal, 57g protein
- SkinnyLicious Asian Chicken Salad — 590 cal, 42g protein
- SkinnyLicious Lemon-Garlic Shrimp — 610 cal, 42g protein
- Stuffed Mushrooms — 830 cal, 32g protein
Five to plan around (or split with a friend)
- Bang-Bang Chicken & Shrimp — 2480 cal, 3680 mg sodium
- Louisiana Chicken Pasta — 2370 cal, 2790 mg sodium
- Pasta Carbonara with Chicken — 2290 cal, 3210 mg sodium
- Cajun Jambalaya Pasta — 2240 cal, 3210 mg sodium
- Chicken Marsala & Mushrooms — 1820 cal, 2980 mg sodium
A couple of universal moves at The Cheesecake Factory
- Skip the complimentary bread/breadsticks at the table — they are easily 300+ calories before the meal arrives.
- Order any creamy or vinaigrette dressing on the side; it usually doubles a salad's calorie count.
- When in doubt, swap fries for a side of seasonal vegetables or a side salad with vinaigrette on the side.
- Box half before you start. Restaurant portions are calibrated for sharing, even when they are not labeled that way.
Browse the full The Cheesecake Factory nutrition guide on the brand page above for any item we did not call out here.