Is The Cheesecake Factory Halal?

The Cheesecake Factory is a large full-service chain. Its parent company runs about 370 restaurants across several brands ^[2]. In the US, it has no halal certificate and does not publish a halal statement.

The US certifier HMS (Halal Monitoring Services) marks the chain as "Not Verified" ^[1]. HMS has not inspected the suppliers behind its meat, so it cannot confirm that anything on the menu is zabiha ^[1].

That does not prove every dish is haram. It means no one has verified the meat or the kitchen for you. For the US, the honest answer is "not certified."

The chain is named after its cheesecakes, so many people ask about desserts. The Cheesecake Factory does not certify any dessert as halal. Before you order one, think about these points:

• Gelatin. Some cakes, mousses and toppings may use gelatin, which can come from pork or beef. Our gelatin page covers the different views.
• Alcohol-based flavorings. Vanilla extract and some liqueur-flavored desserts may contain alcohol. See our page on vanilla extract.
• Cheese and rennet. Cream cheese is usually made without rennet, but check the ingredients.

Our general guide on whether cheesecake is halal explains which ingredients to watch for. Ask staff for the ingredient or allergen information for the exact dessert.

The Cheesecake Factory is a full-service restaurant with a bar, and its menus include cocktails ^[2]. Some full-service kitchens also cook with wine. See our page on cooking wine for the scholarly views on alcohol that is cooked into food.

The kitchen handles many dishes on shared grills, pans and fryers. Even a meat-free dish can touch other ingredients. If you choose a vegetarian or seafood dish, ask whether it uses wine, stock or bacon, and whether it is cooked separately.

Seafood is a common choice at uncertified restaurants. Our seafood page explains how the schools of thought view different kinds.

The chain expanded into the Middle East through a partnership with Kuwaiti franchise company M.H. Alshaya, starting in 2011 ^[2]. Its international list includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain ^[2].

In these markets, the local operator chooses its own suppliers, so the answer is not the same as in the US. We could not find a published halal certificate. When you visit, look for the certificate and check that it is current.

In the US, HMS says certification is granted per location and would be listed in its directory ^[1]. We found no certified US location.

1. Ask for a certificate. If a branch claims halal, it should show a current certificate with the certifier's name and address.
2. Check the certifier's directory. HMS says any certified location would appear in its directory, along with what the certificate covers ^[1].
3. Ask about wine, stock and bacon. Many sauces and sides at full-service restaurants use them.
4. Ask for allergen and ingredient info for desserts before you order.

For other sit-down chains, see our pages on Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse and P.F. Chang's.