What a beautiful place oh my goodness. My boyfriend and I went to Albany for a comedy show and randomly walked here from our Airbnb. The owner was there and was so funny. We struggled to make a decision and she showed us what each one looks like to help. And wow yall, the cheesecake?????? HELLO? So thick and rich and delicious. The place is full of nostalgia and really just a fun spot to go to. Be sure to visit and put a pin on the map to mark where you're visiting from! read more

Small space with tasty treats. Lots of choices and all seemed tasty and a skittle unique don't was hard to choose, but I went with maple. Prices a bit high but I knew that going in. For me it's a once in a while treat but definitely worth it! read more

Cheesecake Machismo - Maple pecan - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

We ventured out at lunchtime because today is national cheesecake day. What a little gem this place is. Located just above busy downtown, you may very well find a parking spot. There were plenty of choices. Lots of different flavors. I went for chocolate. I got Fudge Jo Brown. It was pure heaven. Brownie bottom with coffee cheesecake, ganache, Oreo crumble and espresso bean on top. Enough for two but I ate that whole thing! I brought back a slice of Double Dutch Dark Chocolate for my colleague who brought it home to share. Waiting for the rave reviews. Albany has many hidden treasures and this is one of them! Made right there on the premises. When they're out, they're out! So get there. Friendly staff, small business with some cool swag to snag too! read more

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I have been hearing about this cheesecake for almost the full 6 years I've lived in Albany. I don't know how it's taken me this long to try it, but my valentine surprised me for valentine's day with 4 different slices to try. He said 20 minutes after opening they were already sold out of select flavors!! I am somewhat of a cheesecake snob and this is good cheesecake, very creamy, thick, and a crunchy crust! The double dutch chocolate was my favorite by no surprise but the lemon blueberry was a nice, lighter option too and very subtle with the lemon flavor. read more

Cheesecake Machismo - Lemon blueberry and raspberry beret - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

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This place is cozy and very cute. Friendly staff and great cheesecake. Definitely will return when I am back in Albany. read more

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I'm ashamed to admit that I've lived in Albany my whole life and have only been to Cheesecake Machismo twice (both within the last 12 months). I've been missing out. But even with just 2 visits, it's clear to me this place is worth the hype. Fresh made cheesecake. Sold until they run out. The cake is sweet and dense--none of that mushy nonsense. The graham cracker crust crumbles apart like it should and doesn't resemble cardboard like you'll find in the cheesecake at Market32. Again, this place is well worth the hype. Stop in for a slice! read more

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Always amazing! If you love the cheesecake you should buy a sweatshirt or t-shirt while you're there too. Very nice, soft, and comfortable fabrics they have chosen for their Merch.... read more

Cheesecake Machismo - Frankencake - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

This place blew me away. When you first walk in your met with the most beautiful smell of sweet perfection. The style inside is entertaining and overall cool as heck. Now let's get to the goods, hands down best cheesecake I've ever had in my life and for $7 a slice an incredible steal for these delectably crafted desserts. I would sell my kidney if I had to for another slice of the caramel brownie, I'm not even kidding. The owners are welcoming and genuine, I so recommend checking this gem of a place out! read more

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Outstanding! Bam ( co owner) was really helpful with my choices and gave me a little history of his business. Truly the best cheesecake I've ever had. Can't wait to return I had the Caramel brownie and the Chocolwt strawberry... both amazing ! read more

Let me start by saying that I am not a huge dessert person. I am also not the world's biggest fan of cheesecake. While doing a quick overnight in Albany this came so highly recommended that I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity to check it out. Cheesecake Machismo is so highly rated for a reason. They have a rotating selection of unique flavored cheesecakes and they are incredible!!! If you enjoy NY style cheesecake, this should be on your bucket list. It's a tiny shop in a beautiful neighborhood in Albany. They are open Wednesday-Saturday and you can visit their website to see the flavors of the day. There's something on the menu for everyone, and I promise you will not be disappointed! read more

Cheesecake Machismo - Green tea/chocolate, lemon blueberry, salted caramel, s'moreo, and peanut butter - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

A must visit place, no words can explain how deliciousness of the cheesecake. The service and place are warm, welcoming and it smells like fresh food as well as a family environment. read more

Run like a well oiled machine. Always had great service from the couple that run this place. Great flavors and cool little ambiance inside. When I think of cheesecake in the capital region now I think of Machismo. read more

Absolutely superb cheesecake shop. With a modern geek-twist. Machismo is right in Albany! What a wonderful idea to allow for a shop completely devoted to all things New York cheesecake. The slices were a delight to eat. This parlor also sells coffee beans, cakes, assorted sweets and other cake/party supplies. The two slices I taste-tested; the 'Jo Brown' + the 'Boysenberry' were thick, sweet and salty alike and very decadent. I do, want to note that the bottom crust on the 'Boysenberry' was very brittle + too crumbly to hold its weight. If the bottom crust is already off the slice, by the time I bring it to my kitchen - there's something wrong. The shaking of the box, should not unlodge a dry crust! Just because the top of the cheesecake slices are very edible and easily instagram-able, does not mean that the crust is the best quality. Try more thickener, more binding agent - or scrap the crust recipe all together and try a different one - or none - that is more suitable for a berry cheesecake slice. Either way, the slice was heaped in gooey boysenberry marmalade-sauce. Definitely a place to think about when you are catering a birthday party or a celebration with sweets for any sort of event. Machismo is a connoisseurs cheesecake shop. Not amateur kids' hour.. Inside Machismo, the interior is like a museum geek shop, a tourist attraction and a ComiCon collectors' favorite dream. There are planes hanging from the ceiling, small comic characters peeking around corners and t-shirts for sale. Maps. Comics. Coffee beans. Beanies. Hoodies. Got to give props, where props are due: some folks having the flair to make a collective out of cheesecake and attempting flavors that you do not usually, on an itinerant day for sure, find in your local supermarket. The 'Jo Brown' was a kind of ganache slice that had hints of hazelnut, Oreo cookies and peanut butter; the flavors were well balanced, even enhanced: and not too sweet. It was monster-thick and was best eaten chilled. There is a flavor for anyone at Machismo. Young and old, sweet and salty, offbeat of just regular Cherry - the menu is a kaleidoscope of wonderful flavors offered at unbeatably low prices in a fun atmosphere. The Rebel Chef thinks this spot is legit. Legit New York flavors-only Gangster-Machismo! Delicious. Review: 5+ read more

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Delicious cheesecake, not far from where I work, so it's convenient. Definitely a good price for what you're getting, delicious and fresh homemade cheesecake. Would recommend. read more

My boss and I were in Albany last week for a training. We met a group of people from the training for dinner and I looked on Yelp for some dessert options. I saw 300+ five star reviews and knew I had to try it. It was a Wednesday night, dinner was starting to come to an end, and I called to see if they closed exactly at 8. I was informed that they closed promptly at 8. I wasn't sure if we could make it, it was 7:20 and the map was telling me we had a 25 minute walk. We bid adieu to the rest of our group, with uncertainty as to whether we would all make it. My boss and I were starting to digest the unhealthy dinner choices we had just made and we set out at a brisk pace up what seemed a never ending hill. Getting to the point of this meandering review, we reached Cheesecake Machismo with 12 minutes to spare. We were rewarded with an extreme case of paralysis of choice. The menu included 15 plus choices, each tempting in its own right. The owner was extremely helpful and friendly. She discussed the interesting memorabilia on the walls with my boss, while I stressed about the perfect flavors to choose. Of course as two people, we were going to select three slices. The owner recommended the maple cheesecake with blueberries, we couldn't pass up the pumpkin caramel, and we also went with a Dutch chocolate. We took them back to our hotel and after an hour to digest dinner a bit, we went to town on some magnificent cheesecake. The owner was right, the maple blueberry was truly special. The pumpkin and chocolate were also wonderful. The texture of each is perfect, the flavors are vibrant. Cheesecake Machismo is the type of place that everyone wishes they had in their neighborhood! read more

Cheesecake Machismo - Really cool branding! - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

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I have been here twice in the past seven days, once to get cheesecake slices for date night and once to treat the work office as part of Professional Assistants' Day. (Working within a 10 minute walk of the place is dangerous!) My first slice, "Cherry Amaretto", was very good. The amaretto flavor was super strong and I liked that, but the cherries appeared to be of the canned variety and I wish that they had gone a different direction with real processed fruit or perhaps homemade jam. The bottom part of the cheesecake was great but the fruit topping was ho hum. For my second slice later in the week I went with "Hazelnut Brownie". The bottom crust is about 1/2" thick of deep rich brownie. The cheesecake filling might taste of hazelnuts but all I really pick up are strong flavors of coffee or espresso. I don't see another coffee flavor listed on their menu so I don't think they gave me the wrong one. The flavors were dark and strong and despite not being a coffee drinker I still enjoyed this one. However, perhaps putting real hazlenuts inside or on top would have brought that flavor profile out more. My wife had the "Kaiju" which is matcha white chocolate ganauche on top of black sesame cheesecake with a layer of matcha cheesecake on top. I tried it and it was, um, different. The flavors all matcha-ed what they should have been, but it wasn't really my thing. I think she enjoyed it though. Prices are now a flat $7 a slice, and drinks are extra. It isn't cheap, but I can overwhelmingly say that if you want a speciality flavor of cheesecake and are willing to pay for it you will get it a quality product here. My waistline and wallet won't allow me to eat here all the time, but for special occasions this place can't be beat for unique and delicious cheesecake. read more

Their strawberry covered chocolate cheesecake is the best I've ever had! Hubby brought me for an early Valentine's Day treat. We got 6 slices to split. So far I've tried the strawberry covered chocolate and it's so good. Plus-the store is so cute. And the service was nice. Will definitely come back for special occasions. read more

Cheesecake Machismo - Front of store - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

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HOLY SMOKES. I came in at 12:30 because my sister recommended I come as early as possible. I didn't want to be one of those people who show up before they even open. They were already sold out of certain flavors!! With the 2 person in store limit, there was a small line outside, but it moved rather quickly. Service was super friendly in helping me decide what to take home, but once I got home, I had to hide my half cake from myself to not eat any until my sister got home. We tried some. SO. FREAKING. GOOD. Will definitely be coming back for more. read more

Cheesecake Machismo - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

I came in last night and got 2 slices. They currently have a 2 person limit in the store - so just had to wait for someone to leave (which took about 1 min). I was happy to see all of their COVID safety measures in place and did not mind waiting. As soon as you walk in the smell gets you. It smells wonderful. I ended up picking Blueberry Maple and Jo Brown. I doubt you can go wrong here. Nice big pieces with super smooth cheesecake and creative flavors. $6/slice. The Jo Brown is coffee cheesecake with a soft brownie bottom. The coffee is subtle not overpowering. The Blueberry Maple is maple cheesecake with a blueberry topping and graham cracker bottom. This has a much stronger flavor (and smell) - you can taste maple right away. The blueberry topping is a nice balance. Both of the pieces were great. I'm looking forward to going again and trying some of the other flavors. read more

Cheesecake Machismo - Jo Brown - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

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I honestly didn't know Albany had a store solely for cheesecake. But I am so glad I found this place because it was definitely very high quality!! There are plenty of parking around the area depending on the right time. The place is very small and doesn't offer any seating. There is a bench outside the store and a small little park across the street by the swan street office if you prefer to sit somewhere nearby and eat it. They offer many types of cheesecake. I loved the creme brûlée' cheesecake. It had a thin layer of melted sugar on top of cheesecake. It was very fresh and soft!! read more

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I made the mistake of coming in too late in the day and only left with 3 flavors - caramel toffee, butter pecan pumpkin marble, and bavarian cream. If I'm honest, none of those flavors spoke to me - but I was going to be in Albany long so when would be the next time I get to try the best cheesecake my friends had ever had? We got the bavarian cream and butter pecan pumpkin marble just because it sounded crazy and for fall vibes. Neither of these flavors were my cup of tea, but it was still the best darn cheesecakes I've ever had. The level of smooth creaminess just melts in your mouth - and the flavors really come through. Next time I'm showing up at noon so I can actually get the flavors I want. read more

Cheesecake Machismo - top: bavarian creme bottom: butter pecan pumpkin marble (with salted caramel) - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

*Please be aware that the direction shown on google map is wrong and their entrance is located on Hamilton street. The decor of Cheesecake Machismo is tiny but artsy and adorable. During COVID-19, only 2 customers are allowed to enter at once due to limited capacity. The owners are super friendly and welcoming. They introduced every flavor and recommended what they like to us in details since they all look amazing and we weren't be able to make our decisions. One of the best cheesecakes we have ever had in the US. I was not a fan of cheesecake but super impressed by their creamy and rich texture. We tried their Candy Bar (peanut butter & chocolate) and Cherry Amaretto. Both flavors were delicious and addictive. We will definitely visit again if we are in the neighborhood and highly recommend everyone to try! read more

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The best cheesecake around! So many flavors to choose from too! A small Business that you must stop at if in Albany, NY! read more

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This is the best cheesecake I've ever had! I got the Double Dutch Dark Chocolate Cheesecake and it was so rich & creamy

Delicious cheesecakes! Really creamy and flavorful. I don't even like cheesecake but the cheesecake here I will eat! We got the Frankencake and my favorites were blueberry maple, apres ski, hazelnut chocolate, and butter rum apple. read more

Cheesecake Machismo - Frankencake - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

I'd like to give it five stars. I really would. Just like I would like to give Franklin Barbecue, the famous joint in Austin, TX, that runs out of food before lunch. That might be a novelty item these days, to attract business, but it is frustrating to consumers who want what is advertised. I've tried the cheesecake many times, and it is really good. But it is also so frustrating that I have to get there before lunch, and line up to get what I want. Not all consumers are able to do that, and businesses that cater to that, well, unfortunately, don't cater to all, which is fine if they think so. I was really hoping to try the Halloween specials, and arrived only an hour after opening, but que sera sera. Great cheesecake, but you need to "adjust your schedule" to accommodate them... not you... the customer. And don't expect a cheery smile. As for the taste... it really isn't much better than cheesecake factory, which always has what they advertise. read more

Cheesecake Machismo - What was available today. Not what I hoped for. - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

This is the cheesecake capital. We had a nice conversation with the staff and got ourselves a slice of the boysenberry cheesecake. It was just perfect, the crust was like packed granules, it was not wet and sticky, the cheesecake had the right amount of sweetness and consistency. The boysenberry sauce was so flavorful. Each slice from the top to bottom with all 3 elements was pure bliss. read more

Decided to give this place a try since it was rated as one of the top cheesecake places in NY. It definitely did not disappoint!! I ordered a slice of their blueberry maple flavor. The cheesecake itself was super light, fluffy and flavorful (not overpowering at all). The blueberries on top were also super sweet and mixed in really well with the maple flavor. Highly recommend if you're in the downtown area. read more

Cheesecake Machismo - Blueberry maple cheesecake - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

We took a quick walk over to see what all the fuss was about and was not disappointed. The Goblin cheesecake was amazing. We were greeted quickly and the vibe inside was very hip and fun. Can't wait to try more flavors next visit. read more

Do yourself a favor - stop reading after this sentence, go to Cheesecake Machismo, wait outside as necessary based on the time of day, and order a slice of the blueberry maple. Seriously if you like cheesecake, might like cheesecake, or ever thought about liking cheesecake you need to go here immediately. My favorites are blueberry maple (bet you didn't see that coming), fruity pebbles, and toasted almond hazelnut. Thankfully the former two flavors are pretty consistently on the daily menu. I dream of someday trying the elusive and currently retired lemon ginger...I'm slowly working to convince the owners to bring it back, please help out the cause! Speaking of the purveyors, they are delightful and passionate about their business. I will admit that $6.00 for a slice of cheesecake isn't exactly a steal. However I have no qualms paying a premium for a high quality product, and make no mistake this stuff is 1,000 times better than a frozen $6.99 (I checked) slice fromTGI Friday's. read more

Cheesecake Machismo - Frankencake - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

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Cheesecake is amazing! Best I've ever tasted, Honestly. I don't expect super sweet full service all the time and understand they do what they do, but I have to deduct 1 star due to the lack of availability or good selection and unpredictable open hours. Additionally with the attitude/service during a few visits. I like the idea mentioned in other reviews... list which cheesecakes mean what (descriptions). I'm certainly not afraid to ask, but when there is a line and it seems like an inconvenience, I believe the customer experience could be slightly improved. read more

I had heard great things about the cheesecake here but got a cannoli slice ( I love cannolis) and noticed an unpleasant bitter taste along with mild lemon flavor.. went back in to tell them and was told the bitterness was from orange zest that is often in cannolis . I said I'd had many cannolis and never encountered that bitter taste. No apology from the store, just a condescending explanation about orange zest frequently being in cannolis. I also don't like the porno artwork referencing the obscene connotation of " cheesecake "... For better cheesecake go to Cheese Traveler on a Friday night . read more

I went here awhile back and I got multiple cheesecakes. They were all absolutely delicious the best was definitely the blueberry cheesecake it had a wonderful flavor and perfect cheesecake texture. The inside is fairly cramped but they only allow so many people in at once to make sure it does not get to crowded which is nice. Overall I would definitely recommend and go here again just for the cheesecake. read more

Believe the hype. Major points scored right off the bat as they had Metallica rockin' the speakers when I walked in...old school Metallica. Super interesting decor inside too. Lots of funny art, like ha ha funny, and bumper stickers and such. Cheesecake slices come with patron's choice of a bottled water, hot cocoa, or cup of coffee and each slice/bev combo cost six bucks. They rotate their menu so you never know what cheesecake flavors they may have. You can call ahead to make sure they haven't run out and I'd suggest doing that if you're not stopping in early in the day. They have a daily menu staring out at you from one of their front windows. Had the Apres Ski, Butter Toffee and Candy Bar (with Peanut Butter drizzle) cheesecake slices on this first trip (shared all three with the better half) and seriously, all three were straight killer. I'd roll with any of those 3 again...like it's my job. So creamy, sweet, full of depth...just awesome. All three had some serious stank on them! Dank cheesecake. On street parking situation sucks, but it is what it is...know going in that you might not find parking nearby. And the interior is way small with only a couple tables, so it gets really crowded inside and I'd gather that lots of days, especially at lunch, the line must run out the door and down the steps. Serious caloric intake here...those of you looking to gain weight...this is your jam. read more

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AMAZING! In Albany on union business from the Boston, MA area, saw this place on Yelp, and had to check it out. Had myself a slice of coffee brownie themed cheesecake and another toffee flavored cheesecake slice. Glad I had a long run this morning cuz that's a lot of calories - BUT WORTH IT. Both slices were AMAZING! The shop itself was a funky little spot with comic book nick nacks, wrestling paraphernalia, and other pop culture stuff all over. Reminds me of the comic shops I frequented in my youth. Seek this place out if you're ever in the Albany area. It is SO worth the calories. read more

Cheesecake Machismo - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

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I'm not sure which happened first. I saw Cassie P.'s review and bookmarked this bakery or I knew I was going to Albany, remembered Cassie P.'s review, and consequently bookmarked it. At any rate, my biggest and sincerest gratitude for her review. I'm not sure I would've found out about this place otherwise. Continuing with the thank yous, a big one goes out to my boyfriend's stepsister and my boyfriend's mother. They spent over twenty minutes in line waiting for these bites of heaven! Edwin P. and I would've happily waited ourselves, but we got to the airport at 4 PM on the Friday before Christmas. To add insult to injury, this place is so fantabulous (yes, that's fantastic and fabulous all rolled into one) that its cheesecake sells like hotcakes. Meaning: FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. Had we gone we arrived, cheesecake wouldn't have been a possibility. From what my boyfriend's family members said, they were among the last to have been able to buy cheesecake. People were buying them by the pounds. Needless to say, I am beyond appreciative, grateful, thankful, and any other synonym you can think of. Seriously, this cheesecake is BOMB.COM. I know I just threw a '90s reference right then and there, but until you take a bite of one of these slices, you won't know what you're missing. We tried four flavors. They were (in alphabetical order): -Blueberry Maple: A fluffy cheesecake that melts in your mouth with blueberries on top. The blueberries resemble a sauce, and when you combine that sauce and its chunks of fruit with the cheesecake itself, it's joy to the world. My personal favorite. I could eat this over and over again. Probably a good thing I live in Miami, haha. -Butter Rum Apple: Maybe not whipped to smoothness like the aforementioned cheesecake, this delectable bite boasts flavors of rum. Just a tinge and you get a kick of it, but no worries to those who dislike alcohol. It's a slight kick, nothing major. The apples on top definitely balance the flavors with a pinch of sweetness. My boyfriend's father's favorite. He would've happily gone to war for this slice had he not already had one previously. -Caramel Toffee: If you like chocolate and/or coffee, this might be calling your name. I found this one to be a tad crunchy in texture compared to the others but still tasty. Between my boyfriend and his stepsister, it was a sight to behold how this one slowly and surely began to fly by. -Strawberry: Essentially the same as the Blueberry Maple slice except with the amazingness that is strawberries. While I enjoyed this slice profusely, I feel this flavor is a classic and I have had it way more times than I can count. Still, you haven't experienced this delectable take on it, so by all means, go and do so. Needless to say, Cheesecake Machismo merits its five stars on Yelp. Or at least I agree with them. The flavor, the taste, the craftsmanship - because yes, these cheesecakes are art - is flawless, perfectly executed, and all that jazz. If ever in the area, GO, GO, GO! Believe me, your taste buds will be happy! read more

Cheesecake Machismo - My boyfriend's stepsister is the best. Look what she got us! - Bakeries Near Me - Albany, New York

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Have you ever tasted something so good your only thought is, "That ain't fair"? Those are pretty much the only words I could say after taking one bite of my strawberry cheesecake from Cheesecake Machisimo. Let's get one thing out of the way, I LOVE cheesecake. Dare I say it's my favorite dessert? That being said, I couldn't leave Albany without trying what some call the best cheesecake in all of New York! It was easy to find parking on the street and I walked on up to the unpretentious storefront. I showed up right after they opened at 12:00 pm so they weren't out of anything yet but word on the street is they can run out. There were so many kinds to try but in the end, I opted for strawberry cheesecake which was essentially their plain, perfect cheesecake with strawberries on top. Simple? Yes. Delicious? You betcha! I really can't say much more than you NEED this in your mouth. It's definitely a grab-and-go kind of setup. Besides cheesecake, they do have some coffee and other locally made trinkets to peruse while hanging out. Now, can you puh-leaseee ship to Miami? read more

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My husband is a cheesecake lover, so before our trip to Albany I had researched some fun places for us to check out. I love that they have a daily rotation of flavors so you never know exactly what will be offered. The day we came there was a small line. We had finally picked a slice that we wanted. The woman in front of us ordered quite a bit of slices and unfortunately our top pick was taken. All hope was not lost because our slice was really delicious anyway! We enjoyed at the shop at one of the small tables before continuing on our adventure around town. Highly recommend stopping here for a slice and do it early in the morning! read more

I had heard unbelievable things about CM's cheesecake, and boy did it live up to the hype! We got there about an hour after they opened but still ended up buying their remaining 7 slices that they had to have enough for our group. We tried the blueberry maple, egg nog, strawberry, and a couple of the classic. All were fantastic, but I was partial to the strawberry. Their hours are listed, but they sell out literally every single day, so get there early and get your own slice of creamy, graham crackery goodness! read more

Delicious cheesecake, it's popular and in demand, they sell out fast make sure you check the business hours. Worth a trip you will not be disappointed. read more