Sunny Hostin Defends the Cheesecake Factory Amid Viral Date Discussion
Sunny Hostin, a host on The View, came to the defense of the Cheesecake Factory in the wake of a viral TikTok video that criticized the restaurant as a choice for a first date.
During the latest episode of The View, Hostin shared her affection for the Cheesecake Factory, revealing that she frequents the restaurant on a weekly basis. She explained, “I want to stand up for the Cheesecake Factory ’cause I go there every week.” She added that her daughter, Paloma, has ACT Prep nearby, making the Cheesecake Factory a convenient choice. Hostin also mentioned that she and fellow host Sara agree on the Cheesecake Factory’s ability to craft the best dirty martini.
Hostin praised the popular eatery and shared her favorite dishes, including Tex-Mex egg rolls and chicken dumplings. She expressed her surprise regarding the online debate about unsuitable places for a first date, mentioning that she appreciates more casual dining options like Chili’s and Chipotle. Her fellow talk show hosts echoed similar sentiments.
Alyssa Farah Griffin disclosed her affection for Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and McDonald’s, emphasizing that the location is not as critical as the connection between individuals. Hostin continued the debate by revealing that her first date with her husband, Emmanuel, took place at Popeye’s, a choice that Alyssa Farah Griffin commended as a “good move.” Joy Behar reminisced about her first date with her husband, Steve Janowitz, at the Empire Chinese restaurant.
In the original TikTok video that sparked the debate, the woman on the date argued that the Cheesecake Factory was an inappropriate choice for a first date because it was a “chain restaurant.” She expressed her astonishment that her date selected a chain restaurant for their meeting.
The man on the date explained that he had certain expectations for a first date, including treating the person with respect and acting like a gentleman. He also responded to the woman’s criticism in the video.
The video garnered over 8 million views on TikTok and inspired a list of “places that women refuse to go on a first date” on Twitter (formerly known as X). Buffalo Wild Wings humorously responded to their mention on the list, playfully indicating that someone’s fondness for wings, beer, and sports might be a key factor.
