California’s Dream Lives on at the Cheesecake Factory
WHO:
Los Angeles Times - Barack Obama, President Trump and Trump’s allies were involved in the political dispute over a comparison of the White House’s decor to a Cheesecake Factory.
Los Angeles Times - Cheesecake Factory founder David Overton described his goal for the restaurant interiors as: “I wanted something timeless.”
Los Angeles Times - Architect Rick McCormack designed the restaurant’s eclectic interior style. Company president David Gordon said the chain reflected California’s mix of people from across the country.
Los Angeles Times - Erik and Lyle Menendez named the Cheesecake Factory as their intended dinner destination in their account of the night they killed their parents.
NPR - Obama criticized President Trump’s gold decor at a campaign event in Ohio. Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent responded by having lunch at a Cheesecake Factory near the White House.
NPR - Bessent said, “I had a great meal, always have a great meal. I would tell the Martha’s Vineyard set to give it a try.”
NPR - The article discusses state dinners hosted for King Charles III and French President Emmanuel Macron.
WHAT:
Los Angeles Times - The Cheesecake Factory opened in Beverly Hills in 1978, offering large portions, many cheesecake varieties and relatively reasonable prices in an elite shopping district.
Los Angeles Times - The restaurant expanded significantly in the 1990s, developing interiors that combine marble, polished wood and architectural references to Egypt, England, Italy and France.
Los Angeles Times - Overton said in 1998 that he sometimes consulted an astrologer to choose dates for opening new locations.
Los Angeles Times - In the 2026 midterm-election discourse, Obama compared the White House’s appearance to “Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.” Trump replied, “For you to say it’s a Cheesecake Factory, that just shows why you were a lousy president.”
NPR - The Cheesecake Factory menu has more than 250 items, including Chicken and Waffle Skewers, Tex-Mex Eggrolls and Pickle Fries.
NPR - The article proposes hosting state dinners at the restaurant instead of spending $600 million or more on a new White House ballroom.
NPR - The article says a state dinner for King Charles III served Dover Sole Meunière with Potato Pavé, Spring Ramps, Snow Peas and Parsley Oil; a 2018 dinner for Macron opened with Goat Cheese Gateau.
WHERE:
Los Angeles Times - The first Cheesecake Factory opened in Beverly Hills’ “golden triangle”; the chain later expanded to locations across the country.
Los Angeles Times - The Menendez brothers said they had planned to dine at the Cheesecake Factory after visiting a movie theater in Century City and a food festival in Santa Monica.
NPR - Obama made his remarks at a campaign event in Ohio; Bessent ate at a Cheesecake Factory near the White House.
WHY:
Los Angeles Times - Overton sought to give average customers a luxury experience at reasonable prices, drawing inspiration from nearby restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck’s Spago.
Los Angeles Times - McCormack said Overton wanted interiors inspired by funky 1970s San Francisco restaurants in grand Victorian houses.
HOW:
NPR - The article contrasts conventional state-dinner dishes with Cheesecake Factory choices such as Buffalo Blasts and Fried Macaroni and Cheese balls, presenting the chain’s extensive menu as an alternative for official dinners.
(UPDATED October 31, 2026 21:59 UTC)
Obama compared the White House’s gold decor to a Cheesecake Factory, sparking a political spat. Trump fired back, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent answered by dining at the chain. Founded in Beverly Hills in 1978, the restaurant now offers over 250 menu items.