Zack's Hot Dogs, Cheesecake Factory Win Raves

The whole 'national Hot Dog Day' was definitely last month, but the Detroit News' Molly Abraham still thinks you should go try out Zack's Hot Dogs out in Warren. Calling the space a "gleaming" example of "pretty much...any fast food restaurant," (figure that one out), Abraham has nice things to say about both the 24 varieties of hot dog and the less-exotic hamburger options on the menu.

Zack's, formerly a part of the national Zack's Hot Dogs chain, tweaks the menu with creative takes on a range of hot dog flavors and a special eye for the local favorite, the coney dog. "The gentle price structure here, the dedicated proprietor and the good housekeeping really elevate this spot above the fast food crowd," Abraham writes, before listing two other "interesting" local hot doggeries at the end of her column.

In the Freep this morning,Sylvia Rector has less of a review of the new Cheesecake Factory in Novi's Twelve Oaks Mall and more of a "by-the-numbers" report from the front lines of a crazy opening day.

The eager crowds in the winding line outside the front door (some of whom arrived nearly six hours before the 11 a.m. opening) told Rector they were eager to try a wide range of Cheesecake staples, including the chicken Madiera and steak Diane combo plate and the chicken Alfredo.

The best takeaway comes from the Cheesecake Factory public relations director Alethea Rowe, who called the assembled Detroiters in line yesterday "by far the most enthusiastic group of people we've ever met."

So, good job, people. You've impressed the higher-ups at a successful middle-American chain of eateries with your excitement and enthusiasm for their food. A side note — the Cheesecake Factory doesn't take reservations, so you'll probably have lines to wait in there for the foreseeable future.
· Casual Zack's Hot Dogs Goes Above and Beyond Basic Fast Food [DetNews]
· Cheesecake Factory Fans Flock to Novi Restaurant Grand Opening [Freep]