The Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen in Pembroke Pines, Florida, is part of a casual dining chain known for its commitment to making food from scratch at affordable prices.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the location and the brand:
Pembroke Pines Location Information
What Makes Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen Unique
The core differentiator for Cheddar’s is its “Scratch Kitchen” philosophy, which involves preparing a significant portion of its menu items in-house daily, using fresh ingredients. This approach to American comfort food is intended to provide a high-quality, homemade dining experience without the high price tag often associated with made-from-scratch food.
Key aspects of its uniqueness include:
- Commitment to Scratch Cooking: Dishes like their hand-breaded chicken tenders, house-smoked ribs, and many side dishes are prepared fresh in the restaurant’s kitchen.
- High Value Proposition: The brand is well-known for offering generous portions and a full dining experience at reasonable, “wallet-friendly” prices.
- Atmosphere: The restaurants aim for a warm, welcoming, and casual atmosphere, often featuring an open floorplan and sometimes incorporating elements like a tropical aquarium.
History
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen was founded in 1979 by Aubrey Good and Doug Rogers.
- First Location: The original restaurant, initially called “Cheddar’s Casual Cafe,” opened in Arlington, Texas.
- Name Origin: The name “Cheddar’s” was reportedly suggested by a local 5th-grade class when the founders asked for restaurant name ideas.
- Rebranding: In 2015, the company rebranded to Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen to better reflect its commitment to freshly prepared meals.
- Acquisition: In 2017, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen was acquired by Darden Restaurants, the parent company of brands like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, allowing for continued growth and expansion.
Highlight Menu Items
The menu focuses on classic American comfort food. Popular and highly praised items include:
- Honey Butter Croissants: Flaky, house-made croissants served with signature honey butter—a complimentary and customer-favorite item.
- Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders: Often cited as a signature item, they are hand-breaded in-house.
- Homemade Onion Rings: Fresh-cut, hand-battered, and made to order.
- House-Smoked Baby Back Ribs: Slow-smoked and known for their fall-off-the-bone tenderness.
- Homemade Chicken Pot Pie: A classic comfort dish made from scratch.
- Santa Fe Spinach Dip: A popular appetizer featuring a creamy three-cheese blend dip.
Customer Feedback
Customer feedback for Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen often highlights the following:
- Positives: The great value, generous portion sizes, and the quality and flavor of the scratch-made items (especially the croissants and chicken tenders) are frequently praised. The family-friendly atmosphere is also a common positive.
- Areas for Improvement: As a high-volume casual dining restaurant, some reviews occasionally mention inconsistencies in service speed or dish preparation, which can be typical for the segment.
Significant Events at the Pembroke Pines Location
Specific, noteworthy historical events exclusively tied to the Pembroke Pines location, such as major anniversaries, charity drives, or unusual incidents, are not widely publicized or documented in general search results. Like most chain locations, its main activities revolve around daily operations, seasonal menu changes, and local community engagement efforts.
It is worth noting that the brand has participated in corporate-level partnerships, such as the sponsorship of NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, which includes promotions like a “Free Tenders” offer following a Cup Series win. Local events are often posted on community calendars or on the restaurant’s immediate social media/in-store signage.
