The Unhealthiest Menu Items At The Cheesecake Factory (And What To Order Instead)

The Cheesecake Factory is most famous for the dessert in its name: cheesecake. Since first opening its doors as a Los Angeles bakery back in 1972, The Cheesecake Factory has expanded from a simple dessert purveyor into a restaurant with a massive menu that boasts over 250 items proudly made from scratch. 

As famous for its decadent creations as it is for the enormous portions, the restaurant chain doesn't shy away from offering guests plenty of bang for their buck. Unfortunately, if you're watching what you eat and trying to err on the healthier side of things, The Cheesecake Factory can be a bit of a minefield to navigate. While there are some smaller portions and health-conscious items on the menu, the dishes we're about to discuss are not among them. From high calorie counts to extravagant amounts of fat, sodium, and sugar, you'll want to avoid these menu items the next time you pay a visit to The Cheesecake Factory.

Combining two beloved sweets into one –– red velvet cake and cheesecake –– means you're definitely increasing the amount of calories, fat, and sugar. A single slice of the Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake will net you 1580 calories, 116 grams of fat (including 62 grams of saturated fat), and a whopping 104 grams of sugar.

While we know that if you're hitting up The Cheesecake Factory, you're probably not looking to save on calories, it might be beneficial to go with the OG version instead: A slice of Original Cheesecake has a slightly more modest 830 calories, 59 grams of fat, and 51 grams of added sugar. 

A single Bacon-Bacon Cheeseburger is a meaty mouthful that contains 1610 calories, 110 grams of fat (45 of which are saturated fat), and 3550 milligrams of sodium. For reference, 2300 milligrams is the recommended limit for sodium intake among adults, which means this one order surpasses your entire daily allotment by quite a bit.

If you really need a burger, we suggest the Old Fashioned Burger, which eschews the double dose of bacon and cheese in favor of fresh veggies like lettuce, tomato, and onion. The Old Fashioned Burger still isn't what we'd call a health food (it is a burger, after all), but costs you far less, with 990 calories, 60 grams of fat, and 1880 milligrams of sodium.

Simply looking at this burger –– which is basically a brioche baguette loaf with three burgers in one –– should be an indication that more is definitely more when it comes to calories, fat, and sodium. The French Dip Cheeseburger is served with cheese, grilled onions, sriracha mayo, and a cup of au jus for dipping. It's greasy, fatty, and likely delicious –– but it also clocks in at 1620 calories, 118 grams of fat (48 grams saturated) and 3470 milligrams of sodium.

Instead, up your protein intake with something that's just as luxe but a whole lot healthier: filet mignon. This beautiful piece of steak comes with a side of mashed potatoes and green beans. In total, it's 880 calories with 38 grams of fat. It also boasts 67 grams of protein –– eight more than the French Dip Cheeseburger.

When we hear "salad," we usually think "healthy," right? Unfortunately, sneaky ingredients can transform a salad from a good choice into something that's filled with fat, sugar, and sodium. Case in point: The Cheesecake Factory's Chinese Chicken Salad. This menu option features almonds, rice noodles, and crispy fried wontons, all drizzled in a sweet plum dressing. The result is a salad that's 1630 calories, contains 2960 milligrams of sodium (more than the recommended daily amount), 102 grams of fat, and 62 grams of sugar.

At The Cheesecake Factory, a portion of the menu is titled "Skinnylicious." There, hungry diners can find the Asian Chicken Salad, which has similar flavors and ingredients. However, more veggies –– in the form of romaine lettuce and carrots –– bulk up the salad and add some decent vitamins. While this substitute is still high on the sodium scale, it cuts way down on fat, calories, and sugar.

While every dessert at the Cheesecake Factory is better shared with a friend, some desserts require more than two people to offset the nutritional bomb, like this Chocolate Tower Truffle Cake. Multiple layers of chocolate fudge cake, chocolate truffle cream, and chocolate mousse combine to amass 1770 calories, 111 grams of fat (60 grams saturated), and 143 grams of sugar. The American Heart Association outlines that adults should consume no more than 25 to 37.5 grams of added sugar per day. Overconsumption of sugar can lead to weight gain, hypertension, and inflammation.

If you're looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, may we suggest adding some vitamins and a little dietary fiber? Order a bowl of strawberries and a side of hot fudge to dunk them in. While we're not suggesting that hot fudge is healthy, you'll still satisfy your chocolate cravings but on a much smaller scale, with some extra vitamins from the berries to boot.

Avocado and chicken are nutritious foods, rich in protein and healthy fats. However, where Sheila's Chicken and Avocado Salad deviates from the health plan is when it piles on fried tortilla strips, cashews, and a saccharine citrus-honey-peanut vinaigrette. All those mix-ins contribute to an astonishing 1820 calories, 124 grams of fat, 2150 milligrams of sodium, and 57 grams of sugar.

For a salad that still uses the nutritional powerhouses of chicken and avocado, try the Factory Chopped Salad. This salad adds tomatoes, corn, and even bacon for extra protein and nutrition. There's also blue cheese for those who enjoy the funk, but you can swap it for a cheese of your choice or nix it altogether. This salad comes in at 530 calories, 29 grams of fat, and 34 grams of protein, making it a better choice when the lunchtime tummy rumbles hit.

Many of us have resorted to a packed sandwich for lunch, from the classic peanut butter and jelly to a grilled cheese. A sandwich is a modest choice, ideal for a small, quick meal. If you know anything about the Cheesecake Factory, though, you know it doesn't do anything small, and its Chicken Parmesan Sandwich is proof.

With 1830 calories, 121 grams of fat (62 grams saturated), and 3600 milligrams of sodium, this sammie is a greasy, fatty, and salty catastrophe. Saturated fats are frequently found in meats and cheeses, which is the entirety of this sandwich. Too much saturated fat in your diet can increase the amount of LDL cholesterol (the "bad" kind) and lead to heart disease, which is why it's a good idea to keep your consumption low. If you simply must have this sandwich, we suggest eating only half and giving the other half to someone else.

Fish and chips sounds like it would be a healthy choice, but whether it's ordered from The Cheesecake Factory or at a diner, it loses any potential health benefits once it's battered and deep fried. An order of fish and chips here will cost you 1860 calories, 121 grams of fat (24 grams saturated), and 2940 milligrams of sodium.

If you want to reap the actual benefits of fish, try the branzino from the Skinnylicious menu. Served with a side of mashed potatoes, green beans, and a topping of shallots and tomatoes, it nets 530 calories, 1250 milligrams of sodium, 29 grams of fat, and 36 grams of protein. Unlike salmon –– a frequent flyer on The Cheesecake Factory's menu –– branzino had a mild, delicate taste that isn't at all fishy.

A pasta coated in a thick, rich, creamy sauce doesn't try to pretend to be a healthy food, and The Cheesecake Factory's version of fettuccine alfredo is no different. This indulgent pasta dish is a mammoth 1930 calories with 128 grams of fat (78 grams saturated fat) and 2570 milligrams of sodium. Even the lunch version of this dish doesn't fare much better, with 1450 calories, 94 grams of fat, and 2000 milligrams of sodium.

The Cheesecake Factory is notorious for its super-sized portions, and so if you must order this dish, we suggest getting a to-go box with your meal and piling at least half your plate inside. For a dish that's made with relatively few ingredients, there's not a lot that can be done to make this fettuccine alfredo healthier, except for eating less of it.

Meatloaf is a classic, old-fashioned dish, one that can get a reputation for being a bit boring, even (unless, that is, if you're upgrading from the standard ketchup sauce to something different). However, just because something is tried-and-true doesn't mean it's healthy. Enter: The Famous Factory Meatloaf. If this dish is going to be famous for anything, it's for the amount of sodium in it: a mind-boggling 5100 milligrams, more than twice the recommended daily limit. Add to that 1930 calories and 115 grams of fat (55 grams saturated) and you have a seriously unhealthy choice.

Instead, stick with something equally old-fashioned, but much better for you: the Old Fashioned Burger. With the addition of veggies, this burger comes in at less than half the total calories, almost less than half the amount of fat, and far below the amount of sodium of the Famous Factory Meatloaf.

The culinary minds at The Cheesecake Factory decided to test the limits of what pizza could be and, in doing so, created a gastronomic monstrosity that no Italian could claim ownership of: Chicken Parmesan "Pizza-Style." Imagine a pizza, except the crust is instead breaded chicken pounded into a flat, circular shape. Then, coat it with marinara sauce and melted cheese and pile it high with a twirl of angel hair pasta. That is what you're getting with this intense meal. (You're also getting 1940 calories, 123 grams of fat –– 61 of them the saturated kind –– and 3730 milligrams of sodium.)

Instead of treating it like a meal, consider it an app, and invite a few friends along to share it. All that heavy greasiness is best split among many people rather than consumed solo.

On its surface, the Barbecue Ranch Chicken Salad doesn't seem too bad: it contains chicken, avocado, corn, black beans, cucumber, tomato, and romaine lettuce. Things veer off course, however, once it's piled high with fried onion strings (more like onion rings, based on their size and girth) and drizzled with a heavy pour of barbecue ranch dressing. The result is a salad that weighs in at 1950 calories, 124 grams of fat, 2920 milligrams of sodium, and 64 grams of sugar.

For a similar flavor profile that's a whole lot lighter across the board, order the Mexican Tortilla Salad instead. You still get grilled chicken, black beans, and corn, but it's drizzled with a lighter vinaigrette and offers an avocado crema and salsa. A better choice for lunch or dinner, it's only 550 calories with 23 grams of fat and 29 grams of protein.

The fact that the Breakfast Burrito from the Cheesecake Factory is roughly the size of a newborn should tip you off to the fact that it's not the healthiest choice. At 2080 calories with 139 grams of fat and 4580 milligrams of sodium, it's the kind of breakfast food that'll have you heading back to bed to digest it.

For a more well-rounded breakfast that'll have you ready to start the day instead of looking to take a morning siesta, opt to make your own omelette instead. You can still include items from the Breakfast Burrito, like avocado, roasted peppers, and jack cheese, while skipping the unnecessary corn and flour tortillas, sour cream, ranchero sauce, and chicken chorizo. Instead, amp up the flavor with a side of salsa for dipping.

Ricotta cheese is an indulgent cheese all on its own, and one that's popular in everything from pancakes to lasagna (although we have some substitutes you might want to consider). While cottage cheese offers a similar tang to ricotta –– as well as more protein and less fat –– it's not an option for the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes you order at The Cheesecake Factory. (The restaurant chain does offer a recipe to make your own at home, where you could give this cheese swap a whirl.)

With 2100 calories, 103 grams of fat (44 of them saturated), 3660 milligrams of sodium, and 139 grams of sugar, we suggest splitting this stack with a friend (or two). Another suggestion would be to order the Giant Belgian Waffle instead. While not a great breakfast choice –– it only has six grams of protein –– you can load it up with fresh fruit for added fiber and vitamins.

This pasta dish has a nice dose of veggies with the broccoli, but it gets done in by the scoop of ricotta cheese, sausage, pancetta, and Parmesan cream sauce. That all adds up to a pasta worth 2100 calories with 151 grams of fat and 3970 milligrams of sodium.

To lighten up this pasta without sacrificing flavor, skip the scoop or ricotta and order an additional side of steamed broccoli. Mix the side of broccoli in with the pasta for a more filling, nutritionally balanced dish that helps stretch this carb-heavy dish. The added fiber and vitamins from the broccoli will help you feel fuller without sending you into a carb coma. (We also recommend saving half of this rigatoni dish to take home, too.)

We love pasta, but something like the Pasta Carbonara from The Cheesecake Factory can leave us uncomfortably full, thanks to add-ins like smoked bacon and a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce. A single order of the Pasta Carbonara with added chicken nets 2160 calories, 143 grams of fat (68 grams saturated), and a massive 4170 milligrams of sodium.

Unless you plan on sharing this dish with a bunch of friends, we suggest avoiding it altogether. The sheer amount of sodium and saturated fat presents a real problem for anyone with a history of heart disease or hypertension. Pasta carbonara may be good, but it's not worth risking our health.

Incredibly extravagant, the Chicken Bellagio from The Cheesecake Factory is perfectly named in honor of the Las Vegas hotel. This particular dish features a crispy breaded chicken breast that's layered with salty prosciutto and a Parmesan cream sauce before settling atop a pile of pasta. If it sounds like this might be a little too rich for your blood, that's because it likely is: a single order is 2020 calories with 116 grams of fat and 4660 milligrams of sodium.

If you're looking to lighten up this heavy dish, ask your server if you can exchange the breaded chicken breast for a grilled one, and for the chef to go light on the sauce. This can help cut down on the amount of fat and sodium in your order, as well as the amount of calories, with tweaks that still keep the soul of the dish intact.

Fried chicken strikes again with this bowtie pasta dish that combines mushrooms, peppers, and onions in a spicy New Orleans sauce. Like all of the other pasta dishes on offer at The Cheesecake Factory, we recommend splitting this dish with a friend in order to reduce the 2270 calories, 132 grams of fat, and 4660 milligrams of sodium.

You could cut things down even further by ordering a similar, but slightly less heavy dish: the Cajun Jambalaya Pasta. Chicken, peppers, and onions join tomatoes and shrimp in this dish that uses a spicy Cajun sauce. The Cajun Jambalaya Pasta nets 1270 calories and 49 grams of fat, but the sodium level is still very high. If that's something you're watching, you'll need to have plenty of water on hand and maybe still only enjoy half of your order in one sitting.

French toast is not a great choice for a healthy breakfast, with the sugar, carbs, and minimal protein leading to a potential energy crash only a couple hours later. It sweetness also lends itself to even sweeter iterations — caramel pecan French toast, anyone? — and it becomes an even less than ideal way to start your day when you coat it in caramelized sugar, as The Cheesecake Factory has done here with its Brûléed French Toast.

This French toast has an incredibly high amount of sugar (65 grams –– more than a slice of the chain's Original Cheesecake), 2310 calories, and 198 grams of fat. Skip the sweet and go with a standard order or bacon, eggs, and toast. You'll get some good protein to keep you feeling fuller longer and cut way down on unnecessary fat and sugar. (Add some full-fruit jam to your toast if you need a taste of something sweet.)

Cinnamon rolls and pancakes are some of the most decadent breakfast foods available. A single order of Cinnamon Roll Pancakes from The Cheesecake Factory is more than your entire recommended calorie allotment for the day at 2360 calories, more than twice your recommended fat intake at 123 grams, and almost twice the amount of recommended sodium, with 3910 milligrams.

Among all the pastas, burgers, and desserts, it was a humble stack of pancakes that took the crown for being the least healthy item on the menu. Sure, you could split it between a few people, but it would take a pretty large group to scale the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes down to a manageable amount. We suggest skipping it altogether.