When most people hear the word cheesecake, one restaurant immediately comes to mind: The Cheesecake Factory. Known for its towering portions, encyclopedic menu, and, of course, its legendary cheesecake selection, this stop is almost a rite of passage for anyone who claims to love cheesecake. On a recent visit with family and a close friend to the Dulles location, I had the pleasure of sampling a spread of their iconic flavors — and the experience was nothing short of indulgent.

The slices we tried included:

Fresh Strawberry 🍓

Pumpkin Pecan 🎃

Reese’s® Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake 🥜🍫

Key Lime 🍋

Peach Perfect with Raspberry Drizzle 🍑


Each slice was plated with their signature pillows of whipped cream and presented with the kind of polish you expect from a restaurant built around this dessert.

From the first forkful, it was clear: The Cheesecake Factory has perfected the art of the filling. Each bite delivered that signature richness — dense yet creamy, indulgent yet never cloying. The crusts, too, carried their weight: crisp where they needed to be, balanced in sweetness, and sturdy enough to hold each hefty slice together.

The Pumpkin Pecan was a seasonal treat that married warm spice with caramelized crunch. The Reese’s® Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake was unapologetically decadent, layered with peanut butter cream, chocolate fudge, and bits of candy bar for texture. The Key Lime stood out for its tart brightness, cutting through the richness with a refreshing citrus bite. And the Peach Perfect with Raspberry Drizzle offered a playful, fruit-forward presentation that felt like summer on a plate. Ratings for these slices hovered confidently between 8 and 9/10, each delightful in its own right.

But then there was the Fresh Strawberry Cheesecake.

For over 45 years, this has been The Cheesecake Factory’s most popular flavor, and after revisiting it, I finally understood why. Unlike its more elaborate siblings, this one doesn’t hide behind layers, toppings, or mix-ins. It’s their classic original cheesecake at its purest — silky filling, buttery graham crust — adorned simply with glazed fresh strawberries. The balance here was flawless. The fruit enhanced, not overpowered. The filling sang with flavor and texture. The crust anchored it all.

It’s the slice that says: this is what we do, and we do it better than anyone else.

For me, the Fresh Strawberry wasn’t just the best slice of the evening — it was a 10/10, a true benchmark for cheesecake excellence. It proved that while creativity and variety are wonderful, sometimes it’s the simplest execution that showcases mastery.

At $12.50–$12.95 per slice, it’s not the cheapest cheesecake you’ll find, but it’s also not trying to be. What you’re paying for is a perfected formula, decades of refinement, and a dessert that defines an entire category.

Verdict: The Cheesecake Factory lives up to its reputation. Explore the flavors, have fun with the variety, but don’t leave without trying the Fresh Strawberry — the GOAT of cheesecakes.

The Reese’s® Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake – 8/10
Pumpkin Pecan – 8/10
Key Lime – 9/10
Peach Perfect with Raspberry Drizzle – 9/10

Fresh Strawberry – 10/10
Prices – $12.50 – 12.95

If you would like to try it for yourself, this is a chain restaurant with locations in 43 out of 50 states.