Planning a trip to Cheesecake Factory?

James Joyner has some good advice when dining out:

. . . one of the things that has long occurred to me about restaurant dining is that, because every customer must be served the same portion size (within allowances for human error) they’re naturally going to provide huge amounts of food. If you serve a 275 pound man an amount of food that would be appropriate for a 125 pound woman, he’s going to still be hungry at the end of his meal and therefore a dissatisfied customer. Because the marginal cost of additional food (especially pasta, potatoes, and the like) is negligible, it’s just good business to pile it on. Naturally, everyone else will be given too much to eat and all but the most disciplined will overeat.

Two obvious ways health conscious diners can adjust are to resolve to take half the food home with them — better yet, get a “doggy bag” before starting eating and divide it right away — or to share food. My wife and I will often order an appetizer and a single entree if we’re out and not returning immediately home. Otherwise, I’m happy to have extra food for the next day’s lunch.

Regardless, if one combines the meal with half a bottle of wine and a cocktail or two — much less dessert — blowing through the recommended daily calorie allotment is just about guaranteed.

Of course, avoiding restaurants with the words “cheesecake” or “factory” in the name is probably the best advice for those seeking to stay slim.

This has long been our practice when dining at establishments like Cheesecake Factory that specialize in enormous portions. One of their appetizer portions is more than enough for me, especially when coupled with a beverage and the complimentary bread service. If I do order a full entrée it's always with an eye toward what will keep well. Hint: the factory meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggies are great heated up in the microwave even after several days in the fridge. The cajun chicken littles keep well too, but need to be heated up in a toaster oven to avoid sogginess. Bon appétit!