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6 Cheesecake Factory Menu Hacks Worth Trying, from Buffalo Mac and Cheese to a Cheesecake Sundae

I’ll make the res

cheesecake factory secret menu hacks: cheesecake factory menu on a table
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I’m no stranger to The Cheesecake Factory’s notoriously extensive menu. Not only have I had my fair share of fried macaroni and cheese at happy hour, but I’ve also tasted and ranked every flavor of cheesecake, for science. (You’ll never see my top pick coming, BTW.) But truth be told, I’ve never ventured outside the official offerings. As it turns out, there are a number of secret menu items, made popular by fans and viral internet trends, to sink your teeth into. Read on for six Cheesecake Factory menu hacks that I can’t wait to taste, ranging from loaded Caesar salad to an over-the-top sundae.

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1. Order Sandwiches on Brown Bread

  • Modifications: ask for brown bread in place of whatever bread comes with your sandwich

It’s 2025—of course you can find Cheesecake Factory’s beloved brown bread at the grocery store. But if you’re dining in instead of making a sammy at home, you can also substitute whatever bread your sandwich comes on with brown bread. According to Tasting Table, the chain keeps sandwich loaves of the stuff on deck because of how common this request is.

2. Add Buffalo Chicken to the Mac and Cheese

  • Modifications: order Chicken Littles, sub mac and cheese for mashed potatoes and ask for a side of Buffalo sauce

Chicken Littles need no assistance in the deliciousness department. They’re breaded, fried chicken tenderloins, plated with mashed potatoes and buttered corn. But a viral idea, credited to TikTok foodie @how.kev.eats, calls for nixing the spuds in favor of mac and cheese, cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces, placing it on top of the mac and drizzling in all in hot sauce. (I’m betting a touch of ranch dressing wouldn’t hurt either.)

3. Spice Up Your Caesar Salad with Louisiana Chicken

  • Modifications: order a Caesar salad with Louisiana-style chicken and caramelized onions

There’s nothing I love more than a secret menu darling making it to the big leagues, aka being made an official menu item. This TikTok-famous Cheesecake Factory hack was briefly onboarded at peak popularity, with the chain making it available exclusively for pickup from the restaurant or through DoorDash. While this is no longer a thing, you can still ask for Louisiana chicken (which is Parmesan-crusted and typically served with pasta) and caramelized onions on your Caesar salad.

4. Dip the Brown Bread (or Whatever) in 100+ Sauces

  • Modifications: order a side of any sauce for the complimentary brown bread

Fun fact: The Cheesecake Factory’s menu features more than 100 varieties (yes, you read that right) of house-made sauces and dips. That means that there’s way more to slather on your brown bread than butter. I’d also apply this hack to menu items like fried zucchini, burgers, calamari, sandwiches and Chicken Littles.

5. Turn the Crusted Chicken Romano into Chicken Parmesan

  • Modifications: order the Crusted Chicken Romano, Parm-style

Despite there being literally hundreds of dishes on The Cheesecake Factory’s roster, there’s no classic chicken Parm. However, if you order the Crusted Chicken Romano—a thin, crisp chicken breast, coated in Romano-Parmesan cheese breading and topped with pasta and tomato sauce—and ask your server to make it “Parm-style,” it’ll come topped with melty mozzarella. But why stop there? Opt for a sprinkling of grated Parm while you’re at it.

6. Make Any Cheesecake a Sundae

  • Modifications: add hot fudge, whipped cream and other toppings of your choice to any slice of cheesecake

Take it from me: The Cheesecake Factory’s cheesecakes come heavily adorned with whipped cream, fruit sauce, fresh herbs, cookies—you name it. But there’s arguably no richer garnish than hot fudge, which the chain calls “the best hot fudge anywhere.” If you order a traditional ice cream sundae, it’ll come with fudge, whipped cream and almonds. However, you can also add everything from glazed strawberries to Oreos to caramel to the mix, and the same goes for cheesecake. Be sure to share this one with friends: You’ll need the help.



taryn pire

Food Editor

  • Spearheads PureWow's food vertical
  • Manages PureWow's recipe vertical and newsletter
  • Studied English and writing at Ithaca College