More than 30 varieties of the signature dessert make up only a part of this chain restaurant's gigantic international menu.

In Short
Oddball architecture--curving surfaces and colorful light fixtures--and thick-as-a-book menus distinguish this restaurant from other eateries. The encyclopedic menu spans the globe with enormous American interpretations of dishes like pad thai, shrimp tacos, miso salmon, pasta Milanese and a slate of appetizers, sandwiches, entrees and desserts too extensive to list. The namesake cheesecakes, ranging from original to peanut-butter-cup-fudge ripple, are over the top in both concept and decadence.

Decadent cheesecakes and classic American cuisine makes this a popular chain.

In Short
Faux-rustic finishes and colorful light fixtures abound at this almost always crowded chain. The thick-as-a-book menu features Americanized versions of worldly cuisines--Mexican, Vietnamese, Italian, Thai--but succeeds best with American classics. Burgers are a good choice, especially the ''''Roadside Sliders,'''' mini burgers served as appetizers. The myriad cheesecakes are over-the-top in concept and decadence. You'll leave full, with leftovers.