The Cheesecake Factory on West Colorado Boulevard is one of the most recognizable restaurants in Old Town Pasadena. It stands at the crossroads of Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue, surrounded by shops, historic buildings, and busy sidewalks. For many visitors, this is a “safe” choice: a big menu, familiar flavors, and, of course, cheesecake.

Location & Atmosphere

Location and First Impression

The restaurant is located at 2 West Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101, right in the heart of Old Town. From here, it is a short walk to the One Colorado courtyard, local boutiques, and the nearby movie theater.

From the street, it looks like a classic Old Pasadena corner spot with a visible sign and a steady flow of people. Inside, guests find a typical Cheesecake Factory layout: a hostess stand near the entrance, a bar area, booths, and regular tables. The room feels busy but relaxed, with background music and conversations creating a steady noise level that is normal for a popular chain restaurant.

3D evening render of The Cheesecake Factory Pasadena corner building with warm lights, palm trees and outdoor seating
AI-generated 3D illustration of The Cheesecake Factory Pasadena, created for illustrative purposes and not an actual photograph.

Atmosphere and Seating

This location works for many types of visitors: couples, families with children, groups of friends, and tourists who come after shopping or a movie.

  • Dining Room: There are regular tables and booths focused on food and conversation.

  • Bar Area: Features high-top seating and televisions that usually show sports.

If you prefer a quieter visit, it is better to come on weekdays during off-peak hours, for example, early lunch or mid-afternoon. Evenings and weekends are louder and more crowded, and without prior planning, you should be prepared to wait a bit for a table.

Combining Your Visit with Old Town Pasadena

One of the main advantages of this specific location is its surroundings. From the restaurant doors, you can easily:

  • Walk along the historic streets of Old Pasadena.

  • Visit nearby shops and boutiques.

  • Spend time in the One Colorado courtyard.

  • Combine dinner with a movie or an event.

Many guests plan their visit this way: a walk, some shopping, a movie—and a final stop here for dinner or just dessert.

Menu & Dining Experience

Menu Overview: More Than Just Cheesecake

The main feature of The Cheesecake Factory is its very large menu. The chain offers more than 250 items made to order, and the Pasadena location follows this format.

Here you can find:

  • Appetizers and small plates.

  • Burgers and “Glamburgers”.

  • Salads and bowls.

  • Pastas and flatbreads.

  • Steaks, chicken, and fish dishes.

  • Sandwiches and tacos.

There is a separate SkinnyLicious section—dishes with lower calorie counts for those who don’t want too heavy a dinner. The restaurant offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-conscious options. If you have specific dietary restrictions, it is best to verify ingredients with your server.

Cheesecakes and Desserts

Cheesecake is the second main reason to visit. The chain offers over 30 flavors: from the classic Original and Fresh Strawberry to chocolate, caramel, fruit, and seasonal variations. The slices are large and rich. Often, guests:

  1. Share one slice between two people.

  2. Order dessert “to go” if they are already full after the main course.

Cheesecake and other desserts can be packed in a box—this is convenient if you are staying in a hotel or aparthotel nearby.

Sample Dishes to Try

Due to the massive menu, many people rely on a few “staple” items that frequently appear in reviews:

  • Glamburgers: Hearty burgers, like the Macaroni and Cheese Burger or other variations, if you are craving rich comfort food.

  • SkinnyLicious: Lighter options including chicken, fish, salads, and lighter pastas.

  • Seasonal Specials: The chain periodically updates the menu with new pastas, chicken dishes, soups, and small plates. This is a good choice if you are a regular and want to try something new.

Prices and Portion Sizes

The format is classic casual dining in the city center. Most guests describe the prices as moderate for Old Pasadena. The check often falls in the range of $20–$30 per person before dessert—though much depends on exactly what you order.

Portions are large. Many people share one main dish between two, order several appetizers and one main entree, or take leftovers home. Because of this, the final bill depends more on the number of dishes ordered than on specific menu prices.

Macaroni and Cheese Burger with fries at The Cheesecake Factory
Image of Macaroni and Cheese Burger courtesy of The Cheesecake Factory official website.
Avocado Eggrolls appetizer with dipping sauce at The Cheesecake Factory
Image of Avocado Eggrolls courtesy of The Cheesecake Factory official website.
Slice of Original cheesecake with whipped cream at The Cheesecake Factory
Image of Original cheesecake courtesy of The Cheesecake Factory official website.
Creamy fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp at The Cheesecake Factory
Image of shrimp fettuccine Alfredo courtesy of The Cheesecake Factory official website.
Chicken Madeira with asparagus, mushrooms and mashed potatoes at The Cheesecake Factory
Image of Chicken Madeira courtesy of The Cheesecake Factory official website.

Planning & Logistics

Hours and Best Time to Visit

According to the location’s official page, the restaurant operates:

  • Monday–Thursday: 11:00 – 22:00

  • Friday: 11:00 – 23:00

  • Saturday: 11:00 – 23:00

  • Sunday: 10:00 – 22:00

On weekends until 14:00, they serve brunch, and on weekdays, Happy Hour is available in the bar area from 16:00 to 18:00—during this time, select appetizers and drinks are cheaper. If you want to eat quietly without a long wait, it is better to arrive on weekdays before 12:30 or between the main rushes—after lunch and before dinner. In the evening and on weekends, especially Saturdays, the dining room is almost always full.

Reservations, Wait Times, and Ordering Options

Several service formats are available for this location:

  • Dine-in: Seating in the dining room.

  • Takeout: Food to go.

  • Delivery: Via partner services.

  • Curbside Pickup: If traffic conditions allow.

Guests can arrive as walk-ins and join the waitlist or plan their visit in advance using the chain’s digital tools and the Cheesecake Rewards program. On busy days (Friday and Saturday evenings, holidays), waiting for a table is a standard situation.

Parking and How to Get There

The restaurant does not have its own parking lot, but there are many municipal options around. Old Pasadena features:

  • City Park & Walk garages.

  • Additional public garages and private lots.

  • Paid street parking.

The garages are designed so that guests can park once and then walk to shops and restaurants. Parking is busier in the evenings and on weekends, so it is worth allowing a little extra time to find a spot.

Comfort, Health & Accessibility

Accessibility and Comfort

The brand states that its restaurants are accessible for guests with disabilities, including wheelchair users. Staff can help with seating if you mention this when you check in. Local listings for the Pasadena restaurant note an accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, as well as nearby parking options. This makes the place convenient for guests with limited mobility. For families with children, the format is also comfortable: background noise, a large menu, and familiar dishes. High chairs and options suitable even for picky eaters are available.

Health and Comfort During Your Stay in Pasadena

Health concerns often arise during trips: jet lag, long walks, or chronic conditions. If someone feels unwell—developing cold symptoms, blood pressure spikes, or a flare-up of a chronic condition—guests usually:

  • Call their doctor or use telehealth.

  • Go to the nearest urgent care or clinic.

  • Turn to private services that offer doctor house calls.

Independent services operate in Pasadena that can organize a doctor’s visit to a hotel, rental property, or home. This is convenient if a person has difficulty moving, finds it hard to sit in a waiting room, or simply does not want to spend the evening in urgent care for non-emergency symptoms. If you know in advance that a family member has fragile health, it is useful to check before the trip which doctor home-visit services are available in the Old Pasadena area and nearby hotels.

On-Site Medical Support: Independent House-Call Doctor

Sometimes you might feel unwell right during a walk through Old Pasadena or a visit to a restaurant. At such moments, you don’t always want to get behind the wheel and drive to urgent care just for an exam and a few recommendations.

In the Old Pasadena area, independent doctors are available who travel to the guest’s location: to a nearby hotel room, apartment, rental property, or other private space. A guest can:

  • Call a doctor.

  • Undergo a short consultation.

  • Receive a basic exam and recommendations—without a trip to a clinic or waiting in line.

Such a doctor operates independently of the restaurant and is not part of The Cheesecake Factory chain. This service is available for various categories of guests—the elderly, families with children, and travelers with chronic conditions. For many, this is a way to make their stay in Pasadena calmer and safer: knowing that, if necessary, help can be received right on the spot.

Summary & Tips

Small Practical Tips Before You Go

  • On weekends, arrive a little before the peak hours to reduce wait times.

  • If you plan on appetizers and drinks, check for Happy Hour in the bar.

  • If you want cheesecake but are afraid you “won’t master it” after the main course, simply order it to go.

  • If someone in your group needs accessible seating, tell the host immediately—it will be easier to find a suitable table.

Who Will Enjoy This Restaurant (and Who Might Not)

You will enjoy it if you:

  • Want a familiar and predictable format in the city center.

  • Are coming with a group where everyone has different tastes.

  • Love large portions and classic American food.

It might not be for you if you:

  • Handle noise and large, crowded halls poorly.

  • Prefer small local bistros with a short, chef-driven menu. In that case, it might be more comfortable to choose a smaller establishment elsewhere in Old Pasadena and come here separately just for cheesecake and coffee.

Quick Snapshot

  • Address: 2 West Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91101

  • Format: Casual dining with a large American-style menu

  • Menu: Over 200 dishes, including SkinnyLicious

  • Cheesecakes: Over 30 flavors, large portions

  • Location: Center of Old Pasadena, near shops and movies