The Cheesecake Factory has become one of the most recognizable names in American dining, with more than 200 locations nationwide. And now, I can say that I have been to one.



Foodies tend to have a love-hate relationship with The Cheesecake Factory. While it’s not hailed as a fine dining destination, it holds a certain fun-loving charm and delivers on comfort food cravings with massive portions and decadent cheesecakes. Some criticize the chain’s sprawling menu for being overwhelming and lacking focus. The over-the-top experience is more about indulgence and consistency than culinary innovation.



It's known for its grand, ornate dining rooms with marble accents, warm lighting, and an almost theatrical atmosphere. A hodge-podge of over-the-top styles.



The menu is famously massive: spiral-bound and more than 20 pages long, with options that span nearly every cuisine. You’ll find everything from burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas to Asian-inspired stir-fries, tacos, and Southern comfort dishes. Pastas and seafood are popular staples, and the “SkinnyLicious” section offers lighter versions of classic plates. Of course, the highlight comes at the end: more than 30 flavors of cheesecake, along with other layered cakes and specialty desserts.



Let's talk about thar complimentary bread basket. The star is the famous brown bread, a soft, slightly sweet loaf with a hearty wheat flavor and just enough chew to make it addictive - like a honey wheat. It’s served warm, with a light crust that gives way to a tender center, and pairs perfectly with a swipe of butter.



Farfalle with Chicken and Roasted Garlic is made with bow-tie pasta tossed in a creamy roasted garlic Parmesan sauce with chunks of chicken, peas, and sometimes mushrooms. The peas add a pop of sweetness to balance the rich, garlicky cream sauce. Tender chunks of chicken add heartiness, while the peas pop with a fresh sweetness that cuts through the creaminess, making every forkful balanced and satisfying.



No dessert this time because I was so full, I thought I might burst.

The 25th Annual Ribfest in Marmet featured a handful of BBQ vendors. Held at the Ben Morris football stadium, the event also featured live music, food vendors, amusement rides in the Kids Zone, petting zoo & more. It costs $6 (cash) to get in, so I took a loop to see what is all available. There were a few standard, general vendors you see at events like this - the fried foods, the old timey drinks, the old fashioned ice cream. Johnson's BBQ & Cowboys BBQ are two BBQ vendors I've had in past years, so I checked out the other two. Swine BBQ is based out of Medina, Ohio, and features Texas-style smoked meats. I got four rib bones here, which don't come sauced. I made samples of their sweet and golden BBQ sauces to try with the ribs. Overall, these were a bit on the dry side, but I appreciated the lack of fat and still fairly tender. Old Town BBQ is a traveling BBQ team with award-winning ribs. I did a half rack here with baked beans (!) and potato salad. Again, the ribs here were dry. I think I've become spoiled with competition-style BBQ, and these ones are made and put in a warming pan. The potato salad was bangin. The beans reminded me why I don't love baked beans. Or, at least, not these kind. Pop's Snow Palace & Treats Peach lemonade is just one of my favorites. Shrimp Lips The crab mac & cheese wasn't bad, but the mac itself was just too thick and dense.

I stumbled upon the Mound Arts & Crafts Fair in South Charleston today and went to check out what food options they had available. I had tried most of the options before, but the Southridge Pacesetters Lions Club stuck out to me because I had a good feeling that meant some good homemade grub. And, I was right. They were offering homemade BBQ with slaw and hot dogs with chili & slaw. I ordered a hotdog with everything: ketchup, mustard, onions, chili and slaw. I think this is the first time I've had ketchup with the traditional slawdog toppings. And, I think I like it better? It adds just that touch of sweetness that sometimes the chili can lack.

But, this was a delicious hotdog. Perhaps my favorite in recent memory. The slaw was super finally chopped, the chili had a great flavor, and the onions were the perfect size. My only complaint is that it fell apart a bit. The bun could've helped keep it together. But major points for taste overall.

Evan’s Sweets in Princeton, is a hometown favorite known for its frozen custard, chili dogs, and other classic fast-food staples. Located at 509 Rogers Street, the shop has an old-school, retro vibe with a drive-thru. I ordered the "custard & cobbler" - frozen custard base (rich, creamy, ice-cream-like) topped with fruit cobbler. The dish brings together rich creaminess and warm, fruity sweetness. Grade: A

D'Paulo's Pizzeria is a hometown pizza joint know for its square pizza with California tomatoes, provolone cheese and crispy crust.



This location previously was home to a DiCarlo's Pizza, and the mark of Ohio Valley pizza seems to have influenced D'Paulo's offerings.



But you know I'm not mad about this. The crispy crust pizza provides a solid foundation for a layer of perfectly spiced sauce and shredded provolone. if I had my way, the cheese would've been added at the very end. But, still a pretty tasty square of pizza.



Grade: A

The Catering Ladies is a local caterer - specializing in all your catering needs in the tristate region for over 11 years.

"We are savvy in the kitchen, but not on the computer," their Facebook reads. I hadn't heard of them before, but I did get to enjoy some of their offerings this evening well, enjoying a presentation from Angelica Gilleran of Strong Rapport as part of the WELD Charleston event.

The grazing table included a cream cheese dip with crackers, cupcakes, grapes, pineapple, party mix, watermelon balls, carrots, cheese, salami, celery and cucumbers - quite an interesting mix. All tasty.

Sweet Charity returned to Charleston on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, after a four-year hiatus, bringing an evening of sweets and community spirit to Capitol Market. Hosted by Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley, the event ran from 7 to 9 p.m. and featured a wide array of signature desserts created by local bakers. Guests who purchased a $40 Taste Passport sampled the treats while a panel of judges evaluated each entry on taste, creativity, and presentation. The lively competition not only highlighted local culinary talent but also raised funds to support Faith in Action’s community programs, making the evening both indulgent and impactful. 1. Café Appalachia 2. Chef Ke - this bread pudding was to die for! 3. Coco’s Kitchen + Café - blondie with tahini! 4. Edgewood Country Club - white chocolate won folks over 5. Edgewood Summit 6. Girl Scouts of Black Diamond - loved trying their new cookie, Exploremores. 7. Rainy Day Bakes - brand new to me with a light cake and fruity filling 8. Sugar Shenanigans - Dubai chocolate heaven 9. Sweet Mama’s - I heard this peanut butter brownie situation was wonderful.

Route 22 Sports Bar is located in Weirton and is designed as a classic sports bar and grill, featuring multiple big-screen TVs throughout the space with live sports from any seat. The layout includes both ground-level seating and an upper balcony, giving it a roomy feel, while the large bar with a bottoms-up beer tap system is a centerpiece. The menu leans on American bar favorites with some creative twists - liks burgers, wraps, and wings. The fish and chips stick close to the classic with a battered fish that’s fried until golden and served atop a pile of fries. The portion is hearty, and the fish had a flaky interior that was a bit fishier than usual. The sliders come as a shareable option, offering smaller versions of their burgers with soft buns and juicy patties. They’re simple but satisfyinh. The ribeye was a bit chewy and gray, so I'd opt out of that next time. The buffalo chicken dip, though, was a hit. It was served hot and creamy with plenty of shredded chicken and a balanced kick of spice. Grade: C