Wait, did I just change my tune on chain restaurants?!
All this is to say, chain restaurants were a mainstay and a core memory of my childhood.
I craved the variety; the potential for education; the possibility of surprise.
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Somewhere along the way, I guess that I began to believe that chains lacked editing.
If you were trying to be something for everyone, you cant really be for anyone, I believed.
A supersized chain menu thats overflowing with options feels overwhelming and lacking perspective.
My pals seemed to fall into one of two camps:what are you waiting for?
At dinner club, I mentioned my growing curiosity to some of my most devoted food-loving friends.
Without hesitation, three of them excitedly volunteered to take me on my maiden voyage.
My First Trip to The Cheesecake Factory
We arrived around 7:15 p.m. on a Monday evening.
The length and diversity of the menu blew me away too.
It had so many pages, there was even room for a couple soda ads!
My tablemates asked for theFried Chicken Club Salad, theFamous Factory Meatloaf, and theLemon-Garlic Shrimppasta.
Our server was clearly well-trained.
As for the food, The Factorys reputation for overdelivering on portion size was no joke.
Then ate a few bites more.
Youre politically on one far end of the spectrum or the other.
Youre Team Bravo, or think its a total waste of time.
At a place like The Cheesecake Factory, theres a little something for everyone.Meatloaf.
Mid-way through my steak medallions, I took a moment to soak up the scene.
At that moment, it struck me.
Yes, I will always adore supporting myfavorite local restaurants.
But theres something really lovely about the familiar.
About the common denominator.
About the common ground.
It turns out, if you are trying to be something for everyone, then youarefor everyone.
And theres something really beautiful about that.
