This was my second try for this place. We went on a Sunday night and the location is at the food hall by Din Tai Fung. Luckily the line wasn't too bad. When we got there new batch of cheesecake came out of the oven and it smelled pretty good. I recalled liking the strawberry and coffee flavored ones before so I went there with intention to pick the same ones but they were all out of flavors except original and one coffee... To me cheesecake is suppose to taste like cheesecake. Definitely something you should try at least once but not my cup of tea. Although one of the original cheesecake we ordered was warm and it was fluffy but it was more of sponge cake vs cheesecake. I recall in the beginning it was around $8 but now they are close to $10. Their box, bag and print on top of the cheesecake is definitely professional maybe thats why the cost keeps going up. If I recall correctly they have matcha, original, chocolate, strawberry, red velvet and coffee flavor. They also have biscotti too along with drinks you can order. read more

Uncle Tetsu - bag full of goodies - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

Located in Westfield Santa Anita, Uncle Tetsu Cheesecake is a purveyor of unique, Japanese-style cheesecake. While we love New York cheesecake, we prefer Uncle Tetsu cheesecake. What differentiates it is it's lighter, almost cake-like quality in contrast to a traditional cheesecake's rich texture. Moreover, Uncle Tetsu hits the mark with its subtly sweet profile, which tastes much less sugary than its New York counterpart. Uncle Tetsu, you've found a return customer in us. read more

Cheesecake is perfect. Service is amazing. Definitely must try. I had to buy two kinds. I got the orinal one and Ube. Yum!! It was great! read more

Uncle Tetsu - Wow. Perfectly giggly and puffy cheesecake! So good! - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

I'm pretty impressed by Uncle Tetsu's cheesecakes! If you know me, you know I'm not really a fan of sweets, especially American cakes and pies. We came here to pick up a few cheesecakes for a party and didn't have to wait at all. Wish they could have offered samples of the other flavors, but we just went with a few of the original flavor. The cheesecake is super light and fluffy, without being too sweet. It's the perfect cross between a spongecake you find in an Asian bakery and a normal American cheesecake. Each cheesecake is around $9, but can definitely feed 3-4 people as dessert. We brought the cheesecakes to a party and they were a hit! read more

Uncle Tetsu - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

Japanese cheesecake. It's good but not as good as I remembered it being. It wasn't as fluffy. Accepted card transactions only, no cash. read more

Uncle Tetsu - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

Delicious Cheesecake finally arrived to California couple years ago!! If you like cheesecake that's not too heavy or sweet you need to check this place out. When you come here the normal wait is 20-30 average depending when you come. I really like to eat this cheesecake cause it's a cross of light Asian spongecake and a plain cheesecake. It's very light and fluffy. It's a good complementary to your coffee or tea. Service is only OK. It's usually hit or miss. This location is at the Santa Anita Westfield mall. Its near Ding Tai Fung. Worth trying of you never had Japanese style cheesecake. I recommend this place for the cheesecake. read more

Uncle Tetsu - Uncle Tetsu Cheesecake togo!! - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

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I usually go for the classic signature cheesecake (which is always a hit) but this time wanted to try something new since they were having a promo, $16 for 4 cheesecake tarts. This original cheesecake tart has a double-baked, flaky crust with rich, tangy custard cream cheese filling, hailing all the way from Hokkaido, Japan. It doesn't quite compare to the cheesecake but is a simple treat if you're looking for something easy to split between friends while strolling through the mall. read more

Uncle Tetsu - (IG: @eat.sar) Tart - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

This is 2nd and last time I will visit this location. The customer service that we received from the cashier Celine was beyond rude and unwelcoming. We stood patiently in line and when we got to the front, we saw there were pandan samples available. We were thinking of buying the pandan either way but we wanted to try first. So we kindly asked the cashier named Celine to grab a sample and with her stink face she responded, "Yea but are you ready to order because I have the help the next customer." I said, "Can we just try it first before we buy?" And she proceeds to open the top for us to grab. After she helped the customer after us, we ordered the pandan cheesecake and the original tart. After she gave us the pastries, we asked for ustensils. She gave us 1 even though there's 2 of us standing right in front of her. So we asked for another utensil and she proceeded to toss the 2nd utensil in the bag like she don't give a two cent along with her stink face attitude she gave us. I hope management reads this and correct her customer service skills or lay her off because she obviously does not enjoy her job. read more

I needed a cake for my dad's birthday. I was thinking of places nearby to support and picked Uncle Tetsu since the last time we had their Japanese cheesecake, they only had original, matcha, and coffee flavors. Now, they've expanded to several other flavors. I preordered and paid online. They're open limited hours, so you can only choose from 15 minute increments from 12 - 4 pm. Oh yea, there's also a $1 order fee if you order online. I wasn't sure what flavors to pick so I ended up with the Ube Cheesecake ($10.80) and the Matcha Burnt Basque Cheesecake ($19.80). The Oreo Cream Cheese Cookies (Set of 4) ($6.00) looked good so I got that as well. Pick up wasn't too bad. I parked in the structure between Macy's and Nordstrom, took the escalator up and walked the food alleyway route to Uncle Tetsu. I had the 3:30 pm pick-up time, but was running late, so I ended up arriving at 3:40 pm. They were still waiting for the basque cheesecake to cool, so they asked me to come back in 10 minutes. The mall was still allowing shoppers inside, so I just walked around the mall for 10 minutes and went back to get my order. There definitely is a difference between the regular cheesecake and the burnt basque cheesecake. I think I prefer the regular Tetsu cheesecake since it's light and fluffy. The burnt basque cheesecake was denser, but not as dense as your American cheesecake but still good. The ube is probably my go-to flavor for now! The cookies were good too, just the way I like it. The inside was soft and had a hint of cookie batter that's slightly uncooked. I'll be back to try the other flavors I haven't experienced yet, but ube may be hard to beat! read more

I'm not a huge cheesecake person but I love uncle tetsu's cheesecake! Not much to say for the service or the little stand but the cake is very good. On the pricey side though. The original flavor is the best. The cake is light and spongy, and the cheesecake flavor is not too overpowering. read more

Uncle Tetsu - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

I heard so much about this Japanese cheesecake place and finally have a chance to try it out. It's located inside Santa Anita mall close to other dessert places. I have to say it's the best cheesecake I've had. It's fluffy and not overly sweet and it's just perfect. The line is not too long (I went on a Sunday). I ll def will come back to try other flavors. read more

Uncle Tetsu - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

Do not come to uncle tetsu's expecting a traditional American cheesecake, otherwise you will be very disappointed. Japanese style cheesecake is basically a light soufflé. It's bouncy, airy, fluffy and everything a traditional cheesecake is not! The flavor is extremely mild and it changes depending on the temperature you eat it. Personally I like it at room temp best because the egg and cheese notes really show out. They serve these warm and that's worth trying as well! I don't recommend eating this cold (even though I love cold things). The flavors just won't hit you the same. Each cheesecake is about $12-13, FYI! Kinda pricey but I would recommend trying this at least once! If you like super sweet things, this is not for you. read more

Uncle Tetsu - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

I decided to come here to try the Ube cheesecake and Oreo cheesecake. Each Japanese cheesecake is $10.80 and the Basque cheesecakes are about $20. The cakes were amazingly light and fluffy, with the perfect amount of sweetness (not heavy and dense like the traditional American cheesecakes). Refrigerating or freezing the cakes results in a denser cake, which I personally prefer over a warmer cake. However, I do have to admit that the taste of Ube was basically nonexistent and the taste of Oreo was VERY subtle. All the cakes tasted like the original imo, which isn't bad, but was a bit disappointing because I was looking forward to try different flavors. Overall, the cakes are unique and delicious, and I definitely recommend visiting if you are in the area. read more

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Uncle Tetsu cheesecakes are fluffy, unlike traditional cheesecakes. My favorite is still the original flavor! They don't allow sampling anymore - I assume due to COVID. But, for the Halloween season, they stamp a holiday themed uncle Tetsu on the cheesecakes. read more

Uncle Tetsu - Original flavored, Halloween themed, cheesecake - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

I am honestly obsessed with this cheesecake. When I went, the line was pretty long, but I only waited 10 minutes. They were baked fresh on site. There's a new batch that's ready for sale every 6 minutes, so the line went by pretty fast. Customer service isn't the greatest, but they're only trying to be efficient for the long lines that never end. It's a very light, but fluffy cheesecake, similar to spongecake. I wish Arcadia wasn't so far from LA or I'd be buying this more often. I've had a red velvet cheesecake before, but I never saw it again. read more

Uncle Tetsu - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

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I came here the other day to try their Oreo cake. I do have to say the Oreo Cheesecake is good; however, it is on the lighter side of Oreo taste like most of their flavored cakes. They are also selling biscotti and it taste so good! I recommend the biscotti over the cake. Customer service was great and told me what was available for the day. read more

Uncle Tetsu - Oreo Cheesecake - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

My boyfriend from out of town so he never heard of or even tried uncle Tetsu. At first he was skeptic and didn't want to try it. After lots of persuasion he finally gave in. Now let me tell you he's Veryyy picky and does not like sweets very much so it's very hard to get him to try any desserts but now after trying uncle Tetsu he won't stop talking bout it! We bought the ube and original and it was so warm and fluffy! Definitely melts in your mouth texture. For those who do not like sweets like my boyfriend these cheesecakes is perfect! GET THE UBE while you still can. read more

Hmm... not too impressed with the quality. The store has original, coffee, chocolate, strawberry, Oreo, ube options; we've tried the OG and coffee before, so this time we got the Oreo. 3 stars because, the ones I bought previously (years ago) was good, and really, the taste is not too bad. $12.46 for the small cheesecake seems a bit steep for the price. Also, the cheesecake doesn't seem fresh. It tasted like it's been staying inside the box for a while as it has a bit of a 'cardboard' smell to it (I don't know how to explain). I understand it's supposed to be moist, but the cheesecake we got was bordering on drowned - it was so wet that it's mushy. Like mashed food consistency. I like a little bit of firmness to it as I've tasted from other store. I don't remember it being like this from my previous purchases years back. Will I come back? Maybe... not to keen on it. Probably not going to recommend to others either. read more

Uncle Tetsu - Oreo cheesecake - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

Had to go to Uncle Tetsu's for some Ube Cheesecake and it was delicious! I think Ube Cheesecake is my new favorite, used to get the Original Cheesecake from here before. Highly recommend this spot! read more

Uncle Tetsu - Ube Cheesecake! - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

I had some leftover strawberry cheesecake this morning from Uncle Tetsu's and oh mannnnnn STILL the luxurious, soft, fluffy, light, creamy, deliciousness I wanted. MMM! Did you know that Uncle Tetsu is also super popular in Japan? When I was visiting, I would talk to the people waiting on the lines with us and they were locals. You know it's good when locals are willing to wait on line too! read more

Uncle Tetsu - Strawberry cheesecake slice! - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

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Not your average (American) cheesecake! It's light, fluffy, jiggly, puffy. So light you could eat the whole thing and not feel heavy. Lighter than a loaf of bread. Taste is not sweet, but sweet and delicate enough. And it's quite inexpensive, about $8 for a round! read more

Uncle Tetsu - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

I made a special trip to Uncle Tetsu because I heard they recently dropped their new black sesame flavor. LOCATION: inside Westfield Santa Anita; located in the restaurant corridor between Din Tai Fung & Nordstrom PARKING: Park closest to Nordstrom's second level to be the closest to Uncle Tetsu! PRICES: $10.80 each WHAT I ORDERED: (1) Original: light, fluffy, but lacked cream cheese flavor. It was more of a light, sponge cake, but nevertheless, I still enjoy it each time I buy their cakes! (2) Black Sesame: it had a robust black sesame flavor yet it wasn't overwhelming. This one was my favorite of the two! MAIN TAKEAWAY: it's worth a try if you haven't had Uncle Tetsu's fluffy and light cheesecake. You can't beat their reasonable prices as well! I wish it had more cream cheese flavor, but that's a personal preference. They're always churning out new ones every so often because people line up for their goods. read more

Uncle Tetsu - black sesame flavor (seasonal) - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

There's plenty of parking since the place is located inside the mall. I love their cheesecakes, it's fluffy and delicious. They always have different flavors such as Strawberry, Oreo, Original, Coffee, Ube, etc. I personally love the Strawberry cheesecake as it wasn't too sweet like other Cheesecakes I've tried from other places. Their cheesecake was absolutely delicious and soft. All the employees were really nice and wore masks. Recommendation(s): - Strawberry cheesecake Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - They only accept credit card (no apple pay) - Store is located inside the mall (2nd floor) and near Din Tai Fung - Their cheesecakes aren't really that sweet, so it's perfect for my taste - Their flavors change often, so some days you might get Strawberry flavor for that specific day, and other days you might not get the Strawberry flavor read more

Always been a fan of Uncle Tetsu cheesecake since theArcadia store opened. This is the special type of Japanese Cheesecake which is totally different from the typical cheesecake that we have known. The cheesecake texture is FLUFFY like a sponge. It is not as sweet as the ordinary cheesecake, but still with enough sweetness to satisfy your sweet tooth. There are many more flavors besides the original one available. I have only tried the Ube one and it is delicious as well. I can't wait to go back again to try more flavors. read more

Uncle Tetsu - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

Stopped by to grab a cheesecake for dessert. Parking was a bit difficult but ordering and getting my cake was super quick! It was made warm and fresh and the taste was delicious - moist and light! Price is also quite reasonable in my opinion. If you're a fan of Asian cheesecakes you should definitely give Uncle Tetsu a try, and they have other flavors too! read more

Friendly service and the cheesecakes never disappoint. I opted to try their special flavor - lychee rose. I'm a huge fan of rose infused drinks/food so I loved it! read more

Uncle Tetsu - Lychee rose - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

Who remembers when they first opened and there was always an incredibly long line all the time? I definitely do! At the time, I remember trying their cheesecake and thinking it was overrated. This was back when they only had their original cheesecake. I'm happy to report that I have since recognized the errors of my way, and I am now definitely a fan! I have to say, this is mostly due to my parents. They really like this kind of cheesecake so I try to pick one up for them whenever I'm near the mall. The cheesecakes here are incredibly fluffy and lightly flavored (they are not overly sweet). A slice goes perfectly with warm tea! Each cheesecake is about $11.00. Their current flavors are: original, ube, chocolate, strawberry, and matcha (I don't think they always have matcha, but they had it a few days ago when I visited). All that is to say, check them out! And while you're at it, pick up one or several for your loved ones as well :) read more

Backstory - My mom's birthday was coming up last week and I was having a hard time figuring out what cake to get her. She loves to bake goodies, is super picky about her desserts (prefers Asian desserts over American), and isn't too fond of store-bought cakes since they are usually too sweet. I've bought a few cakes in the past few months, which have been a let down, and we end up preferring the cakes she makes at home instead. Anyways, she had visited Uncle Tetsu pre-covid and had mentioned one time that she really enjoyed their cheesecakes. So I googled how to go about ordering and picking them up since Santa Anita mall is still closed for indoor shopping. I came across their Tock online website and it was rather simple. You choose what date + time you plan on picking up your items, add your items to your cart, pay online and check out. You receive an email confirmation with additional instructions on how to pick up your items. I had placed my order on 9/22 and anticipated to pick up my cakes on 9/25. The night before my pickup, I had saw on instagram that you can request for a happy birthday stamp on your cheesecake, so I actually emailed Uncle Tetsu late on 9/24 to see if they could do it. Their customer service emailed me that very next morning and was able to accommodate that request so score! I went to go pick up my order but I hadn't been to the mall in so long so I forgot that you could just park in the promenade structure. Parking should be more of a breeze compared to pre-covid but keep in mind, aside from your other bigger department stores (and maybe some other food places), the promenade is the main open space you can go to since it's outdoors. You pick up your order in the section where Matcha Matcha is at. You can't walk in completely but there's a few stores for food pick up in that section. I had ordered the following: Oreo Cream Cheese Cookies $6.00, Delicious Burnt Basque Cheesecake $19.80, and Matcha Cheesecake $10.80. Tbh, I was a little disappointed in the packaging of the oreo cookies since the seal was already unraveled and opened as soon as I took it out of the bag at home. I tried the cookies the next day and they were still soft, moist, a little too sweet in my opinion but still tasty. The cookies were good but not great and I don't think I would pruchase them again. Now onto the glorious cheesecakes. The matcha cheesecake is so delicious. It actually has a decent matcha flavor (you can tell they use quality matcha). The cheesecake has a nice airy texture and bounce, doesn't feel heavy, and has the perfect amount of sweetness (that is even approved by my picky Asian mama). It's one of those desserts you can eat after a huge meal and still want seconds because you don't get sick of it! Now onto the Burnt Basque cheesecake. I didn't understand what the hype was about that cheesecake but now I do. The Burnt Basque cheesecake is definitely delicious and does not disappoint. The cheesecake filling isn't overly rich, and there's a slight lemon flavor in the original. It also has a perfect amount of sweetness and isn't heavy compared to other American cheesecakes. I was pleasantly surprised at the creaminess and both my family and I enjoyed every single bite. All in all, my experience (aside from the cookies), was pretty awesome. The online ordering was efficient and their staff and customer service were great. I would personally stick to the cheesecakes as opposed to the cookies and I definitely want to try some of their other flavors (ie. ube, strawberry, chocolate, etc.). But yes, I cannot wait to go back for more! Btw, sorry this is so long but here is the link for online ordering just in case! https://www.exploretock.com/uncletetsuarcadia/ read more

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Japanese cheesecake is the perfect balance of goodness; not too sweet, nor too heavy, just the perfect companion to a pour-over! Sampled cheesecakes while visiting Kita-Ayasa, and Shibuya, JP. I got to say, almost identical, near perfection in taste. Can't wait to try other flavors they offer. read more

Love love love this place. Their cheesecakes are sooo soft and fluffy, perfect sweetness. I've tired their strawberry cheesecake, ube cheesecake, ube tart, burnt ube & original cheesecakes. Seems like they make these fresh everyday. At least whenever I've picked up my orders I've seen them baking. Also they keep samples of different cheese cakes everyday. read more

I haven't been back to Uncle Tetsu since pre-pandemic but the original cheesecake tastes exactly the same--extremely light and fluffy. The prices have raised slightly though (it was 12.46 after tax). It's on the second floor, near the Nordstrom and Din Tai Fung. Service is super fast, they have the cheesecakes prepared. read more

Uncle Tetsu - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

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This is an excellent Japanese Dessert place.... Japanese Cheesecakes are light and delicious... and their cheese tarts are also very rich and satisfying.... read more

Uncle Tetsu - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

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My coworker first introduced me to this bakery and I was finally able to have one again. I had intended to go to a restaurant at the mall for a late lunch but the wait was ridiculous at 2.5 hours for a table and 1 hour for to go orders. We went to another place around the corner and as I sat down I saw in the near distance, the glimmer of Uncle Tetsu. There was no line, which I hear is uncommon. They had so many flavors to choose from and I wish they did offer them in slices so I could try them all but alas these are only sold as a whole cake. I ended up getting the original which seemed to be the most popular. The texture is so dense but still light and fluffy. It's definitely different from the cheesecakes I make so it not fair to compare them. The basque cheesecake also looked good so maybe next time I'll give it a shot. read more

Uncle Tetsu - Original Cheesecake -still has Happy Holidays stamp - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

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I can't say no to Uncle Tetsu. Unlike New York cheesecake where it's so decadent and heavy, this is light and airy to the point you can devour more than intended. I've tried most iterations of their cheesecake and also their cheese tarts and I've enjoyed it all! I grew up eating the packaged Japanese cheese cake, but seeing this be a brand to come to the US has been awesome. No complaints and I enjoy whenever overseas brands come to showcase their take on food and desserts. As for their cheese tarts, I've been seeing hokkaido cream cheese tarts all over and they have been around in Asia for a while now - so I'm glad they are making their rounds in Asian bakeries within the 626. Even 85 degrees has a version. I like uncle tetsu's a lot because the high quality ingredients all shine. Baked to perfection and still light but decadent and rich. Try all their flavors!! read more

Uncle Tetsu - Box and logo - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

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If you get there past 7 the cheesecake is no longer jiggly, but the the taste is still really good.

This place is consistent, have been coming here every so often to buy up a couple of whole cakes, to slowly eat thru the next couple of days (recommended to eat within three days, refrigerated) Original is good, but I appreciate the change up and the flavors every now and then. Currently, Oreo and Ube are my favorites Might I mention it is the perfect special birthday cake for coworkers who don't like sweet cakes? read more

Oh Uncle Tetsu, why won't you open up more locations!? I came a while after this location opened, and stood in line for an hour in order to see what the hype was about. I didn't think it would be worth it, but boy was I wrong. The cheesecake is under $10, and is so fluffy and delicious! It's light enough so that you'll think you can finish it in one sitting, but that probably wouldn't be a wise choice. Be patient and space out your servings! That way, the cheesecake can last one week instead of one meal. This mall is home to many new hipster food spots now, but Uncle Tetsu is one of those things that you have to get. Thus, the line is always pretty long. I enjoy watching the workers pull the fresh cheesecakes out of the oven and stamp them though. They're so jiggly! I've only ever had the original flavor, but I'm sure the other ones are great as well. read more

The absurd hype of this place seems to have finally died down. Perfect opportunity to give it a whirl and minimize the odds of being disappointed and it paid off! W the mixed reviews, we really had limited expectations anyway but the fact that there was no line was the real deal maker. We got two cakes to go and asked for a couple of forks so we could dig in right away -- cause who likes to wait?? This is def closer to a sponge cake/angel food cake/pound cake thing that's cheesecake flavored, not the hearty American kind of cheesy. Plus, it wasn't overly sweet like most places so it was better than expected. At 10$ it's worth going w a few people and checking out if you happen to be meandering around the mall anyway. The only dangerous part about the airy cake is the potential to inhale the whole thing in one sitting. We downed about a quarter of one of the cakes while we sat there but got too thirsty to keep going haha That's prob how they lure you into purchasing their bottled water and drinks! Dont fall for it. Go get some water from your car or drink something more delicious elsewhere. read more

Uncle Tetsu - 10$ a pop. Like an airy, cheesecake flavored pound cake. Not too sweet. Pretty tasty! Worth trying if there's no line - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

My boyfriend & I were around Pasadena and he wanted to show me a yummy dessert he thought I would enjoy, and I was instantly impressed! Uncle Tetsu is some of the most delicious cheesecake I've had and I'm a big fan of it's fluffy texture! Definitely different your traditional American cheesecake. I can't wait to come back! read more

Uncle Tetsu - Matcha & original cheesecake - Japanese Near Me - Arcadia, California

Came here on a Sunday afternoon around lunch time. I parked near Nordstrom and just walked through to Uncle Tetsu. The location is a little "hidden" in my opinion, but it is located on the side of Din tai fung and behind a noodle place. I got there when there wasn't a line, but right when I ordered the line started forming. I was able to order the Oreo flavor and the original. I love cheesecake, but it is just so heavy and Uncle Tetsu Japanese cheesecakes are so light, fluffy, and not too sweet. I will say, the flavors are very faint. I have a sweet tooth and would want more flavor, but still thoroughly love the faint taste. Regarding servings, I think one cheesecake would be okay for 3-4 people. I would pair the cheesecakes with hot coffee or tea :) I would recommend going here early on weekends because I hear they run out of flavors fast except the original. They don't accept phone orders. There is a way to order next day pickup - curbside I believe, but through a third party app. I live about 25 miles away and would make the drive anytime again. read more