A Not So Cheesy Cheddar's
2pc
Honestly, when I first saw the large sign hollering "Cheddar's" from across the road, I truly believed for a moment that it was a café that specialized in cheeses. I soon learned that this café, despite its name, was not so cheesy. But my stomach was a magnet, pulling my body to the nearest suitable looking restaurant. On Sunday, I plopped myself down on a seat ready to taste the full Cheddar's experience. In the end, despite some stellar recommendations from some of my friends, I was not completely satisfied with their food. Although Cheddar's was a nice, family-friendly café, with relatively fast and pleasant service, its food lacked the rich, explosive taste I was craving.
I recall admiring the outer design of the building as I strode up to the café with a hearty appetite in tow. The stones lining the walls, and the neutral brown tones, gave Cheddar's a modern and elegant twist; one that would reel in customers like a fish on a line. The landscaping was well-balanced, with small vibrant flowers blooming in well-trimmed bushes by the sidewalks. Opening the door to the restaurant, I was greeted with gush of warm air and a whiff of food being slowly roasted in the distance. Upon arrival, the staff manning the front desk escorted us to our booth, but did not bother to offer a mere hello or good afternoon. The booth was surprisingly comfy, and the low, dim lighting helped make the interior of the café looked just as attractive as it had outside. It was in a way plant-themed, with many fake plastic plants scattered all about, glossy cherry wood walls, stone tile floors, an attractive aquarium in the corner, and a large, fascinating jungle-type fan rotating slowly up above. There was a never-ending incoming crowd of consumers, with ages ranging from extremely young to extremely elderly.
Our waiter bounded up to our table, and greeted us somewhat enthusiastically before asking what drinks we would like. I looked down at the sizable menu, which was nicely proportioned with its fonts and colors, and immediately my brain started jumping from word to word. There was a rainbow of choices, and I didn't know where to begin. Before long, the waiter had come back and was scribbling down our orders. She looked at me expectantly and I frantically picked the first item I saw which was the Chicken Fried Steak from the "Favorites" section. The waiter left quickly, and I felt that up to that point, the service was very rushed.
Our food arrived in a split second, and the portions were monstrous. It smelled delectable though, and I had hoped that its taste would be just as mouthwatering as its smell. I gazed upon my plate, eyes devouring the crispy, fried outer shell of the steak and chunky mash potatoes smeared and slathered with thick, white gravy. I picked up my fork and knife and dug in impatiently. I had difficulty cutting the steak, and by the time I managed to pry one piece off, my stomach had considerably rolled into the shape of a tube of toothpaste. Chewing that piece of steak was like eating rubber. No matter how many times you chomped and chomped, it kept snapping back to its original shape. When I finally got to swallow the steak, I could only taste a sort of squishy meat, and the gravy did absolutely nothing to season it. The only food item I thoroughly enjoyed was the helping of warm, slightly salted mash potatoes, but otherwise than that, my plate was left untouched.
Of course, you can't have a meal without a sugary-sweet, delight-filled, taste-bud-enticing delicacy. The menu had described the chocolate trifle as a layer of rich, chewy brownies, hot dripping sweet fudge, and creamy chocolate mousse. When my taste buds actually got to sample its many layers, I found myself crushed with disappointed once more. The brownies were dry, crumbly, and felt cheaply store-bought, without any of the rich flavor that was promised. The fudge and the supposedly "creamy" chocolate mousse were about as abundant as water in the Sahara Desert.
In conclusion, it's safe to say that I won't be looking forward to eating at Cheddar's again. But despite this café's lackluster food, on it does offer reasonable prices, fast service, and a very comfortable family-friendly environment for all ages to enjoy.
Rating:
Food: ** Atmosphere: *****
Service: *** Overall: *** read more