The Cheesecake Factory is a Mecca of delicious food that's loved by almost everyone. Vegans, however, might be a little wary of going there because, at least as of now, their top-selling item (cheesecake) is definitely not vegan. While you can't get vegan cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory (*sigh*), their menu actually offers a variety of really good vegan food options. Read on to find out what Cheesecake Factory vegan items you can order. In the meantime, harass The Cheesecake Factory on social media to make them finally develop vegan cheesecake.
Vegan Cobb Salad
No modifications are needed for this superfood-packed salad, as it already comes on the menu as vegan. The salad is loaded with quinoa, green beans, roasted beets, avocado, garbanzo beans, farro, tomato, grilled asparagus, almonds, sunflower seeds, and their house vinaigrette. With this plentiful bounty of colorful ingredients, this salad is sure to fill you up and leave you satisfied, no additional meat or dairy needed.
Avocado Toast
The Cheesecake Factory is obviously on-trend with what's popular in the food world these days. Their avocado toast is made with fresh mashed avocado on grilled artisan bread, topped with tomato, watercress, radishes, and red onion. This scrumptious appetizer is a great choice for any foodie, vegan or not.
Fresh Vegetable Salad
Yet another colorful salad that the Cheesecake Factory offers, this gorgeous dish contains asparagus, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted beets, apples, edamame, and radicchio on a base of romaine. To make this vegan, ask for it without the white cheddar cheese. With all these delicious veggies you're sure to meet your suggested daily serving, along with all the nutritional benefits that come with them.
French Fries
French fries are forever a safe bet for vegans, especially at The Cheesecake Factory where they're fried to crispy perfection and served with just a hint of salt. Just make sure to tell your server you're vegan to prevent any cross contamination from the fryer. Then dip away in vegan condiments like ketchup or BBQ sauce.
Fire-Roasted Fresh Artichoke
This seasonal veggie gets a feisty makeover when fire-roasted over an open flame, giving it a smoky, irresistible taste. This also plays up the artichoke's earthy flavors, which are also full of antioxidants and dietary fiber. The fiber will help you feel full and satisfied with this yummy appetizer, just leave out the garlic dip and butter, and enjoy with spicy vinaigrette instead.
Kale and Quinoa Salad
Most vegans love their kale and quinoa, so they're sure to love this "super" food salad from Cheesecake Factory. I'm not judging, as kale is indeed very good for you, containing a pretty good amount of protein, fiber, and vitamins. Along with kale and quinoa, this salad is topped with grapes, red bell peppers, sunflower seeds, and lemon vinaigrette, providing fruity and zesty flavors with every bite.
Veggie Burger (Without Cheese and Mayo)
Depending on location this may be made with egg, so make sure to ask your server and clarify that it's not. Without egg, this "burger" is a great choice for vegans, as it's full of filling ingredients like farro, black beans, brown rice, and mushrooms. These also add to the burger's exceptional flavors and textures, making it so good you won't even miss the mayo or cheese. For uber healthiness, order with a lettuce "bun" and opt for a side of vegetables or salad.
Falafel Salad
Falafel is one of my fave sources of plant-based proteins, as it's filling, flavorful, and extremely versatile. The Cheesecake Factory takes their crispy falafel balls and pops them on a salad made of romaine, kale, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and pita chips. It's the perfect dish for when you need something a little bit more substantial, with all the Mediterranean flair you'd expect in a Greek-esque salad.
#SpoonTip: To make this vegan, ask for no feta and swap the yogurt dressing for another option.
Fresh Asparagus
Okay so asparagus might not be as tempting as French fries, but sometimes you just really need veggies to freshen up your college diet. The Cheesecake Factory's asparagus is served crisp and tender, providing a satisfy crunch with every bite. Order it on the side of the aforementioned veggie burger for a wholesome, balanced meal.
California Guacamole Salad
Good news, guac is not extra on this salad. Filled with mixed greens, avocado, corn, black beans, onions, radishes, tomatoes, cilantro, and crispy tortillas, the California Guacamole Salad is like a glorified taco salad. Pair it with one of Cheesecake Factory's fruity margs for a makeshift fiesta worth celebrating.
#SpoonTip: Make this vegan by asking for no cheese and swap out the avocado cream drizzle for another dressing.
Beets with Goat Cheese (Without Goat Cheese)
Personally, I find goat cheese gross anyway, so scratching that out is perfectly fine with me. Additionally, other than the beets, this colorful side contains apples, baby arugula, pecans and a light vinaigrette. Each bite delivers a multitude of various scrumptious textures along with a crispness from the arugula and sweet notes from the apples and pecans. Bonus points for all the health benefits that come with beets.
Evelyn's Favorite Pasta (Without Butter or Parmesan)
I'm not sure who Evelyn is, but I can see why this pasta is her favorite. It's loaded with broccoli, oven-dried tomatoes, zucchini, roasted eggplant, peppers, artichoke, Kalamata olives, and a garlic and pine nut pesto. Basically, it's a vegetable lover's dream. Combined with rigatoni noodles and pesto, you won't be able to control yourself from devouring this colorful dish before anyone else even takes a bite.
Super Antioxidant Salad
If you're fighting a cold, this antioxidant salad is the perfect choice for you. Every delicious bowl is full of a variety of fruits and veggies, including grapes, broccoli, kale, blueberries, and avocado, that make this salad a rainbow of healthiness. It's also topped with sunflower seeds, almonds, and a vegan blueberry-lemon vinaigrette that adds sweet and citrusy notes to every bite.
Steamed Edamame
This edamame is a great appetizer for vegans, as it's chock full of plant-based protein, fiber, and pretty much every nutrient our body needs to stay healthy. A sprinkle of salt and pepper is all this magical bean needs to provide a shareable healthy app for the table.
This roundup proves that The Cheesecake Factory can be a great option for both vegans and non-vegans alike. Even meat eaters might opt for these vegan options themselves, as all the choices provide a filling and delicious meal that's sure to satisfy anyone. Of course, their vegan dessert options are a bit lacking, but you can always go home afterwards and make one of these vegan desserts yourself. But really, it's about time they create a vegan cheesecake, amirite?