Most Famous Cheese Cake in NYC
I had hot pot recommended by my Chinese friend in Manhattan’s Chinatown, and while checking the map, I saw that Eileen’s Special Cheesecake, a place famous for its delicious cheesecakes, was just a 10-minute walk away, so I decided to check it out. The location was just on the outskirts of Soho, so it was very easy to get to. We briefly explored Soho, had Lao Jie Hot Pot in Chinatown, and then headed over there.
The shop is located on a corner, and it’s not very big, so you could easily miss it. I had walked past that street dozens of times, and even though it’s a famous cheesecake shop in New York, I always missed it until this time.
They’ve been around since 1974, sticking to just one shop and not expanding, which gave off a vibe of a cheesecake artisan. I was really curious to see how delicious it must be for it to be called “special.”
As soon as we walked in, the shop was packed with people, but we were lucky enough to place our order right away! After us, the line got pretty long.
There were various sizes displayed in the showcase, from small sizes perfect for one person to medium and large sizes. Behind the counter, employees were constantly making cakes. At Eileen’s, they’re always baking cakes in the back, and the showcase is always full of them. By closing time, there are only one or two left because so many people come in throughout the day. There were a lot of different cakes to choose from, so we asked the staff for the best recommendations, and they suggested four: classic plain, strawberry, Oreo, and salted caramel. We decided to try the plain and strawberry ones.
When we ordered, the staff immediately packed the cakes into boxes, then asked if we wanted to eat in or take it to go. There was a small bar table space inside where we could eat, so we decided to stay and enjoy it there.
Our Pick
-
Classic Plain - As soon as I took a bite, I couldn’t help but say, “Wow, this is delicious!” In the U.S., desserts are usually very sweet, but this one was just perfectly sweet, not overwhelming at all. While most cakes feel a bit heavy, Eileen’s basic cheesecake had this refreshing and light feel to it, even though it was still a dessert.
-
Strawberry- The strawberry one was also amazing! As soon as I tasted it, I couldn’t stop saying, “This is so good!” The base of the cheesecake was the same as the plain one, but the topping gave it a completely different flavor. Even though American strawberries are usually not that great, the strawberries on Eileen’s cheesecake were different. The refreshing and creamy taste of the cheesecake paired perfectly with the fresh, tangy strawberries.
We usually don’t have dessert after a meal, but we were really satisfied with this one. Even though we were super full from the hot pot, it was so delicious that we still enjoyed every bite. Next time, I’d love to try the other flavors the staff recommended.
Final thoughts : Should you go?
Even people who don’t usually enjoy desserts will love this place, and if you’re a fan of sweets, you definitely won’t be disappointed!