The Cheesecake Factory 2 with Arden Myrin

"The Cheesecake Factory 2 with Arden Myrin" is Episode 270 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Cookie Ass Wiger. "The Cheesecake Factory 2 with Arden Myrin" was released on September 24, 2020.

## Synopsis

Arden Myrin (*Insatiable*, *Will You Accept This Rose?*, *Little Miss Little Compton: A Memoir*) joins the 'boys to talk about chain food, East Coast eats and The Cheesecake Factory. Plus, a Coca-Cola edition of Jingle All The Weigh.

## Cookie Ass's intro

In 2004, the UK's Channel Four debuted *Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares*, a reality show where celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay intervened to save failing restaurants from their inept ownership.

In 2007, the hit format moved across the pond to the US and the American *Kitchen Nightmares* saw Ramsay [move] from a calm, if often frustrated, Dr. Jekyll to a screaming megalomaniacal Mr. Hyde, in what proved to be a savvy decision by the host and/or the show's producers, given American viewers' love of conflict and dominance.

But though the tones may clash, common to both versions is Ramsay's rule which he implores chefs and management to follow: "keep it simple." Much of his restoration process involves streamlining sprawling menus, stripping them down to the bare bones to what that chef and concept can most ably execute.

And while this may be prudent as a general rule, there's one restaurant that flouts this guidance with a defiant intensity of an extended middle finger - and it happens to be one of the most successful and beloved restaurant chains in America.

Founded as a cake shop in Los Angeles in 1972 by Oscar and Evelyn Orton\*, by 1978, their son David Orton\* opened a restaurant in Beverly Hills serving and named for his Mom's desserts alongside a one-page menu of savory lunch fare. The concept was a quick hit and as its locations grew to its current 200+, so too did the chain's massive portions, giant, intentionally gaudy dining rooms, and novella-length menu which currently clocks in at nearly 6000 words.

And while this 'more is more' approach might be a kitchen nightmare to a profanity-spewing Gordon Ramsay, its approachable upscale concept has proven to be the American restaurant patron's dream.

This week on Doughboys, we return to The Cheesecake Factory.

*[Nick says 'Orton,' but the founders' name was Overton. - ed.]*

## Fork rating

The first time the Doughboys reviewed Cheesecake Factory was back in episode 67 when it received 5 forks all around and made the Platinum Plate Cub.

For the trip in this episode, it was Nick's 40th birthday meal!

* Loaded Baked Potato Tots
* Kale Caesar Salad
* Louisiana Chicken Pasta
* Vanilla Bean Cheesecake
* Jamaican Black Pepper Shrimp [Natalie's order]
* Lemoncello Cream Torte [Natalie's order]
 Mike Mitchell
* Tossed Green Salad
* Cheeseburger Spring Rolls
* Louisiana Chicken Pasta
* Chocolate Tuxedo Cream Cheesecake
* Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake
 Arden Myrin
* Grilled Avocado Thai Lettuce Wraps
* Grilled Steak Tacos

Thus, with these scores, The Cheesecake Factory remains firmly in the Platinum Plate Club!

## Jingle All The Weigh 🎶

In this segment, Cookie Ass plays a fast-food jingle and Mitch and the guest try to guess which year it came out.

The closest guess, without going over, wins that question. Guessing it correctly gets an extra point.

Today's quiz was all Coke and Diet Coke jingles.

Arden dominates and is the Jingle Champion!

## Photos

Bread and ButterKale Caesar SaladLoaded Baked Potato TotsPeach SmoothieLouisiana Chicken PastaJamaican Black Pepper ShrimpVanilla Bean CheesecakeLemoncello Cream TorteBread and ButterTossed Green SaladLouisiana Chicken PastaChocolate Tuxedo CheesecakePineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake