Cheesecake Factory Keto Guide: Best Dishes to Order

When you committed to the keto lifestyle, you might not have anticipated the challenges of dining at fast-food restaurants. You probably assume there's nothing for you at a restaurant that has the word "cheesecake" in its name, but you would be wrong. While many menu items are indeed carb-heavy, there are several dishes that fit neatly into a keto diet. In this Cheesecake Factory keto guide, we'll tell you what those meals are and provide tips for how to navigate a menu filled with temptations.

Jump to:

• Best Keto Options You Can Find at Cheesecake Factory
• Conclusion
• Frequently asked questions

Best Keto Options You Can Find at Cheesecake Factory

While The Cheesecake Factory offers a range of mouth-watering dishes many are unfortunately high in carbs. Don't panic! There are still plenty of options for you to enjoy without derailing your diet. We've selected dishes with low net carbs and calories that can be customized for a keto-friendly meal plan.

Here are some of the best keto-friendly choices at The Cheesecake Factory!

Breakfast

This restaurant is one such place where the breakfast menu shines for those on a keto diet. Several dishes are low in carbs, and they don't require any substitutions at all.

Here are some top picks from the breakfast menu:

1. Spinach, Mushroom, Bacon, and Cheese Omelet

Could you resist an omelet filled with bacon, cheese, mushrooms, and spinach? We know we couldn't! This breakfast is perfect for a hearty start without the carb overload.

2. California Omelet

Craving a California-style omelet? This one's loaded with avocado, mushrooms, garlic, sour cream, green onions, tomatoes, shallots, and a blend of two cheeses.

3. Farm Fresh Eggs

You might think this breakfast option is too simple; it's just two eggs cooked your way. But here's the fun part: you can jazz it up! Adding a side of Old Smokehouse bacon introduces only 4 extra grams of carbs, while a side of grilled ham adds just one more. Craving veggies? Toss in some fresh mushrooms, avocado, asparagus, or roasted red peppers. Just remember to skip the potatoes and bread to keep it keto-friendly.

4. Create your own omelet

Feeling creative? You can create your own omelet, starting with a basic two-egg omelet. Personalize it with up to four of your favorite additions to make it perfectly yours. Add delicious extras like bacon, avocado, mushrooms, a variety of cheeses, and sour cream to enrich your meal.

Here are some tasty options you can choose from to customize your omelet:

Looking for super healthy and equally tasty breakfast ideas? Take a look at our keto breakfast recipes that include yummy-licious dishes like Keto Breakfast Potatoes, Keto Breakfast Fat Bombs, and Keto Sausage Balls.

Appetizers

For those wanting something tasty yet low-carb before the main course, The Cheesecake Factory offers a few appetizers to enjoy alone or share:

1. Stuffed Mushrooms

These mushrooms are stuffed with Fontina and Parmesan and baked in a wine sauce with herbs and garlic. While they contain 15g of net carbs, which may be substantial for an appetizer on a keto diet, they're manageable if you plan your other meals to be lighter or if you share the meal with someone.

And if you want to try something similar at home, we have a super tasty and easy-to-prepare Keto Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms recipe filled with veggies, ground beef, and bacon.

2. Crispy Crab Bites

We previously recommended steering clear of crispy items, but if you're not on a strict keto diet or plan to eat very light for the rest of the day, these crispy crab bites could be an exception. They are quite delicious and come with a tangy mustard sauce.

Alternatively, you can skip these at The Cheesecake Factory and make a similar dish at home. Try our keto crab cakes recipe, which includes fresh crab meat, a splash of lemon juice, tangy tartar sauce, and flavorful seasonings to capture that restaurant taste in a low-carb package.

3. Buffalo Wings

Yes, you heard right! You can definitely enjoy a plate of these wings. Keep in mind, though, that a full order might be a bit much for one person but perfect for sharing with 2-4 people. Consider ordering it as a main dish or sharing it with your group. To balance it out, pair it with a side salad or request extra veggies from your server. You'll be all set for a tasty and satisfying meal.

If you're in the mood to cook chicken wings at home, try our Keto Chicken Wings recipe, which combines a hot and tangy sauce made with Frank's Red Hot and melted blue cheese.

Entrées

The Cheesecake Factory offers a great lineup of dishes that fit well within a keto diet. And the best part? Some of them don't even need any adjustments to be keto-friendly. Whether you're craving seafood, chicken, or a hearty meat dish, there's something here that's sure to fill you up and keep those carbs in check.

1. Pan Seared Branzino with Lemon Butter

If you're new to branzino, it's a delightfully mild white fish that they pair with a side of vegetables like asparagus and broccoli garnished with lemon slices.

2. SkinnyLicious Tuscan chicken

This dish features grilled chicken breast and assorted vegetables drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette, served over fresh greens and farro—a grain that adds a nutty flavor.

This restaurant promotes its SkinnyLicious menu as being lower in calories and carbs, but not all items may be as carb-conscious as they claim. This option, with grilled chicken and fresh greens, is definitely a good choice.

Are 14 grams too much for today? Try our Keto Tuscan Chicken recipe that features flavorful sauce, juicy chicken, and Italian seasoning and has only 6 grams of net carbs.

3. Grilled Branzino with Mediterranean Salsa

Here’s another delicious branzino dish at The Cheesecake Factory. It's served with a refreshing Mediterranean salsa made from tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, all tossed in olive oil. It’s an excellent pick for anyone following a keto diet. Plus, it's served with fresh veggies like broccoli and asparagus, which makes it a well-rounded, nutritious meal.

Keto Cheesecake Factory Salad Options

If you are in the mood for something light and fresh, you're in luck. The menu features several low-carb salads, some of which are ready to enjoy as they are, while others may need a few tweaks to fit your keto diet. Plus, you have the option to customize any salad with low-carb extras like avocado, grilled chicken, salmon, or char-grilled steak.

Here are some of the top salad picks that also come with low-carb dressings:

1. Caesar Salad with Chicken

For a filling yet keto-friendly meal, order this chicken salad. Just make sure to ask for no croutons. It combines succulent chicken with Parmesan cheese, all dressed in a low-carb Caesar dressing.

2. Greek Salad

Here's a satisfying option if you're craving something Mediterranean-inspired: the Greek Salad. It's packed with healthy fats from feta cheese and olives, along with juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions, all tossed in a flavorful vinaigrette. For an added protein boost, add steak or chicken.

In case you change your mind about eating out, we have our own keto Greek salad you can prepare at home that is bursting with fresh ingredients and comes with a zesty dressing.

3. Seared Tuna Tataki Salad

For a refreshing and protein-rich option, try this tuna salad. It features lightly seared tuna served alongside a mix of greens, tomatoes, avocado, and a unique wasabi vinaigrette.

Keto Cheesecake Factory Dinner Options

Dinner at The Cheesecake Factory can still be exciting if you're on a keto diet. They offer a variety of Glamburgers that you can customize to fit your needs. Simply ditch the bun and pick a keto-friendly sauce to accompany your burger or fresh vegetables. We'll go over the sauce options in the upcoming section so that you can enjoy a satisfying meal without the carbs.

1. Glamburgers

Glamburgers at The Cheesecake Factory are their own spin on classic burgers. There are several tasty options that you can easily tweak for a keto-friendly meal. Just a few simple substitutions, and you're set!

To keep it keto, always request your burger without the bun and select a low-carb sauce instead. Opt for a side salad instead of fries to keep things light and low-carb.

Stay away from crispy onion strings, barbecue sauce, crunchy potato crisps, and macaroni and cheese, as these are high in carbs.

Keto-Friendly Burger Options

Here are the keto-customized burger to choose from:

a. Old Fashioned Burger (no bun, no mayo)

Enjoy the classic taste of a juicy charbroiled beef patty topped with fresh lettuce, tomato, and onion, minus the bun and mayo, for a keto-friendly delight.

b. Stuffed Cheddar Burger (no bun, no special sauce)

Savor a flavorful beef patty generously stuffed with cheddar cheese, minus the bun and special sauce.

c. Classic Burger (no bun)

A straightforward yet satisfying charbroiled beef patty topped with crisp lettuce, tomato, and onion. Request it without the bun for a keto-friendly meal.

d. Mushroom Burger (no mayo)

Dive into the rich flavors of sautéed mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese atop a juicy beef patty, with no mayo to keep it keto-compliant.

e. Americana Cheeseburger (no bun, no sauce)

This keto version offers a succulent beef patty with melted American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and grilled onions, without the bun and sauce.

f. Bacon-Bacon Cheeseburger (no bun, no sauce)

Double up on the bacon and cheese with this mouthwatering beef patty topped with crispy bacon and cheddar cheese. Order it without the bun and sauce for a guilt-free keto option.

g. Factory Turkey Burger (no bun, no mayo)

A lean yet delicious turkey patty topped with lettuce, tomato, and onion, minus the bun and mayo, perfect for a light and keto-friendly choice.

h. Smokehouse BBQ Burger (no bun, no BBQ ranch, no crispy onions)

Relish the smoky flavors of a beef patty with smoked bacon and melted cheddar without the bun, BBQ ranch, and crispy onions for a low-carb feast.

Note: Unfortunately, The Cheesecake Factory does not provide carb counts by ingredients, so exact net carbs for these burgers are not available.

For a fresh and light option, ask for your burger to be served on a bed of greens or in a lettuce wrap. Always double-check the sauce ingredients, as some may appear low-carb but contain hidden sugars that could disrupt your ketosis.

Keto-Approved Sauces

Choose from these low-carb sauces and dressings:

a. Balsamic Vinaigrette

A tangy and slightly sweet blend that pairs perfectly with fresh greens, adding a gourmet touch to any salad.

b. Blue Cheese

Rich and creamy, this dressing features robust blue cheese crumbles for a bold flavor that enhances any keto-friendly salad.

c. Caesar

A classic choice, this Caesar dressing delivers a savory mix of parmesan and garlic, ideal for a traditional Caesar salad.

d. Cilantro Dressing

Bright and zesty, this cilantro dressing brings a refreshing and aromatic flavor to your favorite salad greens.

e. Ranch

A versatile favorite, ranch dressing combines creamy buttermilk with herbs and spices for a satisfying and familiar taste.

f. Shallot Vinaigrette

Delicate and flavorful, this shallot vinaigrette adds a subtle oniony sweetness to any salad without overpowering it.

g. SkinnyLicious Mustard Vinaigrette

Light and tangy, this mustard vinaigrette offers a deliciously sharp flavor that complements a variety of keto-friendly dishes.

2. SkinnyLicious Grilled Salmon

If you're in the mood for seafood for dinner, this grilled salmon is an excellent choice. It's a straightforward dish featuring grilled salmon served with assorted fresh vegetables. It contains 15 grams of net carbs and 590 calories.

3. Other Great Dinner Meals

If the Glamburgers and grilled salmon didn't win your heart, this restaurant offers a variety of other dinner options that can be keto-friendly when ordered with the right sides. Unfortunately, the restaurant does not provide specific nutritional details for each ingredient, which means we can't provide exact carb counts.

To keep your meal keto, pair any of the following entrées with a side of vegetables or a small salad instead of their high-carb sides:

a. Herb-Crusted Fillet of Salmon

This dish is a must-try! The salmon is perfectly cooked with a flavorful herb crust. To keep it keto-friendly, skip the mashed potatoes and ask for the sauce on the side. Pair it with some steamed veggies or a fresh salad instead.

b. Carne Asada Steak

For a tasty, low-carb option, go for this steak. It's juicy and full of flavor. To make it keto, just leave out the rice and corn. Ask for extra veggies or a side salad to keep things light and satisfying.

c. Steak Diane

It's smothered in a rich, savory sauce that's just delicious. Just skip the mashed potatoes and grilled onions to keep it keto. Ask for the sauce on the side, and add some steamed veggies or a fresh salad for a perfect meal.

d. Grilled Rib-Eye Steak

You can't go wrong with this steak. It's hearty and cooked to perfection. To keep it keto, pass on the mashed potatoes and green beans. Instead, ask for a side of sautéed spinach or broccoli.

e. Filet Mignon

This is tender and juicy, just the way you like it. To make it keto skip the mashed potatoes and green beans. Go for a side of asparagus or a Caesar salad (no croutons) to round out your meal.

f. Grilled Steak Medallions

These grilled steaks are a great choice. They're cooked to perfection and super tasty. Just ditch the mashed potatoes and croutons to stay keto. Ask for the sauce on the side and opt for a side salad or some grilled veggies.

Keto Desserts

We said it before and will say it again: The Cheesecake Factory doesn't offer a keto cheesecake option. Even the low-carb cheesecakes contain 40+ grams of carbs.

To soothe your soul, we have some super yummy keto-friendly dessert recipes for you that you can prepare from the comfort of your home:

Conclusion

The Cheesecake Factory offers plenty of keto-friendly options. While some meals are keto as is, others may need tweaks like swapping high-carb sides or avoiding sugary dressings. Opt for no bun or request a lettuce wrap, and substitute sides like fries or mashed potatoes with vegetables or a salad. With a few smart choices, you can enjoy dining out while staying on track with your keto diet.

Wondering how to stick to your keto diet while eating out? Check out our keto guide to fast-food restaurants for tips and tricks on making it work for you. Stick with us and start dining out confidently!

Frequently asked questions